THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9412200513
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Long : 173 lines
IT'S NOT EVERY day that a church in America observes its 350th anniversary. That's why St. Paul's Episcopal is celebrating with pomp and style for an entire year with four quarterly events, each depicting a century of the historic past of this unique congregation.
Two celebrations have already occurred. The first, in May, was a gala recital by guest organists from various churches throughout Hampton Roads. This evening of sacred music featured the church's 17th century, northern German, Schnitzger-style Casavant organ, the type played by Bach and his contemporaries.
The second event was in October, featuring a Saturday evening concert of 18th century sacred and secular music presented by the Williamsburg Chamber Singers. An exhibit in the church's Guild Room titled ``The Colonial Church'' showcased memorabilia from early days of the parish as well as a pictorial history of St. Paul's Vestry. Sunday's portion of this weekend celebration included a liturgy from the 1789 Book of Common Prayer and a historical overview by the Rev. James Newsom, former rector of St. Paul's for more than 25 years. An afternoon pilgrimage to the original site of the church's first building offered parishioners an opportunity to reflect on how God has blessed and sustained their congregation over the centuries.
Upcoming celebrations scheduled for February and June will highlight the church's 19th and 20th century progress. A special 100th birthday party in June will emphasize the laying of the cornerstone of the present building in 1893 and its completion in 1895. This grande finale will coincide with the Day of Pentecost, the birth date of the Christian Church.
St. Paul's rector, the Rev. H. Vance Mann III, sees this yearlong celebration as a time to reflect on the past and prepare for the future.
``It's a time to learn what our ministry to this community has been over the years and to glean from that what God has called us to do and be today,'' he said in a recent interview.
Reflecting on his parish's life in the 18th century, Mann noted how much things have changed.
``During a 1789 liturgy, there was no participation on the part of the people. A service of that day probably would have lasted three to four hours with at least 40 to 60 minutes for the sermon.
``Services were very Puritan, and the clergy of that day probably wore academic gowns for the entire service.''
When people in those days came to church, they came to spend the day,'' added local history enthusiast Marion Watson, a longtime parishioner of St. Paul's and a key link in researching records for the congregation.
During October's anniversary observance, Mann read the morning liturgy from the church's original 1789 Book of Common Prayer. While faded and dated by its close print and the unusual shape of its letters, this Bible is still readable and usable.
Other historic objects have been preserved through the years and serve as reminders of earlier parish life. A large, leather-bound Bible, dated 1751 and taken from the ``Handsome New Brick Church,'' still resides at St. Paul's. The velvet altar cloth that was first used in the original church (1642) at Reid's Ferry was saved and now belongs to the church. Two Queen Anne chairs, on display in the chapel, are believed to have come from the original church and are thought to be part of the gifts given to the parish by Queen Anne of England.
An impressive array of stained-glass windows from various periods also lines the walls of the sanctuary and wraps present-day worshipers in their warm, vibrant colors. These windows tell the story of Christ from birth to the Ascension and include representations of many of the apostles and saints. Two windows are the handiwork of artisan Louis Comfort Tiffany. One of these, ``Jesus in the Temple,'' depicts the Christ Child and His mother, Mary. Given in memory of the Gomer family, this signed Tiffany masterpiece dates to the early 1920s.
Watson relates the history behind ``St. George and the Dragon,'' a stained-glass window given in memory of Civil War General Lawrence Baker. It seems that after the war, Ulysses S. Grant issued an invitation for Baker to take a post in Washington. But Baker turned down the offer and instead became the ticket agent for the Seaboard Railroad in Suffolk so he could remain with the men from his troops.
Throughout the centuries, the Episcopal Church has overcome many obstacles. ``Following the Revolutionary War, Chief Justice John Marshall even stated, `The Episcopal Church in Virginia is on the road to extinction,' '' Mann noted.
But in spite of persecution and hardship, the church did not die. And St. Paul's is a living testimony to a congregation that has endured and become strong through the years. Today, with 260 active parishioners, St. Paul's is still an active part of Suffolk's religious life.
``I see as much potential in St. Paul's as in any church I've ever served,'' Mann said. ``There are so many opportunities and ways this congregation can serve Suffolk and the Diocese of Virginia.''
Building upon their historic past, parishioners at St. Paul's plan to continue an active ministry into the 21st century.
``The challenge will be in finding ways that we can serve our community, and in letting God guide us in finding those ways and doing them,'' Mann said. MEMO: A HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
1642: St. Paul's Episcopal Church traces its lifeline to a group of
Anglicans formed in this year. It becomes the church of the Upper
Parish, one of three Colonial parishes set in Nansemond County by the
Church of England.
1643: The first church of the Upper Parish is built, probably within
a few years of 1643, on high ground overlooking the Western Branch of
the Nansemond River near Reid's Ferry.
1743-93: According to ``The Vestry Book of 1743-1793,'' which has
been preserved and is now in the Virginia State Library in Richmond, the
``Brick Church'' has been in use for more than 100 years.
1746: The Vestry meets and decides a ``new Brick Church'' should be
built at another location so the Parish Church can serve the greatest
number of people.
1748: It is decided to locate the new church in the ``Towne of
Suffolk'' and that a ``handsome brick church'' should be built.
1753: The ``New Brick Church'' is built on Back Street, which runs
parallel to Main Street.
1758: Vestries were charged by law to care for the poor, so the
parish builds a poorhouse on Main Street. By 1778 the poorhouse is sold,
but the care of the poor remains an expensive problem for the Vestry.
1766: An outraged Vestry tries to ``turn out'' a troublesome
minister. In 1771 the case is heard by the General Court and engages the
services of such notable men as Thomas Jefferson, George Wythe, Richard
Bland and John Randolph.
1779: In May, the British send a raiding party to Suffolk, and it
captures or burns the town's stores and ships. Fire destroys most of the
town, including the courthouse and clerk's office, which held all
records. The church building escapes the fire but suffers much damage in
the war.
1784: The General Assembly passes an act incorporating the Protestant
Episcopal Church. In 1785, the Vestry of the Upper Parish meets and
reorganizes the Colonial parish to be a part of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, which would be successor to the Church of England and continue
the tradition of Anglican worship and doctrine.
1802: Some men meet at Matthias Jones Tavern and vote to
``subscribe'' money to buy a lot for a chapel to be available for any
religious group. Records indicate this building was used by
Episcopalians, Baptists, Methodists and O'Kellyites. This chapel was
known as The Union Chapel, located in what is now Cedar Hill Cemetery.
1843: The Episcopalians have a membership of 102. They call the Rev.
Charles H. Disbrow of Troy, N.Y., as rector and begin plans for a new
church building.
1846: On April 25, the cornerstone is laid at the construction site
of a new Episcopal church in the 300 block of North Main Street.
1862: In May, the Union Army moves into Suffolk, and certain members
of St. Paul's are upset that Union soldiers opened the church and held
services there.
1893: In the years following the Civil War, the membership of St.
Paul's grows, and a larger building is needed. The cornerstone of the
present building in the 200 block of North Main Street is laid on April
29.
1895: The structure is completed. The parish membership is 125.
1897: The Rev. Joseph B. Dunn becomes rector of St. Paul's and serves
until 1910. He researched and wrote one of the earliest histories of
Suffolk and Nansemond County.
1900s: Four major renovations and additions have been made to St.
Paul's present building since 1895. The church has grown to a membership
of 260 and remains an integral part of Suffolk's religious community. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by Mike Kestner
Cover photo of Rev. Vance Mann
Two of the stained glass windows in St. Paul's by Louis C. Tiffany.
The one above depicts the scripture: "I was thirsty and you game me
drink." Tiffany's signature appears on the window at right.
Church leaders through the years appear to look over historian
Marion Watson's shoulders from their photographs. Watson is a member
of St. Paul's, where the Rev. Vance Mann, below, is the minister.
A sign designates the site of Suffolk's first church. Above is an
artist's rendering of the building, which is part of the exhibit at
the church.
Photo
A large brass eagle resides in the sanctuary of St. Paul's Church.
by CNB