USA > Louisiana > The Diocese of Louisiana, some of its history, 1838-1888; also some of the history of its parishes and missions, 1805-1888 > Part 10
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In 1843 and 1844, the Rev. Mr. Stamer. of the Church of England, officiated in this parish.
This footing was unfortunately only a temporary one, and it was not until 1851 that a permanent lodgment was made.
On the 9th November, 1851. the Rev. Caleb Dowe * entered on the duties of a minister " in Donaldsonville. Two weeks later. November 23d, the Bishop arrived and organized the parish anew. On the 1st December, Mr. Dowe became rector. The Legislature granted a charter. which was recorded February 5, 1852.
On the 29th August, 1852, the Hon. Henry JJohnson donated a very valuable piece of property to the corporation, two lots, sixty by one hundred feet each. on which stood a large two-story house and a school house. An expense for repairs, not exceeding $1,500, would have made the property worth from $4,000 to $6.000. Thus was provided at once a rectory and a parochial school building. The deed recited that there should be established an "Episcopal Institute," literary and religious; the government to be vested in the Bishop, the rector and two other persons, to be appointed by the Vestry from their own number, or from the congregation, the power to appoint the rector of the institution being vested in the Bishop alone.
The services were held in the court house. There were then seventeen communicants.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
On the 26th May, 1852, the parish was admitted into union with the Convention. and was represented by Robert H. Bradford.
In 1852. services were commenced on the place of the Hon. John L. Manning. of South Carolina.
In 1853. Miss Annie Porter became the principal of the institute.
On the 1st October. 1854. Mr. Dowe resigned. He was succeeded, March 13, 1854. by the Rev. W. E. Phillips. Ser- viees continued to be held in the court house until 1856, when they were removed to the Methodist chapel.
In 1856. the rector notes the hearty and efficient co-operation of the. proprietor and his wife, and also the manager. in the endeavor. on the Manning place. to improve the social and religious condition of their people. In this year also. arrangements were made to extend the services of the Church to the colored people on the estate of Col. J. S. Preston. of South Carolina.
In 1858. there were four missions among the servants of the parish. The rector said he had much to encourage him in all his labors, especially those of the missions.
In 1861, Mr. Phillips resigned. For nine years thereafter there were no services.
In 1870, the parish was reorganized by the Rev. Mr. Dillon- Lee, of Bayou Gonla. The rectory was suitably arranged for the purposes of Divine worship : a cabinet organ was purchased and a communion set bought. There were then twelve communicants.
Mr. Dillon-Lee resigned in 1872 and was succeeded by his father, the Rev. M. M. Dillon. March 2. 1872.
In 1873. the ladies of the congregation raised $1,600 towards the erection of a church. Mr. Dillon resigned in 1873.
In 1875. the Bishop said that the excellent lay reader. Jonas W. Bailey, whose home was seven miles distant. and the roads. at times, almost impassable, has never once failed to be present, and to read the service of the Church. from the beginning to the end of the year. 1
In 1885, the Rev. C. W. Hilton became rector. Five hundred dollars were spent in repairs on the church. Mr. Hilton resigned in 1877. on account of failing strength.
In June, 1877, the Rev. Edward Lewis became rector. The church was painted, the chancel beautifully carpeted and com- pletely furnished. The rectory was converted into a cottage, 8
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
at an expense of $1.000. A debt of $600 was incurred in this work.
Mr. Lewis resigned in July, 1878. and was succeeded. Sep- tember 24, 1878, by the Rev. Robert S. Stuart.
In 1880, the church was supplied with new pews and a neat stained glass chancel window.
In 1883. a horse and buggy were presented to the rector.
In 1884. the Ladies' Aid Society was reported as unwearied in their efforts for good. The church and rectory were repainted and the debt paid.
In July. 1886, Mr. Stuart resigned. For a short while the Rev. E. W. Hunter held services.
On the 25th April. 1886. the Rev. W. Taylor Douglas became the eighth rector. He resigned April 30, 1887, and in July the Rev. Mr. Stuart resumed the pastorate, resigning it, however, in the following February.
The Rev. Belno A. Brown took charge of the parish August 5. 1888.
The parish has been represented in the Councils of the Diocese by Robert H. Bradford, General Robert W. Boyd, E. M Mason, twice: Christian Kline, twice; A. S. Darrow, R. T. Hanson, four times ; Jonas W. Bailey, R. N. Sims, W. P. Miles, twice, and F. N. Gray.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. ALBAN'S CHURCH, JACKSON.
IN 1842, the Rev. Wm. B. Lacey, D. D., became president of the College of Louisiana, at Jackson, and officiated on Sundays for the residents. Subsequently, when in 1844, he organized, in the same town, the Southern Institute for young ladies, le contin- ued his Sunday ministrations for the people at large.
In 1854, a parish was organized under the name of St. Alban's Church, the Rev. Dr. Lacey, rector; and was admitted to union with the Convention May 13, 1854. The parish was represented at that time by James R. Chambers. There were then three communicants.
The Bishop said. in 1856, that it seemed to him that Jackson was a very attractive place for a church, and he earnestly hoped that the residents of the vicinage would adopt such measures as might be necessary for its firm and permanent establishment. "To withhold which would argue, not only lack of Christian lib- erality, but, under the circumstances, as. Churchmen, a very short- sighted policy."
He afterwards visited the estate of Capt. Chambers. "His slaves were under the immediate instruction of one of the sons of the proprietor (J. R. Chambers), who, with conscientious faith- fulness and regularity, devotes himself to their moral and religious training ; and the fidelity in all the relations of life, which has clearly been seen to follow, as fruits of this system ; the improved moral sense, and spiritual and Christian enlightenment, is not only its highest commendation, but its most satisfactory reward."
In 1857, the rector reported that public worship had been discontinued for the want of a suitable place for its celebration. It was resumed, however, the next year, in a neat upper-chamber, fitted up in church-like style.
In 1859, Dr. Lacey resigned, and was succeeded. June 15, 1859, by the Rev. John E. C. Smedes, of Clinton. Divine service was celebrated on alternate Sundays.
In 1861, James R. Chambers was appointed lay reader, and he conducted the services in the absence of the rector.
In 1870, the Rev. Richard Johnson, of St. Francisville. re- vived the work. The attendance at services averaged from sixty
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to one hundred. They paid a stipend of $300. There were sixteen communicants. Mr. Johnson died January 7. 1872.
The Rev. A. G. Bakewell. of St. Francisville, took charge of the parish in 1872. resigning in 1873 to the Rev. James Philson. of Clinton.
In 1878. a misssion was established at Mt. Willing, which drew off most of the strength from St. Alban's. In that year Mr. Philson resigned. Lay services were maintained.
The parish had acquired four lots of ground. The revenue from this was used in 1884. to assist in building the church at Mt. Willing.
In 1886. it was reported that a Sunday school had been inau- gurated.
In 1887. a donation of $100 was received for the purchase of an additional lot. In this year the Rev. E. W. Hunter began to hold services at Jackson.
The parish has been represented in the Councils of the Diocese by J. N. Chambers. James R. Chambers. (eight times), and J. E. T. Gourley.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, CLINTON.
IN 1842, the Rev. Dr. Lacey, of Jackson, began holding ser- vices in Clinton.
In 1843, the Rev. Mr. Raney held service seven times.
On the 16th March, 1850. the first Episcopal service was holden, in the court house.
In January, 1852, the Rev. Frederick Dean moved to Clinton and established the regular services of the Church. A hall was " well filled." A parish was soon afterwards organized under the name of St. Andrew's.
On the 25th May, 1852, the parish was admitted into union with the Convention. F. Hardesty and M. G. Mills were the del- egates of the parish.
In 1854, Mr. Dean died. " He was a good man. and few have passed out of this life who had a larger share of the respect and esteem of those who knew him." He was succeeded 1st Jannary, 1855, by the Rev. John T. Cushing. On the Ist October he re- signed. There were then two communicants.
On the 15th June. 1859, the Rev. John E. C. Smedes became rector. He served until 1866, when he resigned.
On the 15th January, 1868, the Bishop baptized five adults and preached to " a large and appreciative congregation." On the next day, he was called early in the morning to meet a class for confirmation, next to administer infant baptism ; at eleven o'clock he read morning prayer, administered adult baptism, preached, and confirmed fifteen persons, addressed the class and administered the Holy Eucharist. In the afternoon. presided at a Vestry meeting, and instructed a second elass for confirmation. In the evening, read prayers, again administered adult baptism, preached, and confirmed ten persons. These services ended, he solemnized a marriage. At a later hour other candidates pre- sented themselves-he could not refuse to consider their bereft condition-and the services concluded with a third adult baptism, a third confirmation, and a parting address to the congregation. "It almost breaks one's heart," said the good Bishop, "to turn away from a people so eager for instruction, and to feel yourself powerless to send them relief."
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HISTORY OF THIE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
The Rev. A. G. Bakewell became rector in January. 1870. Services were held in the Presbyterian church.
In 1871. the parish received a bequest, which was used in the erection of the church. The lady who gave it was a Baptist. but built the church as a memorial of her husband, who was a Church- man.
The organ, a costly one. was the gift of a lady of Presbyterian predilections. The choir mingled the voices of Jews and Gentiles. the chief singer being an Israelite, who for many years had vol- unteered his services. It did not lower the signification of these facts, that in no parish in the Diocese were the doctrines of our holy faith more distinctly set forth, and the Church rule and wor- ship more inflexibly maintained by minister and people. There were now seventy-three communicants.
Mr. Bakewell resigned in 1872, and was succeeded February 19. 1873. by the Rev. James Philson.
The church was consecrated November 23. 1873.
On the 1st April. 1879, Mr. Philson resigned. In 1882. Mr. Bakewell. of St. Francisville. took temporary charge again of the parish. but relinquished it the same year to the Rev. M. T. Turner. He resigned in 1883.
In 1885, the Rev. E. W. Hunter began to hold services and has continued in charge to this date.
On the 26th March, 1887. died Mr. Louis Nauman, a warden of the Church. He was an Israelite indeed, and a very earnest and helpful Churchman.
The Sunday school is in charge of Aleck Sadler and Fred Hochendell. Every Sunday morning prayer is read by those gen- themen, and the Sunday school children form the choir, rendering the chants and hymns beautifully.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, DEVALL'S.
Otherwise, WEST BATON ROUGE. SMITHFIELD. OR GROSSMAN'S
LANDING.
IN 1843. this parish was organized, " under such circumstan- ces," said the Bishop, "as bid fair to make it one of our most im- portant and promising country parishes."
The church that was subsequently erected, was built on a plantation and not in a settlement. It has been called. therefore. by various designations; "'St. John's, West Baton Rouge," after the secular parish : in 1846 and 1847. "Smithfield," after the name of the plantation. Subsequently. "Grossman's Landing." from the nearest steamboat landing, and finally. "Devall's." from the post office of the neighborhood.
The Rev. A. H. Lamon was the first rector. His work began in January, 1844.
The parish was admitted to union with the Convention June 15, 1844, and was represented that year by those gentlemen who thereafter bore so conspicuous a part in the Councils of the Church, John P. Lobdell and David Devall.
A neat church edifice was erected at a cost of about $1.800. In 1848, an organ was purchased, at a cost of $500.
In 1850, the communicants numbered ninety-five, of whom seventy were colored persons.
The rector, while employed in his duties, ministering to the sick and dying. not only in his proper parish, but also in the city of Baton Rouge, during the prevalence of the yellow fever, fell sick with that disease, and on the 28th October, 1853, was called to his rest.
The Rev. Edward C. Benson took charge of the parish December 1. 1853, but his voice breaking down, he resigned March 1, 1854. Subsequently, the services were maintained by a lay reader, Mr. Joseph Jones.
In 1855, the Rev. Edward H. Kennedy took charge of the parish. He resigned the following August. and was succeeded November 1, 1855, by the Rev. J. T. Cushing.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
The rectory was commenced in 1856. and was ready for ocen- paney November 1, 1857.
On Monday, in Easter Week, 1857, all the pews but four at the extremity of the building were " taken."
The colored people of the congregation were ministered to by services. alternately between the church and the plantation of Mr. Lobdell. The church was often more than filled.
Mr. Cushing resigned in 1859. On the 8th January, 1860, the Rev. D. E. Barr took temporary charge of the parish, relin- quishing it during the year.
In 1860, there were one hundred and thirteen communicants. of whom eighty-five were colored persons.
On the 1st February, 1867, the Bishop visited the congregation. His words but describe the condition of the parish at that time. " I preached," he said, "to a small but devout congregation. This parish, once so prosperous, presents a scene of desolation almost sickening to the heart. May the Lord interpose to arrest the sufferings of this precions people, and bring them deliverance."
In 1868, the Rev. Dr. Strong, of Baton Rouge, began minis- tering to this congregation, and so continued to the end of his residence there. April 17, 1876.
In 1872, the church was burned.
In 1879, the Rev. John Philson revived, for a short while, the services in this parish.
In 1884, the parish received a bequest from Mrs. Laurason. of about $5000. It was in " notes," and delay was experienced in collecting them, so that it was 1887 before sufficient could be realized to justify a contract to rebuild the church. But in that year the church was erected. The plans were generously fur- nished by Mr. S. N. Clark, of Nashville, Tennessee, a brother of a Vestryman of the parish. The church is Gothic in style, with handsome stained glass windows. The walls are low and of brick : the roof high and arched ; capacity about one hundred and fifty. The Sunday school is in charge of Mr. John Lobdell.
The first service in the new elmirch was held January 29, 1888. The Rev. E. W. Hunter, of New Orleans, had been in charge a little over a year. Previous to the completion of the church, ser- vices were held at the residence of Mr. W. L. Clark.
On the 10th May. 1888, the Rev. Alexander A. Cairns became rector.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
The parish has been represented in the Councils of the Dio- cese by John P. Lobdell, fourteen times: David Devall. M. D .. three times: Win. Jones Lyle. M. D., five times : Wm. Mark- ham. twice; Thomas W. Chinn. Jesse Hart. Samuel M. D. Clark. Andrew C. Woods. W. D. Winter. Douglass West and James P. Devall. twice.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH, BAYOU GOULA.
THE attention of Bishop Polk was early attracted to the neighborhood of Bayou Goula. In April. 1840, he made it a visit. He was assured that the planters were very anxious to organize a congregation and build a church.
In the spring of 1844. the Rev. Charles Fay established regu- lar services. A parish was organized under the name of "St. Mary's Church," and was admitted to union with the Convention June 15. 1844.
In 1845. a lot was given for a church, and a subscription made of sufficient amount to build it. The ladies. by the product of their needles, procured a silver eucharistie service. There were twelve communicants, "eight white and four black."
The church was not built, however, that year. .. The delay." said the rector, "could only be wondered at. not explained."
Associated with the parish were twelve plantations, on which regular services were held with the servants.
Mr. Fay resigned December 31, 1845.
In 1850, the congregation built an exceedingly neat Gothic church, of brick. and on the 21st July. 1850, it was consecrated by Bishop Polk. assisted by the Rev. Messrs. Goodrich. Linebaugh. Guion and Lamon.
On the 28th May. 1851. the Rev. Henry T. Lee was assigned to the charge. In 1853. he resigned.
In January, 1855. the Rev. J. G. Downing took charge of the parish.
In 1856. the comfortable and commodious rectory was pur- chased. This was accomplished, say the records. by a Vestryman and a lady resident in the neighborhood.
In 1857, Mr. Downing resigned, and January 1, 1858, the Rev. James Philson became rector. In making his first report, he stated that great interest was exhibited in the services, and all things connected with the Church.
In 1861, there were thirty communicants.
In 1866, the rector reported " this parish redneed to the verge of extinction, on account of the heavy losses sustained by its
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
members " during the war. Services were much interrupted dur- ing the day of civil strife. But three communicants had. how- ever, been lost, yet in the year following, the removals amounted to over half on the list.
In 1867. by the energy and activity of the senior warden. Mr. John H. Randolph and of Mr. Hudson. a cemetery was procured for the parish.
Mr. Philson resigned May 1, 1867, and was succeeded in 1869 by the Rev. M. R. St. J. Dillon-Lee. He resigned in 1872. His father, the Rev. M. M. Dillon succeeded him May 1, 1872. The number of communicants reached fifty-two under Mr. Dillon.
In 1873. the Rev. James I. Corbyn was resident in Bayon Goula, and rendered the rector "able and effectual service." Mr. Dillon resigned in 1873. In that year. the church and cemetery were refenced.
In 1875, the Rev. C. W. Hilton, then of Donaldsonville, took charge and continued services, twice a month. until some time in 1876.
In 1877, the rectory was sold. as the encroachments of the river endangered it. the proceeds being held as a sacred fund wherewith to rebuild in the future.
In 1879. the Rev. R. S. Stuart, of Donaldsonville. began monthly services. In 1880, the communicants had dwindled to ten.
The services were continued until 1884, when they were inter- rupted for some time by the breaking up of communication by high water. In 1885. Mr. Stuart resigned.
In 1886. the Rev. S. M. Wiggins took charge of the parish. In 1887, the church was put in good repair.
The parish has been represented in the Councils of the Dio- cese by Messrs. Henry Johnson. Christopher Adams. John H. Randolph. five times ; John R. Thompson, three times : William A. Reed. Edward Adams. Dr. John P. Stone and Henry Fails.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY, OPELOUSAS.
BISHOP POLK. when at Alexandria, in March. 1839, said that it was his intention to have gone through the parish of Rapides to Opelousas and the Attakapas, in which region he had heard that there were dispersed a " greater or less" number of families of the Church. But the difficulty of obtaining a means of convey- ance compelled him to forego his wishes. and it was not until four years afterwards, that the desire, as far as Opelousas was con- cerned. was accomplished. He spent several days there in March. 1844. baptizing eleven adults and ten children.
On Sunday, May 12, 1844, a meeting was held, at which it was resolved to organize a parish and build a church. The Bishop said that the prospects of usefulness were very inviting.
The Rev. John Burke was president of Franklin College. at Opelousas, in 1844 and 1845, and while no record exists of his work for the Church at that place. unquestionably he did exer- cise his ministerial functions.
In January, 1853. the Rev. A. D. McCoy visited Opelousas. He found the people " very desirous to secure some one to minis- ter to them in holy things."
In 1854. the Rev. Otis Hackett came to Opelousas and officia- ted for some little time.
In April, 1855. the Bishop, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Woart. of Franklin, visited Opelousas, baptizing three adults and eleven children, and confirming thirteen persons.
On Sunday, April 22, 1855. the parish was organized under the name of "St. Mark's Church." subsequently, however. changed to " Church of the Epiphany."
On the 3d May, 1855, the parish was admitted to union with the Convention, and was represented by Dr. Marston Campbell.
The Rev. David Kerr became the first settled rector in 1855. In that year. about $4,000 were raised and a lot was purchased. A general appeal was issued, asking assistance, but very little was received in response. There were then ten communicants.
In 1857. there was reported "a scientific choir, with a melo- deon : a beautiful and valuable square in the centre of the town
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
purchased ; the lumber for the frame of a church edifice, sixty by forty feet. after the order of the Parthenon, upon the ground."
Mr. Kerr resigned in 1857.
On the 28th March, 1861, the church was consecrated. Bishop Polk said the congregation was deserving of great credit for con- staney, manifested in its persevering efforts. They had been deprived for a considerable time of the services of a rector, yet they had never relaxed their exertions.
The next services were held by Bishop Wilmer. in January, 1867. "Through the long dreary night of their desertion." said he. " a few prayer books have been left to the congregation, and it was affecting to behold around each prayer book a little group of eager worshippers, almost sighing that the books. like the visible tongues of Pentecost. could not be eleft and divided * * the religious sentiment of the community craving the sympathy and protection of the Church. A very neat and commodious edifice survives the desecration which it was doomed to endure in the war."
The Rev. Charles Seymour became rector April 21. 1867. He resigned shortly afterwards. He was succeeded. February 10. 1868. by the Rev. Charles Morison.
Much activity was exhibited during his incumbency.
Mr. Morison resigned March 1, 1870. The Rev. J. H. Wed- dell was assigned to the parish in November. 1870.
In 1871, the congregation was reported as very weak. not self-supporting. Mr. Weddell resigned in December. 1871.
On the 1st August, 1872, the Rev. G. R. Upton took charge of the parish. He resigned in 1873, and was succeeded, July 13. 1873, by the Rev. P. Macfarlane. Considerable prosperity was manifested during his incumbency. There were twenty-three confirmed, and the number of communicants rose to sixty. The church was improved. and a mission at Belleview was commenced November 9, 1873.
Mr. Macfarlane resigned in May. 1874. The Rev. J. L. Arthurton, a clergyman not of the diocese, had charge of the church for a while in 1878.
The Rev. William Leacock was rector from January 1, 1880. to July 1, 1880, and the Rev. C. P. K. Coombe, from December 12, 1880, to December 12, 1883, and then the Rev. C. C. Kramer. from February 1, 1885, to February 1, 1886. Since the last named
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
date Mr. Kramer, now of New Iberia, has given occasional ser- vices. For the last two years the congregation have been collect- ing funds to build a new church.
The parish has been represented in the Councils of the Dio- cese by Dr. Marston Campbell. F. P. Brand, John H. Overton, three times ; Joseph M. Moore, twice. and J. L. Morris.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ZION CHURCH, ST. MARTINSVILLE.
ON Wednesday, April 15, 1844. Bishop Polk preached in the court house. The next morning he baptized five adults and twenty-seven children, seven of whom were colored. "Here there are families enough." he said. "to form quite a respectable congregation. I have appointed two gentlemen as lay readers."
The Rev. Lucius M. Purdy, of New York, labored there for a while, without transfer to the Diocese. His work began in November, 1844. The congregation specially requested that the services might be in English, and they were so conducted ordinarily.
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