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 15
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On the 1st May, 1856. the parish was admitted to union with the Convention, being represented by A. B. Bacon.
In 1857. everything was reported as full of hope and promise. In 1858, four hundred dollars was given for an organ. In 1861. the number of communicants was sixty-nine.
On the 14th May, 1863, the rector was sent away from New Orleans by a military order. and the flock was left without a shepherd. Not long after the church was seized. and occupied by a negro school. Soon after this act of sequestration, the church. from an unknown cause, took fire and was entirely consumed.
After the close of active hostilities in the field, the rector returned, to find his church in ashes, his library burned, his household furniture carried away-but worse of all, as he said, his congregation scattered and disheartened. This was the re- ward, by military order. for many years of labor. in epidemics, in privations. in afflictions, of the very worthy and peaceful rec- tor of St. Luke's.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
Undismayed by the magnitude of the task, the work of res- toration was faced. In June, 1865, services were recommenced in a hired room. About $4.000 was secured in cash and subscrip- tions for the rebuilding of the church, of which amount Trinity Church gave $263.
In 1867, the congregation were worshipping at Mechanics' Institute, now one of the buildings of the Tulane University, on Dryades street, near Canal.
In 1868, the church was reported as closed in, and needing $2,000 or $3,000 to complete it.
From May to December. 1868, the rector was obliged to be absent on account of severe sickness.
On the 2d January, 1869, the Bishop held a service in the church, which was intended "to inangurate that enterprise." The rally did not warrant the continuance of the work as an inde- pendent parish. Trinity Church then came forward with an offer to complete the building and fully equip it, on condition of the surrender of the property to that parish. The terms were ac- cepted, and St. Luke's parish ceased to exist.
The parish had been represented in the Conventions of the Diocese by A. B. Bacon, twice; Dr. D. S. Ball. Il. L. Church. twice; John A. Watkins, five times; 1. T. Winnemore, twice : E. W. Barnes, J. E. Lockwood, Dr. W. E. Jervey, Richard Davis, Samuel Johnson, Edward Thompson. G. P. Harrison. twice; and Thomas Higginbotham.
TRINITY CHAPEL .- The church was then at once completed. "In the records of Trinity corporation," said the Bishop. "there is no brighter page than that which records this act which has resened the Church from reproach, and saved this holy enter- prise from annihilation."
On Wednesday, April 27, 1870, the chapel was consecrated. and the Rev. Alexander Marks was placed in charge.
In 1871, a school house was built on the church grounds and a parish school was opened.
Application was made in November. 1871, to Trinity Church for consent to organize a parish, and it was granted.
GRACE PARISH. - On the 25th November. 1871, the parish was organized, the church, however, retaining the name of "Trinity Chapel." Mr. Marks became the first rector.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
On the 10th April, 1872, the parish was admitted to union with the Council, being represented by H. W. Palfrey and M. M. Moore, the latter afterwards a priest and in charge of this cure.
In April. 1883, Mr. Marks resigned, and May 15, 1873, the Rev. George R. Upton took charge of the parish.
In November, 1873, Trinity Church notified Grace Parish that they must purchase, rent or surrender the chapel. They elected to rent. and paid the charge for December, January and February. They then found themselves unable longer to continue to do so. On the 15th April, 1874, Mr. Upton resigned, and the parish was merged again into Trinity.
The parish was represented during its existence, in the Coun- cils of the Diocese. by W. H. Palfrey. twice; M. M. Moore, twice. and I. N. Marks, Jr .. as lay delegates.
TRINITY CHAPEL. - On the return of the congregation to Trinity Parish, the Rev. James H. Stringfellow was, April 26, 1874, assigned to the charge. He resigned in August, 1874, hav- ing never been canonically connected with the Diocese.
In September. 1874. the Rev. S. H. Granbury took charge of the congregation.
A valuable Sunday school library and a handsome stone font were purchased this year. The pupils of the Sunday school numbered two hundred and seventy-two.
Mr. Granbury resigned in December, 1875. The rector of the parish. Rev. Dr. Thompson. took personal charge of the chapel during February, 1876. The Rev. Charles Stewart officiated temporarily in March and April, and in June, the Rev. M. M. Moore was assigned to the charge permanently. He remained until May 4, 1878, when he was succeeded by the Rev. I. N. Marks, brother of the former inenmbent. Mr. Marks resigned April 12. 1883.
In October, 1881, a sweet toned organ was purchased, and Mr. Skardon became the organist.
The Rev. Arthur W. Chapman was in charge during Advent and Christmas-tide. 1883. -
In February, 1884. the Vestry of Trinity Church "summa- rily made over the property to the Bishop of the Diocese." He held his first service, as the immediate head of the congregation, February 24th, and the Rev. A. G. Bakewell was placed in charge of the work.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
Soon afterwards the school house was converted into a rectory.
In January, 1886. a parish was organized with the Rt. Rev. J. N. Galleher, S. T. D., Rev. A. G. Bakewell. Joseph H. Spear- ing. senior warden ; James C. Wagner, junior warden ; Alfred Auze, Mark Bredin. J. Z. Spearing. A. Norton Skardon and Emmanuel Bohner as incorporators.
Application was made to the Council of 1886 for admission to union, but it was denied, on the ground that the charter was not drawn in accordance with the requirements of the canons of the Diocese.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, HOUMA.
IN 1854, the Rev. T. R. B. Trader, of Thibodaux. began offi- ciating in Houma.
On the 15th May, 1855, a parish was organized with R. E. Butler as senior warden ; J. L. Jennings, as junior warden ; Charles Tennen. W. M. Mercer. J. R. Bisland, H. F. Collins, T: F. Brooks, R. R. Barrow and R. G. Ellis, as Vestrymen.
On the 17th May, 1855, the Rev. M. E. Wilson was elected rector. He resigned March 24. 1856.
Mr. Trader then gave services for a while on the second Sun- day of each month.
In 1857. arrangements were made for building a church, and $5.300 were raised for that purpose. There were then but two communicants.
On the 12th January, 1858, the Bishop laid the corner stone of the church. The cost of the building. of brick, well furnished, of ample size, including value of lot. was about $9,000. " For the exhibition of life and vigor in so new a parish." said the Bishop. "we are indebted to the active and laborious exertions of the Rev. T. R. B. Trader, whose self-denial and devotion to the interests of the Church entitle him to our cordial thanks."
On the 6th May, 1858, the parish was admitted to union with the Convention, being represented by Mr. Richard E. Butler.
On the 1st November. 1858, the Rev. George W. Stickney became rector.
In 1859, the church was furnished with carpet, font, silver eucharistie service, melodeon, etc .. at an outlay of about $500.
On the 2d June. 1859. the church was consecrated.
In that year, also, a neat and commodious rectory was built, at a cost of $3,600.
Regular monthly afternoon services were also held on several plantations, with evident signs of appreciation and encouragement.
Mr. Stickney resigned May 1. 1861.
During the vacancy that followed. Mr. Trader again gave his services to the parish.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
On the 1st May, 1867, the Rev. James Philson became rector, and so continued, with the exception of a brief interval in 1869. until January 1. 1873.
On the 24th September. 1873. the Rev. C. F. D. Lyne took charge of the parish in connection with St. John's Church, Thibodaux.
In 1874, the parish became vacant on account of the condi- tion of the church, and so remained for over a year, when it was repaired at an expense of more than a thousand dollars. The burden of this undertaking fell chiefly upon one member of the congregation. " whose noble ardor of devotion was largely in advance of his means. "
On the 19th of October, 1876, the Rev. William D. Christian became rector.
In 1877, a new fence was built around the church property. and substantial repairs were made on the rectory.
In 1883, the church was fully 'repaired and renovated, at an expense of some twelve hundred dollars, making the building more comely and attractive than ever before.
The Rev. Mr. Christian resigned in November, 1887, and was succeeded July 1, 1888. by the Rev. R. H. Prosser.
The parish has been represented in the Councils of the Dio- cese by Richard E. Butler, six times ; Duncan S. Cage, three times ; John R. Bisland, five times; Henry C. Minor, fifteen times ; JJames B. Bisland, T. B. Brooks and Edward McCollam, three times.
TIGERVILLE .- The Rev. G. R. Upton established a Sunday school. under a faithful layman, at Tigerville, in 1876. under the name of "Canterbury Mission." Mr. Upton relinquished the charge the same year, and the Rev. Mr. Christian assumed it and continued to maintain it as a regular mission until his resignation of St. Matthew's Church, as noted above. The name given it by Mr. Upton has not been used since his resignation.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. THOMAS' CHURCH. NEW ORLEANS.
ON the evening of Tuesday, January 20, 1855. Bishop Polk met the free people of color of New Orleans. in the French church, with a view to a conference in regard to the establish- ment of a church for them. The conference adjourned. to meet the Tuesday following. At that time. "all the preliminaries being settled. in keeping with the laws of the State and our own canon law, a congregation called St. Thomas', was duly organ- ized. and the officers. vestrymen and wardens were elected."
The name of one only of this Vestry has been preserved. Mr. JJinnings.
The congregation was placed under the care of the Rev. C. H. Williamson, and was granted the use of the French church for worship. There were then twenty families connected with the congregation. nine communicants and thirty-six pupils in the Sunday school.
The Vestry were reported the next year as very active. attending most faithfully to all expenses connected with public worship. " They spared neither time. nor labor. nor money. to keep the building in which they met in order and proper repair." Of themselves. they were prompt to ask that they might pay half the assessment made on the French church.
Mr. Williamson resigned in September, 1856. and the con- gregation dispersed. No effort was made subsequently to reviveit.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, ST. JOSEPH -- LAKE AND TOWN.
IN March. 1855. the Rev. John Philson, while in charge of a parish at Port Gibson, Mississippi, at the invitation of several gentlemen, began to hold public services in an nocenpied pri- vate dwelling house, near Lake St. Joseph. on every alternate Sunday.
A parish was partially organized under the name of St. Joseph's Church, and application for admission to union was made to the Convention of 1855. There was no evidence that the act of incorporation had been approved by the civil authori- ties or recorded, and therefore the application was declined and referred back, that the deficiencies might be supplied.
The services were continued on each alternate Sunday, until the end of the year, with the exception of three months in the summer, when, in consequence of the prevalence of yellow fever in Port Gibson, the rector confined his ministrations to that place.
On the Ist JJanuary, 1856, Mr. Philson took exclusive charge of the work on the lake, residing in the home of Mrs. Sarah A. Dorsey. Subscriptions were made for the erection of a church edifice and rectory.
On the 1st May. 1856, the parish was admitted into union with the Convention.
In 1857, Mr. Philson resigned the charge of the parish, con- fining his ministrations to the Elkridge and Buckridge planta- tions.
The Rev. W. K. Douglas, then rector at Waterproof, assumed the oversight of the work, giving occasional morning services. But there was no settled room for worship. not even a school house. Mr. Douglas resigned the parish in May, 1858. There were no further services for some seventeen years.
In 1872, on the report of the registrar and historian that the parish, as such, had ceased to exist, and that the surviving members had connected themselves with the parish at the town of St. Joseph, the name was ordered stricken from the roll of parishes.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
In 1875, the rector at St. Joseph held occasional services on Lake St. Joseph and also near Lake St. Peter.
In May, 1876. the Bishop visited the Lake. "A deluge of waters only added to the interest of this visitation, as it tested the capacity and the zeal of the people to endure labor and ex- posure for Christ's sake. In a private house. on the shore of the lake, a goodly congregation assembled. There I preached, bap- tized one adult and five children. and confirmed three persons. For this interesting service we were largely indebted to the cap- tain of the little boat which has its home on the waters of the lake. The flood having made the roads quite impassable, this amiable craft was kept busy from an early hour in picking up the families who were to furnish the congregation. It tarried at the landing until the services were over. Night was brooding on the lake before its mission was discharged and the congregation. old and young. restored to their homes."
The work on the lake appears again in 1881. under the form of a mission at Newellton. services being held by the Rev. M. T. Turner every third Sunday.
In 1887. the mission. which had heretofore been regarded as a part of the parish of St. Joseph, was reported as independent by the Rev. E. W. Hunter. then in charge. under the name of St. Mary's Mission.
On the 3d April. 1887. the Rev. Thomas W. Smith took charge of the mission.
Services are held in the upper room of a public school house, which is fitted up in a churchly way.
ST. JOSEPH .- The Rev. Mr. Douglas, having taken charge of Waterproof, was invited to officiate at St. Joseph, and accord- ingly, on the 3d February, 1856. began to hold services there on alternate Sundays. These were the first services of the Church in St. Joseph. Mr. Douglas continued his ministrations until April 25. 1858, when he resigned.
He was succeeded very shortly afterwards by the Rev. T. T. Castleman, who, removing to St. Joseph, opened a school at that place. He continued his labors until his death. in 1860.
In noting the death of Mr. Castleman. the Bishop speaks of him as rector of St. Joseph's Church, St. Joseph. The parish in the town was not organized under that name until many years afterwards, and so it is presumed that the title ot the parish on
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
the lake had been transferred, by consent, to the work in the town. There were no further services of the Church until some fifteen years afterwards.
In the middle of January, 1870. the Rev. William Johnson revived the work. The services were held in the court house.
On the 4th April. 1872, a parish was organized. Efforts were at once made to build a church. The most eligible lot in the town was given, and soon afterwards the work was commenced. There were then nine communicants.
In 1872, the parish applied for admission to union with the Council. The application was refused, for the reason that the act of incorporation ignored the rector as a constituent part of the Vestry, and provided for one of the Vestry men to preside over its sessions : and further, because the name of the corporation was objectionable-"St. Joseph's Protestant Episcopal Church Asso- ciation. of St. Joseph. Tensas Parish, Louisiana."
The church had, at this time, been completed as far as the plastering, then being done. A lady of Natchez presented the bell. and an organ had been purchased. This building was the first sacred edifice built in St. Joseph. "When complete," said the Bishop, "it will challenge comparison with any church in the rural districts of the Diocese."
In September, 1873, Mr. Johnson resigned. . The Bishop visited the parish in December, 1874, and had, as he said, "an affecting proof of the evil of a suspension of religious services. Many of the citizens of the town being absent on business, the task devolved upon an aged lady, the widow of their former pastor, to perform the office of sexton. After sweeping the church, which she did faithfully, I found her ringing the bells with her poor hands. More she was prepared to do, even to receiving the communion ahns from the congregation. To this I objected. She had done what she could. It was better the alms should be withheld. than collected at the sacrifice of what was more precious than silver and gold. The congregation is too refined to dissent from this conclusion, and I have no fear that in future, the hus- bands and sons of St. Joseph will resign their rightful functions to wives and daughters."
In February, 1874, the Rev. Caleb Dowe became rector.
On the 17th April, 1874. the charter having been amended, the parish was admitted to union with the Council. In 1876, the
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
church was reported free of debt, and on the 14th May of that year it was consecrated. After Christmas Mr. Dowe resigned. There were then thirty-five communicants.
The Rev. M. T. Turner became rector December 1, 1881. but was obliged to resign on account of overflow. May 31, 1882.
In 1886. the Rev. R. H. Prosser held several services, as did also the Rev. E. W. Hunter in 1887.
On the 3d April, 1887. the Rev. Thomos W. Smith became rector.
On the 13th June. 1888, the name of the parish was changed to Christ Church.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH (PRAIRIE). MER ROUGE.
Ox the 15th March. 1855. the Rev. F. R. Holeman, of Monroe, established regular services. In that year be reported a building going up which he expected to use for public worship.
Mr. Holeman resigned in 1855. The congregation was sub- sequeutly merged into that of Bastrop. Ten years afterward, in 1865, a parish was organized. Services were held in a school house.
On the 17th May, 1866, the parish was admitted into union with the Convention. There were then five communicants. The work during 1865 and 1866 was under the care of the Rev. T. B. Lawson.
In 1867, the Rev. William Miller, of Prairie Jefferson, united with Mr. Lawson in the care of the parish, each officiating once a month.
In 1868, Mr. Lawson surrendered the exclusive charge to Mr. Miller, who thenceforward officiated every other Sunday.
In 1873, the number of communicants were twenty-nine.
The Rev. Mr. Miller died in 1877. The Rev. Charles Stewart, of Bastrop, became rector in 1880. In that year the church was built. Mr. Stewart resigned in 1881.
In 1882-1883, the Rev. Oliver Wilson, of Bastrop, was in charge of the parish.
On the 29th November, 1884, the church was consecrated.
The Rev. R. H. Prosser, of Bastrop, had charge of the parish in 1883, resigning February 14. 1884.
The Rev. R. S. Stuart, also of Bastrop, took charge in 1886. In that year the congregation united with that of Oak Ridge in presenting the rector a horse. Mr. Stuart resigned in July, 1887.
In 1888, the Rev. E. W. Hunter, of New Orleans, took charge of the parish.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH, WEST FELICIANA.
IN November, 1854. the Rev. Caleb Dowe, being assistant to the rector at St. Francisville, was assigned to the duty of collect- ing a chapel congregation on the Little Bayou Sara. This he did, and so successfully that very shortly measures were adopted for building a church. In 1856. the ground and the bricks had been obtained, and a subscription list of three thousand dollars. The design of the chapel was to be after plans of Frank Wills. of New York.
Before the church was built. the services were held in a house once the dwelling of one of the proprietors of the estate on which it stood. In October. 1856. Mr. Dowe resigned. and the rector. Dr. Lewis, took charge of the chapel, as well as the parish church.
In 1857. the church was built. It was of brick, and in the Gothic style. with stained glass windows and a recess chancel, which was lighted by a triplet window. It was neatly carpeted, and furnished complete with eucharistic service, melodeon, etc.
A parish was organized in 1857. and the Rev. N. L. Garfield was called as rector March. 1858.
On the 25th April, 1858, the church was consecrated, and on 6th May, the parish was admitted into union with the Convention.
In 1861. there were five communicants. The Rev. Mr. Garfield resigned during the troublous days that followed.
In 1870. the Rev. Richard Johnson became rector. He reported the congregation. in 1871. "as small, and much scat- tered over a large extent of territory. much broken and provided with the very worst of roads." Services were then held once a month.
Mr. Johnson died January 7. 1872, and was succeeded in September of that year by the Rev. A. G. Bakewell. of St. Francisville.
Reporting in 1880, the rector said : ". This parish has never failed before to meet its engagements to the rector, but the storm in September last so shortened the crop, that, with other misfor- tunes, the congregation had been unable to do as usual. Many 13
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
young people are growing up in this neighborhood, which is adding, and will still add. greatly to the strength of this zealous little church."
Mr. Bakewell resigned in Jannary, 1884. From 1886 to date. the Rev. E. W. Hunter has given occasionable services. There are now twenty-three communicants.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
GRACE CHURCH, WATERPROOF.
Some time in the fifties, the Rev. James S. Green, of Jefferson county, Mississippi, held occasional services in Waterproof, but not until Christmas day, 1855, were regular services established, when the Rev. W. K. Douglas went there to reside.
Services were then held on alternate Sundays, and the eve- nings of each Lord's Day was given to services on the plantations. The Picanoe Place, of Kibbe & Shields; St. Peter's, of Dr. B. F. Young ; Durango, of the estate of Rodney King; Point Place, of Mrs. Anne Lee, and the place of Mr. James Woods.
A parish was organized and was admitted to union with the Convention May 1, 1856, being represented by C. W. Elliott and Dr. T. D. McIlhenny.
Within a year a contract had been let for a neat Gothic chapel, after Upjohn's plans. The lumber was on the ground, when the river bank suddenly began to cave in and a panic ensued. The contractor had to be released, as his services, and all the lum- ber he could command, were required to remove and rebuild the threatened dwellings and stores. This disaster, together with an epidemic of yellow fever, determined the leading Church families to move away. This necessitated the resignation of the rector, and the last service was held May 2, 1858.
The senior warden of this parish was Oscar Kibbe, a man who was the whole soul of the enterprise ; a man greatly beloved and very justly ; an earnest and true friend of the Church.
Other representative men of the parish were Oscar Routh and H. R. Steele.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, WASHINGTON,
IN January, 1853, the Rev. A. D. McCoy visited Washington, baptizing several children.
On the 25th April, 1855, Bishop Polk, assisted by the Rev. John Woart. held service, the former baptizing a child.
On the 29th June, 1856, the Rev. David Kerr. reetor at Ope- lonsas, began regular services, twice a month, at Washington.
The congregation, in 1857, were desirous of securing a elergy- man of their own, "an unmarried man." offering a liberal stipend to such an one, but they were unable to secure him.
Mr. Kerr resigned in April, 1857, and there were no regular services again until 1868. In the latter year, the Rev. Charles Morison, of Opelousas, revived the work and held semi-monthly services. He resigned March 1. 1870.
The Rev. J. H. Weddell took charge of the work in Novem- ber, 1870. On the 20th March, 1871, during a visit of Bishop Wilmer, a parish was organized, and a subscription commenced for the erection of a church to be named, at the request of an excellent lady, whose heart had long sighed for the voice of sym- pathy in her seclusion, "St. John's in the Wilderness."
Mr. Weddell resigned in December, 1871, and was succeeded by the Rev. George R. Upton, Angust 1, 1872.
On the 25th November, 1872, the Bishop laid the corner stone of the church. A silver eucharistie service was used for the first time at this service. The service, like all others at that day. was held in the open air, on the site of the proposed church. The earlier services of the mission had been held in the Methodist Chapel, but the Church people had been thrust out of that synagogue.
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