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 16
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The eucharistie vessels and a handsome stone font were a gift from the Morgan and Fisher families, of Philadelphia, to whom the parish has been largely indebted for means to erect the church. and for most earnest and loving thought at all times.
Among other large contributors were Dr. G. A. Taylor, Dr. T. A. Cooke, Capt. Crawford, Mr. Elbert Gant, who also gave the ground, Thomas C. Anderson and Charles Howard, of New
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Orleans. The mechanics also donated very generously of their labor.
On the 26th November. 1872, the Bishop held service in a school house on the Waxia.
The frame of the church was completed during the winter and occupied.
The alms basin was purchased from the proceeds of the " bank " of little Lee Taylor. in memory of the blessings of his brief life here.
Mr. Upton resigned in 1873. and was succeeded July 13, 1873, by the Rev. P. Macfarlane.
On the 17th April. 1874. the parish was admitted to union with the Council.
Considerable prosperity marked the incumbeney of the Rev. Mr. Macfarlane. There were twenty-one confirmed. and the num- ber of communicants rose to forty-one. A mission was com- menced August 16, 1874. on the Waxia, in a school house. under the name of .. St. Stephen's Chapel." and services were main- tained once, and sometimes twice a month. Seven persons were confirmed there at the visitation of the Bishop.
Mr. Macfarlane resigned in May. 1874.
The Rev. J. L. Arthurton had charge of the parish for a time in 1878. without being connected with the Diocese. He was the first resident clergyman in Washington.
The Rev. William Leacock was rector from the 1st January to the 1st July. 1880. He held one service on the Waxia. and none have been held there since.
The Rev. C. P. K. Coombe was rector from December 12, 1880, to December 12, 1883.
An ornate and comfortable rectory was built adjoining the church in 1881, at a cost of $1,700. of which amount Mrs. Fisher, " the friend of the church." secured $600, and the remainder was made up by the Ladies' Aid Society.
The Rev. C. C. Kramer became rector February 1. 1885. He resigned February 1. 1886, and removed to New Iberia, but has continued to this date to give occasional services.
The church was ceiled and completed in 1887. In this year. the parish was also so fortunate as to add to its membership Mr. Jonas W. Bailey, who had been so faithful a lay reader at Donald- sonville. and was then recommissioned for Washington.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
GRACE CHURCH, SIMMESPORT, ON THE ATCHAFALAYA.
THE Rev. Robert F. Clute held the first services for this parish. March 29, 1857. The parish was organized under the name of "Grace Church, Atehafalaya," April 25, 1857. There were fifteen communicants and "a large colored congregation."
The parish was admitted into umion with the Convention May 7, 1857, and was represented by Charles Collins.
Mr. Clute resigned in 1858. and in 1859, the Rev. L. Y. Jessup became rector.
In 1860. the church was built at Simmesport. It was of brick, and cost about $5,000. The church was completed, except plaster- ing and painting.
Mr. Jessup resigned Jnne 1, 1860.
The church was destroyed by the Federal army during the Civil War.
On the 4th January, 1868, the Bishop held service in a school house in view of the ruins. He baptized two adults and five children. "A day to be remembered by those dear children. who had walked, with willing feet, nearly ten miles to receive holy baptism."
In 1870. the Rey. Richard Johnson, of St. Francisville, re- established regular services. He died January 7, 1872.
In August, 1872, the Rev. J. E. Brown, of Williamsport, took charge of the parish. It was expected at this time that the new church would be built at Belle Air, near the head of the river. The reports, therefore, for the parish for the years 1873 and 1874 bore the name of that place.
The services of the Church were also established in 1872, at the private residence of Mr. Taylor, twelve miles distant from Simmesport. In 1874, a neat and beautiful little church was built at Simmesport, at a cost of less than $500, of which amount $300 was given by Miss Catharine Wolf, of New York city. In 1876. regular services were also maintained in a small building appro- priated to the purpose at Oakley, a plantation of Mr. Rogers.
Some time subsequent to this the Bishop authorized the sale of Grace Church. In 1883. the name of the parish was ordered omitted from the register.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
TRINITY CHURCH, CHENEYVILLE.
The mission at Cheneyville was an enterprise of St. James' Church, Alexandria, the eldest of her numerous daughters. under the then rector. Rev. A. D. McCoy. in 1856. A room was rented at Cheneyville, and fitted up at a cost of $250, and monthly services inaugurated.
In November, 1857, the Rev. N. C. Pridham became the assistant of St. James', and in immediate charge of the Cheneyville mission. The official acts. baptisms. etc., were, of course. recorded in St. James' register.
Mr. Pridham resigned in 1858. and it was then determined to make the mission independent.
The Rev. B. F. Mower was placed in charge in 1858.
On Monday, April 25, 1859. a parish was organized under the name of Trinity Church. The wardens were Dr. Samuel Slaughter and Gen. Montford Wells; the Vestrymen. Dr. W. Marshall, Thomas Helm, Dr. Kenneth Clark, Gen. P. Keary and Branch Tanner.
When the Bishop made his visit, April 28th, he found a rec- tory under way, subsequently finished at a cost of $2,700. He commended them for the wisdom displayed in beginning their construction with the rectory. It was a convenient. comfortable and attractive home. "Such evidences of sympathy and interest, on the part of the people, in them, bind the clergy to a measure of assidnity in the discharge of their duties, which might not be expected where there is less concern for the comfort of themselves and families manifested by those for whom they are expected to live and labor."
The rector had service for the servants every Sunday after- noon, either at Cheneyville, or at one of two plantations in the vicinity. In March, 1860. the sum of $4,500 was subscribed toward the building of a church adjoining the rectory and across Bayou Bœuf from the village from Cheneyville.
The corner stone of Trinity Church was laid June 14. 1860. by the Rev. A. D. McCoy. The church was constructed during the summer and fall. It was completed at a cost of over $6,000. It is a substantial brick building. Gothic in order. with a well proportioned tower, and its lines are remarkably attractive. Its
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
length is seventy-five feet, including the tower. and its width. thirty feet. The chancel is recessed, measuring fifteen by four- teen feet. The seating capacity is for one hundred and seventy persons. The first service in the new church was held Jannary 1, 1861.
In this year a valuable addition of eighty volumes was made to the parish library, "by one who is continually given to good works."
On Sunday, 7th April, 1861, the church was consecrated, and twelve white and thirty-one colored persons were confirmed. "This congregation," said the Bishop, "has now completed its arrangements for its permanent foundation, and very thoroughly they have accomplished it."
On the 1st May. 1861. the parish was admitted to union with the Convention.
The rectory was burned Angust 30, 1864. and Mr. Mower re- signed not long afterwards.
In 1867, the Rev. Caleb Dowe, of Alexandria. ministered to. the congregation.
In 1868, a stroke of lightning very severely damaged the tower and walls of the church. The Rev. Otis Hackett became rector in 1869. Within a year the church was thoroughly repaired, the grounds re-fenced. and a temporary rectory fitted up. Mr. Hackett resigned in October. 1871, and was succeeded in Novem- ber of that year by the Rev. George R. Upton. He resigned No- vember 1. 1872. During this year assistance to the amount of $425 was received from St. John's Church, Stanford. Connecticut.
In 1873, the Rev. A. N. Ogden, of Alexandria. took charge of the parish, and services were held once a month, until May. 1875, when he relinquished it to the Rev. Oliver Wilson.
A new organ was purchased this year for $200. In 1877. the parish received a donation of 8421 28 from Mrs. Constance Meade. of New London, Connecticut. to pay for the repairing of the church : but it is recorded, that it was not the only evidence Trinity Church had of the kindness and devoted churchmanship of Mrs. Meade.
In 1879, the rector reported that the Sunday school, with C. J. Barstow as superintendent. was doing good work.
The Rev. Mr. Wilson resigned March 31, 1881. and was suc- ceeded April 6. 1881. by the Rev. R. C. Cleburne.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
The cemetery was greatly beautified in 1882 by the addition of several fine monuments. The church and yard give evidence on every hand of the loving care of the worthy rector.
HOLMESVILLE .- A mission was inaugurated by Mr. Pridham at Holmesville, at the same time that he began work at Cheney- ville, November. 1857. The service was held monthly.
Mr. Pridham resigned. and was succeeded by the Rev. B. F. Mower. The service was now changed to a week day. In 1861, it was reported that an eligible spot had been selected for a church and rectory. and subscriptions had been made to the amount of $2,300 towards the church building.
The Civil War that followed obliterated this mission.
Services have been held in Holmesville in subsequent years by the Rev. Messrs. Upton. Ogden and Wilson. but no permanent lodgment has been made. In 1887. a mission was opened at Bunkie, and it is hoped that it may gather into it the remnants of the Holmesville congregation.
EVERGREEN .- Mr. J. B. Wilkinson. Jr .. a candidate for Holy Orders, then resident in the neighborhood of Evergreen, was chiefly instrumental in opening this mission in 1871. A Sun- day school was established, and the service regularly read in the Academy until the arrival of the Rev. Mr. Upton at Cheneyville. who then took charge of the mission.
The Bishop visited Evergreen February 20. 1872. and con- firmed ten persons. Mr. Upton resigned in 1872. Subsequently, to-wit. from May, 1875. to March 31, 1881. the Rev. Oliver Wil- son. of Cheneyville, conducted services in Evergreen. In 1877. there was contributed $100 towards the purchase of an organ.
In 1887, the Rev. R. C. Cleburne opened a mission at Bunkie. The Church people of Evergreen united with that congregation. taking the organ with them.
NORTH BEND .- In 1874. Mrs. H. M. Keary established at her residence a Sunday school for colored children, which has since been maintained.
BUNKIE .- St. Barnabas Mission was established in June, 1887. by the Rev. R. C. Cleburne. Situated at a convenient dis- tance between Holmesville and Evergreen, it has absorbed those missions, and already exhibits signs of vigorous growth. One ser- vice a month, which was at first established, was soon found insufficient, and a semi-monthly service was instituted. and has been so maintained.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, MINDEN.
Ox Wednesday, June 29, 1853, Bishop Polk held services in Minden, and also on the day following, in the Methodist chapel. He baptized four children. There were there "some strong friends of the Church, chiefly from England." who were very anxious for its establishment.
In 1857, the Bishop reported the organization of parishes at Minden and Homer, "under the charge of the Rev. J. Reynolds, of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, who has not yet been trans- ferred." This is the only record of any work there, Mr. Reynolds having failed to make a report.
On the 8th April, 1870, Bishop Wilmer officiated in the Methodist chapel. A beautiful lot and more than $2.000 had been contributed towards building a church, "and also," said the Bishop. "several hundred dollars for a chapel. twelve miles distant." There is no further record of that chapel.
In Jan., 1872, Rev. Dr. Lawson began to hold regular services.
In 1873, a contraet was made for a church, after plans by S. B. Haggart, of New Orleans. There is a recess chancel, spire and tower, seventy-seven feet high. surmounted by a cross. The style is Gothie. The seating capacity is two hundered and fifty. There was contributed for the building. $4,000. The communicants then numbered six.
The parish made application to the Council of 1873 for admis- sion, but. for some unexplained cause, the rector sought and obtained permission to withdraw it. It has never been renewed.
. Dr. Lawson resigned November 1. 1873.
On the 2d February, 1874, the church was consecrated, court having adjourned and the stores being closed to enable the Vestry and others to unite in the solemnities.
From April, 1874, to January, 1875, the Rev. George R. Upton was in charge of the parish. For some months following, until September, 1875. the Rev. B. T. H. Maycock was rector. Thence onward to 1888, the Rev. Dr. Dalzell, of Shreveport, has given occasional services, but recently the Rev. W. T. Douglas has taken charge of the parish.
The remoteness of Minden from other centres, and its defi- cieney of independent power, may be assigned as the causes of its lack of regular clerical ministrations.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, ROSEDALE.
ABOUT the time of the festival of Christmas. 1858. the Rev. John Philson settled at Rosedale and began regular services, on Sundays, in the chapel on the plantation of Mrs. A. M. Dickenson. and other days in the Presbyterian house of worship, the only one then in the place. A Sunday school was at once formed.
On the 16th April. 1859, a parish was organized with Joseph B. Woolfolk as senior warden ; John S. Whitney, Jr., as junior warden ; Jesse Hart, Theodore Johnson and Henry R. Slack, Vestrymen.
An arpent of land in the village was given by Dr. George W. Campbell. April 22, 1859. as a site for a church and rectory. and for educational purposes. The church edifice was at once commenced. It was intended to be a Gothic frame edifice. with stained and enameled glass windows, capable of seating one hun- dred persons, and the cost to be about $2,000. Messrs. Joseph B. Woolfolk. Jr. and William Patrick presented a set of sacramental plate. of the value of $130. and J. Walter Stillwell and Sarah J. Woolfolk gave a set of desk and altar books, valued at $34. There were five communicants. Services and Sunday schools for the negroes were at the same time instituted on the Woolfolk and Slack plantations.
On the 6th May, 1859, the parish was admitted into union with the Convention, being represented by ex-Governor Henry Johnson.
During the year 1859. the church was completed. and becom- ingly furnished in every particular; the pews were cushioned. the floors carpeted, the altar richly covered. and the chancel supplied with a Bishop's chair and other seats : also a font pro- per. of stone, with cover. Mrs. E. Woolfolk presented a pipe organ of ten stops, and one octave of pedals, built by Pilcher : and Mrs. Mary Hart gave a surplice, stole, etc. The church lot was fenced in and planted.
On 22d April. 1860. the church was consecrated.
During the year 1860. a neat, frame rectory, with suitable out buildings, was erected on the church lot.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
The rector officiated until JJuly, 1861, when he obtained a leave of absence.
The Rey. H. T. Lee officiated occasionally until early in 1863. when the rector resumed his work.
Through the gloomy days of the Civil War. the services of the Church were maintained almost uninterruptedly, although the rector was absent as a private soldier at the front. The country abont Rosedale suffered severely, not only from the passage of hostile detachments, but also from overflow, a calamity that has been of frequent occurrence until a few years since.
In 1867. the affairs of the Church were very gloomy-four years of overflow had forced the congregation into a struggle for the bare necessaries of life, and the rector was compelled to relin- quish his cure.
On the 15th February, 1870. the Bishop found there " a little flock. steadfast in faith." For several months then past, the Rev. Mr. Dillon, of Bayou Goula, had been visiting them on each alternate Tuesday. In that year. the Rev. Richard Johnson took charge of the parish. Services were held on the third Sunday of each month. Mr. Johnson died January 7, 1872.
In 1872, the Rev. John Philson resumed the rectorate. hold- ing up the banner of the parish amid storm and disaster until February. 1882. when he resigned. In 1881. there were eighteen communicants. The great flood of 1882 drove many from their homes, and in 1883 but four communicants remained. In that year. it was proposed to consolidate the parish with that of Cavalry, Livonia, and to remove the Church of the Nativity to Maringouin Station.
There were then no regular services until Easter Day, April 25. 1886. when the Rev. R. H. Prosser, of Mansfield, began regular monthly services. These he maintained until April, 1887, when he was succeeded by the Rev. W. T. Douglas, also a Diocesan missionary. The parish Ins been represented in the Councils of the Diocese by Henry JJohnson and Henry R. Slack. the latter. five times.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
CALVARY CHURCH, LIVONIA.
IN 1859, the rector at Rosedale. Rev. John Philson. com- menced monthly services at Livonia. They were held in a Metho- dist chapel.
In 1860. the Rev. Henry T. Lee took charge of the work. A parish was organized and admitted into union with the Conven- tion, May 1. 1861.
Considerable success was attained in procuring subscriptions for the erection of a church. There were eight communicants.
In 1872, the parish, being practically extinct. was dropped from the register.
In 1877. the Rev. A. G. Bakewell. of St. Francisville, revived the work, and on the 20th February. 1878, thirteen persons were confirmed.
In 1878, Mr. Philson resumed the charge of Livonia, retain- ing it until February, 1882.
In 1883, it was proposed to consolidate with Rosedale, by- removing the church of the latter parish to a point equidistant from its site and Livonia. This project has been under discussion to the present time, and although never accomplished so far as the church edifice is concerned, yet all official acts of the clergy. for the people of Livonia. have been recorded under the report from Rosedale.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
CALVARY CHURCH, NEW ORLEANS.
IN 1860, Charles Briggs. Oscar Ronbien. Henry Rodewald, Alexander Montgomery, J. M. Davidson, ex-Governor Henry Johnson. and others, united in an effort to establish a new parish in New Orleans, and invited the Rev. John Fulton to become their rector. At the request of Bishop Polk, several times repeated, he accepted the invitation.
Lots on Prytania street, corner of Conery, were purchased at a cost of $5,500. and aneat frame strueture erected thereon. at a further cost of 84,000. About the 1st December, serviees were commenced.
On the 1st May. 1861. the parish was admitted to union with the Convention.
In October, 1862, the rector left the city, by military order, and in December, 1863, the Vestry advertised the property for sale, on account of the urgency of their debts. In April, 1864, the property was sold to the Rev. W. C. Hopkins and associates, for $3.000. they assuming the indebtedness, amounting to nearly $11,000 more.
Services were recommenced May 21, 1864. Within two years. $5.000 was paid on the indebtedness, and the number of commu- nicants increased to one hundred and two. Altar linen and car- peting were presented by Mrs. Acosta and Mrs. Frederic Good- ridge, of New York, and a rectory was built in the rear of the church, on Conery street.
Mr. Hopkins resigned October 12, 1866, and was succeeded in November, by the Rev. D. S. Lewis, D. D.
In 1870, the health of the rector being much impaired, he was compelled to ask for a leave of absence, and January 8, 1871, the services were placed in the hands of the Rev. Herman C. Duncan. During the summer, a large part of the indebtedness was paid. The incumbent was authorized to establish a parochial school. This he did, and successfully conducted it as trustee until July, 1872. Mr. Duncan resigned October 15, 1871, on the return of the rector.
Dr. Lewis resigned in 1872. and the Rev. A. S. Clark had charge of the parish for a short time.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
In December, 1872. the Rev. Spruille Burford took charge of the parish. The church had been raised during the summer, and a room arranged beneath it. This again involved the parish with a burdensome debt.
. In 1875. the rectory was emarged. the church painted, and a new fence built.
The Rov. Mr. Burford resigned April 22, 1877. and the Rev. C. W. Knauff became rector, October 15. 1877. He resigned in May. 1879.
The Rev. A. S. Clark returned to the charge of the parish November 2, 1879. He resigned June 30, 1881.
On the 22d October, 1881, the Rev. W. K. Donglas, S. T. D., became rector. In 1882. a pipe organ was purchased at a cost of $600.
In 1885, Christ Church parish sold their property on Canal street, and purchased lots in the immediate vicinity of Calvary, with a view of building thereon a new church. It was, as a con- sequence. deemed inexpedient to carry on the work at Calvary any longer. The building was rented to Christ Church parish, and was occupied by them during the building of their new church. St. John's Church being then vacant, a species of consolidation was thought advisable, and the rector of Calvary transferred the Sunday services thither. A large portion of the congregation followed. Dr. Douglas resigned in March, 1886.
The property of the parish was sold in April, 188S.
The parish was represented in the Councils of the Diocese, four or more times, by Dr. Heber Smith, four times; Henry Has- kell, twelve times; J. H. Keep, four times; Edward Phillips, four times; George Palfrey, eight times: C. E. Black, four times, and J. Y. B. Haskell, four times.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
EMMANUEL CHURCH (JEFFERSON CITY), NEW ORLEANS. ST. MARK'S AND ST. GEORGE'S CHURCHES.
A PARISH was organized in Jefferson City. November 1. 1860, with the Rev. L. Y. Jessup as rector. The congregation wor- shipped in the town hall, on Magazine street, corner of Berlin street. B. J. West was the first senior warden, and so continued until the dissolution of the parish.
On the 1st May, 1861, the parish was admitted into union with the Convention.
The services were discontinued about June, 1862, when the rector was exiled by the military authorities. They were not revived until November. 1865. Of the Vestry, only the senior warden remained.
In 1866, six lots were purchased at the corner of Soniat and Camp streets, and a neat and substantial church was erected. Mr. Jessup resigned in 1868.
On the 29th November. 1869, the Rev. Herman C. Duncan took charge of the parish. There were but seven adults in church that day to welcome him. The Sunday school was under the very efficient management of Dr. Wm. E. Jervey.
In 1869, Jefferson City was annexed to New Orleans.
Mr. Duncan resigned February 15, 1870. He left eighty- eight communicants. A heavy and pressing debt was also paid during his incumbeney.
On the 1st March, 1870, the Rev. Charles Morison became rector. A proposition to change the site of the church had been made during the incumbency of Mr. Duncan, and his resignation was tendered for the reason that he was unwilling to lead a fac- tion in the parish. The agitation was, however, continued. and in the fall of 1870 a part of the congregation determined to sepa- rate and form a new parish. The rector resigned January 1, 1881, to head the new movement.
In May, 1871, the Rev. Charles Ritter became rector. He resigned December 16, 1872, and was succeeded by the Rev. Ed- ward Fontaine, February 23. 1873.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
It was in this year that the two congregations reached the height of their prosperity. so far as numbers go. Emmanuel having forty-five communicants and St. Mark's one hundred and nine. or one hundred and fifty-four in all.
On the 25th March, 1874, representatives of Emmanuel met representatives of St. Mark's. in Calvary Church. the Bishop pre- siding. The result of the conference was an agreement to disband both the old parishes and to consolidate under a new name. St. George's.
The representatives of Emmanuel Church in the Councils of the Diocese, were B. J. West. four times: S. L. Hill. three times ; Theodore Duval, Dr. Wm. E. Jervey, twice ; Dr. S. R. Cham- bers, Thomas B. Bodley. Robert W. Young. George G. Garner, twice : Dr. George W. Tucker. three times, and Jesse Fettis.
ST. MARK'S .- On the 1st January. 1871, the congregation met in the Sixth District High School for girls, corner Napoleon ave- nne and Magazine street. with the Rev. Charles Morison as rector. There were sixty-five communicants.
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