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 17
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During the year lots were purchased at the corner of St. Charles avenue and Valence streets. and a small, but pretty, frame church was built. A stone font was presented by E. A. Burke.
The parish was admitted into union with the Council April 20, 1871. Mr. Morison resigned in July, 1873. and on the 24th August, 1873, was succeeded by the Rev. Herman C. Duncan.
As above related, the parish was consolidated with the parent church in March, 1874. In making his final report, the rector desired to place on record " his unqualified approbation of the earnestness and zeal of his parishioners."
The parish was represented in the Councils of the Diocese by R. W. Young. twice; John F. Lowe, three times ; C. H. Allen, twice : Thomas Mason, John Clifton, and R. L. Preston.
ST. GEORGE'S .- This parish was organized March 16. 1874. and had for its parishioners those of the old Emmanuel and St. Mark's Churches. Emmanuel Church was eneumbered to its value, and only a part of the congregation accepted the decision of their representatives. St. Mark's was also encumbered with debt up to its value. but all of its congregation united with St. George's. The Rev. Mr. Duncan was invited to take charge of the united congregation, and held the first service Thursday, April 2, 1874. He received nine communicants from Emmanuel and 14
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
sixty-nine from St. Mark's. The property of Emmanuel was aban- doned and subsequently sold for its debt to the First Evangelical Lutheran congregation. The amount received, above debt and cost, was only $25 20. The real estate of St. Mark's was relin- quished to the holder of the mortgage notes, with the understand- ing that the church should be moved and all things thereto pertain- ing. Mr. Amos T. Collins offered the use of a lot withont rent for a term of years at the corner of Napoleon avenue and Pitt street. and thither the church was moved. There the new congregation started free from debt. Much money had been sunk on Emman- uel and St. Mark's Churches. Their history should stand a warn- ing against debt. Interest. if heavy, will destroy any enterprise. Unfortunately, it is a lesson that even St. George's failed to learn.
The parish was admitted into union with the Council April 17. 1874.
On the 28th June, 1874. a mission was started at Carrollton, and services were held every Sunday evening in a German church as long as Mr. Duncan remained rector.
In 1875, the rector said that "he desired to acknowledge a most ready and efficient support from his parishioners, but with- out detracting in any respect from the commendation so justly the due of their elders, he would specially acknowledge the invaluable assistance rendered him by the St. Agnes' Guild, an association of the youth of the parish. He felt that he was not saying too much when he asserted, that the present prosperity of the Church was largely the result of the labors of the Guild, and without its mem- bers, much of the brightness and the glory of the parish would be extinguished, and the rector lose a chief element of the pleasure he experienced in being placed over the congregation." And now, after all these years, that same priest would reiterate those words-he feels them now as then, and for those dear boys and girls, with thirteen years added to their lives, though some have fallen asleep, he seeks occasion to express his love.
Mr. Duncan resigned October 10, 1875, leaving eighty com- munieants, and was succeeded by the Rev. B. T. H. Maycoek December 10, 1875.
In 1875. an organ loft was built in the church. Mr. Maycock resigned December 1, 1876, and was succeeded, January 7. 1877, by the Rev. George R. Upton. He found but forty communicants.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
In 1876, the chancel and aisles were carpeted. On Easter Day, 1877, the Sunday school presented the Church with a white marble altar cross.
In 1879, the lots corner St. Charles avenue and Cadiz street were purchased, and the church building moved thereon. This placed the parish in debt $2,100.
Mr. Upton resigned December 11, 1882. On the 1st January, 1883, the Rev. John Philson became rector. He died June 3, 1883. On the 15th July, 1883, the Rev. S. M. Wiggins took charge of the parish. He resigned JJuly 13, 1884, and was sie- ceeded, July 15, 1884, by the Rev. A. Kinney Hall. He resigned June 11, 1885, and 6th December, 1885, the Rev. A. J. Tardy became rector.
Under the incumbent, the number of communicants has doubled, and is now seventy-three. Many improvements have been made on the church, and its prospects seem to brighten.
The parish has been represented in the Councils of the Diocese by R. W. Young, seven times; E. Thompson, three times ; John F. Lowe, twice; B. T. Walsh, ten times ; Dr. L. C. Tebo, four times ; Samuel Snodgrass, five times ; W. E. Clark, four times, and by others, on single occasions.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
CHURCH OF THE INCARNATION, AMITE.
IN 1844, the Rev. R. H. Ranney officiated twice at the Pres- byterian Chapel, Amite, but there does not appear to have been any service of the Church after this for twenty-five years.
On the 7th February, 1869, Bishop Wilmer visited Amite and Areola, baptized seven children and one adult and confirmed one person.
In 1869 or 1870. the Rev. Edward Fontaine held several services.
In January, 1871. the Rev. Henry Forrester began to hold a monthly service. A parish was organized February 25, 1871. under the name of the Church of the Incarnation. . A fund had been previously started for the erection of a church. and three lots had been donated by Mr. Bach for the purpose.
The parish was admitted into union with the Council April 20. 1871, being represented by Henry S. Addison.
On the 16th December, 1871, the Rev. Herman C. Duncan became rector. Work on the church was soon afterwards com- menced, and a very pretty church was erected, at a cost of about $1,200. The interior woodwork was all dressed lumber: the chancel furniture of magnolia wood, and the pews of cherry and gum. A valuable eucharistie service of chalice and paten was purchased, made of the gold and silver offerings of the people. A font was presented by St. Peter's Church, Brooklyn, New York.
The Church was also the recipient of considerable assistance from Christ Church, New Orleans.
Mr. Duncan resigned August 17, 1873. During the absence of the rector, the lay reader. Alex Mackay, read service and did much good work.
The parish was in charge of the Rev. R. S. Stuart, from Jan- uary to March. 1875. On the 29th June, 1875, the Rev. W. C. MeCracken became rector. He resigned December 12, 1875. In May, 1876, the Rev. Mr. Stuart resumed the charge, resigning it in November, 1877.
On the 1st January. 1878, the Rev. L. D. Brainard became rector. He resigned in 1880, and was succeeded by the Rev. A.
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S. Clark July 1, 1881. He resigned JJuly 17, 1882." The Rev. Edward Fontaine returned to the parish January 1, 1883, and relinquished it March 18. 1883.
In 1885, the Rev. E. W. Hunter of New Orleans, began giving services to Amite. On the 17th January, 1886, the Rev. John Gordon became rector. He resigned in June, 1888, and was succeeded by the Rev. W. C. Barnes, of Hammond, October 24, 1887. His services have been on Wednesday nights only.
ARCOLA .- The work at Arcola was embraced in that at Amite until 1872. On the 11th March, 1872, the Rev. Mr. Dun- can organized it into an independent parish, under the name of St. Jude's Church. The object of this was for the purpose of having a corporation, to hold title to a piece of property which it was expected would be donated.
On the 10th April, 1872. the parish was admitted into union with the Council.
In 1874, the object of the corporation having failed, on the suggestion of the then rector, the name of the parish was dropped from the register. and the work was remitted to its former stand- ing as a part of that of the Church at Amite.
In 1879, the rector reported the prospects very good, owing to large accessions by immigration.
In 1885, the Rev. E. W. Hunter made this work again an independent mission, naming it St. Andrew's Mission. About this time an organ was purchased ; Miss Parmelee presented a silver eucharistie service, and Mrs. Edgill donated several appro- priate eloths.
The Rev. Mr. Gordon was in charge of this mission from April 26, 1886, to a date in 1887.
HOUSTONIA .- In 1872, the Rev. Mr. Duncan found at Hous- tonia, or the Southern Car Works, a Sunday school chiefly under the care of Miss Florence Gookins and Miss Raoul, her half sister. His first service was on the 17th December, 1871. Not long after Mr. Duncan's resignation, numerous removals necessitated the abandonment of this mission.
TANGIPAHOA .- The Rev. Mr. Duncan held the first service at Tangipahoa, June 30, 1872. Services have not been maintained since his resignation, August 17, 1873. The mission was called St. Timothy's.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
UNION LANDING .- Services were held at this place during the rectorate of the Rev. Mr. Duncan. The first service was on the 29th September. 1872.
TICKFAW .- What is said above of services at Tangipahoa, is equally applicable to Tickfaw. The first service was held April 21, 1872.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMMUNION, PLA- QUEMINES.
IN 1830. Bishop Brownell said. while in New Orleans. "Judge Dutton, of Plaquemines, desired me to send to his vicinity a cler- gyman (who would be willing to receive a few scholars), with an assurance that he would be liberally supported."
The next record is made fourteen years afterward. when, in 1844. the Rev. R. H. Ranney reported holding service there.
Then there is another gap, this time of twenty-five years. when the Rev. Mr. Dillon-Lee. of Bayon Goula, made an appoint- ment for regular services, and maintained them at 4 P. M. every Sunday evening.
Plaquemines enjoyed its first Episcopal visit on the 3d March. 1869.
In 1870. a parish was incorporated under the name of . Em- manuel Church, Plaquemines." There were then six communi- cants. A subscription was made to build a church. Mr. Dillon- Lee resigned in 1872. His father was to have succeeded him, but was unable to do so, "owing to those who took the most interest in the church having removed to a distance."
Then there was another long drouth unblessed with the dews of clerical ministrations. In 1876, the Rev. John Philson held a service. In 1883, the Rev. R. S. Stuart began to hold regular ser- vices. In 1885, the foundation of an establishment was laid in the purchase of a lot for $450, and the collection of $940 for a building.
In 1886, the Rev. S. M. Wiggins, of New Orleans, took charge of the mission.
In 1887. the church was built. " It is a neat frame edifice. in Gothic style of architecture: the interior ceiled with natural woods and finished in oil. The chancel contains all the necessary furniture ; has also a neat, decorated window, all in good taste and design." The cost was $2,000.
CONVENT .- The Rev. Mr. Dillon Lee said. in his report of 1870, "I have also visited the parish of St. James, and held ser- vice several times at the house of Dr. Palmer. about two miles beyond the convent. There is a prospect of a church being built in this neighborhood shortly."
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ALL SAINTS' CHURCH, PONTCHATOULA.
A Sunday school was established in September. 1869, chiefly through the efforts of Mr. S. M. Wiggins, now a clergyman. The first service of the Church held by a elergyman was celebrated in February. 1871, and services were sustained for several months by the Revs. C. W. Hilton and J. S. Harrison, both of New Orleans.
The parish was admitted into umion with the Council April 20, 1871, being represented by S. M. Wiggins.
On the 7th January, 1872, the Rev. Herman C. Duncan took charge of the parish. It was incorporated in March, 1872. There were then two communicants.
Every effort was made to raise means to build a church. It was a frequent occurrence to see Mr. Wiggins on the streets of New Orleans, freighted with fowls and eggs "contributed for the church." Seed was given the children of the Sunday school, was sown and cultivated by them, and a half bale of cotton made. By such means a small Gothic church was built, with a capacity of ninety seats. The first service in the new church was held March 23, 1873.
In that year the name of the parish, which had heretofore been " Annunciation, " was changed to " All Saints."
Mr. Duncan resigned August 17, 1873.
The Rev. Robert S. Stuart was in charge from May, 1876, to November, 1877. The communicants rose to eight in number in the latter year.
In 1878-1879. the Rev. L. D. Brainard gave occasional ser- vices.
In October, 1887, the Rev. W. C. Barnes renewed the work. He found but one communicant, an aged lady.
WELL'S FERRY .- On the 1st December. 1872, a mission was opened at Well's Ferry, on the Tangipahoa river, and a Sunday school established at the residence of Mrs. Gosselin. It was named "Advent Chapel." After the resignation of Mr. Duncan, this mission was suspended and has not since been resumed.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. ANNA'S CHURCH, NEW ORLEANS.
THE history of St. Anna's Church. as such. begins in 1869, but inasmuch as it was built upon the foundation. metaphori- cally speaking. of St. Peter's Church, reference should be had to the sketch of that parish. and it should be read in connection with this.
When it was found expedient to remove the place of service from the old St. Peter's Church. it was thought best that a new organization should take charge of the work. The proceeds of the sale of the old property were invested in two lots of ground on Esplanade avenue, between Marais and Villere streets, and were presented to the new St. Anna's. Then Dr. Win. Newton Mercer proposed to undertake the entire expense of the building of a church, and this he did at a cost of ยง10.000.
The church was completed about the 1st December, 1869. On the 3d of that month the parish was incorporated. and on the 9th. the church was consecrated.
The Rev. John F. Girault, who had rendered such long and faithful service to the congregation in old St. Peter's, became the rector of the new organization. and has continued the able. efficient and much loved pastor of this prosperous parish.
Dr. Mercer, one long known and honored in the Church in New Orleans and in the South West. also gave the rental of a store as a perpetual endowment for the parish.
There were transferred from St. Peter's one hundred and forty-eight communicants.
The parish was admitted into union with the Council May 26. 1870. being represented by J. B. Robertson. Theodore F. Thien- eman. James T. Butler and A. J. Lewis.
A parish school was opened in October. 1870. with Miss A. M. Mortee as principal, and the Misses Niven and Hamilton as assistant teachers.
In 1872. a choir loft and gallery was erected. the windows furnished with blinds, and the chancel painted and lettered.
A disastrous fire, converting block after block of the city to ashes, swept away St. Anna's on the morning of the 1st December, 1876.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
The congregation then went to worship in the Hall of Perfect Union Lodge, F. and A. M .. on Rampart street, between Main and St. Philip streets, free of expense.
The church was insured, but the organ, font, bell, and all the furniture were uninsured, and they were lost.
The foundation of the new church, on the site of the old one. was laid about February 1st. 1877, the corner stone being placed in position March 6th. The new church is a pure Gothic structure. with tower and spire. The architect was William A. Freret.
The first service was held in the beautiful new structure Sep- tember 2, 1877.
In 1879. the children of the parish, of their own motion, and by their own efforts, caused to be erected a very chaste and bean- tiful tablet to the memory of Bishop Wilmer.
Time and again the reports from this parish speak of the wise government and efficiency of the superintendent of the Sun- day school. James T. Butler, and its teachers, of the good and helpful works of the Ladies' Aid Society and of the Young Ladies' Guild.
The church was consecrated May 30. 1886.
The present number of confirmed persons in the parish is four hundred and fifty, and there are two hundred and fifty-nine pupils in the Sunday school.
The parish has been represented in the Councils of the Diocese by J. B. Robertson, Theodore F. Theineman, three times ; James T. Butler, eight times; A. G. Lewis, eighteen times; Thomas Kelly. five times ; A. S. Clark, C. W. Washburn, David Hughes, three times ; John Houlgrave, ten times; John Butler, twice; Albert Baldwin, twice ; James H. Black, six times ; N. Sartorius, P. L. Girault, W. W. Girault, three times ; Samuel Thompson. P. M. Scheidan. Joseph P. Hornor and Daniel Edwards.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
TRINITY CHURCH (BRASHEAR (MORGAN CITY.
IN the spring of 1870, the Rev. Herman C. Duncan did some parochial work, but held no publie services. On the 13th Novem- ber of that year, Bishop Wilmer held the first public service.
In 1874, the Rev. Edward Fontaine established regular ser- vices. A parish was organized April 5, 1874. under the name of "Trinity Church." A thriving Sunday school was conducted in the school room of a young lady. Mr. Fontaine resigned after a brief rectorate.
In 1875. the Rev. George R. Upton held one or two services in an old . Union Church." Mr. Upton called the work " St. Augustine's Mission."
In 1876, a lot was purchased. For this purpose, Mrs. Francis E. Lawrence gave a hundred dollars, and the remainder had been collected by means of entertainments and otherwise, by Mrs. Griffiths and her daughter, now Mrs. E. B. Mentz. The name of the town was changed to Morgan City.
In December, 1877, the Bishop concerted measures for the erection of a school house, which would be used for divine wor- ship on Sundays. Subscriptions for this purpose were obtained, chiefly at the personal solicitation of the Bishop, from the admin- istrators of the Morgan Railroad in New Orleans, and its repre- sentative in New York. Mrs. C. A. Whitney, of New Orleans, gave a small organ, and Mrs. J. J. Astor, of New York, contrib- uted 825. The result was, the erection of a very neat building, the congregation returning to its old name of "Trinity Church."
From this time until 1880, occasional services were rendered by the Revs. R. S. Stuart, Charles Stewart, Dr. Hugh Miller Thompson and the Bishop. The Rev. Mr. Stuart procured a col- ored glass window for the church. Since 1877. Miss Lydia Lee Lawrence had struggled to keep together a small number of chil- dren in the Sunday school. For a long time she had but two pupils ; she has now from ten to fifteen. Sometimes she has had the assistance of Mrs. C. S. Peaslee and Mrs. Mentz. She is now regularly assisted by Miss Addie Harris.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
The Rev. L. Y. Jessup began regular monthly services July 1. 1880, and continued them until March, 1882. In 1885, the Rev. E. W. Hunter, of New Orleans, began to condnet the services and has so continued.
The congregation has recently purchased a new organ, and a movement is on foot to supply the church with pews and to adorn the sanctuary.
In August, 1888, there was given to the chapel a memorial altar. cross. altar lights and vases. These ornaments were the gift of Dr. and Mrs. C. S. Peaslee, in memory of their only child. now at rest.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. NEW ORLEANS.
ST. John's Church was built in 1871. The first senior war- flen was William C. MeCracken, afterwards a priest of the Diocese. The Church was largely indebted to the Rev. Dr. Harrison, who devoted his time and labors, without stipend, to its infant growth and edification. The Rev. C. B. Champlin became rector in December, 1871. but remained in charge only a short time. Dur- ing his incumbency, Trinity Church, having purchased a new altar, presented the old one to St. John's.
In the building of the church the parish was unfortunate with its contractor. and unexpected mechanics' liens had to be paid. This involved a heavy indebtedness, which has proved a great incubus to the parish. Through a long term of years, the greater part of it has been slowly liquidated, but what remains is still a bar to the prosperity of the congregation.
On the 3d November, 1873, the Rev. A. J. Tardy took charge of the parish.
In 1874, the parish made application for admission into union with the Council. The Committee to whom the application was referred. reported some informality, the result of an error, and expressed the hope that it would not deprive St. John's of the benefit and privilege sought. There was no resolution attached to the report, and the Council never voted on the subject. while St. John's has never pressed the application.
In 1874, Christ Church took charge of St. John's as a chapel. This management continued but a little time, and the parish resumed its independent position.
The parish greatly prospered under the care of Mr. Tardy. The congregation largely increased; the number of communicants was one hundred and twenty-six in 1877. The people worked with zeal and devotion, and a large amount of good was accomplished. An incident worthy of notice occurred about this time : a youth, trained in the Sunday school from its foundation. had accumulated from his earnings the sum of two hundred dollars, which he gener- ously advanced to the Church without interest or conditions, ena- bling the Vestry to cancel a mortgage of $500.
HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
Mr. Tardy resigned January 1. 1879. By April, the number of communicants had fallen off to thirty, and has never since gone beyond that number.
In 1879, the Rev. Charles Stewart became rector. He resigned the same year, and was succeeded by the Rev. Edward Fontaine, LL. D .. November 2, 1879. The superintendent of the Sunday school, at this time, was Dr. C. N. Chandler, and E. W. Hunter, Jr .. afterwards a priest, was a zealous worker in all Church affairs. Dr. Fontaine resigned in April, 1880.
In December, 1880. the Rev. A. J. Tardy returned to the parish, but he found that most of the Church people who had once attended St. John's had moved away. The field of labor was discouraging-all his efforts were fruitless-and so, April 15. 1881, he resigned.
In 1881, the Rev. S. M. Wiggins took charge of the parish. In 1883. Thomas Hall was superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Wiggins resigned in 1885. In that year, the rector of Calvary Church, Rev. Dr. Douglas, transferred the services of that Church to St. John's, and continued so to minister for about a year. resigning in March, 1886.
The Rev. R. S. Stuart was rector from March to October, 1886. Since the latter date, the parish has been indebted for services to the Rev. Dr. Goodrich and to the Rev. Oliver Wilson.
The Vestry of St. John's Church is: Thomas Hall, senior warden : J. Y. B. Haskell, junior warden ; G. H. Wright, W. H. Mcknight. H. C. Andrews. C. S. Adams, W. C. Wilson, Jr .. Vestrymen.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
GRACE CHURCH, HAMMOND.
Ox the 24th March. 1872. the Rev. Herman C. Duncan estab- lished the services of the Church at Hammond. There had been for some years a Sunday school in operation. but not in connection with the Church. Mr. Duncan went to Hammond on invitation of the people. On the occasion of the first service. as above stated, arrangements were made to have the Sunday school of twenty pu- pils come under the tutelage of the Church. There were then two communicants. Mrs. Cate and her sister. Miss Waterman.
In 1873, the rector wrote to the Board of Missions, offering to see that a church was built if he should receive $500. The notice was published in the "Spirit of Missions," and elicited a response. A lady. through the Rev. R. C. Rogers. sent the amount asked for. This was the beginning of the beautiful little church that adorns the town. For the church, Mr. C. E. Cate donated the ground. sufficient for burial purposes. and gave a liberal amount in cash and materials: Christ Church, New Orleans. gave the iron window sash and stained glass, then recently removed from her chancel.
The Rev. Mr. Duncan resigned August 17, 1873. There were then six communicants. Occasional services were held in 1875 by the Revs. Messrs. McCracken, Burford and Wingate. and by Bishop Adams.
The first service in the new church was held by Bishop Wilmer March 12. 1876. All had helped in its construction ; the boys had fetched the brick from the brick-yard ; the girls had formed themselves into a sewing circle. Thereafter, service was held every Sunday until 1881.
On the 6th February, 1876, the Rev. R. S. Stuart became rector. He resigned in November, 1877, and was succeeded in December. 1877. by the Rev. L. D. Brainard. He resigned in March. 1878.
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