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 3
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In 1845. a City Missionary Society was organized in New Orleans. The first year's work was the erection of the Church of the Annunciation. That finished. in 1846. the Society undertook the sustenance of Grace Church.
In 1846. a Young Men's Auxiliary was formed, and under- took the establishment of a Bethel. They carried the enterprise toa successful consummation.
The City Missionary Society, in 1847. assumed the support of the Missionary at the French Church. That clergyman, also under the auspices of the society. became the founder of St. Thomas' Church. In that same year the Society supported the missionary who laid the foundation of Trinity Church.
In 1851. Mt. Olivet was born to the Society, and in 1854. St. Luke's.
In the meantime, the Missionary Committee had. in 1849. given some fifty dollars to St. James'. Alexandria: in 1850. fifteen more to the same parish and fifty-four to Emmanuel. Plaq- uemines Parish. In 1851. pittances were given to the work at Franklin and in Plaquemines, and in 1853 to that at Covington, Natchitoches. Simmesport, and in West Feliciana. Cheneyville and St. Peter's. New Orleans.
The beneficiaries of the mission fund. since 1866. have been a majority of the parishes.
The committee plan never proved a very satisfactory one. and soon payments came to be made on order of the Bishop.
In 1880, however, the old committee was revived under the name of " Board of Missions."
In 1883. a Diocesan Missionary Society was organized-every body baptized was declared a member. An annual meeting, with
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISLINA.
the members of the Council as the representatives of the members of the Society, was to be held-the business of the Society, during the recess of the Council. was to be conducted by a Board.
The Society never met, and the Board was constituted on the same lines as its predecessor, the committee. The outcome was a like result, a giving over of the entire business to the Bishop.
We are not in the critic's chair. The historian finds his work complete when he points, first, to the City Missionary Society of New Orleans, with a membership confined to contributors and the business conducted by thorough representatives of the mis- sionary work done by it ; and the results obtained-the Anmm- ciation, Trinity, St. Peter's, Mt. Olivet, St. Luke's and Emmanuel. The historian then turns his wand and points to what has been done in the direction of new enterprise since the death of that Society, and he contents himself with the some scope of territory- the city of New Orleans. Under the Committee and Board sys- tem, elected by the Council, we have had, in twenty years, St. John's. St. Philip's and the dead missions of the Holy Innocents. Carrollton and Gretna.
The contrast is very marked. If the old system of the ante- bellum days was so much more productive of good and substan- tial results, why may it not prove to be so in these our days? and if that system is demonstrated to have been best for New Orleans, why is it not best for the Diocese, and why would not. may not even yet. a similar system produce like results if applied to the larger work ?
Attention was confined to New Orleans when the contrast was invited, for the reason that the Society plan has. strangely. never been given a trial elsewhere. and the assistance rendered in the building of churches in Louisiana by the Missionary Committee or the Board of Missions has not been sufficient to be noticeable. Assistance in such directions has been rendered, in some instances to a considerable amount. but it has almost invariably been by individual or parochial subscriptions.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
FIDUCIARY INSTITUTIONS.
ENDOWMENT FUNDS. -- In the Convention of 1843, the sup- port of the aged and infirm clergy, and the relief of the widows and orphans of those who had died. engaged attention, and a. committee was appointed to digest and propose proper measures.
In 1844, a committee was raised to devise means for the erea- tion of a fund for the support of the Episcopate.
In 1845. the Convention. on report, adopted a resolution requesting that the Christmas Day collection be given to.a fund for superannnated clergymen. Another resolution asked for an annual collection for the Episcopal fund and the opening of a subscription book in every parish for the same object, and the appointment of a committee to apply to the Legislature for such acts of incorporation "as may be necessary for the permanent and safe appropriation of funds given for church objects."
As this was the germinal idea of what afterwards became the Protestant Episcopal Association, it is very important to note its precise scope-a corporation to hold funds given for church objeets and to administer such funds for their benefit. The idea was entirely and exclusively one of money.
In 1846. the committee submitted a draft of the proposed act. The name of the corporation was to be. " Trustees of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Louisiana." The objects were to be the support of a Bishop : to aid superannuated minis- ters, their widows and children : to aid and assist the missions in the State : and to establish and support parochial schools and colleges in connection with the Church. There were to be trustees elected annually by the Convention for each of the trust funds. The principal was to be so regulated that the revennes should never execed in any one year $100.000.
The committee reported that the Constitution of the State forbade the onaetment of special laws, and recommended the appointment of a committee to procure the passage of such gen- eral law as would permit the organization under it of the proposed corporation. This proposition was adopted.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
This Convention also recommended the appointment of an agent to solicit contributions to a permanent fund for the support of the Episcopate.
In 1848. the committee reported the passage of a general law under which a corporation for "the creation of Trust Funds for charitable or other purposes" might receive all needful capacity and power.
In 1850. a committee. consisting of the Bishop and Messrs. John L. Lobdell, and L. C. Duncan, were appointed to digest and prepare such acts as were necessary for "the incorporation of and seenring trust funds for the Episcopate. superannuated clergymen. their widows and orphans : for missions, schools and colleges, and other church objects."
In 1853. "the Committee. on Trust Funds " reported the draft of an act of incorporation. as instructed. This draft proposed the incorporation of a society to be known as the Protestant Episcopal Association. In this and in the following respects it differed from the draft of 1846-the new scheme permitted the support of more than one Bishop in the State; there was to be but a single Board of Directors, instead of separate trustees for each fund. but elected in the same way, annually. by the Convention : and the principal to be held was limited to $300.000 instead of limiting the revenne to $100.000. The draft was accepted and a committee appointed to procure the incorporation. They performed their duty and the Association became incorporated April 15. 1853.
In 1854, the Rev. A. D. McCoy was appointed agent to can- vass for contributions : subsequently the Rev. John Francis Girault succeeded him. and in turn the Rev. T. R. B. Trader be- came the agent.
In 1860, there had been subscribed 832.620 for the endowment of the Episcopate. of which 820.019 had been paid in. Since that date $5.045 have been added to the principal. but owing to ex- penses of collection, the par value of the investments aggregates $21,800.
The contributors to this fund have been the following par- ishes :
Christ Church. New Orleans. $5.295 00
St. John's, Thibodaux 3.110 00
St. James'. Alexandria 2,550 00
Trinity. New Orleans 2.135 00
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
Grace, St. Francisville 1.985 00
Epiphany. New Iberia 1,710 00
St. Mary's. Bayou Goula 1.285 00
St. John's. Devall's. 1,229 00
Christ Church. Napoleonville 1.075 00
St. Paul's. New Orleans 955 00
Trinity, Cheneyville 660 00
Ascension. Donaldsonville. 480 00
St. James', Baton Rouge 430 00
Christ Church, Covington. 360 00
St. Alban's. Jackson .. 280 00
St. Mathew's, Honma 250 00
St. Joseph's. St. Joseph 250 00
St. Andrew's. Clinton. 215 00
Emmanuel, Diamond 210 00
St. Stephen's, Williamsport 200 00
St. Mary's, Franklin. 170 00
Grace, Monroe 140 00
Epiphany, Opelousas. 70 00
St. John's. Washington. 20 00
The contributors to the fund for aged and infirm clergymen, previous to 1866, were as follows :
Grace, St. Francisville. $184 00
St. John's, Thibodaux 39 00
St. John's, Devall's 29 00
St. James', Alexandria. 7 50
St. Paul's, New Orleans 5 00
Zion, St. Martinsville 4 50
These sums were invested and had increased, in 1878. by over three hundred and ninety per cent. or to $1,440.
There were no contributions between 1866 and 1878. In the latter year some heavy calls were made upon this fund, and an ap- peal was made to the churches, it being understood that contribu- tions would be applied directly to relief. Henee, none of these amounts were added to the invested capital. In the last few years this fund has received a large legacy, some $4,000, from the estate of Mrs. Laurason. The present capital is about $5,500, so that the contributions of the above named parishes have, to this date, by the compounding of interest, more, a little more, than quad- rupled.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
In 1857 and 1859, Grace Church, St. Francisville, gave $40 00. and St. John's. Devall's, 822 00. to the fund for destitute widows and orphans of elergymen. These amounts were, by an error of the treasurer, in 1861, put into the Episcopate Fund, an error that has never been corrected. Since that time the only contribution to that fund has been $45 90. from St. James Church, Alexandria, which latter amount now alone stands to the credit of that fund.
It will be observed how inadequate to the purposes contem- plated these endowments are. Yet how worthy those purposes are of the thoughtful remembrance of the Churchmen of the Diocese.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
THE importance and the duty of caring for the secular, as well as the religious education of her people, was early presented to the consideration of the Diocese.
In the Convention of 1844, a Committee was appointed "to consider the expedieney of instituting one seminary of learning or more," and, on their report. another committee was appointed "to consider, mature and report a plan for the establishment " of such seminaries.
In 1845. the Bishop demonstrated that "the rule should be to have a school or schools connected with each Parochial cure *. * the exception to be determined by such facts as shall warrant it in the judgment of a sound discretion." In the same year the Con- vention constituted a Board of Education to have supervision of the work of education in the Church ; resolved to have a sermon preached at each Convention on the subject ; instructed the Board to gather information of the needs and abilities of the several parishes, and to request the parochial clergy to open subscriptions for an Educational Fund.
In 1846, the committee reported that the Rev. Dr. Lacey had established at Jackson, nearly two years previously. an institute for young ladies ; that the Rev. Mr. Burke had a school for boys at Baton Rouge: that the Rev. Dr. Hawks had received into a school he had established. his full limit of pupils, which school he desired to make the nucleus of a female seminary : that the Rev. Mr. Lamon had a small school in Baton Rouge, and at Natchi- toches the wife of the Rev. Mr. Guion had also a small school. The Convention recognized as Diocesan schools. "The Southern Institution for Young Ladies" at Jackson, and "The Classical and Mercantile Boarding and Day School." at Baton Rouge.
In 1847, the institutions were reported as making satisfactory progress. In New Orleans, Dr. Hawks' school had developed into a seminary under Mr. and Mrs. Van Nooten, in which the noted teacher, Miss Sarah S. Hull. held a position. A school for boys had been established by the Rev. Mr. Fay and Mr. Hare.
In 1848, the Rev. Mr. Burke reported that he had determined to relinquish his boarding sebool for boys and establish a day
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
school for girls. " as more easily governed and affording more time for his clerical duties." A school for boys was reported estab- lished at Thibodaux. The Vestry of St. James. Alexandria, had procured a building and furnished it in the Cotile pinewoods for a female seminary. to be opened in the fall. Mr. Fay's school in New Orleans had been discontinued, as also that at Natchitoches.
In 1850. the Bishop again called attention to the importance of establishing Church Schools. "We receive children at the font into the flock of Christ. and commit them. for training in all things necessary to their sonl's health, to sponsors. Shall we. th desert those sponsors, when they look to the Church to assist them in the charge she has committed to them ? Proper intellectual training is necessary to one's soul's health. and can the Church fee assured that any intellectual training will minister effectually to the soul's health that is given apart from her ? At best. she can only trust that it may not be otherwise-to assure the result she must attend to it herself. Upon her clearly rests the responsi- bility of providing all the appliances necessary for the efficient exe- - cution of every trust she imposes."
In 1851, notice was taken of the establishment at Carrollton of an Academy for Young Ladies by the Rev. Mr. Guion : of the Ouachita Female Academy at Monroe, by the Rev. Mr. Ranney: the continuance of the Southern Institute at Jackson: the Rapides Academy, near Alexandria: the Parochial School at Thibodaux. and the work done by the Rev. Mr. Dean. as president of Poydras College. Pointe Coupée.
In 1853. the Rapides and the Ouachita Academies had been discontinued. The Convention petitioned the Legislature to be permitted to become purchasers from the State, of Franklin Col- lege. Opelousas.
In 1854. the seminary at Carrollton. removed to Greenville. was reported discontinued.
In 1855, the committee reported that the institution at Jack- son was in a very prosperous condition, and that a new school for females had been established by the Rev. Mr. Guion. at Baton Rouge.
Out of this agitation. and partienlarly the earnest desire repeatedly expressed for a boys' school, of a high order. to which should ultimately be attached a theological department. and out of the feeling that the Diocese was too weak to attempt it. grew the
3
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
determination in the mind of the Bishop to strive to nnite neigh- boring Dioceses, similarly situated. in a joint effort. Hence, in 1856. the Bishop issued his address to other Southern Bishops, which resulted in the initiation of measures, the outcome of which has been the University of the South. This great enterprise has, however, been so great that it has absorbed attention, and the necessity of Churchly education for our girls seems to have been forgotten. And yet it ought not so to be.
In 1857. the Southern Institute became St. Mary's College. with full powers to confer degrees and grant diplomas.
In 1859, the Educational Committee was stricken from the list of Standing Committees, and in that year St. Mary's College, after many years of great usefulness, was closed.
In 1866, the Rev. Mr. Lee established a Female Institute in New Orleans. In that year also, a committee was appointed to devise a scheme for parochial school education.
In 1867. Bishop Wilmer said to the Convention : " If the prom - ised blessings of peace shall over be vouchsafed to us, your ear- liest attention will be solicited to this subject of Church Schools, which are inseparable from the healthful and vigorous organiza- tion of a Diocese."
In the same year, the committee reported in favor of the organization of a society to receive funds for educational pur- poses.
In 1870, the Council resolved that parochial schools should be established throughout the Diocese. The Church Education Society was chartered this year. Parochial schools were estab- lished by Trinity, St. Paul's. Christ Church, St. Anna's, the An- nunciation, and by Trinity Chapel, New Orleans, and also a Cen- tral High School for Boys. Five of the parishes ont of New Orleans. also established schools. The twelfth parochial school was established by Calvary Church. New Orleans, in 1871.
The existence of these schools was, however, not prolonged. One was closed after another until. at the present time, there is not a distinctly Church school in the Diocese, that is to say, one governed by the authorities of the Church.
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1250615
HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
CONVOCATIONS.
AT the Convention of 1858, the Bishop proposed the division of the Diocese into Convocational Districts, and this plan the Convention "approved and adopted." These Districts were :
RED RIVER .- DeSoto, Shreveport, Natchitoches. Minden, Alexandria, Cheneyville and Holmesville.
NORTHERN .- Jackson Parish, Monroe, Bastrop, Prairie Jef- ferson, Prairie Mer Rouge. Lake Providence. Lake St. Joseph and Waterproof.
CENTRAL .- Pointe Coupée, Bayou Sara, Jackson. Clinton. East Baton Rouge and West Baton Rouge.
SOUTHERN .- Covington, L' Eglise Protestante Française, St. Peter's for Seamen, Algiers, Emmanuel (Plaquemines), and Bourne's Mission.
LAFOURCHE .- Bayon Goula, Donaldsonville. Napoleonville, Thibodaux and Houma.
WESTERN .- Pattersonville, Centreville, Franklin. St. Mar- tinsville, Opelousas and Newtown.
NEW ORLEANS .- Christ Church. St. Paul's. St. Luke's, An- nunciation and Trinity.
With few exceptions, however, the plan was not carried out. The only Convocation that has left any records of its work was the Western.
In 1876, the division of the Diocese into four Deaneries was proposed, but the project was defeated.
In 1880, a Committee on Missionary Work recommended that the clergy be authorized to form themselves into Convoca- tions. This recommendation was adopted by the Council, and made its own.
In 1886, the Bishop organized two Convocations, the West- ern. embracing the territory south of the Red and west of the Atchafalaya. and the Central, the territory between the Red and Atchafalaya rivers.
These Convocations held several meetings, the Western estab- lishing the Mission at Bunkie.
In 1888, the Couneil divided the Diocese into four Convoca- tions, under the names of New Orleans. Baton Rouge. Alexan- dria and Shreveport.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
THE CHILDREN'S HOME.
In 1859, the Rev. A. D. McCoy, then rector of St. Peter's Church. New Orleans, set about the establishment of a parochial home for orphan children. A warehouse. owned by Alexander G. Bakewell. then a layman, was procured, and in July was opened as a parish house. A very large proportion of the ex- penses of the enterprise were defrayed by Mr. Bakewell.
After a few months' experience. it was found necessary to make the work a general one for the Church in New Orleans. An organization was effected and a charter procured January 17. 1860. The care of the institution was placed under a Board of Managers and a Board of Council. The first Board of Managers were Mrs. Allen D. Huger and Miss Alice M. Urquhart (Christ Church). Mrs. Mary E. Randell and Mrs. Lonisa Glem (St. Panl's). Mrs. Harriet A. Rodenburg and Mrs. Elenor Lacey (Trinity ), Mrs. Mary Proctor and Mrs. Mary Barron (St. Peter's). Mrs. Elizabeth Green and Mrs. Otis (St. Philip's): and the first Board of Conneil were R. C. Cummings, John B. Murison. Rev. A. D. McCoy. Richard Nugent. Walter Bennett and A. N. Ogden. Jr.
In 1868, the Home was moved to a building on Camp street, above Julia.
In May. 1869. a series of entertainments was given, which produced $7, 748, and the fourth of a square of ground. at the corner of Jackson and Fulton streets, was purchased. at a cost of $12.000. A building, a wing of the future edifice, was erected at an expense of $12.250.
On the 22d May. 1870, the new Home was opened. On the 7th November. 1871. the Bishop organized a sisterhood. and placed the Home in its charge. The first head of this Order was Mrs. Roberta Beverly Wingfield-Sister Roberta.
In 1880. the collection of funds for an addition to the build- ing was commenced. The success of this undertaking was largely due to the very marked efficiency of the treasurer. Mr. J. A. Braselman, who for many years has most faithfully filled that office.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
Sister Roberta departed to her rest in Paradise in Mareh. 1882, and was succeeded by the present Superior, Sister Sarah.
In 1884. large donations were made to the building fund. The management of the Home was carefully investigated in this year. It was found without a flaw. The expense, under the careful management of the ladies, constituting the Sisterhood, was found less. and in most cases, greatly less. than that of any similar institution in New Orleans.
In 1885. the main building of the Home was erected, at a cost of some $20,000, and a Ladies' Aid Society was formed. to purchase adjoining lots to enlarge the playgrounds of the children.
A reporter has described the Home: Around it extends a lawn ample for all healthful exercises and recreation : within its walls is an air of domestic comfort and refinement-school rooms. sewing rooms, dormitories, nursery, chapel, infirmary, and every convenience for the benefit of the orphans reared there. It is a model institution, gently and patiently managed under the super- vision of Sister Sarah.
EPISCOPAL RESIDENCE.
In 1872. the Council appointed a committee to collect funds for the purchase of a home for the Bishop. They collected $800.
In 1880, the proposition was renewed. and the clergy were asked to appoint committees of ladies in all the parishes to solicit subscriptions for that object.
In 1885, four ladies, Mrs. Newton Buckner, Mrs. J. L. Har- ris, Mrs. J. H. Oglesby and Mrs. Paul B. Leeds. undertook the task. They succeeded. A house was purchased at the corner of Carondelet and Washington streets, at a cost of $13.500. and was occupied by the Bishop in November, 1886.
At the Council of 1888, the house was presented to the Dio- cese. clear of all eneumbrance. The whole amount collected. to cover purchase price, interest on notes, repairs, etc., was $14 .- 279 84.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
BISHOP POLK.
LEONIDAS POLK was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. April 10. 1806. He graduated at the United States Military Academy, at West Point. New York. in 1827. While at the Academy he was baptized, by immersion in the Hudson River. by the Rev. Charles P. Mellvaine. afterwards Bishop of Ohio. He was confirmed by Bishop Ravenscroft. in Christ Church. Raleigh. N. C .. shortly after his graduation.
He was made deacon in Monumental Church. Richmond, Va .. April 11. 1830, by Bishop Moore, and ordained priest in Christ Church. Norfolk, Va., May 22, 1831. by the same Bishop.
He was the assistant minister of the church in which he was made deacon, and of which the Bishop was rector. He served a little over a year, and then went to Europe. On his return. he removed to Tennessee, and became canonically resident there in 1833. He was rector of St. Peter's Church. Columbia. He was a Deputy to the General Convention of 1835, and in that year. a member also of the Standing Committee.
On the 15th September. 1838, he was elected Bishop of Ar- kansas, and was consecrated in Christ Church. Cincinnati, Ohio. December 9. 1838, by the Rt. Revs. the Bishops of Virginia. Ken- tueky, Ohio and Tennessee. He received the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology from Columbia College. New York, that year. During his missionary Episcopate. he had charge of Arkansas. the Indian Territory. Texas. Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
He was elected Bishop of Louisiana October 16. 1841. and en- tered on the discharge of the duties of that office in the January following.
He then procreded to declare the lines upon which he should act as Bishop and in which he desired to direct the Diocese.
The first thought was, he was an officer sent to a work. The Church had given her instructions in the Prayer Book, Catechism. Articles, and that the Word of God must be interpreted, therefore, even, not as might seem good to an individual. but as "this Church has received it." The second thought was. the Standards must be received according to their plain meaning, and are not to be taken in any unnatural sense.
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HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA.
The third thought was, the Standards are largely the out- growth of the days of the Reformation. He was desirous, there- fore. of keeping in "the old paths" of those days, but he was anxious to guard himself here, and to carefully assert that those Standards themselves were only faithful guides, as they truly in- terpreted the position of the early Church. So he came back to regard himself as under orders, received from Apostolic hands. with a message that was none other than the faith once delivered to the saints.
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