Newspapers / The Journal-Patriot (North Wilkesboro, … / May 11, 1950, edition 1 / Page 11
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By DOROTHY SKINNER WILLIAMS If you wstat to dip into the past to s«6 what the Yadkin valley was like when your forbears liv ed, take an afternoon off and go to the hill In Wilke«boro where little St. Paul's Episcopal Church la located. There you will get a perfect view of the valley and its surrounding mountains. The pre sent activity of the Wllkesboros becomes incidental as you sit on this hUl, looking down to the fields, and up to the mountains; on one side, the Brushles, carpet ed with fresh green trees; on the other side, the Blue Rldge( a clear cut and cool fringe of mountains in the distance. From this knoll, the noise of automobiles and business life is muted. Suddenly you feel as if you are living In another age. Tractors and bulldozers are for gotten. Then you take a closer look at St. Paul's Opiscopal Church and you know it is certainly of another age. Its <plnky-red, uneven brick gives a clue to its anti quity. Its centennial is a thing of the past. This building is one hundred-one years old, complet ed in July 1849. Perhaps one of Its charter members was your grandmother or a distant cousin. The names are all familiar here in the valley: Mr. and Mrs. James Gwyn, Dr. and Mrs. James Calloway, Miss Fannie Williams, and Mrs. Mary Taylor Peden. You might expect St. Paul's to be built in the fehape of a cross, which is often the case with Elpiscopal churches. Instead, this ehurch is built to resemble an ark, probably symbolizing Noah's Ark. Inside, the beams are left exposed, so that the shape of the ark is pnore evident. The beams are solid walnut as are the front, the pulpit, and the pews, all the ori ginal equipment of the church. A contemporary member of the church recently praised the pews for the beauty of their wood and the simplicity of design, then reluctantly admitted a gross de ficiency in their comfort. The original members of this church meant for the congrega tion to sit up and worship alertly. They were an alert group! In 1836, thirteen years before the church was even built, the first baptismal service of this group was held at the home of James Dodge, the nephew of Washing ton Irvln. Folllowing this, services were held in private homes at intervals until 1847, at which time these Episcopalians decided to ralBe money for a church. Samuel Flnley Patterson donated the site for the church. By May, 1848, the necessary *1'' '1 1 11/'.',J — ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN WILKESBORO money for the building wag col lected and the contract was ,let. How simple as compared with the debts evolved from a church building program today! One of these Episcopalians slyly com mented that soon after the money for St Paul's was collected the Presbyterians and Methodists be gan to solicit money to build their own churches. We can see the church today and know what it looked like in 1849 at completion because it has never been changed. Luckily, from various letters and commentary of the time, we can also have a real idea of one of the early services. Bishop Ives wrote in-a Diocesan Journal ln> 1849: "On the morning of the fifth Sunday after Trinity, consecrated in the '.town of Wilkesboro a church by the title of St. Paul's. Preaching on the occasion, and administering the Holy Commun ion. This is a beautiful Gothic structure Of brick erected at small expense, with free sittings and without debt." f * The Bishop was evidently im pressed with the "free sitting^" which meant that there Was no rent charged for use of the pews. Yon could sit free. To assist the Bishop at this consecration service, the faculty and students of the divinity school at Valley Crucls walked forty-five miles to Wilkesboro. They entered town at sunset, July 7, 1849, each bearing a pilgrim's staff and chanting in unison the "Gloria in Excelsls:*' It must have been an inspiring sight to be hold. Picture another Sunday morn ing when members of the various prominent families came to be confirmed in the church. As the; walked under the ivy-covered lich-gate which still stands, the girls were probably wearing their daintiest dress and prettiest bon nets. Coming behind these parish ioners were the slaves. The re cords tell of the "faithful slaves" Bynum, Phebe, Detsey, and Judith, who were confirmed in the church, perhaps on the same day as their master's son or daughter. Exploring St. Paul's you feel the rich quality of its history. It breathes out the love that has been given to it its members. It also proclaims the dignity of the Episcopal ritual. Aa you leave St. Pant's on the bill, and go back to the chase Of modern life, you feel more confidence in the future. St Paul's has seen the thne of' slavery, and has witnessed the lives of the people who now lie in its quiet cemetery. Yet this little church still stands, giving Peace to its devoted parishioners and keeping watch over the valley. . o 1 — More than 1,000 farm owners have received loan checks total ing $4,6(3,000 from the Fanners Home Administration for con struction or repair of homes and other buildings through the new farm housing program, according to the U. S. Department of Agri culture. ■ ' " I •■l'V.'i ~t ; " v. Caroling The undorsjned, having fled as administrator of Mrs. Pearl M. oeaaed, late of this is to notify ing claims against the said "to present them to the unde—... ed on or before the 80th day of March, 1951, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their re covery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make im mediate payment to the under signed. TM* 80 day of March 1050. JAMBS E. HARDBARGISR ■ Rt. 1, North Wilkesboro, N. C. Administrator. S-O-Ot(M) F COMING! ] TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1950 Odr Representative, RALPH McKINNIS, WILL BE IN NORTH WILKESBORO AND VICINITY AND WILL OFPBB THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: | | Repairs to Sewing Machines (Free estimates gladly given) | | We also purchase used Singer Machines | | New Singer Sewing Machines ^JNew Singer Vacuum Cleaners. Q Electric Heater | [ Sewing Cabinets Q Utility Tables J Automatic Iorna Qj Buttonhole Attachments j | Singer Machines for Rent by the Month Check Any of Above Services You Wish Name ™ Street City — Mail This "Ad" To „ SINGER SEWING MACHINE CO. 1325 11th Avenue Hickory, N. C.
The Journal-Patriot (North Wilkesboro, N.C.)
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May 11, 1950, edition 1
11
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