A Brief History of Our Church

Pews

When founded, the church was financed by pew rents. Three classes of pews were established in 1855: First class (10 pews) to be rented at $40 per year; pew numbers one and two unrented, to be used as "strangers’ pews." Seats in the gallery were probably free - used by the choir, by several slaves who became members, and by some widows still in mourning. Our pews are the original ones; marks left by removal of door hinges are evident. Until 1874, the church was supported entirely by pew rentals and by occasional assessments levied on pew holders, replaced in part by the passing of a collection plate every fourth Sunday. We suspect a few parish families still sit in their old family pew a century after the abolition of the rents.

Bell 

The bell located in the Bell Tower inside the front door is a beautiful addition to our church. Mr. William Latta is alleged to have given 500 Mexican silver dollars to be mixed into the bell metal to give it a sweet tone. It was cast by the Menelley Bell Foundry of West Troy, New York. It is not truly known whether Mr. Latta paid $500 for the bell itself or donated the coins to the meta

Stained Glass Windows

The window over the altar is the first one that was placed in the Church. It is in memory of Rev. Roberts P. Johnson, 1868- 1882. It was installed in 1884. On the east wall the glass of Mary and the child Jesus was given around the turn of the century in memory of Louisa Avery Lowry who died in 1878. The second east window was installed in 1951 by Willet Studios of Philadelphia. Above the arch in the north wall, Christ as the Good Shepherd was given in memory Walter B. Moore, and wife, Annie Lee Moore. It was erected in 1949. The Narthex (Vestibule) window portrays the church as a female figure "Holy Mother Church." The glass came from England and was given in memory of Mrs. Charlotte Jan Hackett Robertson who died in 1902. We were pleased to discover that there is an identical figure in one of the stained glass windows in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Natchez, Mississippi. In the west wall one window depicts the meeting of Jesus and Nathaniel. This window memorializes W.B. Wilson and his wife Arrah M. Lowry. He was the "the first churchman in this county and through his efforts this parish was established." Mr. Wilson died in 1894. The other window in the west wall portrays the themes of Psalm 121. It is by the Willet Studios of Philadelphia and was installed in 1951.

Lectern

The Lectern is a handsome specimen of carved wood, in the shape of an eagle with outstretched wings. The furnishing was purchased in New York by the young ladies of the church, and inscribed: To the Glory of God and in loving memory Rev. Robert A. Lee. Entered Paradise July 15, 1896, St. Agnes Guild." 

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In 1894, one of the most beloved of our pastors, the Rev. Robert Augustus Lee, became our rector. On July 15, 1896, he was on vacation with friends near Brevard Station (now Brevard) NC. He went out riding with friends. An thunderstorm arose; he came to the aid of a young lady having trouble with her horse, offering to exchange mounts. She had taken shelter under a large tree. The Rev. Mr. Lee moved her to safety away from such a likely target for lightening. Tragically, lightning did strike the tree and followed a large underground root to the spot where they had fled for safety. Both were killed by that bolt of lightning. 

Altar

 In 1923, the old altar was replaced by the gift of a white marble altar.

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Eucharistic Candlesticks: On the Altar are place two large single Eucharistic candle sticks. These are lit at all Holy Communion service, as well as in weddings.

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Altar Cross: most likely the oldest piece of decoration in our church. It was given by Mrs. Sarah Rose, grandmother of Margie & Mamie (Rose) Miller. This cross is made of an unusually fine grade of brass.

Tablets

East wall: in memory of the Rev. Henry Elwell, first missionary to the church. - North wall: in memory of the Rev. Robert Augustus Lee (see above).

West wall: to the Rev. Roberts P. Johnson, rector, 1868-1882. South wall: Two old black marble plaques, one containing the Lord's Prayer and one the Ten Commandments (on either side of the altar). A plaque was more recently installed in memory of Rev. Tracy Walsh who served this parish for many years.

Organ

In 1855 a melodeon was given to the church; in 1909 a pipe organ was purchased for $200 by the church women. This first pipe organ was replaced in 1946 with an electric organ. In 1972, a Wicks pipe organ was purchased.

The current organ was built by George Stevens, circa 1874, rebuilt in 1991 (and enlarged in 2002) by John Hastings Dower.

The organ was originally built for a Baptist Church in Valley Falls, Rhode Island, by noted 19th Century American organ builder, George Stevens. The organ was moved in 1959 to Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Wapping, Connecticut. The organ remained there until being acquired for The Church of the Good Shepherd, York. This is the third pipe organ to serve in this church: the first, a 4 rank Hinners, the façade of which is still in use and which pipes still play; the second, a 4 rank Wicks installed in the 1970's.

The present organ has seventeen draw-stops, derived from fifteen ranks (sets) of pipes playable from two keyboards and pedals. The natural keys on the manual are covered with bone, the sharps are of ebony. The pedal natural keys are maple, the sharps walnut. The action, with the exception of the oboe/bassoon stop, is all mechanical; the stop action is mechanical as well. The couplers are controlled by hitch down.

Great (Lower Keyboard)

8 Open Diapason (1874, 1990; façade, 1-5 open wood)

8 Stopped Diapason (1874)

8 Violino dolce (installed 2014*; vintage pipework, 19th century American)

4 Octave (1874)

4 Open Flute (new pipework 1991)

2 2/3 Twelfth (1874)

2 Fifteenth (1874)

1 3/5 Seventeenth (new 1991)

Cymbelstern (2002)

Swell (Upper Keyboard)

8 Gemshorn (1991)

4 Chimney Flute (1991)

2 Principal (1991)

1 1/3 Quint (1991)

16 Bassoon (1/2 length, extension Oboe - 2002)

8 Trumpet (harmonic at c4 - from 20'sKilgen - 2002)

8 Oboe (19th Century - source unknown)

Pedal (footpedals)

16 Bourdon (from Hook & Hastings, Myers Park Presbyterian, Charlotte)

16 Bassoon (from Swell)

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Couplers

Swell to Great, Great to Pedal, Swell to Pedal

*In memory of Madre Clarisse Schroeder, Priest 2012 - 13

Other Furnishings

Pulpit: In us e for many years, it was given to the church by Walter Bedford Moore (1865-1947). It is believed that Mr. Moore acquired this fine antique from a church which was purchasing a new pulpit. The hand carving, done to imitate the appearance of wicker work, is particularly noteworthy.

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The Font: The font dates from 1910. The white marble font has embedded in its rim a small stone from the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem.

Candelabra: We use two sets of branched candelabra, a large pair given as a gift in 1925. This set has seven branches and is of heavy brass. This set was recently restored and put back into use on festival occasions. The more commonly used set are branched but smaller in size. They have five branches and were brought from China as a gift to the parish by Elsie and James Castle as a memorial to their daughter.

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Ciborium: The old Ciborium, that is, the sterling silver bread box, was given to the church by the Misses Florence and Annie Latta Wilson in memory of their mother, and is inscribed: To the Glory of God And in loving memory of Annie Latta Wilson 1841 - 1910.

The Sedalia - The "Bishop's Chair" is made on a model common to those in other Episcopal churches in this area. The pair of "Cathedral Chairs" are a splendid example of the furniture-maker's art. They were part of the furnishing of the parlor in the Latta home, and were given to the church by Anna (Lewis) Latta.

The Chalice - For many years, the church used one of Mrs. Annie (Wallace) Marshall's table goblets as a chalice. Later, this silver goblet was recovered by Mrs. Marshall when she donated a sterling silver chalice in memory of her husband, inscribed: "To the Glory of God and/ in memory of/ William Foote Marshall/ 1854- 1908." In the time that Fr. Thomas Hudson was rector, a second chalice was purchased as well as a larger ciborium to hold the bread.

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The Processional Cross : A solid brass  cross mounted on a hardwood handle, this elegant fixture was given by Arthur Townsend Hart and Nellie Reynolds (Hart) French, in memory of their twin brothers, and is inscribed, "To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of/ Frederick Elwell Hart/ 'A little child shall lead them'."