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The
Pictures
Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church Viewed From East
New Photos –
August 2006
Courtesy of Mark Shands
Church Service – 10/29/2006
Photos Courtesy of
Janet Adkerson
Bulletin
Courtesy of Dennis Welch
Outside
(Courtesy: Susie James)
(Courtesy: Susie James)
Inside
St. Clement's
Episcopal Mission
was organized in 1859. Plans were made to build in 1860, but with the war,
depression and Yellow Fever, it was not until 1876 that the church was built.
On November 8, 1876, Bishop William M. Green made his first trip to the new
church and six persons were confirmed.
The membership of St.
Clement's has never been over 50 and at the present time only 12 members are
on the church roll. Not only is it the smallest church in Vaiden, it is the
smallest active Episcopal Mission in Mississippi.
The Baptists,
Methodists, and Presbyterians have always been helpful, especially as choir
volunteers. “If all the tales are
told, retell them, brother, and if few attend, let those who listen feel.”
The building is brick of
gothic architecture, the wall panelled with curly pine. Memorial windows in
the front east windows depict the Madonna and Child episodes in the life of
Christ. In 1911, the church was remodeled and a brick tower added. One can say it is not large but
sufficiently elegant.
Regardless of its size,
St. Clement's has hosted many Rites of Baptism,
and has welcomed children, as well as adults, into its
fold.
Two of the best known
ministers to serve at St. Clement’s have been the Rt. Reverend Girault M.
Jones, retired Bishop of Louisiana, and Rev. Sterling Gunn, father of Bishop
George P. Gunn of Southern Virginia.
Rev. Van W. Shields was rector when the church opened its doors in
1876. Rev. Gunn’s contributions are
still remembered by older townspeople today and his name is held in
benediction by all residents who knew him, regardless of creed.
During the centennial
year 1976, St. Clement’s will be calling on former ministers, W.P. Jones,
M.L. Agnew and Jones Hamilton to assist with the services. The presiding Bishop of the Episcopal
Church in America,
former Mississippi Bishop John M. Allin, preached at St. Clement’s on three
occasions.
Ministers: Alexander F.
Samuel, 1868; Benjamin Halstead, 1869-1872; Stephen H. Green, 1873-1876; Van
Winder Shields, 1876; James A. Matthews, 1877-1878; William W. DeHart,
1879-1880; Oliver Wilson, 1880-1881; William P. Brown, 1882-1885; Henry A.
Skinner, 1886-1887; James M. Magruder, 1888-1889; William H. Phillips,
1889-1890; James B. Fitzpatrick, 1889-1901; E.S. Gunn 1902-1908; David T.
Johnson, 1908-1911; Malcolm W. Lockhart, 1912-191?; Edward McCrady,
1914-1915; E.A. DeMiller, 1915-1916; E.S. Gunn, 1916-191?; George V. Harris,
1920-1922; John B. Caughey, 1923-1928; Girault Jones, 1928-1929; Jones S.
Hamilton, 1929-1934; J. Ord Cresap, 1934-1935; Winfred P. Jones, 1935-1940;
Charles Liles, 1940-1951; Michael T. Engle, 1954-1955; Roy C. Bascom,
1955-1958; Reynolds S. Cheney, 1961-1963; M.L. Agnew, 1967-1968; Michael
Bell, 1967-1968; Sam Monk, 1972-1975.
A complete
history of St. Clement's Church has been written by Mrs. Emily Barksdale
Humphrey. The following link is a
complete transcription of Mrs. Humphrey’s book. Used and posted on http://www.vaiden.net with permission on 05/07/2007 from Mr. Clarence
Pierce of St. Clement’s Episcopal Church.
CLICK HERE for the complete transcript.
May its Peace and Beauty Ever
Dwell
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