The Story Goes On
THE STORIES OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
OF THE DIOCESE OF NORTH CAROLINA
IN THE WORDS OF THOSE WHO LIVED THEM.
We will tell the stories not because we live for the past but because the past informs the present,
and we must be present before we begin, with God’s help, to claim our future.
The story fragments below were collected and published during the five-year lead-up
to the 200th anniversary of the Diocese of North Carolina in 2017.
February 15th, the Sunday School met in the new Sunday school room in the basement of the Church, which has been completed mainly through the generosity of a member of the Parish and the efforts of the Ladies’ Aid Society.
(Source: The Rev. S. P. Watters, Parochial Report, Grace Church, Morganton, 1885 Journal of Convention, 86)
It is hoped that the churches of the Convocation will not forget our school at Roanoke Rapids. Mr. Joyner, the Rector, of the congregation there, reports a fine school of over forty pupils under the efficient supervision of a teacher from old Virginia, a Mrs. Pace, a thorough churchwoman of good experience, and one who knows how to win the love of children. There is talk of an effort for another building at the Rapids, a sort of Parish House for clubs and recreations, so as to enlist the interest of young men and women, which means of course bestowing upon them opportunities and privileges for their moral and spiritual betterment. Other plans are on foot for the development of the work at Roanoke Rapids. But money must be secured. Our people must give us their endorsement and sanction for a forward movement by giving us a liberal financial backing. Meantime, let us do what we can for the school. Let our ladies’ auxiliaries not fail to do what they have hitherto done, and, if possible, to increase their contributions.
(Source: “Convocation of Raleigh,” Messenger of Hope, February 1907, 2-3, Newspaper Collection, Diocesan Archives)
A visitor might have the impression that she had come into the midst of a family instead of into a school; it is both a family and a school. To be sure we rise in the morning by a bell for an early breakfast, for the dishes have to be washed and the house cleaned up by eight-fifteen. At that time each day a member of the household takes a turn at leading in worship in our lovely little House Chapel. After this there are classes till lunch – Bible, Social Case Work, Home Management, Community Organization, Community Recreation, Psychology and Teaching in the Church School. In the afternoon the household is busy at many things – field work in home visiting, hospital, Tuttle Community Center, social agencies, attending church school staff meetings or department conferences to plan work, working in the library and so forth. In the evenings there is study, or we join with other groups on the campus for chapel service, meetings, games or other socials, or we have a social evening at home. On Sunday mornings fifty-six children come in for church school which is planned and carried on by the students in training and students from the campus, under supervision. Through the boys and girls in the church school, families in the community are met and made friends of, so that our group grows week by week. The Bishop Tuttle School is a place where people feel at home. Visitors drop in and longer visits are made by friends who are welcomed by the family just as friends are everywhere – and how many interesting people we know!
(Source: Louise E. Rich, “The Bishop Tuttle School: A Training Center for Training in Church Work,” St. Augustine’s Record, December 1940/January 1941)
MRS. LAURA FOARD GALLOWAY – The good lady was called to her rest on the 31st day of January, 1929. She was born October 25th, 1846, the daughter of Major R. W. Foard and Mrs. Maria P. Foard, his wife; and was married to the late Alexander Broadnax Galloway December 4, 1866. For many years they made their home in Elkin, and will be long remembered there… . The beautiful chapel built by Mrs. Galloway after her husband’s departure, the Galloway Memorial, was an expression of her devotion to his memory – but her own beautiful and unselfish devotion to all good works, her kindness, her generosity, her humble dependence on her Lord and Master, her love and goodness to all with whom she came in contact, were a better testimony to what they had been to each other, than any material memorial could be. It is a pleasure mixed with a thankful appreciation of many kindnesses received which inspires this testimonial from one who thanks God for such characters, and the privilege he enjoyed in calling them his friends.
(Source: J. B. C. (Bishop Joseph Blount Cheshire), The Carolina Churchman¸ February 13, 1929, 9)
On January 1, 1914, was placed in Good Shepherd Church, Cooleemee, a set of brass vases, a set of brass candelabra, and a brass cross bearing this inscription: “to the glory of god, and in memory of Rev. Francis Johnston Murdoch, D. D. Born 1846; Died 1909. Given by the Junior Guild.” These little girls have labored long with untiring zeal. Help was offered them, but no; they wanted to pay every cent, so they have all the honor. They have done a great work, and in honor of a great man.
(Source: The Carolina Churchman, February 1914, 9)
The Rev. Lex S. Mathews died Dec. 21 [1985] at Morehead City. He had been director of Christian Social Ministries for the diocese for the last 11 years. Mathews died on his sailboat, the Credence, which was moored at the time. Death was by accidental asphyxiation of fumes from a heater on the boat. He was 57. The death occurred with no warning and near the height of the Christmas season; there was little time to spread the word about the memorial service Dec. 23 at the Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill. Still the chapel was filled to overflowing that day as hundreds of Mathews’ friends came to honor him… . Mathews had left instructions that four hymns be sung at his funeral. Each reflected an aspect of the man:
His love of the sea: “Eternal Father, strong to save …”
His passion for peace: “God the Omnipotent! King who ordainest / Give to us peace in our time, O Lord …”
His abiding faith in people as bearers of the Gospel: “They cast their nets in Galilee / Before they ever knew / The peace of God that filled their ears / Brimful, and broke them, too.”
His powerful life-force: “Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!”
(Source: “Lex S. Mathews dies,” The Communicant, January 1986, p. 12)
The work of “St. James’ Home” Mission has gone on as usual, but we think with increased success, three members of the Sisterhood of the Good Shepherd having charge of it. Since their coming we have had perpetual reason to be thankful that in God’s good Providence this arrangement was made possible. More than eighty white children are receiving through their agency the rudiments of a thorough secular education, and both on Sundays and week-days religious training.
(Source: Rev. Alfred A. Watson, Parochial Report, St. James’, Wilmington, 1882 Journal of Convention, 158)
Harriet Clark, an aged colored woman of the old school, and who used to belong to Mr. Isaac Smith’s family, a member of the Episcopal Church for many years, baptized by Rev. Joseph Blount Cheshire and confirmed by Rt. Rev. Thomas Atkinson, Bishop of North Carolina, passed away to the unseen land Monday morning, December 30th, in the full assurance of the living faith in her Lord and Saviour. She went off as peacefully as a little child falls to sleep in the mother’s arms. Thus God gives peace and rest to his people. The burial was made in the Episcopal cemetery Tuesday afternoon, December 31st, 1907, at 3:00 o’clock. Many of the colored people, old and young, gathered to see their aged friend laid to rest. For she had taught them through many years of patient suffering and sickness how to live for the right and to keep the way of peace and good will to men.
(Source: Messenger of Hope, January 1908, 2)
In addition to the foregoing, a nice organ has been placed in the Sunday-school room by the congregation. A nice large Bible has been presented to the Chapel, and also a handsome little font in memory of the late Mariah Ann Harris. On November 30, Harvest Home festival was held in the Chapel; goods and fruits of the earth were presented for charity, a large contribution, and also $8 in cash.
(Source: The Rev. John Holland Crosby, Parochial Report, Chapel of Hope, Charlotte, 1906 Journal of Convention, 79-80)
The Lex Mathews Scholarship Committee met in July to select the recipients of scholarships for the 1998-99 academic year. A total of $5,000 was awarded to five women… . The Committee decided to change some of the guidelines to better fit the needs of women at this point in time. The age is lowered to 23 years or older in order to include younger single mothers in need of job training. The woman needs only to be sponsored by an Episcopal Parish, not be a communicant.
(Source: Elizabeth Devereux, “1998-99 Lex Mathews Scholarships Awarded,” ECW Patchwork, Summer/Fall 1998, p. 6)
