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.
This Parish has been vacant since the last Convention. The ladies have been occupied in the vacancy in completing the Rectory and reseating the Church, and other improvements in the chancel. The amount of expenditure cannot be exactly known at present, but will be reported next year.
(Source: The Rev. A. H. Boyle, Parochial Report, Calvary Church, Wadesboro, 1877 Journal of Convention, 98)
Our Church has been much improved during the past year. The old flat roof has been replaced by a high open one and the east end enlarged sufficiently for a recessed chancel, vestry and organ rooms. The chancel is now lighted by a handsome triplit window of stained glass, the gift of a lady of the Parish. These much needed improvements are due chiefly to the persevering industry, for several years past, of the young ladies of the Parish.
(Source: The Rev. Moses A. Curtis, Parochial Report, St. Matthew’s Church, Hillsborough, 1869 Journal of Convention, 58)
We have lost, by the removal of a lady, one of the most efficient members of the congregation of St. Mark’s.
(Source: The Rev. R. B. Sutton, Parochial Report, St. Mark’s Church, Deep River, 1861 Journal of Convention, 45)
For the past two years there has been a growing awareness of our responsibility as Church women in the field of racial integration. It became apparent to our Bishops and other diocesan leaders that the next step in the Woman’s Auxiliary should be the integration of the Negro branches into the other eight Districts in which they are geographically located. I do not wish to anticipate reports by other officers or chairmen so I will only state that this has been effected this spring, and we no longer have a segregated District in the Woman’s Auxiliary of this Diocese. The presidents of our Negro branches are now members of the Executive Boards of the Districts in which they are geographically located and it is to be hoped that they will realize their responsibility as well as their privilege in helping to plan District meetings and to encourage their members to participate in the work of the Auxiliary at the District level.
(Source: Elizabeth M. Evans (Mrs. Leslie B.), President’s Address, 1955 Woman’s Auxiliary Annual Report, 13)
In 1955 the parish house was constructed, financed largely by the proceeds of the sale of looper clips (used in the crafting of rugs) given by the Halifax Hosiery Mill and packed and mailed by untiring, dedicated church women.
(Source: Trinity Church Scotland Neck, Sesquicentennial brochure, 1982)
Had it not been for the kindness of an old schoolmate of twenty-seven years ago at St. Augustine’s, whose daughter graduated from the same school last spring, Miss Blanche B. Wood, who came to help as assistant teacher at half price, I could not have served the two last-named places.
(Source: The Rev. Henry B. Delany, Parochial Report, St. Anna’s, Littleton, 1911 Journal of Convention, 98)
During the vacancy in the pastorate of the Mission the Sunday School was disbanded and the congregation scattered. Through the efforts of Mr. W. G. Emanuel, a Postulant and student in St. Augustine’s Normal school, and Miss Jane E. Thomas, aided by members of the Congregation and some students from the School, the Sunday School has been revived and is in a very flourishing condition.
(Source: The Rev. Robert B. Sutton, Parochial Report, St. Augustine’s, Raleigh, 1887 Journal of Convention, 111)
At Wilkesborough, the few Churchmen who are there have raised 1100 dollars to build a Church, which will, we hope, be finished this year. This has mainly been done by 3 families. There were, when I came here, but 3 communicants, and they females. They had commenced the subscription before I was appointed to the station, and before they had any hope of having regular services
(Source: The Rev. W. Richard Gries, Missionary Report, 1848 Journal of Convention, 30-31)
Practically all of the Auxiliaries are carrying on some type of work with soldiers. These contacts are very interesting, but it must be remembered that the homely, shy, unattractive boys in uniform are probably more lonely and homesick than the boys you might choose from a group to entertain or have in your home. Our program for the soldier must constantly be changed or dropped altogether if the need no longer exists, but never discontinued because the work is hard and first enthusiasm has wanted. We cannot be too critical of what the boys in uniform do unless we have done everything within our power to substitute good, wholesome entertainment and surroundings for evil influences that are always on the alert.
(Source: Noel Hart (Mrs. V. K.), Christian Social Relations Chairman, 1943 Woman’s Auxiliary Annual Report, 26)
