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.
During the winter Mrs. Plaisted, from Maine, has had a day-school for colored children and it has proved a noble work. It has done more than anything else to strengthen the work and gain the confidence and love of the people. I was present at the close of the day-school, and was much gratified to see the progress that had been made.
(Source: The Rev. William Walker, Parochial Report, Mission at Tryon City, Polk County, 1891 Journal of Convention, 130-31)
Dear Sisters of the Auxiliaries:
Would it not be a good idea if once a month we write a letter to one another through the Carolina Churchman – that is if the editor will allow it? How we should look forward to those letters and enjoy reading them at our meetings. I feel sure it would be helpful. The thought came to me in this way: A lady unknown to me, living in Medina, N. Y., had kindly sent me literature from time to time. In thanking her I told her some things about our Church and Auxiliary work here at Ridgeway. Yesterday I received such an interesting letter from her. It was a touching letter, too. She is over sixty, has no children, and her husband a railroad man – can only get home once a week. She says she can’t see to read or work on account of having had several hemorrhages of the eyes, and yet she writes so happily about everything. It is a lesson to us all. She says she belongs to the Woman’s Auxiliary Sewing Society, and St. Agnes’ Guild – of this she has been president for nineteen years.
[Source: Emma L. Scott (Mrs. J. D. Scott), Church of the Good Shepherd, Ridgeway, The Carolina Churchman, March 1926, p. 13]
The Parish has since my last report, received the valuable gift of a Rectory and the lot on which it is built, by deed of conveyance, signed by Colonel and Mrs. Robert Strange of Wilmington, N. C., the value of which is not less than three thousand dollars. This building which is so essential to the prosperity of the Parish, is the result of the exertions and liberality of Mrs. Strange and her relatives, Miss Jane A. Hawkins, Mrs. William J. Hawkins and Mrs. Mary F. Foster.
(Source: The Rev. William S. Pettigrew, Parochial Report, Church of the Holy Innocents, Henderson, 1875 Journal of Convention, 106)
During the present Rector’s tenure of office, a handsome new pipe organ, costing $1150, was erected and dedicated December 14, 1913. A beautiful processional cross, the gift of Mrs. Benedict and Mrs. Hawkins of Swansea, Mass., also vesper lights (seven-branched candlesticks), given by Mr. Edwin Zollicoffer as a memorial to his wife, Della McCarroll Weller Zollicoffer, were dedicated on Easter Day, 1913. In memory, too, of Mrs. Edwin Zollicoffer, and the gift of her mother, Mrs. Weller, Norfolk, Va., a large brass alms bason [sic], of elegant design, and richly engraved, was dedicated on St. Paul’s Day, 1914, while on Easter Day, 1914, were given, also by Mrs. Weller, two brass offertory plates, of similar design to the alms bason [sic], in memory of her two grandchildren, Frances McCarroll Zolicoffer and Della Weller Zollicoffer. From The Parish Leaflet.
(Source: “Weldon,” the Rev. Albert New, Rector, The Carolina Churchman, January 1915, p. 10)
The Female Benevolent Society, spoken of in my last report as then recently organized, has been in successful operation during the year, and has greatly benefited the poor, both in soul and body. It has been a great assistance to the Rector, in aiding him in the discharge of his duty among the poor. The poor at the County Poor House have been embraced within the scope of their visitations, and monthly services are held there by the Rector.
(Source: The Rev. Joseph C. Huske, Parochial Report, St. John’s Church, Fayetteville, 1861 Journal of Convention, 34)
The Rector would also add, that the Working Society have continued their praiseworthy exertions, much to the advantage of the Church. They have contributed a considerable sum to painting and repairing the Church. He would also add, that the Church has received from a young lady, Miss P. J. D. Skinner, the present of an elegant Chandelier and very beautiful and appropriate Lamps for the pulpit, Reading Desk, and other parts of the Church.
(Source: The Rev. John Avery, Parochial Report, St. Paul’s, Edenton, 1832 Journal of Convention, 14)
In January last, I am glad to say, I was able to open our Mission school. We have a comfortable little school building and an able and consecrated teacher in the person of Miss Cornie S. Young. I am afraid, on account of the smallness of the salary, I shall not be able to keep her. If the school should be closed it would be a great drawback to the work at Pittsboro. I go to this Mission once a month.
(Source: The Rev. J. E. King, Parochial Report, St. James’ Church, Pittsboro, 1901 Journal of Convention, 102)
The Ladies have had a Fair within the past year, from which there was realized about $240.
(Source: The Rev. Thomas F. Davis, Parochial Report, St. Luke’s Church, Salisbury, 1840 Journal of Convention, 16)
The parish has lost by death one of its best and noblest laymen. She was its chief sustainer, and her loss is irreparable. The Mission at Roxobel is served in connection with this parish, services being held there on alternate Sundays. The Parish Church is now the owner of a beautiful and substantial pipe-organ, the gift of that noble and most estimable Christian lady, Mrs. M. A. Thompson, deceased, and is a fit and suitable memorial of her.
(Source: The Rev. Edward Wootten, Parochial Report, Grace Church, Bertie County, 1881 Journal of Convention, 157)
Mimp was a devoted member of the Woman’s Auxiliary at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Hamlet. (And while she) …was short, Mimp stood tall to advocate for the poor, the mistreated, the prisoner, and those in need. Once she protested to city officials about placing youth “run-aways” on chain gangs. During World War II the Birmingham house offered a haven for military families. Over the years, Mimp’s cakes, marmalades and casseroles for the sick and shut-ins became famous
(Source: “By Word & Example” profile of Mildred Virginia Milham Birmingham, posted to the website of the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of North Carolina, December 4, 2015.)
