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.
The Ladies’ Working Society is at length rewarded by seeing the Church freed from debt, chiefly by their labours. They are now labouring diligently to aid in purchasing an Organ.
(Source: The Rev. William M. Green, Parochial Report, St. Matthew’s Church, Hillsborough, 1836 Journal of Convention, 28)
The Ladies’ Working Society again deserves to be noticed for their untiring industry, and efficient labours in promoting the prosperity of the Congregation.
(Source: The Rev. William M. Green, Parochial Report, St. Matthew’s Church, Hillsborough, 1835 Journal of Convention, 13)
Since the last Convention, a convenient house has been purchased for a Rectory, and paid for, principally by the Ladies Working Society, and by the liberal contributions of a few individuals.
(Source: The Rev. John Avery, Parochial Report, St. Paul’s Church, Edenton, 1835 Journal of Convention, 14)
“If there was ever anyone who appreciated God as the creator of the universe, and who took it on as her responsibility to keep our earth green, it was Pauline Ralph.”
Pauline, of Erwin, NC, passed away eight years ago, just a month after her 91st birthday. You are encouraged to learn a bit about how she lived by example, serving God and Church as an Episcopal Church Woman. Here’s the link to her bio: www.ecw-nc.org/by-word-and-example/pauline-jewel-faulkner-ralph.html
(Source: “By Word & Example” profile of Pauline Jewel Faulkner Ralph, posted to the website of the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of North Carolina, January 19, 2017)
It is also with pleasure I have to inform the Convention, that we have ordered an Organ: the Ladies, (as usual,) deserving most, if not all, the credit of it. We hope, ere the next visit of our Diocesan, to have the organ in its place.
(Source: The Rev. John Morgan, Parochial Report, St. Luke’s, Salisbury, 1834 Journal of Convention, 24)
The Ladies Working Society is now supporting a Charity School of about forty members.
(Source: The Rev. Thomas F. Davis, Parochial Report, St. James’ Church, Wilmington, 1834 Journal of Convention, 19)
The labors of the Ladies’ Working Society are still exerted with a wholesome and blessing effect on the interests of the congregation. They have zealously undertaken to pay a considerable portion of the Church debt.
(Source: The Rev. William M. Green, Parochial Report, St. Matthew’s Church, Hillsborough, 1834 Journal of Convention, 22)
The Ladies Working Society continues its operations, and I am happy to report has, within four years, with some assistance from the gentlemen, entirely paid for the building of a Rectory, the cost of which was about $1500. The great advantages of this effort to the parish, the unspeakable comfort which it has afforded to the Minister, and the real ease with which it has been accomplished, induce this renewed mention, in the hope that other parishes will thereby be prevailed on to go and do likewise.
(Source: The Rev. William D. Cairns, Parochial Report, St. James, Wilmington, 1833 Journal of Convention, 19)
The “Female Associations of Industry,” noticed in the former reports of this Committee, are still zealously engaged in promoting the interests of the Church; and their success, the past year, shows how much may be accomplished, with the blessing of God, by persevering efforts to do good. One of these Societies deserves to be particularly commended for having, by their labor, accomplished a work highly desirable in every Parish, the building of a Rectory, at an expense of $1500. This is mentioned not to disparage any where all have done well, but to encourage them not to despair of any thing which they may have in view for the benefit of their several Churches.
(Source: Report of the Committee on the State of the Church, 1833 Journal of Convention, 52)
Through the unwearied exertions of a few industrious females, aided by the contributions of the liberal, a plain but neat and appropriate organ, has been purchased, at an expense of upward of $500. It has recently been placed in the Church, and is now regularly used in the stated services of the Sanctuary.
(Source: The Rev. George W. Freeman, Parochial Report, Christ Church, Raleigh, 1833 Journal of Convention, 21)
