Blessing in mid-September

It is days like today that I realize I’m truly blessed to be at St. John’s. Today capped a great week of yard upkeep and upgrading. Steven finished his driveway marking project by installing reflectors on the posts that flank the driveway. Now it will be much safer for people to come to the Parish House after dark.

 

I also found an anonymous gift on the patio – a new bench. This will be a welcome addition and a fine replacement for the bench that finally gave up the ghost a couple weeks ago when the cast iron legs corroded through. I’ve performed a successful test of the stability and design of the bench and report all is well.

 

Bert and Charles visited with a cart and sprayer to help knock down the weeds growing along the bank of the pond and in many of the weedy gravesites. This summer has been terrible for weeds and they have been growing like weeds (pun intended) all summer. I hope this starts knocking the weeds back so we can better see the Church and some of the older graves on the grounds.

 

Most important though was a visit from Eddie Cotten (the second eldest member of the church at 95) this morning. He was out Central Virginia to take care of family business. He had stopped by to see his son-in-law's headstone that was put in the churchyard last week. It is fascinating to talk with him and find out more of the historic tidbits of the Church: the personalities (Lucy Upshur was one of the first liberated women in Chuckatuck, she wore pants and farmed), the hidden secrets (an unmarked grave plot someplace in the yard, a headstone that seems to have disappeared), and the nature of this Parish.

 

Most moving of his stories was his recounting of his time in the Marine Corps during WWII. He told me of his participation in the initial occupation force in Japan and his unit was the front line as USS MISSOURI sailed into Tokyo Bay for the surrender. I knew parts of that story but to hear more touched my heart.

 

These are the days that make me proud to be a member of this Church and our wonderful country.

What's new?

Did you ever wonder about the History of St. John's Church? Take a look at the History Page to find out a little bit more about the Parish; from its birth as an offshoot of the Jamestown Settlement in Upper Norfolk County as the West Parish, becoming the Chuckatuck Parish, then finally St. John's Church. I think you'll find it interesting reading.

Les+

St. John's is now listed on the Historical Marker Database

It is nice to see interest in the life and history of St. John's. I received a note from a gentleman who had visited a couple days ago to look through the graveyard and look at headstones. As he was eating lunch I had the opportunity to chat with him and find out a little of his story. He shared with me that he comes by often and sits in the yard between the church and the parish house. Please feel free to check out his post and share with others.

Faithfully,
Les+

http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=39807

History of St. John's

For nearly four centuries, St. John's Church has sought to lead women and men in expressing the Christian Spirit. It continues to be an active Episcopal Church, opening its doors to all peoples.

The roots of St. John's Church go back to the earliest English settlements along the Nansemond River. The present church, constructed in 1755, is the third on the site. Its walls are solid brick, twenty-five inches thick. The center aisle is paved with blocks of limestone from England.

The Chancel, installed in the 1880's has elaborate wainscoting and carvings. The colored glass windows date from the same period.

St. John's Church has in its possession an original eighteenth century Vestry Book, and Bible.

In 1728, St. John's joined the Glebe Church, Driver, to form Suffolk Parish. This association continued until March 1, 1998, when each congregation became an independant Parish.On Sundays and Holy Days the congregation of St. John's Church gathers for worship. Visitors are warmly invited to worship and participate in this active congregation.