History of Saint James': Into the Modern Era. 1888-1917

Originally posted 12/10/2015

The minutes of Vestry meetings exist from 1843 to the present, with the exception of two periods: the Civil War years, 1861-1865, and a missing gap from 1954 – 1960.  It goes without saying that Vestry minutes are an essential reference to the recorded history of the parish.  Minutes written in ledgers by hand was the practice until the Rector, Paul Bowden, arranged to have handwritten records transcribed, typed, and bound in permanent hard-cover books that cover the years through 1991.  Since then, minutes have been typed and filed in loose-leaf book form.

In the 1990s, the History Committee began a project of reviewing Vestry minutes, extracting information that would be useful in compiling a history of Saint James’ Church.  It is a continuing process.  An example of this work may be seen in the overview for the years 1888-1917, compiled by committee member Robert H. Bartenstein, late husband of much beloved parishioner, Frances Bartenstein.  Extracts and comments from Bob’s work follow:

“Fauquier’s rich farm country was pretty well decimated by the end of the Civil War.”  On a brighter note, “Church was taken very seriously by its members.  In my own experience, a few decades later, the Sunday funnies were considered inappropriate for Sunday reading, and held until Monday.  Tennis and other such games were frowned upon on the Sabbath.

“Warrenton was blessed at that time with two ministers with exceptional ability and statewide reputations, Mr. George Washington Nelson, the Episcopal Priest (1880-1903), and Mr. Walter A. Robertson, the Presbyterian Rector.  Neither had an easy time of it financially – Mr. Nelson was rarely, if ever, paid up-to-date during his service.  Money problems of the church were unending.  Sally Marshall contributed $4 to the Rector’s salary and was formally thanked by the Vestry.

“Mr. Nelson wrote a diary in which the Vestry was described as strongly low church.  Mr. Hilleary (long-time Vestryman) complained vigorously at having to wait until candles were extinguished before he could leave church.  He of course wanted no candles, flowers and other such ‘popish’ frills.  Mr. Nelson granted him permission to leave early, but observed that Mr. Hilleary never availed himself of that permission.

“An electric street light was placed in front of the church in 1901; generally no lights were on in those days…no air conditioners, no cars, etc.  How long did it take to hook up the buggy and run to town?  In 1905, a committee was formed to raise funds and purchase a horse and buggy for the Rector’s use in parish work.  Three years later, the Rector asked the Vestry to take back the horse because he couldn’t afford to feed it.

“So what went on in those days?….  Two brides, Miss Payne and Miss Gaines asked that the chancel rail be removed for their wedding.  This, the Vestry would not do.  Mr. Payne and Mr. George Stone resigned from the Vestry.  As it happened, unauthorized removal of the chancel rail caused a raucous and the Sexton was instructed not to deliver the church keys to anyone without the Rector’s consent.

“The advent of businessmen from the north to the Vestry began a noticeable improvement in the business methods and financial strength of St. James’.  In general, a remarkable new day was dawning.   Mr. Harry Groome (of Airlie) and company were bringing St. James’ and Warrenton into modern times – at a gallop.  The church actually began to talk of outreach programs!”

Bob’s documenting of that era, in fuller detail, is available in church archives.

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