History of Saint James': Rev. Edwin S. Hinks

Originally posted 09/03/2015

Assuming the Rectorship – Statements recorded in the Parish Register by newly arriving rectors

The Rev. Edwin S. Hinks (1908-1913)

Early in the last century, 107 years ago, the Rev. Edwin S. Hinks began his ministry at Saint James’ Church and recorded his observations in the parish register.

“In October 1908 I assumed the charge of this parish, returning to its diocese of Virginia after an absence of 5 years, during which time I served as dean of St. Michaels Cathedral, Boise, Idaho.  I left a larger for a smaller work because the strenuous living and arduous work at this particular point had brought both myself and Mrs. Hicks to the verge of illness.

“I found here a most excellent church property – the church building and parish room (added during the rectorship of Mr. Laird) had made the structure quite complete & convenient.

“But on Saturday night of October 29th 1910 the building became a total wreck by fire conveyed to it along the line of the parish building, coming from a frame structure on fire immediately north of the church.

“During the rectorship of Rev. G. W. Nelson (1880-1903) several changes had been made in the church building – the organ brought from a gallery over the front door, and put near the chancel.  Mr. Laird (1904-08) was the promoter of many other changes which materially added to the beauty and convenience of the church.  It now remains to be seen what success shall be attained by my vestry & congregation in rebuilding God’s House in Warrenton.”

Nov. 5th  1910             Edwin S. Hinks

Three years later, after overseeing the rebuilding of the church, Mr. Hinks left Saint James’ and recorded the following in the parish register:

September 11, 1913

“I am leaving Hamilton Parish for St. Louis, Mo. this month.  The new church erected since the fire opened in June 1912 is complete as an architectural structure, and most convenient, beautiful & attractive as an edifice for worship.

“We could wish that a deeper spirituality characterizes the ones who attend the services.  Too much, too much social whirl, and artificial pleasure for much concentration of mind & heart upon things Divine.  May God move upon the people, and make them realize that this life is not ALL by any means.

(“It is not all of live to live / Nor all of death to die”)

Sincerely, Edwin S. Hinks

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Originally posted 09/10/2015

The Rev. Edwin S. Hinks – Rector 1908-1913

Part II

Readers will recall last week’s essay that drew on Mr. Hinks personal entries in the Parish Register, inscribed when he took up his ministry and later, when he departed.   Thanks to the late parishioner Jeanne Davies, we have another side of Mr. Hinks, recalled by a parishioner who remembered Mr. Hinks many years before, and whose recollections were recorded in 1982, published that year in the parish’s “Gifts of the Generations” and reprinted here –

”Mr. Hinks served at St. James’ from 1908 to 1913.  It was during this period that the church and parish house were destroyed by fire in October, 1910.  Mr. Hinks supervised the rebuilding of the church and conducted the first services in the new church in June, 1912.”

“Mr. Hinks was a devout man with a puckish sense of humor.  He toured the area in a horse and buggy with his pockets full of candy for the children.  He was an avid gardener, and became extremely annoyed when his garden was regularly raided by a neighbor’s flock of chickens.  Although he remonstrated, the neighbor consistently denied that his chickens were the culprits.  In desperation, Mr. Hinks pierced several individual kernels of corn with a needle and long thread.  On the end of the thread he attached a small piece of paper.  He then scattered the kernels throughout his garden.”

“The following day he again approached his neighbor who again denied responsibility.  Mr. Hinks pointed out the pieces of paper dangling from the beaks of several of the suspected chickens.  On examination the papers were found to bear the words, ‘I have been in Mr. Hinks’ garden.’”

“Another neighbor of Mr. Hinks at the rectory was a man known for his violent temper.  His wife, to escape his physical abuse, often sought sanctuary in the rectory.  On one such occasion, the abusive neighbor pounded on the rectory door and when Mr. Hinks opened it, shouted at him: ‘Mr. Hinks, you go to Hell!’  Mr. Hinks replied courteously, ‘After you, Sir.’”

Later, from 1927-1932,  Mr. Hinks served as rector of Grace Church, Casanova.  Betty Gookin, who grew up with her siblings at neighboring “Rockhill” remembers Mr. Hinks as a favorite, delightful visitor.  “He gave us candy and told us we really didn’t have to wear our galoshes.  Later, he told us that he had been sunbathing, stretched out in his garden, when he noticed buzzards circling overhead – and thought he’d best beat a retreat!”

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