History of Saint James': Windows & a Wedding

Date

January 15, 2022

Credits

Date

October 22, 2015

Credits

Originally published 10/22/2015

THE CHAPEL – A PAIR OF STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

Two members of a Fauquier family – husband and wife, are memorialized in stained glass in the Chapel, one on each side of the altar.  The left window depicts Christ in His ministry as he calls Peter and Andrew to ”Follow Me” (Matt. 4:18-20); the other depicts Christ in His passion as he kneels in the garden of Gethsemane, and prays, “Father, Not My Will,  But Thine be Done” (Matt. 26:36-39).  The windows were given in memory of Richard Rice Barrett (1878-1938) and his wife, Anne Camden Barrett (1888-1963), by their children in 1966.  The lights of the church, also in memory of Richard Rice Barrett, were given in 1939.

The Barretts’ wedding, 102 years ago, was held at Saint James’ Church soon after it had been rebuilt following the disastrous fire of 1910.  The marriage ceremony was conducted by The Rt. Rev. Robert A. Gibson, Bishop of Virginia, and the Rev. Edwin S. Hinks, Rector of Saint James’ Church.  Portions of a family account of the wedding, on January 9, 1913, follow

1913 – WEDDING AT SAINT JAMES’ CHURCH

“The day was perfect and everything was lovely at the church and the house (nearby Elway Hall).  The church was lined with southern smilax and great bunches of white lilies in prominent places – and on the pews reserved for the family.  “Annie” (the bride) dressed at Marion’s – also the flower girls and Elizabeth (sister of the bride and Betty Gookin’s mother).

“There were several contre-temps known only to us on the inside.  For instance, dresses for the flower girls had to be taken out of the express wagon – and rushed to the house just in time – then (the bride’s brother) Baldwin’s cut-a-way coat was mixed up with some of the presents and put away – after all the trouble of going to Washington for fittings and the expense – poor Baldwin had to wear his usual clothes.

“Now for the real excitement, when the bride was dressed, they discovered that the veil had been left at home- so they had a man go on horseback, and Morton (servant) met him, at the run (Great Run on Springs Road) in his machine (automobile) and rushed it into Warrenton.  All of this so upset the bride’s mother and father (the Baldwin Day Spilmans) that they were late, and the bride had to sit in the carriage 10 minutes waiting for them.  At last all was ready, and things proceeded beautifully.

“The bride’s dress was exquisite – long court train of white satin, and the skirt almost covered with her mother’s handsome point lace.  The veil was beautifully put on and she carried white roses and lilacs.  The organist, who played beautifully, was from Washington….”

An elaborate reception followed at Elway Hall, home of the bride’s parents.  That day, in the Parish Register, Mr. Hinks wrote, “Wedding at church (new then),   Bright day; most graceful decorations; bride charming; groom ecstatic; everybody happy.”

Note:  A few years after their marriage, the Barretts built “Ridglea” near Warrenton where they raised four children.  Their interests were family, equine sports, entertaining, gardening, social welfare and charity.  From the start, Anne Barrett was a woman ahead of her time and was among the first women to ride in an airplane.  The Barretts remained faithful members of Saint James’ Church where Mrs. Barrett gave a lifetime of service not only to the church, but to the community, particularly the hospital.  During the Depression, she worked with a church group to provide clothing for Appalachian poor families.  She was a key figure in establishing a school for African-American children in Warrenton and was tireless in supporting the war effort in WWII.