The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-12-22
I4A,W

Mower wen, to Alabama, and wa.
formally transferred FROM the Dio
cese in December. For five years
the Parish remained without Rec
tor. In 1870 the Rev. Otis Hacketl
became Rector, but remained ON y o
brief time. Mr.. Hackett was one OF
The victims of the last epidemic, be
ing stationed at the time in Plaque
mines Parish.
From January to November, qS72,
tho Rev. George Randolph Upton
was Rector. During the years 1873
and 1874 the Rev. A. N. Ogden, Rec
tor OF St. James Church, Alexandra,
officiated once a month. In 1875
the Rev. Oliver Wilson, Deacon,
took charge Of the Parish work: and
On being prieste'l, May LIST, 1873
became the Rector.
In 1879 the daughter Church
caught the missionary spirit Of the
parent, and Chapel was built or
the place of Mr.. William Thompson.
| in Kanomie Ward. We understand
alse, that St. James is expecting a
! grandchild in the neighborhood of
Holmesville.
In the Spring Of 1864, that bosom
OF destruction, the army of General
Banks, invaded the Parish, and after
ito defeat at Mansfield and Pleasant
Hill, On its retreat, vented its spleen
on the defenceless Town of Alexan-
dria. St. james Church, sharing in
the fate of her people, was given to
the flames, and to insure its destruc-
tion, hand grenades were wantonly
thrown in the sacred ed;fce.
The Parish remained disorganized
during the war, but on the recur-
renee of the first Easter.tide there
after, in 1866, it was reorganized,
with Drs. French and Difendorfer as
Wardens, and DR.. Henry St. John,
Frederic Seip, Joseph R. Hynson, E.
NJ. Wells, Charles Williams and
John NJ. Barrett as Vestrymen.
On the 4th Of July following, the
Vestry received and accepted the
resignation Of the Rev. Caleb Dove,
as Rector, and the Parish remained
without a Pastor until the latter part
of 1859. The Sunday School had,
however, been revived Immediately
on the close OF the civil strife, with
John NJ. Barrett as Superintendent.
For q long time. this school was the
only witness for the Church in the
community, and right nohly did it
bear ito testimony. 9t.t,59saa> u
In the Fall OF 1869 Che former
Rector; Rev. Amos D.. Mccoy, re-
turned and resumed ministerial Ia:
Dor, but it was found impracticable
for him to 60 on with bis accustomed
duties, and February Goth, 1870, the
Rev. Elisha Spruille Burford was
elected Rector. yv ii s.....
He found the Parish without q
Church building, and the congrega-
tion worshiping in the hotel. AL.
though there had been no Rector
for several years the members
were found. actively engaged
in preparations to rebuild their
Church. Rallying around their cho.
sen leader and Pastor, plans took
form on the 25th day OF July--St.
1 James day--and the first stroke was
made on the foundation of the new
Church. The work progressed With
marked success, no shat in Ootobe,
they found themselves woi'shipine
in the nave OF tie new Church On
the spot where The Old Church was
consumed 70 ashes, in tie nidst Of :
community impoverished by the war
stood the beautiful structure, with
| its graceful tower and mural win
dows, perpctuating the memory o.
the honored dead; no sacrifice being
considered too grea. by, this noble
> people TO- attest their faith in thu
hour of their adversity.ta 20
In the same year. mission wa,
begun and continued near the heae
waters Of Bayou Rapides.
On the gath of May, 1872, a tor
naJo devastated our Town, and til
Church. AGENT dozen IN the storm. :.
From the debris. only the altar ant
chaneel furniture, the pews and til
bell were saved. ''@ q
On the 5th Of June the Rector. le!
for the North on 9 six months Ieav
: ofabsence, and the Rev. Mr.. Osder
a parishioner fist. James, who ha