Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-07-02
ON RESTORATION
BRUT0N CHURCH
Mr., E. II. LEIveLy DIS.
CUSSES SUBJECT.
Thinks it Best to Make Haste
Slowly.

ttOI ~ Tux 81 " Tux NnNANNA ~
the east end of the Bruton Parish
Church. have no right tn dcmur 20
any changes that may be considered for
the best convenience Of the worshipers,
etc My attention was called 10 the
proposition OF the chancel because of the
numerous articles l have seen in the
newspapers / addressed myself 10 the
subject on principle. and II am wrong.i
would be glad If some churchman would
set me right.
I observe that several errors exist in
my previous article. whether typograph-
ical or my own. the point in hand that
make is not beclouded thereby, but
prominently correct and emasculated of
doubt
The restoration Of the old church. 20
W hat IL was, 'isindehpite. The accounts
have read were not perhaps historical
or authoritative, or 20 what extent IT,
Liable. am unable 10 say. / don't sup
pose che process Of restoration" will go
back anterior TO 1s+o. because up TO
that date. the plans and conditions in
s,ituted by those concerned. which ex
isted 125 years beiooe had beeu weighed
IN the balances and found wanting, and
the chancel was taken instanter from
the east end OF the church 10 where il is
now,--its proper orbit, in association
with the transepts. united I hope eter-
nally. This changed condition of the
church has withstood the criticism Of
cyu0sures since $40. sixty-four wears
aud If any need OF Temoddehng existed
the facts would have been known ere
this. II the necessity Of alteration did
not exist in 1910. I am sure the previous
regime would have been continued.
The old ST. Johns church and its early
graveyard at Richmond, twhere Patrick
Henry. the Demostheuese of Virginia,
raised his voice in behalf Of Liberty)
" here not muSh is Square with this
] great Union, call 20 mind similar iuacu-
rate methods adopted IN connection
with Bruton previous 20 1910. At St.
Johns church-yard, those IN authority in
that dim period disregarded the second
coming OF our Saviour, for many OF the
graves there box the compass. In Bru-
ton church however. the grave of its frst
| pastor. Rev. Rowland ZONES, Is properly
indicated by the slab IN the isle under
the organ gallery, being east and west
facing in the coming Master. But how
different the position Of the good people
al Brutou will be in that great day with
the chancel in the east end,aud the con-
sregation facing the transepts in the
| Westf This condition Is due 70 the fact
that the church was originally errorous-
" constructed. To correct the error
now, BY transferring the trausepts 10 The
east end would he proper II the exPens'
could be borne The church edihce wa
I contemplated. outlined and built as 4
dead body j. laid away 10 rest. In thos
{ exciting davs OF founding a home IN tn
p new world. church architecture II seem
was Of secondary consideration. IL wa
esteemed, perchauce. that the chure
like a dead body. each should have II
& head 10 the west. This would be props
= I n TIE 4aAASi "a bAt f.1cf c~N NtN
g Episcopal church building. The Twin
A, deserve equal consideration with Il
dead. Unless the head Of the church
in the east, the people at the time OF wo
ship and going through the functions
the chancel or communion, a. u wer
would not be in hgnment with the Rre'
idea OF the east with their faces ev
n turned in that direction. not KNOWN
> when the Son ofMan coueth. Hence, q
paramount custom OF the people facii
the east, the chaocel. the alter, the sane
Z nary they being in relation 10 the ira
septs. For economy sake, if the ira
septs are already in the West, there
as the ehancel be.
I'd As stated in my first article, the pr
ent uon-conformity of the church TO [
Cruciforan and English custom, had b<
ter be endured. than 10 open the door
> a general restoration" Tor in this. Z
old landmark (the church, will hs
lost its past history as We know 1t.
grandeur and antiquity will have b
destroyed Under this plan however
n the glorious coming Of the risen Sayio
a., no one Of the congregation will have
ich