New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-25
OLD BRUTON CHURCH.
Royal Gift for Edifcc To Be Re-
stored to Prc-RcvOlaHoHary Typc.

Richmond Va Ma-rh "a Brutou Parish
Church, Williamsburg, Va one Of the historic
landmarks in the Ola Dominion, has lately come
into international notice through the fact that
last September King Edward Of England offered
to give the church a handsome Bible ON the
completion OF its reconstru, ton, ana that Presi-
dent Roosevelt has recently announced his in
tention to present a Iectern, on which the royal
gift is to be placed.
In letter from the Archbishop OF Canterbury
to the Rev w A. r. Goodwin, rector of Bruton
Parish the former states that ne has been au-
thoTized by King Edward TO select the Bible,
which is to be presented to his majesty for his
approval The Holy Book will be specially and
appropriately bound and Inscribed. It is to be
given in cOnmemoratiou of the Booth ami
versary of the establishment Of Anglo Saxon
civilization and the English Church on the shores
OF Virginia This mark Of royal esteem is to be
given particularly TO Bruton Parish in view Of
the fact that it is the official successor Of the
church at jamestown the first English church
ever established on this continent. Of which to-
day there stands only the lonely tower to remind
the tourist OF its former existence.
Bruton was the court church Of Colonial Viz
gna from 1899 to the Revolution. Here, in silk
canopied pews, worshipped the Colonial Gov
errors. two Of whom lie buried in the aisle Of tho
church; and here. in that part Of the church
built and paid for by the Virginia House or Bur-
gesses. worshipped Washington. jefferson Mon
roc. Madison Henry Marshall Mason Tyler.
Bland Lee and many others Situated Duke
Of Gloucester street the main thoroughfare Of
williamsburg and standing in spacious grounds.
now completely filled with moss-cOvered au2
crumbIing tombs, this famous old church serveO
as link connecting the early days Of the Colo
NAL regime with to-day.
The present church was built IN 1715. in the
rectorship OF the Rev. Co1lruissary Blair. the
official representative in Virginia of the Lord
Mayor of London. and the founder and first
president Of the College Of William and Mary.
The work Of restoration which is now proceed
ing will leave unchanged the exterior, but the
interior. which was changed and distorted be-
cause Of conditions which no longer exist, viii
be restored to its ancient form and architecture
and the whole VIII be transmitted TO following
generations as it was planned and buiie5 and
used by the founders Of the little colony
The church preserves and stiU uses the original
font and communion service of the Jamgz.aw
church and q set of communion silver presented
to the parish by King George III and another
set Of silver known as tine Queen Anne service
The pre- Revolutionary Bible and Vraycrbrok
have also been preserved and also The old
parish register. upon which the name or George
Washington occurs eleven times
The work of restoration viii see completed Il
more be thrown omen for public worship nd
when il Will be dedicated anew with appropriate
/ and becoming services, and upon the compile
ton Of this the Bible OF King Edward aud ne
lectcru of President Roosevelt viii be formally
presented.