The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-04-10
St. Barnabas' Church, Iceland,
Md.

Since the advent of the present rec
or, Rev w. J. Williams, to Queen
Anne's Parish, which has been little
pver twelve months, new life and gifts
ave been given the old Colonial brick
nurch.
Last June 18th the 200 Anniversary
IF the first brick building was held. 1t
s the intention of the rector to hold
annually festival on this date it being
It. Barnabas' day and as there is large
class waiting for Confirmation arrange
nents had been made to have the Bishop
for that occasion but his sudden death
will necessitate the getting of another
md it is hoped that Bishop Paret will
De present who used to visit this section
before the Diocese of Washington was
created However, If the Bishop cannot
come some great preacher will be en-
gagged for the occasion. Due notice of
This service will be given later.
AS to the improvements and gifts to
he church we are informed some work
was done to the interior last fall but
more will be done this summer. An
iron fence in excellent condition that
he rector secured is being put up along
he roadside and across the Lych Gate
which will be decided improvement
when completed and painted. Besides
gentleman gave sufficient wire and
gates to fence the entire property.
At the anniversary service the rector
made strong appeal for certain neces-
,ary articles Although some thought
the appeal would be in vain yet We are
glad to say they are gradually being
given aud sent. Some of the gifts al
ready received are chest of red cedar
for the altar hangings etc. beautiful
md costly Litany Desk and book for
he same, Bibles for the Sunday school
aud prayer books and hymnals for The
services, and last but not least is a gift
of a large bell by the Colonial DANES
If America from Baltimore. A tenn
porary support is now being erected
alongside of the church on the South
East corner but the desire of the rector
to build as soon as funds are in hand
brick tower to conform with the
church in every particular. The bell is
to be in position and rung for the first
time on Easter Sunday morning. 1t
will be rung as follows: At 10 o'clock
FOR Sunday school during the summer
months as that is the only time it is
held. For the Sunday or week. day
services at 1920 and II and Immediate
ly after the ringing of the last bell
three taps will be given and the ser
vice will begin.
Not only has Mr.. Williams secured
these gifts costing hundreds of dollars
but he has written a History of the
church and parish which is now on sale
with good picture of the church. A
copy of the same can be had from the
rector for 80 C ents.
1t may be little known in the county
that the first figured oil painting that
was ever done in America was ordered
for this noted church, the subject be.
ing The Last Supper" According to
the old rec cords it was to be an Histori-
cal painting, that is, it was to give as
far as possible detailed account Of the
great events in the Upper Chamber
The artist was man of note a Swede
hf the name of NJ Gustavius Hesselius.
This picture was lost or stolen about
| $50 years ago and nothing was heard OF
| it until Mr.. Williams said he was going
| to find it which he now claims he has
| This picture is referred to in the His
| tory in foot note on page -. Mr.
Williams has seen the picture and find!
it corresponds exactly with the descrip-
| ton given in the ancient records. TIC
| Prove that it is the same there are sew
eral paintings still in existence Of the
same artist both in Philadelphia anc
Annapolis thus comparison can be made
and proven. He has traced step by STEP
until it was bought some SO years ago
at sale or auction in Georgetown, d
| C. The rector with some friends are
quietly working on the case and hope
eventually to see it back in it's original
home over the altar of the dear ole
| church.