Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1921-11-08
PETERKIN HALL DEDICATED
WITH APPROPRIATE
CEREMONIES.

PEl EkklN HALL DEDlCAl ED
WITH APPROPRIATE
CEREMONIES.
In the presence of large assem-
blage of friends of the school, and
many clergymen from Jefferson and
adjoining counties, Peterkin Hall at
st. Hilda's School was formally dedi-
Gated with appropriate ceremonits
last Tuesday afternoon. The pro-
gram was begun shortly after 3
O'Clock with procession of pupils,
teachers, and clergy, from st. Hill
da's to Peterkin Hall. A select choir
lead, singing Onward Chritian Sol
diers" as professional The choir
with members of the clergy including
Right Rev. Bishop w. L. Gravatt, of
the Diocese of West Virginia, and
former Governor John j. Cornwell,
took positions on the stage of the
Auditorium of the Hall while the st.
Hilda's pupils filed into their seats on
either side of the main aisle.
Prayers for he school were read by
Rev. Conrad H. Goodwin, rector of
Zion Church, Charles Town. Scrip
IuIc IcduiiSS ny lsC'. LII. VI. VI. Oyu-
nor, Charles Town and Rev. Giles
Palmer, of White Post, Va; followed
the prayers. All of the exercises
were interspersed with selections by
the choir, the pupils uniting in the
singing with zest that bespoke care
full training on the part of the music
instructors Of the school.
Bishop William Loyal Gravatt, in
presenting Ex-Governor John ].
Cornwell remarked that he had often
criticised persons in introducing
public speakers, when they would
take up so much of the time in tell
ing of their fine qualifications, &c.
But on this occasion he would not
depart from the usual custom, doing
the same thing himself. He then
stated that the State of West Vir-
ginia should be under manifold OBJ
ligaions to Ex-Governor Cornwell for
the magnificent way he controlled the
uprisings among the miners during
his administration, and upon several
taking his life in his hands to do so.
Ex-Governor Cornwell's address
was listened to with the closest sat-
tention as the people at this side of
he State always love to hear him. He
said if ever since the Creation of the
World was needed absolutely Chris
tian Education and Christian Schools
and Colleges, that time now had
come The want of Christianity and
the departing from the old establish
ed customs were largely due to the
fearful condition of our Country at
tn present day. After study and
preparation Laws are made-What
attention is paid to them. A persons
life is not safe at their homes or in
the town or city, All through Gov
ernor Cornwell's address was food
for thought and most entertaining
throughout.
The dedication address was deliv-
cred by Bishop Gravatt who followed
Governor Cornwell. The Bishop paid
high tribute to Rev. Joshua Peter
kin, and his son, Right Rev. G. w.
Peterkin, the first Bishop of the do
cese of West Virginia, in honor of
whom Peterkin Hall was named. The
formal declaration of dedication was !:
81, William Layall Gravatt, by divine
permission, Bishop of West Virginia,
do solemnly dedicate this house to
the Glory of God, and do set it apart
for Christian education. Prosper
thou, o Lord, the work of thy hands
upon us; o prosper thoou our handi-
work, Amen"
The exercises closed with the
benediction by Bishop Gravatt fol-
lowed by the occasional, ancient of
Days" by the choir.
In the evening according to the
yearly custom large audience wit
messed the Pageant of st. Hilda,
written and presented by the pupils
of the school. Through seven his
toric, imaginative episodes vivid
Interpretation was given of the life
of the Salon Hilda, the first woman
educator known to history.
Following the Pageant visitors and
school adjourned to Whitby where
Unique in the life of St. Hilda's are
the picturesquely symbolical cere-
monies here enacted every year.
While the audience grouped itself in
a wide semi-circle about the great
place, one of the pupils, Frances Hill
dreth, lit the new log in the CRATE
with piece of last years log, SYM
bolizing thus the carrying on of the
undying spirit-light of St. Hilda's
from year to year. With the plac-
ing of the new link in the school
chain, where there is link for every
year that the building has been used
as an educational institution, Laura
Venning typifed the unbroken pro-
gress of the school throughout it's
history. A hush fell over the audi
ence while Miss Duval as principal
and guiding spirit of it all, read the
school poem and the charter of st. |
Hilda's. After the benediction
Bishop Gravatt came forward to sign |
the charter and from the circle of |
-silhoutted girls rose the Alma |
Mater song of st. Hilda's.
Visitors, faculty, and pupils were |
invited to follow the quaint custom I
of signing their names to the tradi-
tional paper, and with this ceremony
ended the seventh Founders Day of
ST. Hilda's.
Many compliments were passed on
the singing and the Master Pianist.
GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.
In sad but loving remembrance of I