Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1925-07-31
GREAT SHRINE
AT ORKNEY
Episcopal Edifice Unique Among Vir-
ginia Churches-Dedicatio Aug @

ginia Churches-DedicatiO Aug 6
The Virginia Churchman gives the
following interesting and detailed
account of the building of the shrine
at Orkney Springs, which will be
consecrated August 6, and which will
bring to that famous resort, a large
gathering of Episcopalians.
The Churchman says:
This Memorial Shrine to the
late Bishop Gibson has now, by ac-E
ton of the Bishop and last Annual
Council of the Diocese of Virginia,
the status of Cathedral Shrine un-I
der the direct ecclesiastical jurisdic-
ton of the Bishop of the Diocese,
and by its geographical position at
Orkney Springs, IL miles west of Mt
Jackson, in Shenandoah County, it
has become part of the Valley Con-
vocation. Under the Bishops ap-
pointment, the Rev. Edmund L.
Woodward, NJ D., is rector in charge.
and Mr.. A R. Lutz, lay reader For
the present, the church's ministry at
the Shrine viii be continuous during
the three summer months only, and
Will be primarily, though not exclu-
sively, for cottage owners and So
journers at the Orkney Springs
Hotel, many of whom are church peo-
pie. The building of the Shrine be-
gan last summer, was resumed the
middle of June, and is moving apace
towards completion in July.
The construction is of native I'M
hewn stone, and is designed to be
almost as durable as the everlasting
hills, whose very stones are thus be-
ing made to glorify God Adjoining
the Shrine proper campanile is be-
ing built, also of massive stone. This
has rock-roofed sacristy on the
ground level, and on the third tier
a bell cote with five-toned SODIUM
dredpound bell, and like the Shrine
itself, is surmounted by rude stone
cross. Rising 33 feet from the
ground, this cross is quite 100 feet
above the roadway approach. when
the Shrine first comes into view.
The location of the Shrine is in
secluded spot of picturesque wood
land beauty, greatly beloved by Bish-
op Gibson and his wife, whose sum-
mer cottage for the later years of
their lives is close at hand Here
24O0 feet above sea level on the
eastern slope of the Allegheny Noun
tains the good Bishop, who loved so
well the mountains of Virginia and
their people, came with his family
year after year as long as he was
able for his summer rest, and here
in a natural amphitheatre this Cathe-
dral Shrine to his memory, with as
ISOLATED memorials to other of our
church people who also loved the en-
vironment, associations and summer
worship of Orkney, is being erected.
This property is now by deed the
possession of the Diocese of Virginia
Its cost will be in excess of $4,000.
which represents less than half its
value, taking into account contribu-
lions in material, labor and manu-
facture of ecclesiastical furnishings.
The value of the >exquisitely appro-
pirate memorial tablets, altar rail.
and other chancel furnishings of
beaten bronze finished in notified
green made by the Gorham Com
pany, together with the bronze bell
is nearly $4,000. while the furnish
ings are all of the choicest quality
and taste. In order that the conse-
Grafton may take place on August 6.
1t will be necessary, of course. that
every financial obligation incurred be
met prior to that date. A balance
of nearly $1,000 remains to be do
mated. Certain old friends of Bishop
Gibson, perhaps some younger per
sons who received their confirma-
ton at his fatherly hands, may be
glad to know of this opportunity to
pay tribute to his memory with 9TH
; ers who loved and revered him. Con-
tributions may be sent to the Rev.
Edmund L. Woodward, NJ D., DIRK
ney Springs, Va
The large memorial tablet to Bish-
OPP Gibson, set in the front of the
/. stone altar. bears the Coat of Arms
OF the Diocese of Virginia, and
wreathed by border of oak leaves
the following inscription: