Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-12

NURING Parson Harrison's rectorship it be-
- came necessary to restore the church,
which through neglect and lack of repairs was
for time almost in ruins In the year l79l'
271 men of the congregation, whose names are
still on record, contributed to the restoration
fund 1872 pounds in money and $4,000 pounds OF
tobacco The work of reconstruction requiring
two years YVES completed in September, 1893.
At this time the side walls were raised, secenc-
story windows were added and galleries with
pews were placed along the south side and at
the ends An outside, incloSed brick stairway
leading to the gallery, was also erected
1t was in 1909 16 years after the second
restoration of Durham Church, and during the
rectorship of Rev william Duncan, that the
church was visited for the first time by
bishop In this connection Bishop Claggett OF
Maryland reports at the next convention:
"On Sunday gath of September 1909, I
reached the Parish Church of Durham In
Charles County. This is a brick church and IN
good condition. The parish has an attentive
vestry. and faithful and laborious rector. The
congregation was large and remarkably atten-
tive to its several duties. consecrated the
church, preached the sermon and confirmed
30 persons"
It is interesting to note that the vestry ire
Guenty had dificuty In the assignment OF psws
in the church The clerk, whose desk reposed
in front of the pulpit paid for his services
and was an important official beth IN England
and in America during the eighteenth century
As PRAYER books were both rare and costly. the
clerk generally read for the people ell but the
most familiar responses. 1t Is OF record tnae
at Durham all disputes were finally settled Dy
the passing Of a resolution. That all ancient
claims be abolished and forever relinqulSneo
and that all subscribers for the repairs OF the
church are vested with an equal right In pews
of said church"
The third turning point in the history Of
Durham came during the pastorate Of the Rev
Robert Prout, who became rector in 1926, ana
whose remains rest in the shadow OF the OLD
Brick Church, which was the object OF his de-
yotion and the scene OF his laborS for good
half century. In 1910 Mr.. Prout accepted q
call to the rectorship Of st. Paul'S Church In
Calvert County but returned to Durham In
l847.
In the middle of Mr. Prout's Tect1rshp Dur
ham is again shown to be badly in need OF re-
pairs 1T pitied all to see it So" the records
of l843 tell us. Voluntary subscriptions were
taken for the purpose of restoration but the
sum collected lacked a necessary 5000 when
the ladies of the parish stepped in and by their
own efforts met the deficit. Other records OF
l843 pay the following tribute to the labors OF
the women who worshiped at Durham:
Despair had nearly paralyzed our efforts.
and we sat brooding in dependency over the
desolation Of our Zion without a cheering ray
to disspate the gloom Then the ladies OF the
parish stepped forward with their character
iStic energy and zeal.
Therefore resolved: That are mainly
indebted to the ladies of the parish for the
sum of 5000 placed at our disposal through
their fundamentally. and that without their
cooperation and energetic support, this VEN
cradle sanctuary, which has stood for more
than a century monument OF the piety
and liberality of our ancestors, must have fallen
into ruins.
Resolved una nimously: That the thanks OF
the yestry are unfeignedly due to the ladies Of
this parish for their indefatigable industry;
thereby dispelling the dark gloom Of despond-
ency which had overshadowed our parish. and
bidding Zion once more rear her dropping
head"
At that time the whole interior Of the church
was reconstructed and arranged practically q
one sees it today.
A MONG the interesting gleanings from the
y Book of Records or "Vestry Book" for Dur
ham Church appears the following:
august 20, 1871. Ordered that Gen. Small
wood prepare and prefer . petition to the gen.
eral assembly at their next meeting, on behalf
of the parishioners of Durham Parish. to pass
an act authorizing the inhabitants OF said par
iSh to meet and choose q vestry for the present
year. and that he solicit the representatives
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