BRIEF CHURCH HISTORIES
Roman Catholic
When Father Bordenave was assigned to remain at Fort Maurepas in April 1699, by d'Iberville to minister to the first colonists, the Roman Catholic Church commenced its long history in the area. For over a hundred years, the Catholics of the Mississippi coast were without priests and their spiritual needs were attended to by visiting missionaries from Mobile and New Orleans. After the cathedral parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established at Biloxi in 1843, a new period began in the care of Gulf Coast Catholics. Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Handsboro, and Mississippi City were considered a part of the Biloxi church.
A sanctuary wasn't erected in the small village of Ocean Springs until Bishop Elder of the Diocese of Natchez determined that the population could support a mission. In 1859, after buying a lot from Joseph Bellande on the northwest corner of present day Porter and Dewey Avenues, Bishop Elder had a simple church built. Father Georget of Biloxi served the parish of St. Alphonsus as a visiting priest. The parish moved to its present location on Jackson Avenue north of Calhoun when a new church was dedicated in February 1874. The Catholic school opened in October 1887, under the direction of the Marianite Sister of the Holy Cross. The present day sanctuary and rectory were erected in 1961, when Father Francis Deignan served the people of St. Alphonus.
Ocean Springs got a new Catholic parish in September 1975, when the St. Elizabeth Seton Parish was organized for the people in the eastern section of the city. The Reverend Noel Fannon, a native of Ireland, was the first pastor and remained with the parish through the building of the new church in 1988.
In October 1975, the first church services were held in a rented empty furniture store on Highway 90. A few months later, the parish moved to a former nightclub also on U.S. 90. A ten acre site was purchased on Riley Road and by the summer of 1977, a multi-purpose building was under construction which served as a church. The St. Elizabeth Seton church was dedicated in Janaury 1988. The Reverend George Kitchin became the second pastor in February 1988, and is still with the people of St. Elizabeth Seton.
Baptist
The First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs was organized in 1832, by Elder George Davis. It was called the Tidewater Baptist Church and was located on Davis Bayou. Because of the transitory nature of the settlers, the church disbanded circa 1840. In 1847, the Baptists in the area were strongly reunited by Elder Philip P. Bowen.
In 1874, the Tidewater Baptist Church became known as the Ocean Springs Baptist Church and moved in 1876, to a small rental house near the L&N depot. In 1878, a sanctuary was built on the northwest corner of Desoto and Church Street. The Baptists of the community worshiped here until the structure was severely damaged in the Hurricane of September 1906.
In the spring of 1909, Burr & Bradford erected a new sanctuary on land donated by George W. Davis (1842-1914), a descendant of the Davis family of the Tidewater Baptist Church on Davis Bayou. The building was situated on the northwest corner of Porter and Bellande. The church called its first full-time pastor, the Reverend John E. Barnes, in 1932. Sanborn insurance maps indicate that the Porter Avenue edifice was remodeled and enlarged before 1935. A post-1935 renovation occurred resulting in the present structure, which is used for storage.
In 1958, the heirs of E.W. Illing (1980-1947) sold their property on the northeast corner of Washington Avenue and Porter to the First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs. This conveyance terminated the long history of the cinema entrepreneurship of the Illing family at this location. The Baptist under the leadership of the Reverend Paul D. Aultman erected a new sanctuary here. It was built to accommodate approximately twelve hundred persons and was dedicated on May 11, 1969.
Methodist
The Methodist Church at Ocean Springs was organized in 1853, by the Reverend James Sampey. It wasn't until 1870 that a church building was erected on the north side of Porter near Washington. Elizabeth M. Stuart (1840-1925) who was a strong financial supporter of the Methodists' efforts here became the first registered member when the new building was dedicated in 1872. In April 1900, the Methodist Church was torn down and the materials sold to druggist, Herman Nill (1863-1904). The salvaged lumber was used by the Vahle family to erect a hotel, the Vahle House, on the northwest corner of Washington and Calhoun. In 1901, a new sanctuary was constructed on the southeast corner of Porter and Rayburn on a lot donated by Bishop Kenner. After the death of Mrs. Stuart in January 1925, a relative, W.C. Howcott of New Orleans, donated money for a memorial to the Stuarts and Bishop Keener. Three large stained glass windows and a group of Sunday school and social rooms were added to the church in their honor.
By 1950, the Ocean Springs church had become a station church. The Reverend William L. Elkin was the first full time pastor. The next decade saw a growing church population and the need for a larger sanctuary. In 1962, the congregation moved into a new brick structure at the same location as the 1901 structure. The Stuart memorial windows were integrated into the new church.
By 1998, St. Paul United Methodist Church had over one thousand members and had outgrown its present location on Porter Street. A committee investigated the purchase of land in the eastern part of town for a new complex of church buildings and sports fields. Seventeen acres of land were purchased in 1998 in Section 30, T7S-R7W, just west of the northwest corner of the intersection of US Highway 90 and Ms. Highway 57. Here in November 2001, ground was broken for the Christian Life Center, a 28,000 square-foot structure. The three million dollar facility was to house a family life center, fellowship hall, Sunday school classrooms, three nurseries, and a youth activity room. A soccer pitch and ball diamond were planned for outside activities.(The Mississippi Press, November 12, 2001, p. 6-A)
The new facility was built by Fletcher Construction Company of Pascagoula, Mississippi as the first phase of a Christian Life Center concept. The building was composed of: offices, classrooms, fellowship hall, and gymnasium, which will serve as the sanctuary, until Phase II, the actual sanctuary, is built.(The Mississippi Press, June 15, 2003, p. 8-A)
On May 11th, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church had its first church services in new its Christian Life Center on US 90. The old sanctuary on Porter continues for parishioners who want to remain at the downtown location. Bishop Kenneth L. Carder consecrated the new facility on June 15, 2003.Sanctuary dedicated on June 15, 2003.(The Ocean Springs Record, May 15, 2003, p. A-1 and The Mississippi Press, June 16, 2003, p. 1-A)
SOME EARLY METHODIST HISTORY at OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI
In the late 19th Century, the Ocean Springs and Pascagoula circuits were the strongholds of Methodism on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As early as 1853, Methodist circuit riding ministers had come here from Alabama. In its early period, the faithful of Ocean Springs were under the jurisdiction of the Alabama Conference and a mission of the Pascagoula Circuit.( The Methodist Advocate, December 19, 1962, p. 4)
In February 1889, James G. Galloway, a young itinerant Methodist preacher who resided with Colonel William R. Stuart (1820-1894) at Ocean Springs, writing for The New Orleans Christian Advocate, described his ministry in this area:
My work embraces Ocean Springs, Handsboro, Mississippi City, and Biloxi. Ocean Springs as the strongest membership, and half of my time goes to that place. At Handsboro our church is very weak, and we have no house of worship, but will make an effort to build one this year. We have no church at Mississippi City, but preach in the courthouse once a month. Biloxi is a town of about four thousand inhabitants, and is growing rapidly. Here, too, our church is very weak: Catholicism has the stronghold.( The New Orleans Christian Advocate, February 28, 1889, p. 1)
Roman Catholicism came to our shore in April 1699, with the expedition of French Canadian, soldier of fortune, Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d'Iberville (1661-1706). Father Bordenave, the chaplain on the Badine, was assigned by d'Iberville to remain at Fort Maurepas (1699-1702). His duties were to minister to the spiritual needs of the French and Canadian soldiers, privateers, and Native Americans. The Recollect priest, Father Anastasius Douay, a seasoned veteran of North American expeditions, requested to return to his monastery in France. Admiral Le Moyne regretted that he did not have a Jesuit missionary who would learn the native languages swiftly. Father Douay had survived the disastrous Cavalier de La Salle Expedition of 1684-1687 which had failed to locate the Mississippi River's deltaic mouth.(McWilliams, 1981, p. 93 and Dufour, 1967, pp. 14-22)
It wasn't until after the Louisiana Purchase (1803) that Protestant Americans began to migrate into the southwest frontier, which in the early 19th Century comprised primarily the former colonies of strongly Catholic, France and Spain. After over a century of colonialism, the Roman Catholic Church was strongly rooted in this area, and the frustrations of Preacher Galloway in expanding the Methodist faith on the Mississippi coast, westward of Ocean Springs, are quite understandable.
In October 1889, Reverend Galloway wrote in the same journal, that the Mission Board of the Mississippi Conference was spending thousands of dollars in Mexico. He felt that more attention should be given to their missionary efforts on the Mississippi coast, especially Biloxi, which had a Catholic population of over 1200 souls, but less than fifty Methodists. Galloway felt the situation would not improve as long as the Methodist minister visited Biloxi only one Sunday each month.( The New Orleans Christian Advocate, October 31, 1889)
First sanctuary
It appears that the first Methodist house of worship at Ocean Springs was erected in the latter part of 1871. The one-story, wood, frame structure was located on the north side of Porter about one hundred feet west of Washington Avenue. The new church had an area of about 1400 square feet. (Sanborn Map Company (NY), "Ocean Springs, Ms.", Sheet 2, August 1893)
On March 17, 1872, Bishop John Christian Keener (1819-1906), the thirteenth bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the South, dedicated the Methodist church building at Ocean Springs. At the time, this house of worship was the only Protestant church at Ocean Springs. The Methodist edifice was described as "a very handsome structure, neat and complete, outside and in, and costing altogether $1500". The church lot adjacent to Nill's Drugstore was donated by a "German brother", probably W.B. Schmidt (1823-1901). Another generous gift to the church was the communion service and baptismal bowl of Mrs. W.R. Stuart (1840-1925), then a resident of New Orleans. The Reverend E.J. Taylor was appointed the minister of the Ocean Springs church.(The New Orleans Christian Advocate, March 28, 1872)
By March 1875, the presiding elder of the district, Reverend C.F. Gillespie, reported in The New Orleans Christian Advocate, a journal for the Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, "we were pleased to find the church so beautifully improved. It is not only neat and comfortable, but is now an ornament to the town". David Ayers (1793-1881), the patriarch of Galveston, Texas, was the benefactor who provided the finances for the improvements to the local church. His son, Frank H. Ayers (1827-1892), and Moses S. Park II (1845-1875+), his grandson, resided at Ocean Springs where they were the proprietors of AYERS & PARKS, which sold dry goods, groceries, tinware, hardware, etc. The aging Reverend Joseph Nicholson (1811-1886) had taken over the Ocean Springs church and the mission at Handsboro, as his predecessors had failed in their religious endeavors.(The New Orleans Christian Advocate, March 4, 1875, p. 1)
David Ayers was born at Morristown, New Jersey and veteran of the War of 1812. He brought his family to Texas in 1833. On behalf of the American Bible Society, they distributed bibles to new settlers. Settling first in San Patricio, David Ayers moved to Washington County where he became a friend to many leaders of the Texas Revolution. When William B. Travis went to the Alamo, he left his son, Charles, in Ayers' care. During the runaway scrape, Ayers led many families to safety. In 1847, he moved his family to Galveston, where he opened a mercantile business and served for a time as a United States deputy marshal. In 1857-58 he was publisher of the Texas Christian Advocate and wrote some of the earliest accounts of Methodism in Texas. He was a major contributor to the building of St. James Methodist Church in Galveston. Ayres died on October 25, 1881, and is buried in Galveston. (http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/fay5.html)
Sunday school picnics
In May 1877, the Methodist Sunday school class held a picnic on the banks of Old Fort Bayou. Alvin Hoke was chosen to carry the silk banner, which read: In God We Trust”. He was assisted by Roberta Staples and Mattie Dunlap in the parade of children to the picnic grounds. Here the youngsters engaged in play until the dinner hour: swinging, boat-riding, singing, croquet. Three tables of food were prepared by Madames Park, Perin, Bartlett, Foster, Austin, Nicholson, and Clark. Superintendent M.S. Park was given a cake by Miss Olivia Clark, daughter of the sheriff. A May queen was selected after the mid-day meal. Miss Vergie Perin was selected for the honor. R.A. VanCleve was presented a bouquet by Superintendent Park.(The Star of Pascagoula, May 18, 1877, pp. 1 and 2)
The May 1878 picnic of the Ocean Springs Methodist Sunday School.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, May 24, 1878, p. 2)
Little City of Prophets
By August 1879, Ocean Springs had become "the little city of the prophets", as it was the home of the Methodist preachers on the Mississippi coast. Bishop J.C. Keener, Dr. Joseph Burch Walker (1817-1897), Brother Robert B. Downer (1837-1912), Brother Joseph Nicholson (1811-1886), and Dr. Dunlap all had good quality residences here. The circuit preacher lived with Colonel William R. Stuart.(New Orleans Christian Advocate, August 14, 1879)
Circa 1875, Bishop Keener and his wife, Mary Anna Keener (1821-1903), who resided at 1007 Dublin on the corner of Elm Street at Carrollton, then a suburb of New Orleans, had built a summer home on the Bay of Biloxi near Plummer's Point at Ocean Springs. The Keener lands were situated in Block 14, Lots 10, 11, and 13 (Culmseig Map) of Section 25, T7S-R9W, north of the L&N Railroad. Bishop Keener began acquiring real estate on Plummer's Point as early as July 1839. The Keener home was called "Cherry Wild".(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 6, pp. 477-478 and New Orleans Christian Advocate, August 14, 1879)
Bishop Keener probably influenced the Reverend Joseph Burch Walker, also a Methodist minister, to erect a summer retreat here. Dr. Walker served at several parishes in New Orleans and Algiers as he ministered here for several decades. Walker established a summer home here on the Bay of Biloxi circa 1860, and owned the property until April 1891. His residence was also situated at Plummer's Point directly south of the Keener place. It is very possible that Dr. Walker also knew the Ayres family as he was stationed at St. John's in Galveston, Texas in 1871.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 2, 1997, p. 14 and The New Orleans Daily Picayune, February 27, 1897)
In February 1897, the Reverend Walker died at "Pecan Grove", his farm and dairy, north of Gulfport on the Gulf & Ship Island Railroad. His remains were transported by rail to Ocean Springs for internment in the Evergreen Cemetery. It is appropriate that his long time friend and fellow clergyman, Bishop J.C. Keener, conducted the burial services at the gravesite.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, March 6, 1897, p. 4)
In February 1912, Samuel Spencer Keener, a resident of Monroe, Louisiana and the executor of the estate of his father, Bishop J.C. Keener, sold "Cherry Wild" to Dr. William A. Porter (1850-1921), a retired physician from St. Louis for $3000.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 37, pp. 623-624)
His wife, Pearl Dickinson Porter (1862-1943), affectionately known as "Auntie Pearl", taught Sunday School at the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs. The Porters called their home bay front home, "While-A-Way- Lodge". It was an often photographed structure and many postal cards survive today. Mrs. Porter sold her estate to the L&N Railroad in the 1930s.(Roberts and Bellande, 1996, p. 93)
Tidbits
Christian Keener, son of the Bishop, preached in the Methodist Church on Sunday.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, July 26, 1878, p. 3)
Reverend W.W. Hopper preached at the Methodist Church.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, June 21, 1878, p. 3)
In late 1879 or early January 1880, the Reverend Dr. T.S. West was assigned to the Ocean Springs Methodist church. He called for a quarterly meeting in late January.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, January 16, 1880, p. 3)
In a Sunday service in July 1880, the Reverend Dr. T.S. West failed to make it to the church on time. The Methodist congregation left as a body and went to the Baptist church service. Mr. Hall, the Baptist speaker, was very surprised but presented an excellent homily.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, July 9, 1880, p. 3)
In March 1881, a benefit for the local Methodist church was held at Illing House. The affair was characterized by charades, a tableaux, and supper.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, March 11, 1881, p. 3)
In November 1891, entrepreneur, Albert Baldwin (1840-1911) of New Orleans, donated Lot, No. 14 in Block 1-Stuart Tract, on the northeast corner of Porter and Pecan Street (present day Ward Avenue) to be used as the site for the parsonage of the minister of the Ocean Springs Methodist Episcopal Church. The lot and improvements were sold to B.F. Beevers by the Church, in March 1902, for $550.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 13, pp. 134-135 and Bk. 24, pp. 394-395).
The Stuarts and Methodism
William R. Stuart (1820-1894) and Lizzie McCauley Stuart (1840-1925) supported the First Methodist Church at Ocean Springs, which was located on the north side of Porter near Washington Avenue and built in 1872. In the spring of 1891, a writer for The New Orleans Christian Advocate visited Ocean Springs and gave a glowing report of the Methodist Church at this time:
The writer enjoyed a trip to Ocean Springs, on Saturday last, where he was elegantly entertained at the typical Methodist Southern home of Col. And Mrs. W.R. Stuart, both well known for their warm-heartedness and Christian hospitality. Sister Stuart, who was for over twenty-seven years bedridden, has for the past six years slowly recovering, so that she is able, accompanied by her faithful nurse, to walk about the house and grounds. Her patient, gentle submission to God’s will through all these years of trial have preached sermons to many. God be praised for his loving kindness to our church for giving us such Methodists as Brother and Sister Stuart!
The congregation at the M.E. Church, South, Sunday morning, while not large, was very attentive, which was also true of the Sunday-school, superintended by Brother Shannon, a faithful local preacher. The song service, conducted by Brother Wm. R. Stuart, was charming. Mrs. Webb presided at the organ; a lady friend adding much to the music by playing the violin.
Ocean Springs is improving very fast. Over ten new houses, mostly residences, are now being erected. It is a delightful place to live in. So thinks Bishop Keener, who selected this place for his summer home years ago.(The New Orleans Christian Advocate, April 23, 1891)
The corporal remains of Colonel W.R. Stuart, Elizabeth McCauley Stuart, and their faithful servant, Tempy Burton (1821-1925), are interred in the Evergreen Cemetery on Old Fort Bayou at Ocean Springs.
1899 Methodist Church
(southeast corner of Porter and Rayburn-image post 1934)
The 2nd Church
The second Methodist Church building to be constructed at Ocean Springs was erected in late 1899. The future building site was purchased from Jerry O' Keefe (1859-1911) by Bishop J.C. Keener on October 15, 1897, for $1100. The Keener lot, described as parts of Lot 1 and Lot 2 in Block 31 (Culmseig Map), was located on the southeast corner of Porter and Rayburn. The dimensions were 136 feet on the south side of Porter by 264 feet on the east side of Rayburn.( Jackson County, Ms. Land Deed Book 18, pp. 411-412).
Bishop Keener donated his lot to the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in Ocean Springs. At the time of conveyance in August 1898, this board comprised the following persons: Oren Switzer, Thomas W. Grayson (1825-1904), William Toche (1862-1937), J.W. Clark, D.D. Cowan (1850-1929), O. Johnson, and Dr. A. Harry Shannon (1831-pre 1909).(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 19, pp. 178-179)
Initial reaction to the Keener land donation was to move the existing 1872 church building near Washington Avenue to the Porter-Rayburn site. It appears that a house suitable for a parsonage was already here. This concept quickly dissipated and the decision to proceed with a new sanctuary was made.(The New Orleans Christian Advocate, April 6, 1899)
In order to erect a church edifice on the lot given by Bishop Keener, the Trustees of the Ocean Springs Methodist Church in April 1899, decided to sell their house of worship and lot, near Washington Avenue. The church was offered to the public for $700 while the Methodist parsonage and grounds were priced at $900.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star", April 7, 1899, p. 3)
During the summer of 1899, enthusiasm in the Methodist Episcopal congregation on Porter for a new church building was high as members embarked enthusiastically to raise funds in the community. The proprietors of the lumber mills at Moss Point, the Dantzler Lumber Company, W. Denny & Company, the Moss Point Lumber Company, Bounds Mill, and Robinson & Company, made financial contributions amounting to three hundred dollars. The wholesale grocery firm, Schmidt & Ziegler of New Orleans, donated $50.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star July 28, 1899, September 28, 1900, and November 17, 1899)
With these and other satisfactory accumulations of pecuniary gifts, The Pascagoula Democrat-Star announced on August 11, 1899, "the lumber is on the ground for the Methodist church building".
Additional funds to defray the building costs of the new Methodist Episcopal house of worship would come into the church treasury, after it was erected. The old sanctuary was sold to local pharmacist, Herman Nill (1863-1904), in April 1900.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, April 27, 1900)
Nill's Drug Store was on the northwest corner of Washington at Porter, just east of the old edifice. Nill utilized the lumber and materials from the Methodist church to erect a hotel for his mother-in-law, Katherine Vahle (1838-1914). The Vahle House was located on the northwest corner of Washington at Calhoun opposite the Shanahan House. It was destroyed in a conflagration, known as "The Big Fire", which occurred on the evening of November 15, 1916. As previously mentioned, the parsonage on Porter and Ward were sold in March 1902, for $550.(Bellande, 1994, pp. 108-111)
Rev. Howard Ware van Hook
In early January 1900, the new minister, Reverend Howard Ware Van Hook (1866-1947), with family arrived at Ocean Springs. They settled in the Bishop Keener donated parsonage on the east side of the sanctuary.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, January 5, 1900)
Reverend Van Hook was born at New Orleans. His wife, Eleanor Ormond (1871-1947+), was a native of Meridian, Mississippi. Her mother and sister, Mrs. Lowther, were residing at Jackson in 1900. They visited Ocean Springs remaining as long as one month at the parsonage.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, August 24, 1900)
The Van Hooks had six children: Eleanor Van Hook (1895-1912), Benjamin O. Van Hook (1899-1986+), Eugenia V. Redding (1902-1991), Mary V. McAllister (1903-1986), Julia V. Oberhausen (b. 1905), and Francis V. Graham (1910-1973).(Charlene Cole, July 1, 1997)
On January 6, 1900, Preacher Van Hook delivered his first sermons in the old church at both morning and evening Sunday services. The attendance of the congregation was large and attentive. His first service was held in the new Methodist church on May 19, 1900. Although not finished, the reporter for The Pascagoula Democrat-Star related that "it is comfortable and spacious, and an improvement on the location of the old church.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, January 12, 1900 and May 25, 1900)
The Methodist Episcopal Church building was dedicated on Sunday, September 16, 1900, by Bishop Keener and Reverend W.H. Lewis. The Pascagoula Democrat-Star on September 28, 1900, reporting on the memorable event said that:
The building is located in one of the most desirable lots in Ocean Springs, which lot with adjoining patronage is a twentieth century offering of Bishop Keener and wife to the Methodist church.... The auditorium is large and possesses fine acoustic properties. The dedicatory services were peculiar in that there were no debts to be removed, hence no special collection was taken; a singular fact on such occasions. The membership of the church to show their appreciation for the years of friendship and helpfulness shown to them by Bishop Keener, have named their new place of worship KEENER CHAPEL.
The Reverend Samuel S. Keener of New Orleans, delivered the sermon at the dedication.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, September 7, 1900)
Reverend Van Hook and family departed Ocean Springs in December 1901. His forty-five year, peripatetic career, as a circuit riding preacher, church minister, school teacher, and recreation worker, would see Van Hook serve Methodist congregations at Lauderdale, Meridian, Rolling Fork, Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Woodville, Centreville, Silver City, Merryville, La., Sumrall, Vancleave, and Handsboro. Circa 1910, Reverend Van Hook became head master at the Methodist Sea Shore Camp Ground School at Biloxi. He resigned from this position in May 1925.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, January 26, 1900 and The Daily Herald, January 28, 1947, p. 1and p. 3 and October 3, 1976, B11 and B13)
Church Library
In January 1906, the nucleus of the church library was commenced when Mrs. Mattie L. Holcomb (1833-1906), the widow of Thomas A.E. Holcomb (1831-1897), donated books from her home library. Mrs. Holcomb's residence, "Hollywood", was located directly across the street from the Methodist sanctuary, on the north side of Porter. Mrs. Holcomb's gifts included Henry's Exposition and Clark's Commentaries, as well as several other historical and theological offerings.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, January 26, 1906)
Mrs. Stuart’s legacy
In October 1925, with the execution of the succession of the estate of Mrs. Elizabeth M. Stuart (1840-1925), by her cousin, William H. Howcutt (1847-1927) of New Orleans, the Methodist community of Ocean Springs was bestowed many valuable assets.( JXCO, Ms. Chancery Court Cause No. 4500-July 1925 and The Daily Herald, October 27, 1925, p. 1)
Included among the personal items donated by Mrs. Stuart were her valuable bookcase and pictures. Other Stuart gifts were: the three large, lancet, stain-glassed windows in memory of Bishop J.C. Keener, Colonel W.R. Stuart, and Mrs. Lizzie Stuart; a cash gift of $500 to secure a library for the Sunday school; a cash gift of $2000 to construct "The Lizzie McCauley Stuart Memorial Rooms", Sunday school class rooms.(The New Orleans Christian Advocate, November 19, 1925, p. 9)
Annex
In December 1926, Fred Bradford was rapidly completing construction of an annex to the sanctuary. It was anticipated to be ready soon.(The Jackson County Times, January 2, 1926)
St. Paul’s-a name change
The Methodist Quarterly Conference approved the change of the name of their Ocean Springs Methodist church to St. Paul’s in June 1934. New stewards appointed at this time were Frank C. Buehler (1909-1985) and H.P. Flateau (1888-1955). Mrs. Hilligoss was the choir leader while Walter Armstrong (1878-1945) was the General Superintendent. Sunday school teachers were: Mrs. R.L. Walton, adult; Eleanor Bradford, intermediates; Elizabeth Bradford, primary; and Virginia Thompson Lee (1901-1986), beginners.(The Jackson County Times, June 16, 1934, p. 3)
Church festivals
In late summers before World War II, the St. Paul's congregation held festivals to raise money. A common site for this event was the lot north of Bailey's Drug Store, now Lovelace Drugs, on Washington Avenue. Picnic style food was served: sandwiches, gumbo, salad, cakes, candy, ice cream, and cold drinks. A fortune teller and shooting gallery were utilized as part of the entertainment.(Jackson County, Times, August 19, 1939)
1962 St. Paul's United Methodist Church
(800 Porter-image made September 1993)
3rd Church
In 1961, plans were initiated for the construction of a new sanctuary at the site of the 1899 Methodist Episcopal Church. The cornerstone for St. Paul's United Methodist Church was set on May 27, 1962. M.G. Schuler, Mary G. Joachim (1902-1978), Horace Gladney (1894-1975), W.E. Wilson (1913-1985), Chester McPhearson Jr., H.A. Lowe, and V.B. Fox were Church Trustees at the time.(The Mississippi Methodist Advocate, June ? 1962, p. 4 and The Ocean Springs News, May 31, 1962, p. 1 and JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 216, p. 249)
The approximate 11,500 square-foot, church was of masonry construction and built by James F. Bates, a Pass Christian contractor, from a design by Claude Lindsley (1894-1969), local architect. Its sanctuary had laminated beams and had a seating capacity for 350 people. In addition, the new structure had a social hall, twelve Sunday School rooms, kitchen, church offices, and a choir room.(The Ocean Springs News, March 22, 1962, p. 1 and September 27, 1962)
The first service was held in the new church on October 21, 1962, with the Reverend J.H. Dillard present. It was dedicated on January 13, 1963.(The Mississippi Methodist Advocate, December 19, 1962 and The Ocean Springs News, January 17, 1963, p. 1)
The old sanctuary was relocated to the rear of the Church lot on Porter Avenue. It was planned to use the structure for Sunday school classes and Boy Scout meetings.(The Ocean Springs News, March 22, 1962, p. 1)
East Campus
In early November 1998, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church acquired from Robert J. Lucas Jr. et al for $867,000, 17-acres in Section 30, T7S-R7W, just west of the northwest corner of the intersection of US Highway 90 and Ms. Highway 57. The 17- acre tract was assembled from six parcels.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 1157, p. 169)
Here in November 2001, ground was broken for the Christian Life Center, a 28,000 square-foot structure. The three and one-half million dollar facility was to house a family life center, fellowship hall, Sunday school classrooms, three nurseries, and a youth activity room. A soccer pitch and ball diamond were planned for outside activities. The second project on the east campus of St. Paul’s will be a four million dollar sanctuary. The facility is served by the Reverend Kelly Pope, Senior Pastor, and Reverend Tom East.(The Mississippi Press, November 12, 2001, p. 6-A and The Ocean Springs Record, May 15, 2003, p. A1)
St. Paul's United Methodist Church-East Campus
(Bienville Boulevard-image made August 2003)
St. Paul’s Christian Life Center was built by Fletcher Construction Company of Pascagoula, Mississippi as the first phase of Christian Life Center concept. The large structure was composed of: offices, classrooms, fellowship hall, and gymnasium, which will serve as the sanctuary, until Phase II, the actual sanctuary, is built. On May 11th, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church held its first services in the new Christian Life Center on US 90. The former sanctuary on Porter Street continues for parishioners who desired to remain. The new facility was dedicated on June 15, 2003, by Bishop Kenneth L. Carder.(The Ocean Springs Record, May 15, 2003, p. A1 and
Fellowship Church
In July 2003, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church entered into a one-year contract with the Fellowship Church, a contemporary Christian worship group, to let their sanctuary and offices at 800 Porter Street. The group had two Sunday services, a 10:30 a.m. worship service and a 6:00 p.m. teenage service. Chris Erwin, associate pastor, related that the Fellowship Church possessed 12.5 acres of land on the Ocean Springs-Vancleave Road and aspired to build an eight hundred fifty seat multipurpose auditorium cum gymnasium and stage. The congregation members of St. Paul’s that didn’t want to worship at the new East Campus facility had an 8:15 a.m. worship service and Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. at the 800 Porter Street facility.(The Ocean Springs Record, July 17, 2003, p. A1)
REFERENCES
Books
Ray L. Bellande, Ocean Springs Hotels and Tourist Homes, (Bellande: Ocean Springs, Mississippi-1994), pp. 108-111.
Charles L. Dufour, Ten Flag in the Wind: The Story of Louisiana, (Harper & Row: New York-1967), pp. 14-22.
Richebourg Gaillard McWilliams, Iberville's Gulf Journals, (The University of Alabama Press: University, Alabama-1981), p. 93.
Elizabeth Lemon Roberts and Ray L. Bellande, Ocean Springs-The Way We Were (1900-1950), (The Ocean Springs Rotary Club: Ocean Springs, Mississippi-1996), p. 93.
Chancery Court Causes
Jackson County, Miss. Chancery Court Cause No. 4500, "The Last Will and Testament of Elizabeth McCauley Stuart", July 1925.
Journals
The Biloxi Daily Herald, "Dr. Walker's Funeral", March 6, 1897, p. 4.
The Daily Herald, "Rev. Van Hook Dies After Short Illness at Biloxi", January 28, 1947, p. 1 and p. 3.
The Daily Herald, "Families had to comply with strict camp rules", October 3, 1976, p. B-11 and p. B-13.
The Gulf Coast Times, “WSCS Celebrated 10th Anniversary Tuesday Afternoon”, October 20,1950.
The Jackson County Times, “Local and Personal”, January 2, 1926.
The Jackson County Times, “St. Paul’s New Name of Local Church”, June 16, 1934.
The Jackson County Times, "Local and Personal", August 19, 1939.
The Mississippi Methodist Advocate, "Cornerstone Laid For St. Paul's Church", June ? 1962.
The Mississippi Methodist Advocate, "Official Opening St. Paul Church, Ocean Springs", December 19, 1962.
The Mississippi Press, “Church breaks ground on expanded facility”, November 12, 2001.
The Mississippi Press, “Holy Ground”, June 16, 2003, p. 1-A.
The New Orleans Christian Advocate, March 28, 1872.
The New Orleans Christian Advocate, March 4, 1875.
The New Orleans Christian Advocate, August 14, 1879.
The New Orleans Christian Advocate, February 28, 1889, p. 1.
The New Orleans Christian Advocate, October 31, 1889.
The New Orleans Christian Advocate, "Resolution of Thanks", April 6, 1899.
The New Orleans Christian Advocate, "Generous Gift To Church At Ocean Springs, Miss.”, November 19, 1925, p. 9.
The New Orleans Daily Picayune, "Rev. Dr. J.B. Walker Called Higher ", February 27, 1897.
The Ocean Springs News, “Foundation Laid At St. Paul’s”, March 22, 1962, p. 1.
The Ocean Springs News, “Cornerstone Laid At St. Paul’s, May 31, 1962, p. 1.
The Ocean Springs News, “New Methodist Church”, September 27, 1962.
The Ocean Springs News, “St. Paul’s Methodist Church Officially Opened”, January 17, 1963.
The Ocean Springs Record, "Sous Les Chenes", January 2, 1997, p. 14.
The Ocean Springs Record, "St. Paul rises in the east", May 15, 2003, p. A1.
The Ocean Springs Record, “Fellowship St. Paul to share facilities”, July 17, 2003, p. A1.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Items”, May 24, 1878.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Items”, June 21, 1878.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Items”, July 26, 1878.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Items”, January 16, 1880.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Items”, July 9, 1880.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Items”, March 11, 1881.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, "Ocean Springs Locals", April 7, 1899.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, "Ocean Springs Locals", July 28, 1899.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, "Ocean Springs Locals", November 17, 1899.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, "Ocean Springs Locals", September 28, 1900.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, "Ocean Springs Locals", January 5, 1900.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, "Ocean Springs Locals", January 12, 1900.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, "Ocean Springs Locals", April 27, 1900.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, "Ocean Springs Locals", My 25, 1900.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, "Ocean Springs Locals", August 24, 1900.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, "Ocean Springs Locals", September 7, 1900.
The Sun Herald, "St. Paul UMC strives to be a church home", August 21, 2010, p. A9.
Maps
Sanborn Map Company (NY), "Ocean Springs, Ms.", Sheet 2, August 1893.
Personal Communication
Charlene Cole, July 1, 1997.
Presbyterian
In July 1886, an organizational meeting was held with eight Ocean Springs families in the Washington Avenue home of Louisa Burling Bartlett (1823-1889), a New Orleans lady. Her husband, William A. Bartlett (1816-1882), a Connecticut native owned the Home Insurance Company at New Orleans. Their son-in-law was George Washington Cable (1844-1925), who gained national notoriety as a writer of Creole life and social reform. Cable's wife, Louisa S. Bartlett, owned the Bartlett Cottage from 1876 until 1890.
The local Presbyterians had been meeting on Sunday afternoons at the Baptist Church, and it was decided that they should have their own church building. As a result of the July 1886 organizational meeting, a sanctuary was erected on Ocean Avenue and dedicated in October 1886. The church lot was purchased from Mary Ann Wing in January 1887 for $1.00. In 1956, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Walker donated a new belfry and steeple for the old sanctuary.
1896
Reverend N. Keff Smith, pastor of the Presbyterian church, has been honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity by the Presbyterian college near Greenville, Tennessee.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, May 22, 1896, p. 3)
After nearly a century, the Presbyterians led by the Reverend Andy Wells built a large sanctuary just east of the old church. It was dedicated on August 20, 1995. The Reverend Wells was appointed pastor of the church on November 14, 1989.(The Ocean Springs Record, November 9, 1989, p. 7)
REFERENCES
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, May 1, 1896.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, May 22, 1896.
The Ocean Springs Record, Wells to become pastor of the Ocean Springs 1st Presbyterian”, November 9, 1989.
Episcopalian
The early history of the Episcopal Church at Ocean Springs has been lost but it is known that in June 1865 an organization of Episcopalians was formed. The first records of the church indicate that the "Fortnightly Guild" met in June 1891, at the home of Dr. Tebo. It was decided at this gathering to accept the offer of the Baptist congregation to use their church building on DeSoto Avenue. The St. John's Episcopal Church was erected in 1892, from plans drawn by Reverend Nelson Ayers from illustrations in the "Churchman". The lot was donated by William B. Schmidt, a wealthy merchant from New Orleans. The building committee was composed of Mrs. G.T. Helmuth, Mrs. F.V. Garrard, Mrs. Stansbury, and Dr. Tebo. It is very likely that Louis H. Sullivan, the renown Chicago architect, assisted in the design of the church. In 1903, George and Adele Arndt gave the bell in memory of their young daughter, Elsie Arndt. The parish house was erected in 1948. St. John's was a mission church served by rectors of the congregations at Pascagoula or Biloxi. In 1955, the Episcopalians at Ocean Springs got a full-time priest, the Reverend Howard B. Kishpaugh. In 1996, the church building was renovated. It was rewired, repainted, and a new copper shingle roof installed. In 2009, a new parish hall was erected. It was dedicated in January 2010.
ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Beginning
In February 1891, when the Episcopalians of Ocean Springs announced their intentions to erect a sanctuary on the northwest corner of Porter and Rayburn Avenue, opposite to “Hollywood”, the new cottage of T.A.E. Holcomb (1831-1897), there were four church buildings in Ocean Springs, for White religious Christian services. Two Black sanctuaries existed at this time, the African Methodist Episcopal Church (now St. James Methodist Church) and the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.
St. Alphonsus, the Roman Catholic Church, initially situated on Porter east of Washington, is now on the northeast corner of Jackson and Calhoun; the Baptist church which rested on the northwest corner of Desoto and Church Street, is now on the northeast corner of Washington and Porter; the early Methodist church was on Porter just west of Washington. Today it is still on Porter, but several blocks west on the southeast corner of Rayburn Avenue and Porter, diagonally across from the Protestant Episcopal sanctuary, as it was known at this time. Only the quaint Presbyterian structure on Ocean Avenue, like St. John’s Episcopal, is in near original condition and in situ.
Organizational meeting
The first official act of the Ocean Springs Episcopalian society occurred on June 19, 1891, when the “Fortnightly Guild”, was created at an assembly of potential parishioners at the domicile of Dr. Langdon Chevis Tebo (1846-pre-1925). The following officers were elected: Dr. L. Chevis Tebo, president; Mr. Guion, 1st vice-president; Ellen M. Sheldon (1834-1912), 2nd vice-president; Francesca V. Garrard (1839-1907), secretary; and Agnes Louise Cooke Hellmuth Earle (1862-1919), treasurer. A prospective minister, the Reverend Mr. Nelson Ayres, was chosen as honorary president.(St. John’s Episcopal Church History, p, 1)
On August 6th, 1891, William B. Schmidt (1838-1900), the Merchant Prince of New Orleans who owned the Ocean Springs Hotel and a large estate on Front Beach between Martin Avenue and the present day Ocean Springs Yacht Club, conveyed, “in consideration of his desire to aid in the promotion of the cause of the Gospel and dissemination of the benefits of religion; and also for the better maintenance of the and support of the principles of the Protestant Episcopal Church”, to the Trustees of the Episcopal Fund and Church Property of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Mississippi, a parcel of land described in the corrected warranty deed of April 27th , 1893, as:
Situated in Section 30 (sic) Township 7 South, of Range 8 West, in the Town of Ocean Springs, Jackson County, Mississippi bonded and described as follows: Commencing at the point where the line dividing Lots 6 and 7 of the Jerome Ryan Tract intersects Kendall Avenue (sic), and running from thence in a westerly direction along the line dividing Lots 6 and 7 to where said line intersects the north margin of Porter Avenue; thence running in an easterly direction and along the north margin of Porter Avenue to where said Porter Avenue intersects said Kendall Avenue (sic); thence north along the west margin of said Kendall Avenue (sic) 79 feet to the place of beginning. Being triangular in shape, and all of said Lot 6 of the Jerome Ryan Tract lying north of Porter Avenue.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 14, p. 533)
Mr. Schmidt had purchased this parcel from James Ryan in May 1888.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 10, p. 568)
It is interesting to note that in the original warranty deed of August 1891, from W.B. Schmidt to the Protestant Episcopal Church, that Rayburn Avenue is utilized in the parcel description, rather than Kendall Avenue of the corrected warranty deed description of April 1893.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 12, p. 576)
Rayburn Avenue was also depicted on a land plat of the Jerome Ryan Tract, which was surveyed by Enoch N. Ramsay (1832-1916) in February 1894.(JXCO, Ms. Surveyor’s Record Bk. 1, p. 22) It appears that the corrected warranty deed is also in need of correction! Regardless the triangular-shaped lot acquired by the Episcopalians from W.B. Schmidt was .41 acres in area.
Although the legal transfer of title to the church lot from W.B. Schmidt to the Episcopalians did not occur until August 1891, The Pascagoula Democrat-Star scooped the occasion in early June 1891, as it related:
We are soon to have an Episcopal church in our town. Mr. W.B. Schmidt, with his usual liberality and public spirit, has donated a large and eligible site for it at the corner of Porter and Rayburn Avenues. There being considerable money and resources in hand for the purpose, it is only a question of a very short time till a handsome edifice will be erected…”
In another twist as to the acquisition of an Episcopalian church site, The Biloxi Herald related that the congregation possessed a lot, but it was not considered in an appropriate locale for their church. The Episcopalian’s bartered this parcel for the more desirable site on Porter and Rayburn.(The Biloxi Herald, February 16, 1891, p. 1)
Early meeting places
By mid-June 1891, the Episcopal leadership had made provisions to utilize the Knights of Pythias Hall on Washington Avenue, for bi-monthly meetings. Substantial donations for the new church were being received and it appeared that the building fund would soon reach sufficient amounts to warrant construction.(The Biloxi Herald, June 20, 1891, p. 4)
The fledgling Episcopalian community cancelled their proposal with the Knights of Pythias, as they accepted an ecumenical offering from theBaptists to utilized their Desoto Avenue sanctuary as a temporary assembly site. The Reverend Mr. Trader was an early minister to congregation when the Baptist sanctuary was being utilized.(St. John’s Episcopal Church History, p, 1)
The architectural plan for the Protestant Episcopal Church on Rayburn Avenue, which was built in the interval from November 1891 to March 1892, was taken from the July 11, 1891, issue of The Churchman. Episcopal church records indicate that the High Victorian Gothic style used by the local congregation was a simplification of a plan for a Long Island, New York church designed by Manly Cutter of New York City.(The Ocean Springs Record, February 24, 1994, p. 21)
Rectangular in plan view, the wood-frame structure had an area of 2675 square-feet. Although the building contractor is not presently known, potential builders at this time were: Gregor Wieder & Sons, Lyman N. Bradford Jr. (1851-1894), George L. Friar (1870-1924), John D. Minor (1863-1920), and Thomas A. Friar (1871-1896).(Sanborn Insurance Map-Ocean Springs, Ms.-May 1935, Sheet No. 3)
In mid-November 1891, the ladies of the Ocean Springs Protestant Episcopal Church held a formal ceremony at the Rayburn Avenue site, to commence construction of the new Episcopal sanctuary. Each female solemnly placed a brick in the foundation of the future church.(The Biloxi Herald, November 21, 1891, p. 4)
By early December, construction was proceeding at a strong pace. It was speculated that this church building would be the most handsome at Ocean Springs.(The Biloxi Herald, December 5, 1891, p. 4)
By Christmas 1891, the architectural style of the rising, Episcopal edifice was quite discernible. Exceptionally fine fenestration had been designed and built for the structure.(The Biloxi Herald, December 26, 1891, p. 4)
The great American architect, Louis H. Sullivan (1856-1926) may have been in winter residence at Ocean Springs, during the construction of the Protestant Episcopal Church, as his East Cottage had been commenced in late 1890 or early 1891. This fact is corroborated by a notice in a Pascagoula journal which related that in late January 1891, that Mr. Sullivan and his friend and neighbor, James Charnley, were domiciled at the Ocean Springs Hotel awaiting the imminent completion of their waterfront homes.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, January 30, 1891, p. 1)
It is the general consensus that if Sullivan’s had any participation in the building of the new Episcopalian sanctuary on Rayburn Avenue, it was in an advisory capacity only. Gustavus T. “Ted” Hellmuth (1884-1975), a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, was interviewed in February 1973, and stated that he was a boy when the plan for the church was being developed. He alluded that Louis H. Sullivan had submitted an architectural rendering, but it was deemed undesirable by the congregation. They accepted the suggestion of Mr. Ayers [probably the Reverend Nelson Ayres] to use the plan in the Episcopal church magazine.(Steelman, 1973, p. 27)
On May 21, 1949, St. John’s Episcopal Church remembered Louis H. Sullivan with the emplacement of a memorial tablet in their sanctuary on Rayburn Avenue. At this time, there were approximately 500 architects attending the Southern Conference on Hospital Planning at the Buena Vista Hotel in Biloxi. A rose garden was planned on the church grounds.(The Gulf Coast Times, May 20, 1949, p. 1 )
In early September 1891, James J. Garrard (1828-1902) in an effort to raise funds for the planned Protestant Episcopal Church, hosted a lawn party at his handsome residence on Iberville Drive. In the later years of the 19th Century, Mr. Garrard and his wife, Francesca Victoria Marks (1838-1907), moved into retirement at Ocean Springs from New Orleans. J.J. Garrard had been a partner in the Crescent City cotton firm of Garrard & Craig. He was a native of Paris, Kentucky. Here, one of his pastimes was gardening, from which he produced some fine white Niagara grapes. The Garrards’ soiree was a financial success for the church fund, as the more affluent crowd of Ocean Springs and surroundings were well represented.(The History of JXCO, Ms., 1989, p. 213, The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, September 11, 1891, p. 3, and The Biloxi Herald, July 11, 1891, p. 1)
During the 1891 Christmas season, Dr. Langdon Chevis Tebo (1846-pre 1925), an enthusiastic supporter of the Episcopalian fundraising efforts, allowed the church ladies to display Christmas toys in his drugstore. He sold the holiday gifts for the women.(The Biloxi Herald, December 19, 1891, p. 1)
On March 24, 1892, a fundraiser was held for the Episcopal Church at the Ocean Springs Hotel on Jackson Avenue. In spite of the rain, the affair was successful, both financially and socially.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, April 1, 1892, p. 2)
By the end of 1891, the Fortnightly Guild of St. John’s had raised about $1100. To complete their church building which was under construction, James J. Garrard (1828-1902), Parker Earle (1831-1917), and W.B. Stansbury, members of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Ocean Springs, signed on January 10, 1892, a five-year, 6% interest, mortgage for $750, payable to the American Church Building Fund Commission. O.O. Eckford, Frederick Speed, and P.R. Saunders were the trustees of the Episcopal Fund and Church property of the Diocese of Mississippi. The mortgaged was cancelled on May 20, 1897.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 13, p. 273 and Bk. 15, p. 513 and St. John’s Episcopal Church History, p, 1)
The completed sanctuary was appraised for $3400. By December 4, 1896, the building fund debt had been reduced to $57.(The Biloxi Herald, December 12, 1896, p. 8)
First Services
In an ecumenical service held on April 24, 1892, religious services commenced in the sanctuary of the new Episcopal Church on Rayburn Avenue. The Reverend William C. West (1848-1915) of the Presbyterian Church assisted the Reverend Nelson Ayres (1848-1910+), the Episcopalian priest. The building swelled with alert parishioners who were awed with the sanctity of the service. Reverend Ayres delivered the first sermon and Jennie E. Carson, the spouse of Mr. John B. Carson (d. 1892), a railroad magnate from Chicago, donated an organ to the church.(The Biloxi Herald, April 30, 1892, p. 1, The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, May 3, 1892, p. 2 and Ellison 1991, p. 38)
Mrs. Jennie E. Carson and her husband were erecting a home at Belle Fontaine Beach, when he expired at Metropole Hotel in Chicago. She resided in her Belle Fontaine home until it was destroyed by a large conflagration on April 14, 1899. Mrs. Parker Earle and Mrs. Farmer were visiting her when the fire occurred. After the blaze, Mrs. Carson relocated to Ocean Springs where she was a houseguest of Mrs. Parker Hellmuth Earle (1862-1919), the future grandmother of Mrs. Peter Anderson (1906-1973) and Mrs. Walter I. Anderson (1909-1991).(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, April 21, 1899)
Reverend Nelson Ayers
Nelson Ayres (1848-1910+) was a native of New York. He served the Episcopalian community of the Mississippi Coast for several years before his ordination as a Catholic priest in December 1896 at New Orleans. Reverend Ayres had married Martha Ayres (1850-1894), a Mississippi lady, who bore him two sons in Texas: John Morrison Ayres (1874-1897) and Nelson Ayres II (1877-1880+). In 1880, the Ayres family was domiciled on 15thStreet in Brownsville, Texas. Here he ministered to the Episcopalians in this Mexican border community. J. Morrison Ayres, his son, expired at San Antonio, Texas in March 1897.(1880 Cameron County, Texas Federal Census T9_1294, p. 104, ED 31 and The Biloxi Herald, March 2 , 1897, p. 1)
Rector Ayres appears to have been educated at Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois. He also served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Nelson Ayres was associated with the Episcopal Church in Springfield, Illinois as early as April 1886.(The Daily Picayune, March 4, 1910, p. 11 and The Churchman, April 10, 1886)
Martha Ayres died at Waveland, Hancock, Mississippi in the Ayres Cottage in July 1894. The Ayres Cottage was a five minute walk from the Nicholson Avenue rail station. It had eight rooms, kitchen, bathroom, seven closets, and stables.(The Daily Picayune, December 10, 1891, p. 1 and July 14, 1894, p. 4)
By December 1896, the Reverend Nelson Ayres had joined the Roman Catholic Church and studying to become a priest. After being a sub-deacon and deacon, he was ordained by Archbishop Francis Janssens (1843-1897), former Bishop of the Diocese of Natchez and the fourth Archbishop of New Orleans, in December 1896 at St. Theresa’s Church on Camp and Erato in New Orleans. Father Ayres expected to celebrate his first Mass on Christmas Day.(The Biloxi Herald, December 12, 1896, p. 8 and December 26, 1896, )
Father Ayres was assistant pastor at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s in the Crescent City until the spring of 1898, when he was assigned as rector of Lady of the Lake Catholic Church at Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. A salient mission while he worked for his parishioners on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain was to raise funds to replace the derelict St. Genevieve Church on Bayou Bonfuca. By late summer 1899, two hundred of the twelve hundred dollars had been raised for the new sanctuary.(The Daily Picayune, May 10, 1898, p. 14 and August 5, 1899, p. 5)
Father Ayres served the Catholics in the St. Francisville, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana region from 1899 until 1902. He relocated to St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana in 1903 and was rector of the St. Bernard Catholic Church until 1906.(The Daily Picayune July 18, 1901, p. 2 and June 13, 1903, p. 5)
In May 1894, additional acreage was acquired by the Trustees of the Episcopal Fund and Church Property of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Mississippi, contiguous with and north of their August 1891 church lot, when Frederick M. Weed (1850-1926) and James I. Ford (1862-1915) conveyed to them a .34 acre parcel, having an 85-foot front on Rayburn Avenue for $50.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 15, p. 514)
1896
In early December 1896, the St. John’s guild convened for its annual meeting and election of officers. Dr. Dan Newcomb was re-elected sub-warden, his fifth term; Mrs. F.V. Garrard reelected secretary, her sixth term; and Mrs. E.M. Sheldon re-elected treasurer, her second term. There had been no services in the church for over a year with the departure of Rector Nelson Ayres to the Catholic Church. The Reverend Mr. Harris of Pass Christian was expected to relocate to Ocean Springs and to do mission work here and later at Scranton (Pascagoula), if his health permitted.(The Biloxi Herald, December 12, 1896, p. 8)
1904
In 1904, the Reverend Edwin D. Weed was pastor of the church. He departed Ocean Springs in September 1904, for a long vacation in the East. His itinerary included stops in New York and Connecticut. Church services would continue at the usual hour during the absence of Reverend Weed.(The Progress, September 8, 1904, p. 5)
1906 church bell
In 1906, George E. Arndt donated the bell for St. John’s Episcopal Church on Rayburn Avenue. Before its new sound pealed into the community, a bolt from the blue issued from a July thunderstorm, striking the church steeple. The resulting force rocked the sanctuary, broke windows, and damaged electrical light fixtures. The church sustained damages amounting to $400.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, July 13, 1906, p. 3 )
1910
Reverend John Chipman was the pastor of the church at this time.(The Ocean Springs News, January 7, 1911, p. 1)
1915 notes
In February 1915, twenty-six church members of the congregation attended services at the church. This marked the first time in the short history of the church that services were conducted by laymen. The rector, Mr. Griffin, was ill, but his health was improving.(The Ocean Springs News, February 25, 1915, p. 4)
1916 notes
Talk of building a rectory commenced.(The Ocean Springs News, March 9, 1916, p. 1)
1934
Edward A. DeMiller, rector.(The Daily Herald, October 13, 1934, p. 2)
New parish house
[Father Edward A. DeMiller (1889-1948+), pastor, is standing in the doorway of the new parish house on Rayburn Avenue. Image from The Jackson County Times, May 14, 1948. p. 1]
1948-Parish House
In early May 1948, the new parish house for St. John's was dedicated by Bishop Duncan Montgomery Gray Sr. (1898-1966) assisted by Edward A. DeMiller, pastor. Louis Cosper, J.S. Bradford and John Cox of the church building committee were responsible for raising funds and getting the concrete structure built. It was designed by Wilfred Lockyer. Members of the St. John's and St. Ann's Guilds assisted with the post-dedication celebration held in the new parish house. Hostesses for the soiree were Mrs. James Friar and Mrs. Ellis Handy. Miss Janice Galle [Pepper] was chosen Miss Parish House and assisted as a hostess and greeter while Miss Bernadine Wulff sang.(The Jackson County Times, May 14, 1948. p. 1)
1955- Howard B. Kishpaugh, first full-time priest
St. John's was a mission church served by rectors of the congregations at Pascagoula or Biloxi. In 1955, the Episcopalians at Ocean Springs got a full-time priest, the Reverend Howard B. Kishpaugh (1926-2001). He later served the church in Meridian, Mississippi. In February 1963, Reverend Kishpaugh wrote a letter to Time magazine, which was published in the national weekly on February 22, 1963:
Homecoming
Sir: In a time when so many unkind (perhaps both deserved and undeserved) things are being said about Mississippi, I welcomed your coverage of Miss Leontyne Price's homecoming concert in Laurel [Feb. 8]. I wish you could have given it more space, because it was one of the finest examples of love and fellowship ever expressed among the races. We white people were only too glad to sit on the aisle floor to hear this gifted and great person return home and sing to us all. She not only received ovations; she brought tears to our eyes, and none of us, either colored or without color, could care less about Miss Price's color or her fame. (THE REV.) HOWARD B. KISHPAUGH)
Reverend Kishpaugh passed at Hershey, Pennsylvania on January 11, 2001. His obituary follows:
Rev. H. B. Kishpaugh, Episcopal traditionalist
by Judith Patton of the Patriot News
Hershey[Pennsylvania]is mourning a clergyman known for his roots in the community and his stand on church issues.
The Rev. Canon Howard B. Kishpaugh, 74, of 410 Hallmark South, died Thursday at home. Kishpaugh had returned to
Hershey in July 1973 to serve as rector at his childhood parish, All Saints Episcopal Church. He retired in November 1988.
"Father Kishpaugh was able to come back and be a pastor in his home parish, which is not an easy thing to do,"
said Monsignor Leo N. Bierster, senior pastor of St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church, Hershey, and a friend for 23 years.
"I'll remember him as a man of great faith, a man who stood up for what he believed and as a faithful friend. He was
deeply interested in everything that happened in the Hershey community."
As a youngster, Kishpaugh had been an acolyte and choir boy. Before entering the priesthood at 29, he had aheating and air-conditioning business, served in the Marine Corps and was a bull rider on the rodeo circuit.Kishpaugh begin his ministry in Mississippi and served in Hawaii during the Vietnam War and in Tanzania,East Africa, where he designed and built churches, hosiptals, and water and electrical systems.Kishpaugh, who once described himself as a traditionalist, was unhappy with the modernization of the liturgy and othertraditions in his denomination. "We no longer preach a gospel of discipline," he said upon his retirement. "We want to grindup the faith into a kind of pabulum that makes it digestible, palatable for everybody."His fight to have the Episcopal Church reaffirm its historic teachings against sexual cohabitation by homosexuals and byheterosexuals outside of marriage cost him an election as a deputy to the national General Convention. Kishpaugh, however,served in leadership positions in Mississippi, Hawaii and central Pennsylvania. In 1986, he was elected president of the standingcommittee of the Central Pennsylvania Diocese. He also served as chairman of its Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains andCommission on Ministry as a dean of the Harrisburg Convocation.He received commendations from the Boy Scouts of America and U.S. Marines, as well as the Bishops Merit Cross from theDiocese of Hawaii and the Army's Certificate of Honor for Civilian Service for his ministry to widows and children of servicemenkilled in Vietnam. He was a member of the Cities in Schools of Harrisburg and of the Pearl Harbor and Hershey Rotary clubs,and a member and past president of the Wahiawa and Hershey ministeriums.After his retirement, he served as interim rector at parishes in Honolulu and Meridian, Miss. He also served St. Stephen's Churchin Whitehall, St. James Church in Lancaster and St. Luke's Church in Lebanon.Kishpaugh wrote a number of publication, a novel, "Shake off the Dust," and was moderator of religious TV programs. He wasa graduate of Hershey High School, Indiana and Pennsylvania State universities, State University of New York, Daniel Baker Collegeand St. Luke's Seminary.Surviving are his wife, Carolyn L. Marzen Kishpaugh; a son, Scott, and a daughter, Patricia, both of Harrisburg; two sisters, Dr. Marjorie Poolof Lower Allen Twp. and Dorothy Baum of Los Angeles; a brother, William of Phoenix; and five grandchildren.Services will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 20 in All Saints Church, Burial will be in Hershey Cemetery at the convenience of the family.There will be no viewing. Hoover Funeral Homes & Crematory, Hershey, is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may bemade to All Saints Church, P.O. Box 324, Hershey 17033.(Harrisburg Patriot News. Harrisburg PA, January 13, 2001, p. B-2)
1956-new parish house
1968-Women allowed in Vestry
Marie Setze and Shirley Mohler Grafaglione were the first women accepted into the vestry at St. John's.
Rector David E. Holt
David E. Holt (1896-1970) married Renabel Boney (d. 1970)
Reverend Thomas J. Lundy
Built house on Rayburn. Here in 1960s-1970s.
1995 renovations
Renovations 1995
In 1995, the church sanctuary was renovated at a cost of about $125,000. It was rewired, repainted for $30,000, and a new copper, shingle roof installed to replace the asbestos shingles. Richard McPhearson, local engineer, was the general contractor and Bruce Tolar, local architect, was also involved. While the old paint was being removed with scrappers and a blow torch, the wood caught fire and the OSFD called to the scene. There was no damage to the structure. The $88,000 copper, shingle roof was installed by Jim Wallis Roofing of Biloxi, Mississippi. The new roof did not fair well during Hurricane Georges of October 1998 and was later replace with an architectural shingle roof.
New Church Hall 2009
[L-R: rear south elevation March 2009;
2008-2009 addition
Caption: St. John’s Episcopal Church circa 1900. This turn of the 20th Century image was composed by Miss Winifred Alma Norwood (1870-1937), the daughter of Fred W. Norwood (1840-1920) and Elizabeth Winne (1839-1912). At this time, the Episcopal sanctuary was only about eight years old. Remarkably, the exterior and interior of this 19th Century Gothic structure, which will be one-hundred ten years old in March 2002, has remained virtually unchanged. Past and present parishioners of St. John’s should be lauded for their untiring efforts at preserving this historic landmark. Hopefully this legacy will continue.
Credit: Winifred Norwood Shapker (1870-1937) and Lynne Shapker Sutter.
REFERENCES
Betty Clark Rodgers, Miscellaneous Records of Jackson County, Mississippi, Volume I, (Jackson County Genealogical Society: Pascagoula, Mississippi-1990).
Margaret Steelman, “An Historical Research On The Louis Sullivan Cottages In Ocean Springs, Mississippi”,(Steelman: USM Course, Housing 460, Hattiesburg, Mississippi-1973)
The Biloxi Herald, "Ocean Springs", November 8, 1890.
The Biloxi Herald, “Ocean Springs”, February 16, 1891.
The Biloxi Herald, “Ocean Springs”, June 20, 1891.
The Biloxi Herald, “Ocean Springs”, July 11, 1891.
The Biloxi Herald, “Ocean Springs”, November 21, 1891.
The Biloxi Herald, “Ocean Springs”, December 5, 1891.
The Biloxi Herald, “Ocean Springs”, December 19, 1891.
The Biloxi Herald, “Ocean Springs”, December 26, 1891.
The Biloxi Herald, “Ocean Springs”, January 9, 1892.
The Biloxi Herald, “Ocean Springs”, January 23, 1892.
The Biloxi Herald, “Opening a New Church”, April 30, 1892.
The Biloxi Herald, “Coast Items”, December 12, 1896.
The Biloxi Herald, “Father Ayres”, December 26, 1896.
The Biloxi Herald, “John Morrison Ayres [obituary]”, March 22, 1897.
The Churchman, “Personals”, April 10, 1886.
The Daily Herald, “Honor Rev. DeMiller for 25 years of service to Biloxi church”, October 13, 1934.
The Daily Herald, “Ocean Springs”, July 8, 1946.
The Daily Picayune, “To Rent”, December 10, 1891.
The Daily Picayune, “Death of a Christian woman [Mrs. Nelson Ayres]”, July 14, 1894.
The Daily Picayune, “Catholic News”, May 10, 1898.
The Daily Picayune, “A Bonfuca Church”, August 5, 1899.
The Daily Picayune, “Hotel arrivals”, July 18, 1901.
The Daily Picayune, “Personal Points”, June 13, 1903.
The Daily Picayune, “Personal and General Notes”, February 5, 1904.
The Daily Picayune, “St. Bartholomew in Kenner”, August 23, 1906.
The Daily Picayune, “GAR head visits the men in Gray”, March 4, 1910.
The Gulf Coast Times, “ , May 20, 1949.
The Jackson County Times, “Parish House ceremony set”, May 7, 1948.
The Jackson County Times, “New Parish House open”, May 14, 1948.
The Ocean Springs News, “Lewis-Davis”, January 7, 1911.
The Ocean Springs News, "Death of Mrs. Ada M. Switzer", November 21, 1914.
The Ocean Springs News, “Episcopal Church Breaks Record”, February 25, 1915.
The Ocean Springs News, “Rectory?”, March 9, 1916.
The Ocean Springs News, “Church group told of new building plans”, March 9, 1916.
The Ocean Springs Record, “Rectory of St. John’s”, February 23, 1967, p. 1.
The Ocean Springs Record, “Rector [Rev. Thomas J. Lundy] returns home”, November 8, 1956.
The Ocean Springs Record, “Reverend David E. Holt”, November 12, 1970, p. 1.
The Ocean Springs Record, “Renabel Boney Holt”, July 14???, 1970.
The Ocean Springs Record, “St. John’s Has Long History”, December 3, 1970.
The Ocean Springs Record, "Barry L. Cotter ordained", April 16, 1987, p. 2)
The Ocean Springs Record, “St. John’s Episcopal Church”, February 24, 1994.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Booming Ocean Springs”, January 30, 1891.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs News”, March 18, 1892.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs News”, April 1, 1892.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs News”, May 3, 1892.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, October 15, 1897.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, January 21, 1898.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, April 21, 1899.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, July 13, 1906.
The Progress, “Local News Items”, September 8, 1904.
The Sun Herald, “Church’s new old look draws interest”, October 28, 2001.
Photographs
Gulf Photo Service, Gulfport, Mississippi. No. 1755
Lutheran
The organized Lutheran religion at Ocean Springs is relatively new. Services commenced in September 1963, and the congregation was officially organized as Christus Victor Lutheran Church on February 23, 1964. It is part of the Southeastern Synod of the Lutheran Church in America. The Reverend Richard Dahlke was the first pastor. Parishioners met in a building at 703 Washington Avenue until a sanctuary was built at 2755 Bienville Boulevard in 1967. The land was purchased in 1964 from the Fort Bayou Development Corporation. On August 6, 1967, the first services were held in the new church with the Reverend B.F. Rutrough in charge.
