Echoes From The Attic and Poems, Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Don Johnson, Mar. 2001
Typed by Belford Carver
Written by by Edna F. Campbell
Copyrighted by Edna F. Campbell
With special thanks to her family for permission to use her works.

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LOCAL CHURCH SETTING FOR MOVIE SCENE IN 1966

Picturesque Grace Memorial Episcopal Church basking in its glory of historical 
background at 100 West Church Street, took on an air of great importance in a 
sharply different aspect, July 9, 1966, when it was the scene of a movie filming.  
Segments of a scene in a then, forthcoming movie, "Hurry Sundown", were filmed in 
the serene church sanctuary and on the surrounding grounds.

This church, which formed the nucleus for Hammond when it still was a village in 
an unsettled area of piney woods wilderness, has had many points of recognition.  
The highest was in March 1973, when the church was placed on the National Register 
of Historic Places, by the Louisiana Department of Art, Historical and Cultural
Preservation.

The church was consecrated in 1888 to the memory of Mertie Waterman Cate.  Mrs. 
Cate died December 7, 1887.  Early church services had originated in her home.

The antiquity of the church coupled with its beauty and designing, which followed 
the trends of architectural lines of old England churches, had much to do with its 
selection for the movie to be filmed.  It provided a perfect setting for 
portraying a religious scene within the walls of traditional, ritualistic 
framework made serene with memorial stained glass windows, lecterns and brass 
fixtures.

In the sanctuary, age-old fixtures, branched candelabra and copper urns were 
polished and shined to the highest degree.  Carpets were cleaned and blinds were 
adjusted.

All choir robes were laundered meticulously, missing buttons replaced and collars 
pertly arranged.  Not a minor detail was overlooked for the approaching big 
occasion.

Many of the parishioners are of direct lineage of the founders.  On the awaited 
Saturday, the horizon was cleared and all fears vanished.  The time was on hand!

Following the arrival of the caravan of chartered buses, the production crew, 
members of the cast and imported extras, there was a drastic scenery change around 
the church.  Within seconds normalcy of the church surroundings was definitely past 
tense.

Nothing seemed familiar except the small wooden framework Episcopal church.  
Throngs of people stirring were in the semblance of ants.  Their movements were 
quite as swift.  Skilled workmen soon had the movie projector in order and filming 
was begun.

Thrills were on rampage.  The smallest acolytes were brimming with excitement over 
their movie premiere, while the care-worn rector ran a merry chase counseling the 
participants and guiding visiting celebrities and screen stars.

Otto Preminger's crew in pompous style, promenaded across the grounds and through 
the various church buildings and chapels in preparation for filming and to get the 
feel of surroundings.  The scenes were for actors Jane Fonda, Michael Craine, 
Madeline Sherwood, Donna D'Antoni and George Kennedy.

The costumes were in keeping with the period movie, depicting a composite Southern 
area in 1914.  Printed weaves and polka dots were dominate trends with feminine 
players; Bertha collars complemented wide brim picture hats.  Large brimmed hats, 
tight vests and loud gallousies marked the men's costumes.

(From ECHOES FROM THE ATTIC, X, 1979, by Edna Campbell)

(Pic of camera/2 men)

(See also Vol. I and VII for other articles on Grace Memorial Church.)