CHURCH HISTORIES Terrebonne Parish, LA EPISCOPAL - ST. MATTHEW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Submitted by: Cynthia Daigle Source: The Houma Daily Courier and The Terrebonne Press, Houma, LA. Last modified: 10 MARCH 2008 ================================================== NOTE: Most histories were submitted by the church to the Houma Daily Courier and The Terrebonne Press as part of the newspapers Sesquicentennial Edition. Not all churches submitted histories. ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ================================================== EPISCOPAL - ST. MATTHEW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Location in 2007 - 243 Barrow Street, Houma, LA The Houma Daily Courier and The Terrebonne Press Houma, LA, Oct. 8, 1972, Sunday, Section E ST. MATTHEW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH (picture of first edifice in paper) SERVICES HELD BEFORE 1855 By Rev. George P. Pardington, S.T.B., RECTOR Editors Note: The major portion of the following history of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church is taken from a Centennial Booklet, which was prepared by a Special Committee in the year 1955. Additional material relating to the last 17 years has been added by the writer. Many Years of Faith and Service A History of St. Matthew's Church, Houma, Louisiana PART 1: The story begins 1854-1861 Though St. Matthew's Church was not actually incorporated until 1855, there were church services before that time. The Right Reverend Leonidas Polk, the first Bishop of Louisiana, held services in the Court House before this, and in a private home. In 1854 the Reverend T.R.B. Trader, rector of St. John's Church, Thibodaux, began holding services in Houma. At that time there were not more than four communicants in the parish, perhaps only two. The two of whom we are certain are Mrs. John R. Bisland and Mrs. Duncan S. Cage. On May 15th, 1855, the congregation was organized as a chartered corporation, with the official title of "The Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of St. Matthews Church in the Parish of Terrebonne"; and the object of incorporation was stated to be "for the purpose of organizing and establishing a Protestant Episcopal Church in the parish aforesaid". The charter was signed by twelve citizens of the parish as follows: H.F. Collins, W.M. Mercer, Charles Tennent, Richard E. Butler, John R. Bisland, James L. Jennings, William A. Shaffer, Will Jennings, T.F. Brooks, R.G. Ellis, Judge F.S. Goode and R.R. Barrow. On the same day the Vestry met and elected a rector, the Reverend Moses E. Wilson. He was then present in the Parish, and no doubt at once entered upon his duties. In less than a year, however, he resigned. There was no church building at this time. In 1857 the front part of the present church property, consisting of five lots fronting on Barrow Street, was donated by Mr. Robert Ruffin Barrow. Arrangements were made for building a church, and the cornerstone was laid on January 13, 1858. The building was erected at a cost of $7,050.00 and finished on July 20 of that year. The building was consecrated on June 2, 1859. In addition to his gift of land Mr. Barrow also contributed a bell for the church, to which incidentally, he gave the name of "Susanna Roberta". A contract for the building of a rectory on the grounds adjoining the church was awarded on the 18th of June to be completed by the 15th of October, 1859, or earlier. The salary of the Minister was subscribed by the rental of pews. The first real work in the rectorship of the parish was done by the Reverend George W. Stickney from 1858 to 1861. When the Civil War began he went into the Confederate Army as a chaplain. It is interesting to note that the first two rectors both served in the Civil War, but on opposite sides. The Reverend Mr. Wilson, a New Yorker, became a chaplain in the Union Army. The Right Reverend Leonidas Polk, first Bishop of Louisiana, whose home was near Thibodaux on Leighton Plantation, also distinguished himself in this era. PART 2 Some Early Entries in the Register The Centennial Committee is of the opinion that the first vital statistics in the Register are worthy of note. They are recorded as follows: First Baptism - Albert Gallatin Cage, born November 4, 1857, baptized May 22, 1859 - son of Duncan S. Cage and Jane Cage. Officiant - Reverend George W. Stickney. First Confirmation - Richard E. Ellis, June 2, 1859. Ministers - Bishop Polk and G.W. Stickeny. First Marriage - Saturday, January 27, 1861 - Samuel and Cecilia, colored servants. At the residence of Mrs. Wallis, Mr. Blount, owner - Mrs. T.A. Wallis, owner - by George W. Stickeny. Witnesses - Mrs. A. Wallis and family, and Mr. Bowie. First Burial - Sunday, January 8, 1860, infant servant girl, at the residence of D.S. Cage. Cause of Death - Whooping Cough. Minister - George W. Stickney. PART 3 The Late Nineteenth Century During the Civil War the parish apparently became considerably disorganized. The condition is perhaps symbolized by a vacancy in the Rectorship from 1861 until 1867, when the Reverend James Philson arrived. The Reverend Mr. Philson remained for six years, working valiantly to hold the parish together. But the poverty of the members of the Church was a considerable problem; and after his departure "the Church fell into disrepair". A temporary arrangement was made with the Reverend Charles F.D. Lyne, Rector of St. John's in Thibodaux, to provide services on the first and third Sundays of each month. However, on December 21, 1874, "owing to the destitute condition of the Congregation", the Vestry had to discontinue his schedule, due to their inability to pay the minister's stipend of $600.00 per year. The condition of the Parish improved somewhat in 1876 when repairs were made to the Church and the Reverend William D. Christian was called as rector. Mr. Christian remained for eleven years; and in the face of many hardships, such as "financial panic, political turmoil, high water and epidemic ... held the Church together and laid the foundation for future growth". From 1888 to 1898 the Reverend Ralph Hylton Prosser was Rector: and the work that he did is still remembered by many people in the Congregation today. He brought the Church to the people and the people to the Church, driving his buggy which was drawn by his horse "Philippa". He traveled through the parish in the days when roads were poor. St. Matthew's Church owes him a great debt of gratitude for his tireless work as a kindly Pastor. A double disaster befell the Church in this period. The old rectory burned down; and the Church building was declared unsafe. There is a letter recorded in the minutes of the Vestry, dated October 6, 1890, from Mr. Thomas Sully, a New Orleans architect. The following comments upon the condition of the building are made: "I beg to make the following report after having examined personally the brick structure now occupied as Episcopal Church in Houma. I find the brick walls cracked in several places, leaning outward at the top. On examining the roof trusses, I find they are very old and badly decayed, especially on the ends and have been spliced by bolting two pieces of wood one on either side of the beam. The greatest danger to the Church to be remedied is that the walls may go outward and the entire roof fall into the auditorium ... In my judgment it would be best to demolish the present building, using the old brick for the foundation of the new wooden structure, and selling those that will not be required to the best advantage." The Vestry acted affirmatively upon the recommendation of the architect. And it was well that they did so, for the old Presbyterian Church, which at that time stood on the corner of School and Barrow Streets (facing School Street) and was of similar construction, barely escaped a great tragedy. While the day school, then being conducted in that church, was at luncheon recess, the roof of that structure actually fell in; but fortunately no one was inside at the time. During the period from August, 1890 t o October 1892, Episcopal Services were held at the old Fireman's Hall, which was situated at the location of the present Post Office on Main Street. After the decision had been made to rebuild St. Matthew's, the congregation set to work with the same dauntless sprit that it had shown before , and in October, 1892, the new Church was finished. Mr. W.D. Southwell was the architect and builder. There remained a debt, which was paid six years later as a memorial offering for Mrs. Alice Gresham Callout, by her husband and son. The building was consecrated on March 13, 1898. The same day marked the death of Henry C. Minor. Mr. Minor was chairman of the building committee of the church, for many years a Senior Warden, often a delegate to Church conventions and a staunch supporter of St. Matthew's. he had very thoughtfully made a donation of two valuable lots at the rear of the Barrow Street Church property, thus providing ample ground to protect the Church from objectionable encroachment. In 1901 and 1902, new Sanctuary and Chancel furniture was given by Miss Kate L. Minor in memory of her mother, Rebecca Ann Minor. In the same period, Mrs. L.H. Brooks gave a double memorial window over the Altar "Christ Calling Matthew" in memory of her husband, Thomas L. Brooks, and her daughter, Carrie E. Bocage. Mrs. John D. Schaffer at the same time gave a memorial window on the right of the Altar - "Christ and Children" in memory of her daughters, Minerva and Marguerite. Mrs. William L. Schaffer also gave a memorial window, on the left of the Altar, Christ as the "Good Shepherd", in memory of her husband. After the departure of the Reverend Mr. Prosser on December 18, 1898, the Reverend Frederick Roehl became Rector for ten months in 1899. Then, the Reverend Suthron R. Duval, a Deacon, served for nineteen months, from October 1900 until May 1, 1902. There was no rector for seventeen months until November 1, 1903, when the Reverend Gardner L. Tucker became Rector of the parish. PART 4 The Rectorship of the Reverend Gardiner L. Tucker, D.D., 1903 - 1938 Dr. Tucker's ministry in the Parish was characterized by extensive missionary work in this area as well as by an outreach of interest in the Diocese, the Province, and the National Church. In 1916 Dr. Tucker became associated with the Department of Christian Education of the Province of Sewanee, and by arrangement with the Vestry devoted part of his time to the Provencial work. Dr. Tucker's missionary work in the Parish of Terrebonne is a notable chapter in his life. He developed the work at St. Andrew's Mission, Bayou DuLarge, among trappers and fisherman. For many years the "Christmas in Spring" celebrations gained nationwide publicity. Having noted that the trappers usually were out in the marshes at Christmastide proper, usually taking their children with them, he instituted the practice of having a Christmas Service and distributing gifts after the trapping season was over in March or April. This custom continued until about seven years ago. In addition to the work at DuLarge, there were missions in operation at Montegut, Donner, Gibson and Little Caillou. A number of improvements in the physical properties of the Parish were made during the early years of the present century. Chief among these was the new Parish Hall. The contract for this building was accepted on July 12, 1912, and the structure was completed in 1913 at a total cost of $4,342.30. Before this time, a new organ was installed and first used on May 31, 1908. During the hurricane of August 25th, 1926, extensive damage was done to the Church. The church tower was blown down; and the Vestry negotiated loans from the Goodrich fund of the Diocese and from the American Church Building Fund for reconstruction. The Vestry minutes record that the "Building Committee with the approval of the Vestry did not undertake to rebuild the tower of the Church, because the funds were insufficient for the reconstruction of the tower that would be perfectly safe and because the committee felt that the tower when rebuilt might preferable be placed in the angle between the Church and the Parish Hall, instead of its present location." The Woman's Auxiliary of St. Matthew's Church has a long record of service in various fields of Church activities. The Auxiliary is particularly proud of having supplied a president. From the earliest years of the organized parish life, St. Matthews Episcopal Ladies Guild has been active in the promotion of various phases of the Church's life. It is recorded that Mrs. John R. Bisland, one of the first communicants, was among the organizers of the Guild and a charter member. This group which is now designated as "The Senior Guild", has become known throughout the United States, and indeed throughout the world, for its famous Cookbook, with the title "De Bonnes Chooses a Manger". The first edition was published in 1924 under the supervision of Mrs. Gardiner L. Tucker, Mrs. Wiley E. Thibodaux and Mrs. J. Berwick Duval. Seven hundred copies constituted the first printing. In 1935 under the able chairmanship of Mrs. R.B. Butler, assisted by Mrs. C.K. Krumbhaar and Mrs. J. Berwick Duval, a revised, enlarged edition was issued with a few changes and additions. This is the present cookbook, of which about ten thousand copies have been printed. PART 5 The Recent Past The death of the Reverend Gardiner L. Tucker, D.D., occurred on June 9, 1938; and soon thereafter the Reverend Charles E. Crusoe, D.D., became Rector of the Parish and remained until 1941. During this period subscriptions were taken for the new Tucker Memorial Organ, which was dedicated on Palm Sunday, April 2, 1939, and is in use at the present time. A "Rector's Aid" group was organized at this time and contributed much to the vitality of the Congregation. Following Dr. Crusoe's departure, the Reverend Clarence R. Haden, Jr. was Rector for almost two years, 1941-1943. The Reverend Mr. Haden, in addition to his Parochial work, served also as chairman of the Department of Religious Education of the Diocese. Leaving St. Matthew's for a call to St. Paul's Church, New Orleans. He later on became well known through the entire Episcopal Church as executive secretary of the Presiding Bishop's Committee on Layman's Work. The present Rector, the Reverend George P. Pardington, arrived on February 1, 1944. At the end of 1954 there were 565 baptized persons in the Congregation and 310 Communicants. The Church School had grown to an enrollment of 165; and Vacation Bible Schools are held each summer. The recent purchase of a sound motion picture projector has added much to the Christian Education Program. The financial structure of the Parish has improved much in recent years, as compared with earlier generations. The Percentage Giving Plan, adopted by the Diocese in 1954 and recommended by St. Matthew's Vestry, produced a 45 percent increase in giving for the year 1955. In the past decade the budget has been approximately tripled. Until the year 1938 St. Andrew's was a Parochial Mission of St. Matthew's with the Rector having oversight of this work. In earlier days a Day School was conducted at the Mission by teachers from Houma. Mrs. Flora Connely Anderson taught there for a number of years. She contracted typhoid fever during the course of her service at the Mission; and since her death was brought about by this disease, she gave her life for the cause of Christian Missions. Other workers who have devoted their energies to this work were Miss Ruth Connelly, Miss Marguerite Bisland, Miss Wilhelmina Hooper, Mrs. Harry Babin, Mrs. Claude Badeaux (Lucille Pellegrin), Mr. and Mrs. Ashton Bisland, Mr. T. Baker Smith, Jr., and Mr. Albert E. Cook. These have aided in the program, along with the Clergy, the organists, the young people of the Parish, and many others. The Congregation has produced at least one Priest for the Church. The Reverend James W. Airey, at one time a pupil in the Church School, was ordained on November 29, 1927. We have also supplied one missionary to the foreign field, Mrs. Odessa Babin having served for a numbers of years in Mexico. Among assistant ministers who have served the Parish are the following - the Reverend James McCaa, 1920-1924; Rev. George F. Wharton Jr., 1924 - 1926, and in later years - the Reverend Julius Pratt and Reverend Skardon D'Aubert. On January 3, 1930, upon the death of Mrs. Belle Shaffer Sanders, a bequest in her will of $5000.00 was received by St. Matthew's Church. This bequest was without specific provisions and therefore has been drawn upon by the Vestry at various times for sundry projects as the needs have arisen. Since the year 1988 stained glass windows, manufactured in England and Germany, have been installed in the Nave and Narthe__ and two windows were recently added in the Organ Room. The cypress pews have been renovated and an anonymous donor has made possible the restoration of the steeple according to the original design, as well as the replacement of the slate roof. St. Matthew's Day Kindergarten has been in operation for 25 years; and St. Matthew's School, Inc. was organized in 1970. The school presently enrolls children from the first through the fifth grades. Thus, throughout the week approximately 100 children are served through the Kindergarten and Elementary School program. St. Matthew's Church has been a lively factor in the life of Houma and Terrebonne Parish for 117 years; and the Church continues to bear witness to the Christian faith in its central location with a cordial welcome extended to all people.