St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
An Abbreviated History
Of
Saint Bede’s Episcopal Church
Manchester, Tennessee
On Its Fiftieth Anniversary
1963-2013
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
FOREWORD
This abbreviated history is divided into four sections. The first is a narrative
written by Justine Dietz in 1978 based upon the records which she could discover at
the time. The second is a look at the future from 1978 written by then Senior
Warden Bob Dietz (Justine’s husband). It is truly interesting to see the vision that
Bob Dietz and other church members had at that time. In some instances his
prescience is accurate; it many others, however, it is not. The third section is one
which I only very recently received from Deidre Duncan; a former member of St.
Bede’s who as a child with her family helped found St. Bede’s in 1960. Her
recollections are vivid and contain much information about the building of the
church that would have otherwise been lost if she had not taken the time to write
her remembrances. (Some of her recounting does not necessarily agree with other
accounts.) In her account you will find the essence of the spirit and hard work so
many people put into the founding of St. Bede’s. The fourth section is a cataloging of
events from the 1980’s until October 13, 2013. You will find this section
considerably “drier” than the other three. This writer has acted as an editor and
complier rather than a creator of a true narrative. My hope is that I have preserved
as much as possible of St. Bede’s history. If I have erred, I hope that it is the sin of
commission and not omission. However, I do know that in recounting the tenure of
the many priests that have served St. Bede’s, that I did not find nor was I able to
contact many supply priests. I do grieve for the many priests that I found have died.
(Amanda Stephenson, Bishop Bauerschmidt’s Administrative Assistant was very
helpful with this information even during the hectic move of the Diocesan office
from Metro Center to Woodmont Boulevard.)
As you peruse, please note the names of the people who have played such a
vital role over the years. You will find names repeated again and again of those who
have so selflessly given of their time, talents, and tithes to further God’s work. Many
are no longer with us, but their blessings on this church still live. Let us all
remember those gifts and pray that God will be with us in all our future endeavors
to strengthen and serve Him in our community.
Ora et Labora (Pray and Work),
Linda C. Rollins, Senior Warden
October 2013
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Acknowledgements
Many sources and people helped with furnishing needed information, but I
particularly would like to acknowledge the work of amateur historian Betty
Bridgewater who wrote the original history of St. Barnabas. Mrs. Bridgewater was
known for her tireless work for the Coffee County Historical Society and its
publications. She is sorely missed.
We only this year, 2013, lost Justine Dietz. Before her death, she and I had
discussed what she had written in 1978. I had promised her a copy of the updated
history when I finished with the manuscript. I regret that she did not stay with us
long enough for me to deliver on that promise.
Bob Dietz died some time before Justine and had left St. Bede’s, but his work
and leadership during the 1970’s was essential to the vitality of the church
Only in this last month have I become reacquainted with Deidre Duncan. I
am indebted to her for taking the time to share her recollections. She has added a
great deal of heart to this document.
In May of this year, we also lost our oldest member, Bertha Schulze Ashley,
who at the age of 104, died. You will see her name time and again throughout the
years. As Visiting Eucharistic Minister, I was privileged on occasion to take her
communion at the nursing home. We talked a great deal about the church. She was
always alert, smiling, and gracious. In January 2013, with assistance from Frank
Araneo, she visited St. Bede’s for Holy Eucharist. We wanted her to inaugurate our
new lift from the Parish Hall to the Narthex. She was pleased with our effort.
How do I say thank you to Annie Ruth Hensley, Senior Warden, Emeritus?
Without her record keeping and her work to find and organize the Mission Council
and Vestry minutes from the 1960’s until 2013, I would have been unable to come
close to completing this project. God has blessed us with you, Ann.
Lastly, let me thank Rev. Mary Hassell, our Priest-in-Charge, and the
members of the 2013 Vestry:
Rick Charter, Junior Warden
Debbie Bomar, Clerk
Frank Araneo, Treasurer
Becky Combs
Jane Martin
Johnathan Graf
With their help as well as many members of the congregation, plus God’s gentle
prodding, I have finished. Amen
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
History
St. Bede’s Episcopal Church
Manchester, Tennessee
(A compilation of documents from April 1, 1976, October 31, 1978, and Betty
Bridgewater’s St. Barnabas’ Parish, The First Hundred Years, Its People, Its
Churches, Its Clergy. Only the April 1, 1978 narrative has a declared author,
Justine Dietz. We are indebted to those who have made great efforts to record our
history.)
In her history, St. Barnabas’ Parish, The First Hundred Years, Its People, Its
Churches, Its Clergy, Betty Bridgewater notes that in a 1868 report to the Tennessee
Diocesan Convention (where he was listed as Deacon and Rector’s Assistant at
Memorial Church of the Redeemer, Shelbyville, under rector the Rev. H.P. Hay)
Harvey Orvin Judd, was licensed by Bishop Otey to hold Divine Services as Reader.
The report states that Judd was in charge of the Mission of the Incarnation at
Tullahoma, a town of some 300 inhabitants. As a resident in Tullahoma, he
complied with requests from residents to hold services in the area on several
occasions. Further, she writes that Rev. C.H. Coley, who became Rector at
Shelbyville on October 15, 1868, reported to the 37th Convention in May 1868 that
fifteen communicants resided in Tullahoma and McMinnville where he and two lay
readers held services. At both Missions, Coley said that efforts were being made to
erect church buildings. A cornerstone bearing only the date 1871 was laid by Bishop
Quintard who wrote that “in the presence of a goodly number of people I laid the
cornerstone of St. Barnabas’ Church, Tullahoma.” Mrs. Bridgewater was unable to
establish the exact time and reason for changing the name from Incarnation to St.
Barnabas, but there it was, fronting Lincoln Street, a frame structure, the beginning
of the Mother Church of St. Bede’s Episcopal Church of Manchester, Tennessee.
St. Barnabas grew over the years, and a number of Episcopalians from
Manchester made St. Barnabas their church home. Several of the Manchester men
served on the Vestry of St. Barnabas, while several Manchester women served in the
Altar Guild. In early 1960, the then rector, the Rev. R. J. L. Matthews, Jr., and the
Vestry discussed establishing a parochial mission in Manchester. On June 21, 1960,
a group of St. Barnabas communicants who lived in Manchester met at the home of
Millard and Iva Frame on High Street to discuss the possibility of starting a mission.
The following communicants of St. Barnabas who resided in Manchester attended
this first feasibility meeting:
Temporary Chairman Millard Frame
Marshall Kingsley Robbins
Michael Fitzgerald
Ernest Teasley
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
David Wilhelm
Robert Patterson Boyer
William Pitt. Hickerson, Sr.
Henry C. Fasig
Millard Frame and M. Fitzgerald conducted preliminary surveys as to the desires of
Manchester communicants and studies of cost and income. Mr. Frame presented the
results of their findings to the Manchester communicants meeting at a potluck
supper at the home of Mrs. E. E. (Louise) Henley. Mrs. Henley always blushed that
there was not enough food for that hungry crowd.
The consensus must have been to move forward because on September 17,
1960, the first official meeting of the Manchester communicants was at the home of
Marshall K. Robbins for the purpose of electing a council. These men were elected
to serve for thirteen months:
Warden
Councilman
Treasurer
Clerk
Marshall K. Robbins (automatically a member of St. Barnabas
Vestry)
Henry C. Fasig
Millard Frame
Ernest J. Duncan
David W Wilhelm
William Pitt Hickerson, Sr.
Richard Lowndes III
Confirmation classes began on October 5, 1960. The women of the church
immediately organized and got to work. The Masonic Lodge at Manchester was
accepted as a meeting place (a charge of $10.00 per meeting day). Louise Henley
began a building fund with a $500.00 donation; St. Barnabas contributed $6,500.00;
approximately $2,000.00 was donated locally, and another $2,085.00 was given in
memorials. The following committees steamed into action:
Every Member Canvas
Evangelistic & Parish Education
Property
Church School
Acolyte Guild
EYC
Altar Guild
Church Name
Ernest Duncan, Henry Fasig, Millard Frame
Millard Frame, Robert Boyer, Laura Lowndes
Wilhelm L. Henley
Peggy Boyer, Charlsie Fitzgerald,
Marshall K. Boyer, Michael Fitzgerald, and
Harry Dierkes
Mr. and Mrs. Millard Frame
Louise Henley
Bob Boyer, Laura Lowndes, Grace Harvey
Of the several names presented to the Council for consideration by the Name
Committee, three were selected to send to the bishop---St. Bede, St. Alban, and St.
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Dunstan. The name St. Bede was chosen from the Anglican Kalendar of Worship.
The “Venerable Bede” (673-735) wrote the first comprehensive Ecclesiastical
History of England (which is still used as a major reference) and was the first to
translate the Bible from Latin to English. Many individuals and churches responded
to the needs of this infant mission. The wooden altar was built by Hank Fasig, and
from old hangings given by Christ’s Church, Nashville, the Altar Guild ripped the
trim and applied it to new linens which were purchased on sale. It is noteworthy
that at this time of scurrying for funds and properties, two pump organs, which had
been made available at prices of $25.00 and $50.00, were rejected because “…the
Council and Rev. Matthews [felt] that this [was] an extravagance at this time.”
The dream became a reality when the first service of St. Bede’s Mission was
held in the Masonic Lodge hall, January 8, 1961 with the Rector of St. Barnabas, the
Rev. R.J.L. Matthews, Jr., officiating. Acolytes on this historic occasion were: Torch
Bearers, Jeff Dierkes and Hank Fasig; Crucifer Dick Frame; Senior Acolyte Kip
Robbins; Junior Acolyte Larry Frame; and Flag Bearers Trice Fasig and Ray
Harvey. At a January meeting of the Women of St. Monica’s, St. Bede’s Mission
News for February reports that the women were still so excited over their first
mission worship service that all business for the evening was suspended so that the
ten members present might share their joyous feelings.
By October 1961 an option had been obtained on some land and permission
to build a church had been obtained from sixty-two owners of neighboring tracts in
the subdivision. Working on details of getting the option and securing releases were
Henry Fasig, Ernest Duncan, Michael Fitzgerald, David Wilhelm, and Bob Dietz. St.
Bede’s purchased 2.4 acres of land in the Mayland Subdivision, City of Manchester,
Coffee County, for church and parochial buildings at a price of $2, 960.00. Lots 33
through 64 of Block L were 414.2’ wide fronting on Shady Lane, 250’ deep and 350’
from State Highway 55. The Building Committee which gave so much skill, time,
dedication and talent was composed of
Henry Fasig, Jr.
Ernest Duncan
William Pitt Hickerson, Sr.
David Wilhelm
Marshall Kingsley Robbins
Mr. James Patrick, an experienced non-licensed architect and seminarian at
St. Luke’s Seminary, Sewanee, and later head of the Architectural Department at
the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, was selected as the architect. The fee was
$175.00. The plan was for the church to have the appearance of a ship, possibly
Noah’s Ark, and to be constructed as beautifully and economically as possible with
much of the work being done by members when possible. The A-frame design is
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
unique, and St. Bede’s is a beautiful small church of frame and Sewanee stone
construction which has served God and many people in the past, in the present, and
will be here many years for others.
Upon St. Bede’s organization, the following forty-three communicants were
transferred on December 10, 1962 from St. Barnabas to St. Bede’s Parish Register:
Beckert, George Fredrick
Broughton, Colin Robert
Boyer, Robert Patterson
Dierkes, Harry B.
Duncan, Gladys Yokely (Mrs. E.J.)
Fasig, John Trice
Fitzgerald, Charlsie Ann (Mrs. M.)
Ford, Nancy Mann
Frame, John Richard
Frame, Millard L.
Frame, Priscilla Ellen
Harvey, Ray Wilson , Jr.
Hickerson, William P.
Lowndes, Richard III
Overall, Juanita Green (Mrs. J. H.)
Powers, John Elbert
Robbins, Marshall Kingsley, Jr.
Teasley, Barbie Eve
Teasley, Beve Lea
Teasley, Ernest L.
Wilhelm, Linda Helen
Beckert, Carolyn Sue Martin (Mrs. G.M.)
Broughton, Sylvia May
Dierkes, Eileen B. (Mrs. H.B.)
Duncan, Ernest Jack
Fasig, Henry C.
Fasig, Mildred C. (Mrs. H.C.)
Fitzgerald, Michael
Frame, Iva Moon (Mrs. J.L.)
Frame, Larry Douglas
Frame, Patricia Ann
Harvey, Grace Charlotte
Henley, Mary Louise (Mrs. E.E.)
Lowndes, Laura Gray Parker
Moore, Minnie Elizabeth Piburn
Powers, Carolyn Elizabeth Bramblett
Robbins, Marshall Kingsley
Robbins, Trudo Maurice Kinard
Teasley, Ben Veazie
Teasley, Billie Veazie (Mrs. E.L.)
Wilhelm, David W.
Wilhelm, Ommozela G. (Mrs. D.W.)
From Christ Church in Tracy City, TN
Ashley, Bertha Schulze
On June 4, 1963 two more names were added to the list transferring from St.
Barnabas’ to St. Bede’s:
Dietz, Robert Otto Herman, Jr.
Dietz, Juno Justine C. (Mrs. R.O.H.)
On ? 1961/1962?[Original does not have specific dates.] The Rt. Rev. John Van der
Horst, Suffragon Bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee, visited St. Bede’s at its
Masonic Hall meeting place, marking the first time a bishop had officially visited
Manchester in the 136 years the Episcopal Church had been organized in
Tennessee. The Rev. Robert Matthews, Rector of St. Barnabas and St. Bede’s
presented the following to the Bishop for administration of the sacrament of
confirmation:
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Mr. and Mrs. Billy Joe Lee
Richard Lee Wilson
Mrs. Raymond L. Prescott III,
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Powers, Jr.
Mr. Philbrook F. Sargent
Mrs. John M. Ransom, Jr.
Mrs. A. Lincoln Coapman.
The service was followed by a covered dish supper.
Construction on the church building had begun in September 1962 and by
February1963 was expected to have been completed in ninety days. Pete Sain was
prime contractor; Charles Glass Company was in charge of glasswork, windows and
doors, and Elk River Public Utility District installed heating and air conditioning.
The Rt. Rev. William E. Sanders, Bishop Coadjutor of Episcopal Diocese of
Tennessee visited Manchester at that time and advised the building Committee
(Fasig, Duncan, Wilhelm, and Robbins) that he would next return for the dedication
of the new church and its furnishings.
Although the first service was held in the new building in October, it was not
until November 3, 1963, that the service of dedication took place with Bishop
Sanders officiating as he had promised. An Open House for the community
followed the next Sunday, November 10, 1963. At this time, the Rev. J. Walter R.
Thomas, rector at St. Barnabas’, was being assisted by Seminarian Lee Carter at
the St. Bede’s Mission. St. Bede’s had continued as a mission of St. Barnabas under
care of first Fr. Matthews, then Fr. Thomas, and later Fr. Casey. St. Bede’s was
formally seated at the Convention in Memphis in January 1963 and March 1, 1963,
the Bishop removed St. Bede’s from the fostering care of St. Barnabas and placed
the new mission in the Diocesan structure. Much gratitude and esteem is held for
the Clergy and the Vestry of St. Barnabas’ for their cooperation and service during
these early days.
In 1965 a very fierce storm blew the stained glass window into the choir loft,
doing considerable damage and taking almost a year to complete reparations. This
incident is still recalled by older members of the congregation with a keen sense of
the “weird.” The altar remained completely untouched, although considerable
disturbance and disorder obviously had abounded throughout the building.
In an annual letter to communicants, Fr. Thomas wrote that St. Barnabas
had been assigned a Deacon-in-Training for a year; therefore, it became possible for
the Rev. Craigue W. Casey to live in Manchester to strengthen the work there. Fr.
Casey became St. Bede’s resident-in-charge. Over the years St. Bede’s has been able
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
to have regular services every Sunday, but the priests have often also served other
nearby Missions. Through Diocesan reorganization, St. Bede’s became one of seven
pilot Diocesan Missions with a joint ministry in which St. Bede’s Manchester and
Church of Redeemer, Shelbyville were both served by Fr. Casey; the Rev. Thomas
S. Roberts also served Christ’s Church Mission at Alto; and the Rev. John
Livingston Janeway also served Mission of St. Matthew’s at McMinnville.
`
Priests who were assigned to St. Bede’s from September 1960 through 1976
were:
The Rev. Robert J.L. Matthews, Jr.,
The Rev. John Walter Thomas,
The Rev. Craig W. Casey,
The Rev. Thomas S. Roberts,
The Rev. John Livingston Janeway
The Rev. J. Leon Malone
The Rev. K. Logan Jackson
Rector St Barnabas’, September 1960 to
June 1962
Rector St .Barnabas’, December 1962 to
July 1964
Priest-in-Charge St. Bede’s July 1964 to
May 1966
Priest-in-Charge St. Bede’s May 1966 to
September 1969
Priest-in-Charge St. Bede’s
September 1969 to Oct. 1970
Priest-in-Charge St. Bede’s
October 1970 to April 1976
Vicar St. Bede’s July 1976 to 1979
(A sign of the “growing pains” within the whole Episcopal community was that Fr.
Jackson also served as National President of the SPECP.)
Seminarians who have worked with priests at St. Bede’s, in addition to Mr.
Lee Carter and Mr. Craigue Casey were Mr. Dick Ellwood, Mr. George Sally, Mr.
T. Buchanan Looney, and Mr. Alex F. Comfort. It is impossible to name all the
priests and seminarians who have come to conduct services for this mission, but a
deep gratitude is felt for all of those who helped in the continuity of worship.
Continuity of worship services could not be referred to without a word about
the Lay Readers show faithful service has been essential. There was, one Sunday,
however, which brought about several firsts. No priest was present, and no lay
reader was present to conduct Morning Prayer; but our Senior Warden stepped in
and with the help of the Holy Spirit and met the challenge. Our Senior Warden
happened to have been St. Bede’s first female warden (1972), Mrs. Bertha Ashley.
Lay readers, including Harry Dirkes, Richard Lowndes, Ernest Teasley, and
John Powers, made possible St. Bede’s first organ in February 1961---a HeathThomas transistor organ which they purchased in kit form for $329.95 and
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
assembled themselves and presented to the church. Mrs. Grace Harvey was the
church’s first organist and was followed by a long list of skilled and not-so-skilled
organists who frequently undertook responsibilities for junior and senior choirs as
well. .This first little organ served the church until it was replaced in 1976 with a
Baldwin electric organ which had belonged to Arthur Butler Dugan, former head of
the political science department at the University of the South. It was given in his
memory and in grateful appreciation of Ellen Logan Brooks by Dr. Dugan’s widow,
Martha Deaton Dugan. The first kit organ built by the lay readers was then passed
to St. James’ Mission, Sewanee.
The total cost of the church, as reported December 15, 1963, was $43,179.36.
The original furniture and other supplies, some gifts, some memorials, amounted to
$2.085.00. These very early gifts and their donors were:
Pall
In memory of Charles Sydney Courtenay
by Mrs. Charles C. Courtenay
Acolyte Pew
In thanksgiving, John William Greeter, on the occasion
of his wedding to Lois Ellen Bradley, December 28, 1963
Altar
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Schulze
by Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ashley, Jr.
Lectern
In memory of George and Lillian Hibbs, Beryl Hlunden
William and Winifred Broughton
by Colin and Sylvia Broughton
Steeple Cross
In memory of the Rt. Rev. Theodore Noll Barth
and in thanksgiving to the Rt. Rev. John Vander Horst, and
the Rt. Rev. William E. Sanders
by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest J. Duncan, Jr. and Deidra
Bishop’s Chair
In memory of Martha Joe and Dorothy Lou Fasig
by Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Fasig, Jr., Trice and Henry III
Font
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Riplinger,
Mr. Maurice Harvey,
by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Harvey and Family
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Chalice and Paten
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hunziker
by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest E. Henley
Pulpit
In memory of William Pitt Hickerson IV
by his Family and Friends
Piano
In memory of Fred Phillips by Howard Phillips
Cruet Set
By the Veazie and Teasley Families
Altar Cross
In memory of Charles Lynwood Man, Sr.
by Nancy Mann
Clergy Pew
In thanksgiving for the Rev. Robert J.L. Matthews, Jr.,
Father Founder of this Mission by the St. Bede’s Family
Missal Stand
To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Clara
Hottinger Veazie and William Townsend Veazie
by the Veazie and Teasley Families
At a later date, the following memorials were added:
Statue
Added to the church yard in 1975, a memorial given by
Mrs. Louise Henley in memory of her mother,
Cecelia Elizabeth Hunziker
Brass Candelabra
1976 in memory of Billie Veazie Teasley
by Veazie and Teasley Families and Friends
Baldwin Organ
1976 to the Glory of God in memory of Arthur Butler
Dugan and in grateful appreciation of Ellen Logan
Brooks by Martha Deaton Dugan
St. Bede’s continued to grow, although slowly, through many dedicated and
sustained efforts of its members and priests, and at long last the church loans were
paid in June 1977. On Sunday, September 11, 1977, St. Bede’s celebrated the
consecration of its church building with Bishop William E. Sanders officiating, as he
at the building’s dedication. The occasion was celebrated with a reception and
luncheon to which many friends of St. Bede’s were invited.
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
A significant event occurred in March 1965. A very fierce storm blew the
stained glass window into the choir loft doing conservable damage and taking
almost a year to complete repairs. This incident is still recalled by older members of
the congregation with a keen sense of the “weird.” The altar remained completely
untouched, although considerable disturbance and disorder obviously having
abounded throughout the building.
Financed by Louise Henley, a concrete walkway was added from the parish
hall doorway to the priest’s parking area. In June 1977, the walkway was extended
around the front of the church to the main parking lot. That work session brought
about the addition of swings, volleyball and tether ball poles as well. In 1974, a
beautiful church sign was erected on the front lawn, and in 1975, tile was laid on the
Parish Hall floor. A concrete ramp entrance was built to accommodate wheelchairs
when two of the church founders, Harry Dierkes and Millard Frame, became
incapacitated. No structural changes were made to the building until October 1975
when a church school addition was begun. Added were four classrooms, two baths,
and a basement amounting to about 800 square feet. Contractor Joel Parker
promised completion before the end of the year. Warden Robert O. Dietz directed
the building of the addition along with Vestry members Mrs. Ann Hensley, Clerk;
Mrs. Louise Henley; Marvin Lawley, Shaw Jared; and Frank Araneo, Treasurer.
Mrs. Maureen Pierce was church Sunday School Superintendent.
Treasurers have always been called upon to perform feats of magic in
handling church funds, particularly during the lean years. Beloved William P.
Hickerson, St. Bede’s first treasurer, died in 1963, and his was St. Bede’s first
funeral service was held at the mortuary downtown. (Parenthetically, William
Courtney brought about the realization that the front stairs must be widened to
accommodate both the coffin and the pallbearers.) Treasurer Ernest Teasley’s many
years of service were followed by Clyde Kunz, who served for ten years of dedicated
service.
The Altar Guild and the Women of the Church have been actively involved
in church affairs even before the church was named. Two of the most faithful and
most prominent in carrying on dedicated service to the Altar Guild are Mrs. Bertha
Ashley and Mrs. Louise Henley. St. Monica’s WIC continues to serve under Mrs.
Virginia Jared this year, as last.
The Acolyte Program actually began before the first service in January 1961
under Acolyte Master Marty Robbins, aided by Harry Dierkes and Michael
Fitzgerald. It has continued through the years as a traditionally male service to the
church until 1972 when girls were added to the class being instructed by Harry
Dierkes, who had worked with that first class back in 1960. Ann and Beth Jared and
Susan and Becky Dietz were those “firsts,” and the Dietz girls served throughout
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
their high school years. In 1975 Acolytes were being trained by Jim and Chris
Bowen. The highlight of their activity of 1975 was a fully costumed Christmas play.
In 1976 Jim Bowen and Frank Araneo initiated monthly Acolyte breakfasts.
Begun in April 1961 with $20.00 from the Council “to purchase suitable
educational books, St. Bede’s church library began. The growing church library
consists of excellent books about the Church, religion, and other topics of interest.
One notable book is by the Venerable Bede, himself, for whom the church is named--the title is The Cradle of the North. The women of the Church regularly add books
to the collection as a thanksgiving for births or memorials to members of our
congregation.
St. Bede’s presence within the community has been felt by those of varying
ages. We have sponsored both Boy, Girl, and Explorer Scout Troops, we have had
representation on the Fine Arts Commission, and our building has been used by
many groups for regular meetings---Corneilia Ilgner’s art classes, Weight Watcher,
Scouts, and now a local square dance club. We have shared our building with St.
Paul’s Roman Catholic Church for its regular Sunday worship service and joined
with that group for Bible School and youth activities. A summer kindergarten
program for itinerant Mexican workers has been held, and the OEO Day care has
had a program in our parish hall for several years. In 1976 our Lay Readers joined
other churches in providing a campground ministry which was sponsored by the
Ministerial Association. We regularly open our parish hall to the community to join
us for Shrove Tuesday Pancake Suppers, and since 1965, we have had a food booth
on the square during the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored festival honoring
community Old Timers. Through the efforts of layman Ernest Teasley and
seminarian Alex Comfort, in October 1977, Chautauqua became a reality as an
outreach activity for retired persons. This activity has grown to an activity for all
persons interested in sharing learning experience of short duration but high interest
level.
St. Bede’s has always attempted to have a church school program. Its
greatest difficulty has been the smallness of the Mission with so few children of such
varying ages. Parents, dedicated communicants, seminarians, and priests have all
assumed teaching responsibility,.
Just as in May 1975, when we began formulating plans to obtain full-time
resident priest, we were able in July 1976 to welcome the Rev. K. Logan Jackson.
We continue to grow and to set what at first seemed to be unattainable goals. We
have faith that with God’s continuing help, our latest goal of becoming a selfsustaining parish is not too far distant.
Complied by Justine Chrisco Dietz, October 1978
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Revised and retyped by Linda C. Rollins, August 2013
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Part II
A 1978 LOOK AT THE FUTURE FOR ST. BEDE’S by the Warden
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
What follows is an observation written in 1978 by Senior Warden, Robert O. Dietz:
A 1978 LOOK AT THE FUTURE FOR ST. BEDE’S by the Warden
HISTORY
St. Bede's was formed by St. Barnabas in 1960 with about twenty families shifting to
St. Bede' s. Church membership growth was modest and a church building was
completed by 1966. Church membership fell precipitously to a level of a few faithful
families by 1970. Growth since 1970 has been steady but slow. 1978 membership
shows the presence of about 25 faithful families. Stewardship growth has been
excellent and the financial contribution per member is now one of the highest in
Tennessee.
FUTURE SCENARIO
Purpose of St. Bede's, as with all Episcopal Churches, is to increase Christian life
quality of members and to introduce others to Christ and the Christian philosophy.
Decisions made today by the council should be aimed at those objectives and must
be made with an understanding of future constraints and alternatives. This
understanding requires a logical framework that encompasses variations in the
known and is general enough to encompass appearance of the unknown. Thus
extrapolation of the known may indicate low growth and a decreasing requirement
for church school. However present member commitment and God's intervention
may double the faithful membership in five years and require doubling church
school needs and adding a new parish house, etc. The understanding of the future
scenario must be specific enough to allow the council to evaluate the consequences of
current actions and decisions.
An Estimate of the National and State Environment:
The national body of the Episcopal Church seems intent upon forcing ordination of
women and liturgy revision upon all elements of the church. This is going to split the
church. A second Anglican Church is already forming, thus facilitating the split and
assuring that it will be a major split. Episcopal publications point out that those
departing to the new church are doing so in a manner contrary to doctrine--the
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
stated basis for departure. Episcopal publications stress the adherence of the new
liturgy to doctrine and urge tolerance. These efforts should tend to minimize the
split. For purposes of this scenario, it is estimated that twenty percent of the
congregations and a like amount of money will leave the church. These percentages
will be higher in Tennessee, especially in the rural areas. The basic structure of the
Episcopal Church, with its new liturgy and priesthood, will continue to exist.
There is a national trend--particularly among young people--to seek out Christ in an
effort to put meaning into their lives. The revised liturgy and priesthood will
probably make it easier for the young people to move into the Episcopal Church.
Thus, the possibility exists for the present turmoil in the church to result in a
stronger younger church in the eighties.
It is expected that the Tennessee Diocese of the Episcopal Church will continue to
exist and will remain in a position to provide financial support to its missions at a
twenty-five percent lower level than at present.
An Estimate of the Local Environment:
A significant percentage of the local population is well educated and is sophisticated
in its background and thinking. Those people have difficulty with fundamentalist
churches when they are caused to think about their church affiliation. Competition
to the local Episcopal Church for those people is sparse indeed. Numbers of such
people will continue to increase locally through retiree settlement, AEDC changes,
and outgrowths of AEDC, such as Microcraft, UTSI, and S&P/ARO, Tullahoma.
Manchester’s population will increase by 300 to 500 families within the next two
years. Ten percent of the heads of these families will be engineers and supervising
personnel.
A number of young people have come into St. Bede's recently. St. Bede's has a
young priest. Both of these factors favor the position of St. Bede's with regard to the
increased interest of young people in Christ.
A large majority of St. Bede's members are established in the community and own
homes here. A large turnover of membership is not to be expected due to moves of
members.
The present priest at St. Bede’s is committed to the 1928 liturgy and opposes a
change in the composition of the priesthood. His tenacity in this regard is
encouraging members of St. Bede's who tend to share that thinking to change their
attitudes toward the church. It can be expected that several families will leave St.
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Bede's between now and 1980 because of actions expected at the 1979 Convention of
the church and the absence of any transition to the new ways of the church.
The congregation at St. Bede's is highly committed, highly energetic and willing to
work for Christ. Presented with goals to which they can relate, they are quite
capable of achieving miracles under His banner.
CONSEQUENCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
In view of the world of the future for St. Bede's, the membership of the church can
be expected to increase through 1978, decrease in 1979 and then can be made to
increase to a level fifty percent greater than at present around 1982. The church
split and the possible departure of Fr. Jackson will cause the decrease in 1979. The
favorable local environment, the groundwork Fr. Jackson has laid, and the trend
toward greater youth commitment to Christ, will lead to high growth in the early
eighties if we move with an aggressive evangelism program.
We must prepare for a 25% decrease in financial support from the diocese in 1979.
Financial plans should take into account this loss along with a decrease in
membership that will tend to hold local 1979 income at present or only slightly
higher levels. Local income growth will be re-established in 1980, if our evangelism
program succeeds. The diocese income should begin to recover in 1981 or 1982 and
at that time we could expect to receive greater support from the, diocese if such help
is still needed.
A critical part of the evangelism program that is dictated in a comprehensive and
high quality church school and church youth activities program. Any church
building plan must take this into consideration along with the financial boundaries
outlined above.
It seems clear that, barring a miracle, the main church building that we now have
will house the congregation through the eighties. We do need a paved drive and a
parking area.
Opportunities for growth of the church in Manchester during the next three years
are so good that we must retain a full time priest at St. Bede's. We should try to
keep Father Jackson if he can accommodate to the revisions in the church. If this is
not possible we need information on his plans and we need to act so that there is no
period at his departure during which we lack a full time priest. Retention of Father
Jackson or recruitment of his replacement requires the immediate acquisition of a
vicarage. Church building plans must take this into consideration along with the
financial boundaries outlined above.
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
1990 and Beyond
This plan should be revised annually as the national, state, and local environments
change. If St. Bede's becomes a congregation of 200 in the late eighties any mortgage
we commit to in 1978 will be quickly paid. Such a membership would cause the
church school wing to be extended and a parish house wing to be added. Plans
would be initiated at that time to construct a large church on the two acres that we
now use as a playground. Actions that the present council takes should avoid
serious interference with such long term future possibilities.
Robert O. Dietz, Warden
St. Bede's Episcopal Church
April 30, 1978
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Part III
A Personal Recollection by
Deidre Duncan
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
My Memories of St. Bede’s from the Beginning
by Deidra Duncan, daughter of St. Bede’s trustee and builder of the building,
Ernest J. (Jack) Duncan, Jr.
Dear Mrs. Rollins,
Here are my memories of St. Bede’s Episcopal Church from its beginnings. I am
going to just “brainstorm” below what I do remember hoping to get down in this file
everything that I can recall.
My name is Deidra Renee Duncan, and my parents were Gladys and Jack Duncan.
Mom was born in 1917 and raised in Sewanee, Tennessee. Daddy was born in 1915
and raised in Knoxville, TN. They met when Daddy was stationed in the Army at
Camp Forrest during World War II.
Mom was confirmed at Otey Memorial Parish in Sewanee in 1942. Mom and Daddy
were married during the war and after the war and in 1946, then moved to Mom’s
hometown of Sewanee and then soon settled in Manchester, TN. Mom was
confirmed at Otey Memorial Parish in Sewanee in 1942. Daddy was baptized and
confirmed at Otey Memorial Parish in 1946.
Mom and Daddy continued to go to Otey for a while. Then, they started going to St.
Barnabas in Tullahoma, TN. Mom told me the story that sometime in the late
forties, Bishop Barth unexpectedly walked into St. Barnabas one Sunday morning
and said, “If you folks do not build up this church with new members, I am going to
close it!” There were only about three families going at the time. So, Mom said they
starting going around talking with people trying to get them to come to church at St.
Barnabas. And she said once the Arnold Engineering Development Center came in,
they were able to attract new members from people (particularly engineers and
their families) who were newly working at AEDC.
The New Mission Called St. Bede’s
I do not remember the early “talking” at St. Barnabas about trying to start a
mission in Manchester because I must have been only 5 or 6 years old. But, I do
remember very well when the St. Bede’s Mission actually started meeting for
services every Sunday in the now old Masonic Lodge Hall in Manchester, TN.
I remember that some of the men would have to come early (often bringing their
children like me) and set up the folding chairs in the lodge hall—which would take a
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
little while to do because there were so many rows of chairs—I guess maybe ten
rows on each side of the main aisle. I want to think that instead of using the lodge
altar, they used a wooden altar that they moved into the lodge hall and set up in
front of the Lodge’s altar and that also looked like a church altar. But, we were still
always seeing the lodge’s big “G” sign on the wall in back of our altar during the
service. We had all the usual Fair Linen and altar linens. I remember we did not
have a chalice paten, so Mom gave Father Matthews a paten to use that had been an
ashtray at our house. Father Matthews blessed it and used it for quite some time—I
think even after we got in our new building. And, I think I still have it around the
house here—I will try to find it and bring it on October 13th.
Father Robert C. H. Matthews was the rector at St. Barnabas—he had been my
rector there until we moved to the new St. Bede’s. Father Matthews passed away
about 20 years ago from pancreatic cancer at a fairly young age. His wife was Bea.
He was a wonderful man in many ways including the fact that he was very kind and
wonderful in working with us children.
Father Matthews' brother was/is the Reverend Dr. Daniel Matthews, Rector
Emeritus of Trinity Wall Street Episcopal Church in New York City.
St. Bede’s Mission was not a “small, struggling attempt” at all like many continuing
Episcopal Churches are still today—and we were not “rinky-dink” at all (for lack of
better words). We were traditional, High-Church Episcopalians, and we were proud
of it! St. Bede’s Mission was a very good size church and acted as such in that it
always did everything just as St. Barnabas had always done, probably because we
all came from St. Barnabas.
We had a several boys of the members who were the acolytes; they all were dressed
in their acolyte robes, which were the traditional style of the day. We had a small
children’s choir, which I was in. We did not have an adult choir as I recall—just us
children who mainly learned to sing the hymns. I must have been around six years
old. I wore the vestments we all wore in the children’s choir—my black cassock,
white surplice, and black beanie. I think our families had to either buy or sew all
our vestments. We children all had come from St. Barnabas, so we were very welltrained there by Father Matthews. We must have had 12-16 children in the
children’s choir that processed in every Sunday.
We all processed in at the beginning of the services and out at the end just like we
had done at St. Barnabas with the crucifer and acolytes leading and the children’s
choir coming in two-by-two, then Father Matthews at the end of the procession.
Father Matthews taught all of us children how to perform our various duties and
roles. He was a very kind and patient man.
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
For our first service of the mission (which was our first service in the Masonic
Lodge Hall in Manchester, my mother and others were very surprised when heads
were counted and we had about 70 or so people at the service!!! Now, a lot of us
were families starting the mission from St. Barnabas. But, there were a lot of people
from around the town of Manchester who just came to see and to support our new
efforts.
Also, the Sunday of our first service, the Holiday Inn in Manchester in what is now
its old and original building on Highway 41 up town posted on its sign “Welcome
new St. Bede’s Episcopal Mission” or something like that. I had a photograph of
this, and I will see if I can find it for October 13th.
I do not remember much more about those services in the Masonic Lodge Hall
except they were just like the services we had at St. Barnabas, “old church” using
the 1928 BCP and the 1940 hymnal lead by a very traditional Episcopal priest.
The Name “St. Bede’s”
I cannot remember exactly when the name St. Bede’s was actually chosen. I can
remember a group of the adults sitting around “brainstorming” probably one
Sunday. And several names were introduced by several people. Mrs. Grace Harvey
introduced the name “St. Bede’s”. And, as I recall, the name was liked and selected
by the group virtually immediately with no contention.
Finding the Site for the Building
I cannot remember how long we were in the Masonic Lodge Hall since I was a little
girl (6 or 7 years old). But, I do remember very vividly how the site for the building
was chosen. Hank Fasig (Henry C. Fasig, Jr.) was driving down Highway 55 one
day, and he saw this hill. And he said to himself, “That’s it! That’s the perfect site to
build our building.” He drove to our house, which was only a couple of miles or so
away, got Daddy, and the two drove back to the site. Hank said, “Jack, that’s it.
That hill. That’s the perfect site for our church!”
Daddy immediately agreed. But, Hank was not from here originally (he was from up
East), so he needed Daddy’s advice and input because Daddy (being in the
construction business) knew everyone here. There was one hitch. Mr. May owned
that land, which was his entire farm land planted mostly in corn—Mr. May had
owned that acreage for years. And, Daddy told Hank that there was just one glitch.
Daddy was not sure that Mr. May (a famer) wanted to part with his valuable farm
land. But, Daddy told Mr. Fasig that if he and Hank went and talked personally
with Mr. May that they might be able to persuade Mr. May to sell the church the
land.
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
So, that is what happened. The road from Highway 55 up to the St. Bede’s building
was unpaved and remained for many, many years just a gravel road that had to be
replenished at times with new, white gravel brought in by Mr. Riddle’s gravel
trucks.
Also, for many years, Mr. May still owned the land on either side of the gravel road
leading up to St. Bede’s. And, Mr. May faithfully planted those two large fields with
corn and harvested it every year…. Until he finally broke down again and sold J&G
Pizza their current land.
The Diocese That Would Not Help Us
We had the site selected. So, it was time to buy the land. The Diocese of Tennessee
(which then encompassed all of the State of Tennessee under Bishop Vander Horst)
told us they would not/could not/whatever be able to help us one cent. And, St.
Barnabas did not have the money! St. Barnabas would continue to supply us a priest
on Sundays. But, that was it!
This is what most people do not understand! They think a diocese must have just
jumped in with a large check and bank-rolled the entire operation. No! A great
disappointment since we had worked so hard along with Father Matthews to get the
mission going.
So, Daddy went to the First National Bank (I think Hank Fasig went along with
him). (Daddy being a licensed general contractor had built many houses in the area,
so he knew how to go about getting related loans.) And, Daddy talked with Mr.
Wright Hickerson (whose family owned the bank) at the First National Bank about
our trying to get a loan for the land to build the church on. After the typical
discussion, “Mr. Wright” looked my father straight in the eye and said, “Jack, these
other three men (later to be the trustees) may be fine men. But, we don’t know
them! They have come in here with A.E.D.C. from God knows where. And, we don’t
know who they are. And, this bank cannot lend money to people it does not know.
But! I know you. And, if you will sign the note with your personal guarantee under
your signature, I will lend you the money to buy that land. But, you understand that
if this church defaults in any way on this note, I will come back on you personally
for the remaining money.
So, Daddy signed the note, and we got our land.
I am letting Mrs. Rollins borrow a note and related items that I believe is the note
that got St. Bede’s land. But, I have found in Daddy’s things a Deed of Trust that I
think was the deed made out that is related to the original loan at the First National
Bank to buy the land; I It is a Deed of Trust from H.C. Fasig, et. al. (in other words,
24
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
the four trustees for St. Bede's) to E.W. Smartt, Jr. Trustee, First National Bank
Beneficiary, recorded by Mildred Sullivan, Registrar, on 23rd (I cannot read that
date for sure) day of September, 1963. Recorded in Trust Deed Book 108, page 501,
Sept. 23, 1963. It says this is Block L of the May Land Subdivision, a plat of which
subdivision is recorded in Trust Deed Book 86, page 529, Register's Office, Coffee
County, Tennessee.... and gives the survey
coordinates.
This deed reads in part as follows: "For and consideration of one dollar to
us paid, the receipt of which is herein acknowledged and other considerations
hereinafter mentioned, we H.C. Fasig, Ernest J. Duncan, M. K. Robbins, D.
Wilhelm, Trustees for St. Bede's Episcopal Church, Manchester, Coffee
County, Tennessee. Lying and being in the City of Manchester, 6th Civil
District, Coffee County, State of Tennessee..." $18,000 was paid.
Also, I have what appears to be a related and an original plot survey map of the St.
Bede’s land and surrounding land (all owned by Mr. May, I think) surveyed and
signed by Alton (Al) Morris, who was the main land surveyor people around here
used for many, many years.
I have a faded document entitled "Release for Church Purposes of Restricted
Covenants."
I have a faded copy of the original loan of $15,000 from the First National
Bank at 6% interest dated December, 1962, "on or before nine months." Signed
by Daddy (Ernest J. Duncan, Jr.) and M.K. Robbins (Marty Robbins, one of the
trustees) and Mr. Wright Hickerson (who was the head of the First National
Bank at the time).
Finding an Architect
Finding an architect was easy—Bishop John Vander Horst had him ready-to-go.
He was Father James (Jim) Patrick who was an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of
Tennessee. But, Father Patrick was also a licensed architect who drew the plans for
several churches in the diocese during this time frame (the 1960s).
Father Patrick came up with a design that was striking, innovative, and very, very
nouveau for the time. In fact, people were always taken aback a bit (almost to the
man!) the very first time they saw St. Bede’s building after it was built. And, I don’t
know that Father Patrick ever did another design of a building that was so striking
and different—I think the other churches he designed at that time (the 1960s) were
more traditional in design.
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
But, the concept Father Patrick had was that you were driving up to this building
that was Noah’s Ark. You walk up the steel stairway going into the church just like
Noah and his people and the animals walked up to get into the original ark…. All
representing a place where people can find shelter and salvation, and be saved. By
the way, this is also why the church never had a front door painted red as most
Episcopal churches still have today—you were walking up into the Ark! And, even
the stained glass windows were totally different, not having the traditional Biblical
“pictures” or designs like all of the other churches had at the time and still have.
To the best of my recollection, Father Patrick also had the idea to use Sewanee
sandstone both outside and inside the church building. I think this was to give the
connection between St. Bede’s and the Episcopal bastion of Sewanee and the
University of the South.
To the best of my recollection, Father Patrick also came up with the design of the
cross that is over the altar with the design of the Holy Spirit coming down in the
form of a dove from the Chi-Rho cross into five, small branches (if I am
remembering correctly), the five Holy Wounds of Christ. The interesting thing
(which was definitely no accident on Father Patrick’s part) is that when the lights
shine just right in the sanctuary, you will see the two shadows on the wall on either
side of the cross over the altar, which represent the two crosses upon which the two
thieves hung at the same time Our Lord was crucified.
Bold! Modern! Nouveau! A striking design (even for the early 1960s when
“modern” design was being invented in architecture, furniture, art, clothing, etc.)
that took people aback and made them gasp with surprise when they first saw it.
And yet, St. Bede’s building is full of symbolism for the weary-worn sinner seeking
salvation.
As far as I know, Father Patrick is still alive. But, he is now Dr. Jim Patrick,
founder and Chancellor Emeritus of the College of Saint Thomas More in Fort
Worth, Texas:
http://www.instituteofcatholicculture.org/author/james-patrick-thd/
And, I think he may also have founded more recently Fisher-More College there:
http://fishermore.edu/welcome/
Father Patrick converted to the Roman Catholic Church as a layman in the early
1970s, and I knew the nun who taught him his catechesis and helped him to convert,
Sister Dominica at Aquinas College in Nashville. I had always been told that Father
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Patrick was more Anglo-Catholic anyway. He seems to be very happy now as a
layman in the Roman Catholic Church.
The Groundbreaking
The diocese was unable to send us a bishop, canon, or a priest to do the
groundbreaking. So, it sent three of the monks from St. Andrew’s Monastery in
Sewanee. I remember one of the monks was a priest, the second a brother, and I
cannot remember the orders of the third monk. They were wonderful men. And, for
several years, Mom kept in correspondence with them at Christmastime. We have a
picture of the monks at the groundbreaking with trustees Marty Robbins and Dave
Wilheim watching in the background.
Building the Building
There were two licensed general contractors who built St. Bede’s building, my
father (Ernest J. Duncan, Jr., contractor license number in Tennessee 3757) and
Mr. Pete Sain. I guess Daddy could be called the main contractor bringing in his
men. Then, he brought in Mr. Sain and his men to do some of the work he did not
have the equipment for, such as a crane to lift the steel arches into place. Mr. Sain
would have gotten paid for his work; possibly from that original loan I talked about
above from the First National Bank.
But, I do not think you will ever find an invoice for payment to my father for any
work done at St. Bede’s. Anything I ever knew about with building or anything to
do with the building, Daddy supplied the materials and labor himself. Please
remember again, the diocese was adamant in not helping us monetarily in any way.
It was up to the communicants, and especially the four trustees, to come up with the
materials, labor, and costs of building and furnishing a church building and the
land upon which it would sit!
I think I am correct in remembering that Mr. Sain put in the steel arches that you
see in the sanctuary. And, Daddy would have done the rest with his men.
And, I remember Daddy coming home and relaying to Mom and me about what his
men and other subcontractors he had brought in had accomplished that day. After
all, everybody in the church was very excited that construction on our church
building had finally started.
And, there were a lot of things in the construction that were “intricate” or not as
easy to accomplish as most laymen would expected them to be easy and normal:
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
1. As I mentioned, Father Patrick had in the plans for the sandstone to be built
both on the front facing outside and behind the altar in the sanctuary. This
took quite a while for Daddy and his men to accomplish and was often a bit
of a ‘pain’ to accomplish. We have to remember that this was a time when
the interstate highway system and what is now Interstate 24 had not even
been built. So, the sandstone had to be quarried up on the Mountain
(Sewanee/Monteagle) area and brought down in the old Studebaker-type
pick-up trucks with the running wood boards on the side of the truck bed
and going down the very winding, old 42 highway from Monteagle, on into
Pelham, and then into Hillsboro and Manchester. Now, I remember Daddy
saying the sandstone was very heavy, so you could only put a certain amount
of sandstone into each Studebaker truck or you risked one or more tired
blowing out and/or the old-type truck motors with the clutches burning out.
So, it took many delivery trips down that old mountain to get the sandstone
to St. Bede’s.
2. The marble on top of the sandstone on the front of the building was made of
the best Georgia marble of the time.
3. The altar was cut of the same marble and trucked in here in pieces. Steel
reinforcements are under the altar to keep its weight from making the floor
sag. I think the words on the altar were cut at the quarry in Georgia.
4. The septic tank field lines run from the bathrooms straight out the front and
down to the ditch on the left-hand side of Mr. May’s field as you face the
altar’s front. Daddy suspected years later that the septic tank had finally
become unusable after time.
5. The cornerstone has no mementos in it. It is just a plain marble cornerstone.
6. Daddy always told me that the most difficult aspect of building the building
was setting the stain glass panels in the front of the building. It was a great
pain to set each stained glass panel—otherwise the stained glass panels might
leak to the inside of the choir loft when it rained! The stained glass came
from Charles Glass Company in Manchester, TN. Daddy’s men set each of
the stained glass panels in place. And, I remember Daddy told me that he
only had two panels give him problems at the beginning and even over time.
One panel was not set right and leaked into the choir loft. Daddy caught it,
and his men reset that stained glass panel correctly on the second attempt.
Another stained glass pane cracked right at an edge, which would cause it to
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
leak. So, Daddy replaced that glass, and it worked that second time. After
that time, he did not have any problem with the stained glass _except_ you
have to watch and have the thermostat stay at the right temperature because
if you had a very quick change between hot and cold in the choir loft, the
stained glass windows might possibly “sweat” from the inside…. But I don’t
think that has ever happened.
The Deed to the Property and the Four Trustees
When the building was finished, Bishop Vander Horst talked with Mr. Robertson,
an attorney in Tullahoma, TN who was also an Episcopalian, and told Mr.
Robertson how he wanted the deed to St. Bede’s property written. Daddy heard
later that Mr. Robertson called Bishop Vander Horst soon thereafter and said,
“Bishop. Do you understand, Sir, that you are deeding this property free-and-clear
to these four men. These men will own this property!” And Bishop Vander Horst
told Mr. Robertson, “Mr. Robertson. I am fully aware of what I am doing. You will
write the deed of trust exactly as I have instructed you to do so, and I will sign it!”
That is how St. Bede’s came to have four trustees named on the deed. And we
always believed that Bishop Vander Horst wrote the deed in this way because these
four men were the ones who had put up the money and taken the personal risk to
building the building. I personally believe Bishop Vander Horst knew that there
could be problems with bishop(s) that would follow after he died and that St. Bede’s
would have a much better chance of surviving if it had these four men to look after
the property.
How We Came to Know St. Bede’s is a Holy Place Standing on Hallowed Ground
I wanted to end my recollections by telling you a story that still makes me cry when
I think about it all these many years later. It was about 1964, and there was a talent
show at the high school in Manchester one Friday night. I was in the talent show
along with a lot of my friends from grade school—I was about ten years old. The
high school was packed for the show.
One of the promoters of the show came back stage well into the show and told us
performers, “Listen, the police have just told us that they want us to keep everyone
in this building because there are some tornadoes coming through here. And, they
don’t want anyone to try to leave the building and go to the parking lot. So, you
guys are going to have to keep this show running for a while longer until we hear
back from the police, but you have to do it in such as way so as to make the audience
think nothing is out of the ordinary.
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
So, we did our thing.
When we all finally got outside to go home, there was devastation everywhere, tree
limbs all over the place, trees down in the roads. Everyone realized something bad
had really happened—several tornadoes had come through Manchester all at once.
The next morning at daylight, somehow several of the parishioners learned that
something looked desperately wrong at the church. So, they all (including Daddy)
rushed up to St. Bede’s each about the same time. They found the otherwise locked
front door to the church wide open, so they called the police, who came quickly. The
police thoroughly searched the building and found nothing at all was missing—not
even the silver locked in the sacristy cabinet.
The police told us, “Folks, this was not a break-in. This appears as if a huge gust of
wind like a mini-tornado came off one of those twisters last night and tore right
through the sanctuary of your church.”
The mini-“twister” broke open the locked front door of the church; its pressure
blew out and cracked some of the stained glass windows; it went right down the
center aisle taking out every single prayer book and hymnal from the pews and
throwing them down to the floor. The twister then went right around and behind
the altar, broke open the other door to the sacristy, and went right out the side door
for the handicapped.
But at the blessed altar, the Fair Linen was perfectly untouched. The tall
candlesticks at the sides of the altar with the candles in them were perfectly in-place.
The crystal cruets and everything on the credence table were perfectly in-place
ready for the Holy Eucharist.
The people and the police just marveled at what they saw—the untouched holy
ground. And, that is when we realized we were witnessing a miracle and that St.
Bede’s was, indeed, a holy place blessed and protected by God.
Ending With Some Tidbits
I hope I have helped in some way relaying to you what I know and remember about
the early years of St. Bede’s Episcopal Church. To end, here are some tidbits of
knowledge that I remember after these many years.
1. When the church got it its current building, the church could not afford to buy
altar hangings, vestments, or the altar hangings. So, the church bought the four
kits from Almy, one for each seasonal color, and four women each took a color
and sewed it. I know the women were Bertha Ashley, my mother (Gladys
30
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Duncan), I think Louise Henley, and perhaps Juanita Overall. The kits were
composed of the chalice burse and veil, the pulpit hanging, I think maybe the
lectern hanging and the priest’s stole. If you find any of these items now that
look like Almy cloth but have not Almy tag sewn on them, they may be part of
those original, hand-sewn sets.
2. Since the church could not afford to buy altar linens, they bought the churchlinen cloth made of 100% linen, and various women sewed the traditional
purificators, corporals, etc. totally by hand. My mother obligated both of us to
sew some of these items. I was about 8 to 10 years old. And, I sewed several of
the purificators by hand, as required, under my mother’s instruction. So, that is
how I learned to hand-sew, and I still know how to sew traditional altar linens,
and I am also a liturgical seamstress.
My mother had told me that when she was growing up in Sewanee, as part of
their religious instruction, the girls at church (probably Otey in Sewanee)
would meet under the instruction of a lady of the church, and they would all
hand-sew altar linens until they perfected their craft. And, Mom said this is
how the young girls like her learned to sew by-hand. This was important
because there were not sewing machines in most homes. So, the girls had to
be able to sew their dresses for school and church by hand.
3. The apostles on the pulpit are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
4. Father John Walter Riddle Thomas, St. Bede’s first rector after we got in the
new building, was a professional classical pianist who performed on some of the
best-known stages before he received his calling to become a priest.
5. The reason gold was chosen for all of the carpet is that the congregation wanted
to stay away from the traditional red they were used to at St. Barnabas and
other Episcopal churches of the day, probably because St. Bede’s building was
such a nouveau design of the day and they wanted to stay with that modern
design throughout the building.
6. The figures for the Christmas crèche were an old set given to us by St. Barnabas.
And every Christmas, some of the men would build a wooden crèche by hand
and put the figurines in it, often with a light and a timer so the crèche could be
seen from the road at night. Of course, the Christ Child was placed in the crèche
every Christmas Eve.
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
7. There may still be the plaque in the vestibule that has engraved metal/gold
panels that lists the item each founding family gave the church when the
building was built. My parents and I gave the steeple and cross on top of the
roof.
8. Mrs. Nellie Courtney and her husband were from England. And one day,
everybody was talking about why we called the basement the basement when it
really was not a basement and we were tired of calling it a basement. Mrs.
Courtney said that in England, it was more properly called an undercroft. So,
the name stuck. Thereafter, it was called the undercroft with the priest duly
announcing at each service, “And, we welcome everyone for coffee in the
undercroft after the service.”
9. The first organ, which we had from the time the building was built, was a small
Heathkit spinet organ that was built by one of our members who was an
engineer at AEDC. That stayed our organ until about 1977 or so when Father
Jackson had a dear friend who was an older lady who had known Father
Jackson for many years, especially while he was attending school at Sewanee.
The lady’s husband had just passed away. So, she gave her late husband’s fullpedal organ to St. Bede’s. Members of St. Barnabas came over to its dedication
with St. Barnabas’ organist, Jane Gray, playing the organ during the dedication
service.
10. I have my confirmation certificate from St. Bede’s, December 6, 1964, Father
Craig Casey presenting, Bishop William Sanders presenting. And, this would be
the first confirmation service at St. Bede’s. I remember that Randy Dietz, son of
Bob and Justine Dietz, was confirmed at the same time I was.
11. Father John W. R. Thomas, our first priest when we got in our building, was a
High-Church Anglo-Catholic priest. It was the first time I ever saw a priest wear
a maniple. He wore it every Sunday. He also was a professional classical pianist
who played regularly on the concert stage before he received his vocation as a
priest.
12. Father Craig Casey did the confirmation class that I was in (which was our first
confirmation class) during the fall, 1964 using one of the old, Morehouse-Barlow
confirmation sets as the instruction. I still have the set of booklets somewhere in
the house that I studied from in that class. You had to go to several meetings on
afternoons to go through the entire course, as required.
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
13. One of parishioners, Harry Dierkes, fell out at the old country club in the mid1960s and was instantly confined permanently to a wheelchair. Mr. Dierkes was
in the hospital in Nashville from the accident, and Daddy said right then “We
men will never be able to lift Harry up those back steps at the back entrance,
and it will be too hard on Harry in his condition.” So, Daddy immediately took
his workmen up to the church, and they modified the entrance in the sacristy to
make a wheelchair ramp and make the doors wide enough to where Harry could
drive up to the back door of the sacristy, roll himself out of his van, and roll
himself up the back entrance ramp and come in. This enabled Mr. Dierkes to
continue going to church at St. Bede’s for many years. I believe with great
certainty that this would qualify St. Bede’s as having the first ramp/entrance for
the handicapped in any publically-accessible building in Coffee County.
14. And now for the intrigue. If you research the St. Bede's legal documents in the
Coffee County Registrar's Office, there is what I call a "bogus" deed--I have a
copy-- recorded by Mildred Sullivan February 26, 1968. Deed Book Number
119, page 376, entered in Note Book O, page 343. This is where some of the
communicants at the time (1968) tried to sell St. Bede's to the Roman Catholic
congregation that met in the Presbyterian Church in
Manchester for many years. We heard that they got as far as the Roman
Catholic diocese having their attorneys run the title search on the St.
Bede's property. The Roman Catholic attorneys came back immediately, we
heard, and said, "This deed is not worth the paper it is written on."
15. We had a small choir when we first got in the building. We were around 15
people who could read music fairly well, and we sat up in the choir loft singing
on Sunday mornings. We did not have vestments or anything—just wore our
street/church clothes. We did not practice or sing offertories or anything. We
just sang the hymns during the service.
16. The design of the round floor upon which the altar sits was designed by the
architect, Father Jim Patrick. It was just part of his modern design/ theme for
the church building. It was intentionally built to have no altar rails, and at first
and for a while, it remained without any. But, we eventually had enough older
parishioners who needed an altar rail. A partial one was eventually added at the
back of the altar where it could not be seen from the pews.
Deidra Duncan
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Part III
1978 to October 2013
Although St. Bede’s early history is written in narrative form, I have chosen
to capsulize the history of the late 1970’s to the present in October 2013 in an
abbreviated outline form which can be more quickly read. Each decade will be
labeled and dealt with separately. Note that the terms Mission Council and Vestry
are not interchangeable. As long as St. Bede’s was a mission, we had a Mission
Council. When St. Bede’s became a Parish, the group became a Vestry. Likewise,
the priest’s title changed from Vicar to Rector, and the Vicarage became a Rectory.
I should note that in several instances we could not find any Mission Council or
Vestry minutes. In those instances, I have specified the missing parts.
34
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Other Milestones in 1978 and 1979
1978
Addition built to the church building for Sunday School Rooms
A new Vicarage
A new lawn mower
A new heating and air system
Increase in Sunday School attendance
1979
Father Logan Jackson’s departure from St. Bede’s
Increase in activities including a booth at the Coffee County Fair,
food booth at Old Timers’ Day, Pancake Supper by church women,
rummage sales
New flatware for the kitchen
Senior Warden Bob Dietz
New Council Members and Officers
Senior Warden Marvin Lawley
Clerk Ann Hensley
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Louise Henley
Edley Ramsey
Mary Combs
Implementation of landscaping plan
Arrival of Father Bob Utlaut and family
First service by Father Utlaut July 1, 1979
First Vestry discussion of widening bathroom doors
Authorization of a $5,000.00 loan to Father Utlaut for building a new home
Resolution regarding tithing
Installation of a railing to the choir loft
Report by Father Utlaut concerning a priest leaving and a new one coming
General Convention’s decision on new prayer book
1980
(No minutes have been found for 1980 Vestry meetings.)
Indications from notes in 1981 show a drop in attendance in 1980.
1981
Council Members and Officers
Senior Warden Mary Combs
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Clerk Edley Ramsey (acting Clerk Richard H. Harrison II)
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Jim Bowen
1981 (Continued)
Jesse Shore (replaced Jim Carney)
Ernie Teasley
Greg Hein, Seminarian for 1981-1982
Decrease in revenues
Initiation of Winnie Powell Memorial Fund
Additional financial aid from the Dioceses
Presentation of a workshop on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse on May 10, 1981
by Rev. Dr. Robert D. Hughes of St. Luke’s School of Theology
presented by the Outreach and Evangelism Committee
Installation of tamper-resistant thermostats
Election of Pete Peterson to replace Ernie Teasley
August kitchen shower to help with expenses
Election of Linda Rollins to fill Pete Peterson’s term
Election of New Council members in November
Marvin Lawley
Mary Petersen
Norma Myer and John Pelton
1982
Only the Annual Meeting Report of November 17 has been found. (No
permanent priest the greater part of the year.)
Fundraising for 1982 Outdoor Show in March ($450.00); Old Timers’ Day
Booth ($1,200.92); Fair Booth ($788.69)
Recommendation to give up Fair booth space
Reduction of Christian Education classes from six to three, using the “Living
the Good News” series
Of sixteen projects by the Building and Grounds Committee accomplishment
of four and five in process
Diocesan requirement of a Junior Warden
Increase to two delegates to the Annual Convention on the basis of 25 plus
communicants
Beginning in Advent 1983 only the 1979 Prayer Book to be used
Election of Stan Powell and Gary Welty to three-year terms respectively
on the Council
1983
Arrival of Father Bob Dedmon, new Vicar, in June 1983
36
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Installation of the new Vicar and confirmation of five people by Bishop
Sanders in October
Restructuring of the Diocese of Tennessee
1983 (Continued)
Increasing attendance at Sunday Eucharist:
July 1983
Average Attendance 62
July 1982
Average Attendance 38
July 1981
Average Attendance 21
Increase in Sunday School participation
Becoming a Chamber of Commerce member
Increased activity of Episcopal Church Women
(Hereafter referred to as the ECW)
Council Members
Frank Araneo
Virginia Jared
Marvin Lawley
John Pelton
Maureen Pierce
Joanita Skinner
Gary Welty
New Officers 1983-1984
Senior Warden John Pelton
Junior Warden Stan Powell
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Clerk Maureen Pierce
Vote in Annual Meeting to increase Council size from six to nine
1984
Search for home for the Dedmon family
Bede’s Beacon, newsletter
Purchase of new cross for Acolytes
Bible School in late June
Appointment of Tellers to count collection on Sundays, March 19, 1984
including
Tom Stokes
Maureen Pierce
Shaw Jared
Betsy Hastings
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Lew Combs
Edley Ramsey
Subject to their acceptance: Jesse Shore and Bertha Ashley
May 27, 1984 St. Bede’s Picnic and Field Day
1984 (Continued)
Election of new Bishop for Middle Tennessee
Sale of the Old Vicarage
Repair to porch roof
Addition of items to Children’s Playground
Resignation of Jim Bowen as Acolyte Master
Appointment of Todd White as Bowen’s replacement
September 8, 1984, Old Timers’ Day Booth
SWEEP (Service, Worship, Evangelism, Education, and Pastoral Care)
Retreat November 9-10, 1984 at Dubose Center conducted by Rev.
Thomas C. Barnes, Rector of St. Thaddeus Church
in Chattanooga, October 3
Annual Meeting with Janet Finamore of Contact Lifeline
as guest Speaker
October 13, 1984 Loyalty Dinner with Canon Tharp as speaker
November 25, 1984 Last visit of Bishop
Bill Whisenhunt, Seminarian
Replace of Gary Welty by Lynda Welty on the Council
Organist to be paid on a per service basis
Organization of Children’s Choir
Project to remodel the Undercroft
Council Members for 1984-1985 elected
Frank Araneo (3 years---1987)
Gary Welty (3 Years---1987)
Lynda Welty (3 years---1987)
Sharon Stiles (1 year---1985)
Stan Powell (1985)
Maureen Pierce (1986)
Virginia Jared (1986)
Joanita Skinner (1986)
Gary Ledbetter (1987)
Marvin Lawley (1985)
New carpeting for the sanctuary donated by Bertha Ashley
Authorization of heating units for upstairs and downstairs
Purchase of two new front pews
Moving of organ from the choir loft to the Sanctuary November 25, 1984
Completion of 1983 audit by Gary Welty
Resignation of Joanita Skinner from Council to return to school
38
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Election of Lew Combs to replace Skinner
Wooden disks made by Jesse Shore for use on candle stands to prevent wax
dropping on the carpet
Accomplishment of undercroft soundproofing
1984 (Continued)
Donation of freezer to the church by the Peltons
Placement of memorial plaque in Narthex honoring Mrs. Ruth Clarke and
Mrs. Bertha Ashley for their generous contributions to St. Bede’s
Offering at Christmas Eve Midnight Mass December 24, 1984 designated
for Ethiopia through the Presiding Bishop’s Fund
1985
New Council Officers
Senior Warden Maureen Pierce
Junior Warden Lewis Combs
Clerk Gary Ledbetter
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Good Sam supported for 1985
Nelda Lowrance approved as organist
Lenten series March 1985 held at Missions; St. Bede’s March 3, 1985
Adoption Fair by the Department of Human Services held at St. Bede’s
March 22, 1985
Ministry of Reconciliation Mini-Lab at St. Bede’s May 3-5, 1985 and May 1719, 1985 with teacher Dr. John Rice
Joint Bible School with First Presbyterian Church at First Presbyterian
June 9-13, 1985
Rite of Confirmation of the Bishop of Tennessee the
Rev. George L. Reynolds on Sunday, June 23, 1985
at Christ Church, Nashville
Diocesan Stewardship Dinner at St. Bede’s August 29, 1985 with Bishop
Reynolds
Discussion of the possibility of building a Vicarage
Resignation of Sharon Stiles because of a move to Texas
Election of Hannah Kunz to fill out Stiles’ term
Beginning of Church School September 25
Meeting with clergy and laity to discuss Vision for the Diocese of Tennessee,
November 8-9, 1985 at Opryland Hotel, Nashville
Revenues from Od Timers’ Day Booth approximately $1,157.00
Purchase of a Vicarage dependent on Bishop and Council approval, securing
acceptable funding, and accumulating the necessary down payment
39
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Acceptance of loan offer by St. Anne’s of $ 38,000.00 at a fixed rate of twelve
percent for Twenty years
Approval of loan by Chancellor Louis Ferrell
1985 (continued)
Election of Council Members including
Tom Stokes
Virginia Jared
Maureen Pierce
Frank Araneo
Hannah Kunz
Lew Combs
Lynda Welty
Gary Ledbetter
Edley Ramsey
1986
Appointment by Bishop Reynolds of Virginia Jared to the Diocesan
Consultancy Team on Evangelism
Old Timers’ Day profits to be equally divided between Outreach Projects
and roof replacement
Appointment of sponsors for Episcopal Youth Community( Hereafter
referred to as the EYC)
Continued need for babysitters for nursery
Vacation Bible School June 8 -12, 1986 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Planning for Retreat for Council members September 12-13, 1986 sponsored
by the Department of Missions
Election of Father Dedmon as president of Diocesan Clericus
Sponsorship of four children to Camp Billy Johnson
Decreasing numbers of the Council
Departure of Father Dedmon
Formation of the Vacancy Team--- Team members:
Shaw Jared
Lynda Welty
Jesse Shore
Lew Combs
Frank Araneo
Edley Ramsey
Tom Stokes
40
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Gary Ledbetter
Interim priest Father Ed DeBary
Approval to re-carpet the Loft
Request by the Bishop of mission history for candidate priests’ perusal
Rearrangement of pews in the Sanctuary
1986 (Continued)
Deferring election of Mission Council Officers until January 1987
Election of Council Members for 1986-1987 including
Lynda Welty
Jesse Shore (3 years)
Maureen Pierce
Shaw Jared (3 years)
Lew Combs
Frank Araneo
Hannah Kunz
Gary Ledbetter
Edley Ramsey (3 years)
Tom Stokes
Virginia Jared
1987
Recommendation by Bishop Reynolds of Rev. M. Clark Baker for Vicar of
St. Bede’s
Beginning of plan to become a self-supporting parish
Acceptance January 2, 1987 the Vacancy Team of Father M. Clark Baker as
new Vicar for St. Bede’s
Father Baker’s first service, Sunday, February 15, 1987
Correcting problems with sewer lines
Construction of a replacement storage building
Involvement of St. Bede’s in Diocesan Capital Funds Drive
Structuring of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee
Completion of 1985 audit of financial records
Traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Implementation by Father Baker of mid-week Bible study
Creation of Goals for 1987:
To increase membership by 5% of 1986 active membership
To establish active evangelism training
To establish advertising efforts
Participation in New Beginnings Project
Formation of a committee to ascertain how unspecified memorials or
donations are spent
41
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Celebration of a New Ministry on June 14, 1987
Continued involvement with Good Samaritan using St. Bede’s facilities
Painting of church property
Visitation by Bishop Reynolds on November 15, 1987
Establishment of a Vicarage repair fund
1987 (Continued)
Completion of storage building at Vicarage
Completion of roof replacement
1988
Council Members and Officers for 1987-1988; Officers:
Senior Warden Lewis Combs
Junior Warden Jesse Shore
Clerk Hannah Kunz
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Members;
Shaw Jared
Bob Lowrance
Edley Ramsey
Tom Stokes
Iva Frame
Maureen Pierce
Fifth-Year Anniversary of the Good Samaritan project with involvement of
ten area churches
Construction of a new church sign
Completion of audit of 1986 financial records
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, February 16, 1988
Need for organ repairs or new organ
Resignation of Tom Stokes from Mission Council because of moving
Gift of a copy machine from St. Mark’s Antioch
Appointment of Jim Bowen to fulfill Tom Stokes’ term
Major Vicarage repair
Community Thanksgiving Service at St. Bede’s November 23, 1988
Clericus meeting at St. Bede’s November 8, 1989
Attendance by seventy at the Christmas Eve service at 10:45 p.m.
1989
Mission Council Officers for 1989-1990:
Senior Warden Maureen Pierce
Junior Warden Jesse Shore
42
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Clerk Edley Ramsey
Members:
Bob Lowrance
Iva Frame
Betty Carney
1989 (Continued)
Becky Combs
Shaw Jared
Preparation for Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper by the EYC
Attendance at Stewardship Retreat at St. Mary’s March 10-11, 1989
Planning for paving of the parking lot
Purchase by the EYC of an animal for HEIFER as a Lenten Project
Attendance at and Evangelism Workshop in Fairhope, Alabama
Lenten discussions on Spiritual Development
Continued contributions to Good Samaritan program
Hosted “An Affirmation on Aging” with Hank Myers and Lynn Huber
Donation of a double oven by the Combs family
Donations to two burned out families
Construction of bell storage cabinet fy Jesse Shore
Proceeds of $965.65 for Good Samaritan from Lenten Lunches
Honoring of Good Samaritan workers with a tea
Participation in Old Timers’ Day with a food booth
Among EYC activities---selling of photographs to raise money to
save Canterbury Cathedral; lawn mowing; placement of the Altar
Nativity scene; participation in camping, athletics, and group
discussions
Congregational meeting on October 4, 1989
Election of three new Council Members:
Joan Guthrie
Hannah Kunz
Gary Welty
Painting of the Undercroft by ECW
Election of Mission Council Officers for 1990-1991:
Senior Warden Bob Lowrance
Junior Warden Gary Welty
Clerk Hannah Kunz
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Other Council Members:
Iva Frame
Maureen Pierce
Becky Combs
Betty Carney
43
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Joan Gutherie
Attendance at the Christmas Eve service sixty-two
44
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
1990
Meeting of Foster Parents Group at St. Bede’s
Practices for Round Dancing at St. Bede’s
Guardian Angels for church families as part of membership outreach
Continuation of Good Samaritan being located at St. Bede’s
Assistance to 770 persons by Good Samaritan from January 1983 to
December 1989
Participation of Seminarian Frank Huber
Sponsorship of the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper by the EYC
and ECW
Celebration of St. Bede’s Day May 25, 1990 with a church picnic
Donation of a typewriter to Contact Lifeline
Attendance at Easter service ninety
Training of Total Ministry teams at St. Bede’s May 12, 1990
Ordination of Frank Huber in Bowling Green, Kentucky June 10, 1990
Resignation of Hannah Kunz from the Council because of moving
Visitation of Bishop Reynolds October 7, 1990
Catering of lunches by ECW to Spirituality Training Workshops on May 12,
June 23, August 25, and November 10, 1990
Vote by Mission Council to limit its number to six
Annual Congregational Meeting November 18, 1990
Election of new members to the Mission Council:
Jesse Shore
Mike Irwin
Election of new Council Officers for 1991-1992
Senior Warden Gary Welty
Junior Warden Betty Carney
Clerk Becky Combs
Treasurer Frank Araneo
1991
Election of new Council members:
Mary-Frances Ferber (2 years)
Luwin Lewis (2 years)
Lewis Combs (2 years)
Jesse Shore (2 years)
Ann Hensley (1 year)
Virginia Jared (1 year)
45
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Estate of Ruth Valerius Clark endowment of $11,507.45 for “Christian
Outreach and Special Purposes”
1991 (Continued)
Return to a staggering term schedule for Council members for 1992 with
One person for one year
Two persons for two years
Two perso9n for three years
Expenditure of Mrs. Clark’s endowment fund designated for landscaping
the church yard
Purchase of a commercial dishwasher by ECW
Congregational Meeting December 8, 1991
Election of new Council members:
Ann Hensley 1 year
Virginia Jared 1 year
Lewis Combs 2 years
Mary-Frances Ferber 2 years
Jesse Shore 2 years
Adult Fellowship party at Virginia and Shaw Jared’s home,
December 13, 1991
Organization of new organ committee after an anonymous donation
to the fund
Members of the New Organ Committee:
Nelda Lowrance, Chair
Luwin Lewis
Lewis Combs
Virginia Jared
Wes Cummings
1992
Council member Officers:
Senior Warden Lewis Combs
Junior Warden Jesse Shore
Clerk Ann Hensley
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Participation in “Klothes Kollection” with other area churches
Participation in Coffee County Beautification Association
“Bag-a-Thon”
Donation to Haven of Hope
Meeting of Clericus at St. Bede’s, March 24, 1992 with lunch
provided by ECW
Purchase of television for church school from the
46
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Ruth Clark Endowment Fund
Installation of wider doors from the sacristy to accommodate a casket
1992 (Continued)
Sale of jewelry from East Africa in the undercroft April 15 and 22, 1993
Purchase of a new electronic organ
Donations to “Wes Cares ’92” and Contact Lifeline
Adult Fellowship party hosted by Mary and Lew Combs June 26, 1992
Congregational meeting at Nelda and Bob Lowrance’s home July 26, 1992
Congregational Picnic at AEDC Recreational Area the fourth Sunday in
August 1992
Holding of a joint Vacation Bible School at St. Barnabas July 28-30, 1992
Decision not to participate in Old Timers’ Day for 1992
Purchase of needed items by the Altar Guild from the Mildred Faisg
Memorial Fund designated for the Altar Guild
Adult Fellowship party hosted by Ann Hensley October 10, 1992
Initiation of aluminum can collection the fourth Sunday of each month
Purchase of candles, liquid wax plus two glass cruets from the Jim Rudy
Memorial Fund
Annual Congregational meeting November 22, 1992
Children’s choir robes given by Nelda and Bob Lowrance in memory of
Nelda’s mother
Completion of successful audit of financial records for 1991
Election of new Council members for 1993:
Wes Cummings
Lynda Welty
Mary Peterson
Selection of four candidates for Bishop
Election of Council officers for 1993:
Senior Warden Lew Combs
Junior Warden Jesse Shore
Clerk Mary-Frances Ferber
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Placement of memorial plaque on organ
Installation of hand rails on the downstairs steps
1993
Use of new a Christian education program called “Real Magic”
Donation of new carpet for the sacristy
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper for Adult Fellowship with acceptance of
donations
Repair of sagging front entrance roof
47
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Successful Spring Clean-up Day
Participation by some members in Gifts and Talents Workshops
1993 (Continued)
Serving of lunch by the church women at Holy Week services April 8, 1993
Planning for a new St. Bede’s banner
Need of new signs to direct people to the Good Samaritan location in the
undercroft
Expression of disapproval by the Council of the final salary package for the
new Bishop
Approval of new mission statement:
“To restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ:
We pursue this by prayer, worship, proclaiming the Gospel, and by
promoting justice, peace, love, and service to others.”
Lacquering of alms basins and placement of memorial plaques
Display of new St. Bede’s banner at consecration of Bishop Herlong
Luncheon June 27, 1993 at the Lowrance’s lake home
Purchase of Pascal candle as a memorial to the late Rev. K. Logan Jackson
Donation to “We Care ‘93”
Donation to Salvation Army Camp
Continuation of Helping Hands project
Extension of an invitation to Mrs. Herlong to accompany her husband,
Bishop Herlong on his visit September 19, 1993
New ministry to help the Coffee County Jail
Approval of monies to purchase new front doors
Congregational meeting November 14, 1993
Discussion concerning combining (yoking) McMinnville mission with the
Manchester mission with Bishop Herlong
Participation in Manchester area recycling
Reorganization of Sunday school classes
Participation in Christmas kettle campaign of the Salvation Army
Election of new Mission Council members for 1994:
Frank Araneo
Bob Lowrance
Robert Bailey
Donation of a vacuum cleaner by the Ferbers
Issuance of a formal invitation to St. Matthews of McMinnville
to attend St. Bede’s Christmas Eve service at 10:00 p.m.
Satisfactory completion of the audit of the 1992 financial records
1994
Mission Council members and officers for 1994:
48
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Senior Warden Lynda Welty
Junior Warden Wes Cummings
1994 (Continued)
Clerk Mary-Frances Ferber
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Bob Lowrance
Bob Bailey
Mary Peterson
Re-instatement of Bede’s Beacon
Soup and sandwich Clean-up Day February 19, 1994
Extending of invitations to area churches to the Shrove Tuesday Pancake
Supper February 19, 1994
Allocation of funds for making a new Lenten banner
Continuation of fourth Sunday covered dish luncheons
Culmination of planning activities for “systemic reinvention” of St. Bede’s
and St. Matthews congregations in a Design Workshop at the AEDC
Gossick Leadership Center in mid-May
Presentation of certificates to bell ringers by the Salvation Army at a
continental breakfast
Special Congregational meeting with Bishop Herlong concerning the status
of St. Bede’s and St. Matthew’s March 15, 1994
Completion of Gifts and Talents Workshop by twelve people
Following Maundy Thursday services an Agape meal
Assignment of a new address for the church: 93 St. Bede’s Drive
Low church morale as a result of the potential combining of two missions
Planned combined meeting of St. Bede’s and St Matthews Mission Councils
Open meeting of respective churches with Bishop Herlong on June 26, 1994
Changing of Sunday Service to 10:00 a.m. for July and August to revert to
10:30 a.m. the first Sunday in September
Beginning of plans to make St. Bede’s more handicapped accessible
Inability of Father Clark Baker to serve as priest for the combined
congregations
Major meeting of St. Bede’s and St. Matthews Councils and congregations
with Bishop Herlong June 26, 1994
Presentation to the congregation of a plan for St. Bede’s to become selfsustaining in five years, August 10, 1994
Forwarding of the plan for becoming self-sufficient to Bishop Herlong for
consideration
Positive results from the meeting of the Senior Warden and Bishop Herlong
regarding the plan for self-sufficiency August 6, 1994
Involvement in the Mountain Housing Program, a part of the Convocation
Housing Project
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Plans to make the downstairs and upstairs bathrooms unisex and
handicapped accessible
1994 (Continued)
October potluck themed German Oktoberfest with German dishes
Awarding of a paving contract to Smithway Paving for paving
the parking lot
Increased use of St. Bede’s facilities by AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and
ALANON
Completion of successful audit of 1993 financial records
Adult Fellowship at Carney home December 17, 1994
Commitment by the Council to keep the congregation informed about the ongoing plan for self-sufficiency and the need for the congregation’s
commitment
Election of Mission Council officers and members for 1995:
Senior Warden Bob Lowrance
Junior Warden Jesse Shore
Clerk Mary-Frances Ferber
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Bob Bailey
Carrie Lynch
Purchase of a tape recorder to record Mission Council meetings
Purchase of a new digital answering machine
1995
Planning of Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper February 28, 1995
Celebration of St. Bede’s Day on May 21, 1995 with an English themed
potluck
Decision by the Council to sell the Vicarage after repairs to make it sellable
Approval of additional outside lighting
Donation to the Oklahoma Diocese for repairs to St. Paul’s Cathedral
resulting from the Oklahoma City bombing
Updating of St. Bede’s room at the DuBose Center with a donation from the
ECW
Donation to Manchester City Schools “We Care” event
Design of a St. Bede’s license plate by Carrie Hawk Lynch to be made
available to the congregation
Arrival of a new computer system and office jet printer/fax courtesy of the
Dandridge Trust Fund
Monthly potluck at the Lowrance home
Donation of old computer equipment to one of Father Baker’s new churches
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Meeting of the Southeast Missionary Convocation at St. Bede’s
October 22, 1995
1995 (Continued)
Launching of the Center of Ministry and Small Church Conference in
Monteagle, November 5-6, 1995
Initiation of a memorial fund for Betty Carney
Approval by Mission Council to accept an offer of $49,500.00 for the
Vicarage
Annual Congregational meeting to be held November 19, 1995 with the
election of three new Council members
Christmas Eve services to be conducted by Father Ed DeBary
Election of new Council members for 1996:
Becky Combs
Ann Hensley
Gary Welty
Bishop Herlong to attend St. Bede’s January 21, 1996 with potluck
luncheon on that Sunday
Resignation of Carrie Hawk-Lynch from Mission Council with Frank
Araneo appointed to fill out her term
Election of Mission Council officers for 1996:
Senior Warden Gary Welty
Junior Warden Jesse Shore
Clerk Mary-Frances Ferber
Treasurer Frank Araneo
1996
Sale of the Vicarage with at a reduced price of $46,935.00
Beginning of an effort to re-involve inactive members
Establishment of a memorial fund for Iva Frame
Refurbishing of the bells
Discussion concerning building or purchasing a new Vicarage
Donation to Contact Lifeline
Updating church roster
Purchase by the Altar Guild of a new chasuble and Eucharistic stole to be
dedicated with an attached inscription reading “In loving memory of
Betty Carney and Iva Frame”
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper to be February 20, 1996
Discussion of plans to pave the area on the Parish Hall side of the church
Meeting with Bishop Herlong with the Mission Council and the Search
Committee April 11, 1996
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
1996 (Continued)
Plan for writing job descriptions for Mission Council officers and members
as well as committee chairs
Beginning of Father Rob Courtney’s tenure at St. Bede’s June 2, 1996
Offer of $110,000.00 on a prospective Vicarage in the Landtree Subdivision
Increased pay for the organist who also directs the Bell Choir
Use of the Bell Choir for outreach
Letter encouraging former and present members to return to St. Bede’s to
meet the new priest
Ordination of Rob Courtney at St. George’s Church Nashville, June 16, 1996
Cookout and Ice Cream Social to be held July 28, 1996
Movement of May luncheon to June 2, 1996 to celebrate Father Courtney’s
arrival
Church membership in the Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Moving of Good Samaritan from St. Bede’s
Gift of copier and typewriter given by Father Courtney
Installation of Father Courtney at St. Bede’s on September 29, 1996 with a
reception following
Planning and publicizing the Ice Cream Social
Resignation of Nelda Lowrance as organist
Donation of the Parish Hall for use by the YMCA
Reduction of Diocesan stipend to St. Bede’s beginnng in 1997
Application to the Dandridge Trust for funds to build a handicapped ramp
and to modify the existing restrooms
Monthly potluck on August 25, 1996 in honor of the ministry of Bob and
Nelda Lowrance as they leave St. Bede’s
Formation of Search Committee for a new organist
Decision to hold Council election in October to better prepare new members
and officers
Annual Congregational meeting on October 19, 1996
Election of new Council member:
Buck Ramsey
Becky Bingham
Mary Peterson
EYC outing to Opryland
Paul Teschan to meet with the Council in November to assist with committee
descriptions and requirements
Acceptance of the proposed 1997 budget
Caroling by St. Bede’s December 15, 1997
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Donation of kitchen facilities for Americorps workers from the YMCA
1996 (Continued)
Mission Council Retreat to be held January 17 and 18, 1997 with Teschan
assisting
Hiring of full-time organist, Luwin Lewis with back-up by Dwight
Stooksberry
Advertisement of Christmas Eve service in local newspapers
New Council officers for 1997:
Senior Warden Gary Welty
Junior Warden Becky Combs
Clerk Ann Hensley
Treasurer Frank Araneo
1997
Planning of thank you party for Father DeBary on May 18, 1997
Donation of new windows in the Sacristy, the office, and Sunday school
rooms by Jesse Shore
Ordination services for Rob Courtney April 6, 1997
Attempt to resurrect the ECW group
Vote by the Council to support a Diocesan Resolution on allowing individual
parishes and missions to decide how much money to send the National
Church
Purchase of 100 tee shirts for Evangelism events
Purchase of pens with St. Bede’s name, address, and phone number
Purchase of a Bulk Mailing Permit to reduce mailing costs
Purchase of new road signs advertising the church
Presentation of an appreciation plaque to the church from the YMCA
Hiring a full-time sitter for the nursery on Sunday
Establishment of a memorial fund for Denise Pomykal
Purchase of an adulthood Christian education series for the high school class
Work with Paul Teschan on St. Bede’s Strategic Plan
Annual Congregational meeting to be held November 23, 1997
New Council members for 1998:
Bill Roberson
Bill Payne
Richard Randolph
Meeting of ECW on an as needed basis
Formation of a Bible study group by Young Adult Group
Formation of a Bridge Club
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Gift of $10,000.00 from Bob Bailey and family in remembrance of Denise
Bailey which was used to begin an endowment with matching funds
from the savings account
1998
Donations to the Diocese of Liortal, Good Samaritan, Contact Lifeline, and
the Haven of Hope
Election of new Council officers for 1998:
Senior Warden Mary Peterson
Junior Warden Bill Payne
Clerk Ann Hensley
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Purchase of two new bells for the bell choir in memory of Dee Pompky
Appointment of an Investment Committee including
Gary Welty
Frank Araneo
Bill Payne
Bob Bailey
Father Courtney
Reports on goals established by the Council in October 1997
Music by a brass quartet on Easter Sunday
Survey of the physical plant to ascertain needed maintenance
Donations to Nashville churches St. Ann’s and St. John’s to help repair
tornado damage
Arrangement for live music for Evangelism Day, September 13, 1998
Purchase of two new bells in memory of Lewis Combs and Francis Araneo
Decision to use vinyl siding on the church building
Decision to invest savings with Edward D. Jones Company and Merrill
Lynch Company
Acceptance of a bid for additional parking lot paving
Resignation of Bill Payne from the Council
Plan for Council Retreat, Saturday, January 16, 1999, with the Rev. Dr.
Charles at the DuBose Center
Clarification of endowment and how investment monies are spent
Decision to present new prayer books to new confirmees and transfers to St.
Bede’s
Donation to EYC for their assistance with the nursery
Delay of the decision on becoming a parish until the latter part of 1999
Election of new Council members for 1999:
Lewie Combs
Maureen Pierce
Bob Bailey
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Frank Araneo
Purchase of a new Advent Candle
Ending the year on a positive financial note
1999
Council officers for 1999:
Senior Warden Mary Peterson
Junior Warden Bill Roberson
Clerk Richard Randolph
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Council Retreat January 16, 1999
Donations to Trinity Church in Clarksville, Tennessee and companion
diocese
Performance by the Tennessee Tech brass ensemble at Easter service
Increase of insurance coverage on the church building and the Vicarage
Purchase of a new refrigerator with an ice maker
St. Bede’s yard sale April 24, 1999
Presentation of Diocesan Planning Priorities
Decision to present Bibles to graduating high school seniors
Completion of a video inventory of building and grounds
Participation of Seminarian Pam Morgan
Donation of an alb to Pam Morgan in appreciation of her work
***** Decision to become a parish at the Congregational meeting,
September 19, 1999
Chartering of a bus for parishioners to attend Diocesan Convention at Christ
Church, Nashville in January 2000
Promotion of Stewardship campaign the last week of October
Appropriation of funds for the purchase of new playground equipment
Placement of handrails on the church front steps
Annual Congregational meeting December 5, 1999
Election of new Council members for 2000:
Lynda Welty
Mary Combs
Linda Love
Julie Sisk
Revival of ECW with outings on the third Tuesday of each month
***** Submission of St. Bede’s petition to the General Convention co-sponsored by
St. Barnabas
2000
Planned attendance of thirty-five members at the Diocesan Convention
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Presentation of St. Bede’s banner by Bertha Ashley and Louise Henley at the
Diocesan Convention January 2000
2000 (Continued)
Approval of Christian educational, Seedlings for Seminarian Pam Morgan’s
multi-age group
Council officers for 2000
Senior Warden Mary Combs
Junior Warden Bill Roberson
Clerk Richard Randolph
Decision by Council to call Rob Courtney as St. Bede’s Rector as soon as our
Mission is declared a Parish
*****Beginning of St. Bede’s as a Parish and the Mission Council as Parish Vestry
Scheduling of a long-term planning meeting for February 23, 2000 with the
inclusion of congregational members
Monthly delivery of meals to Shepherd’s House
Resignation of Maureen Pierce from the Vestry
Appointment of Jane Martin to fulfill the term of Maureen Pierce
Donation of a gift of an Episcopal flag by St. Barnabas in honor of St. Bede’s
becoming a Parish
Planning of a reception in conjunction with St. Barnabas in October 2000 to
celebrate St. Bede’s becoming a Parish
Donation to the Sudanese Scholarship Program
Installation of new outside lighting
Plan to change all church locks and keep records of their distribution
Visitation in early October by Sudanese refugees living in Nashville to draw
attention to the plight of Sudanese living in refugee camps
Performance by the Bell Choir for Bishop Herlong’s visit on
October 29, 2000
Visit by Jill Zook Jones, Diocesan Youth Coordinator November 26, 2000
Selection of delegates to the annual Diocesan Convention in January 2001
Annual Parish Meeting to be December 10, 2000 with Potluck following
Donation to St. Andrews Scholarship Fund for Seminarians’ Children
Gift of a stole to Seminarian Pam Morgan for her ordination as a deacon
Annual Parish Meeting December 10, 2000
Election of new Vestry members for 2001:
Mary Frances Ferber
Troy Rose
David Young
Formation of an Organ Search Committee including:
Luwin Lewis (organist)
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Nonie Shane
Bill Roberson
Lynda Welty
2001
Vestry Officers for 2001:
Senior Warden Mary Combs
Junior Wardens David Young and Troy Rose
Clerk Mary-Frances Ferber
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Acceptance off an amended 2001 budget
Approval of a new computer for the Rector
Total donations of $100,000 for the purchase of a new pipe organ from
Milnar Organ Company
Update of St. Bede’s web page
Eucharist to be held every weekday evening except for Easter Week with
Community Service at noon on Good Friday and 10:00 a.m.
Eucharist on Saturday
Donation to the Manchester Fire Department for educating Manchester
children about fire safety
Report of the deficiencies in handicapped accessibility to the upper and lower
floors of the church building
Among festivities for Easter, an Easter Egg Hunt and a reception
Proposal of a “three-Year Plan” by Rector Courtney
Use of St. Bede’s for noon Easter Week services
Presentation of a gift honoring St. Bede’s new Parish status to be done June
3, 2001 with Bishop Herlong performing Evening Song with
potluck to follow
Exterior of stone on the church vandalized
Appointment of an Architecture-Long-Term Planning Committee including
Chair Gary Welty
Ex-officio Senior Warden Mary Combs
Ann Hensley
Virginia Jared
Jackson Sisk
Mary Hiers
George Campbell
Meeting with architects from Gilbert/McLauglin Architect, PLC to discuss
the church’s primary needs including:
---Handicapped accessibility
---Best use of the building and facilities presently in place
---Kitchen remodeling
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
---Addition of a new Parish House turning downstairs into the
Christian Education and Nursery areas
Need for reconfiguration of the loft area for accommodating the cabinet
containing the new pipes for the organ
2001 (Continued)
Completion of Rectory repairs
Donation of a thank you gift of a new ciborium to St. Bede’s of Syossett,
New York for their helping Jean Araneo during her convalescence
Donation to Alliance Community Outreach of Manchester
Increase in number of children utilizing the Nursery necessitating the hiring
of an additional sitter
Donation of a stole to Seminarian Maggie Zeller as a gift of Thanks
Scheduled Annual Parish Meeting on November 11, 2001
Ice Cream Social to be September 23, 2001 at which A Capital Fund for
the architect’s fee to be initiated
Decision to purchase a new Parish Hall furnace after the malfunction of the
current one
Annual Parish Meeting November 11, 2001
Election of new Vestry members for 2002 including:
Maureen Pierce
Jane Martin
Ron Cribbs
2002
Vestry Officers for 2002:
Senior Warden Mary Combs
Junior Wardens David Young and Troy Rose
Clerk Mary-Frances Ferber
Vestry’s granting of Sabbatical for Father Courtney
Father Courtney’s Sabbatical
Father Ed DeBary to serve as supply priest during Father Courtney’s
Sabbatical conducting services on Sunday, Thanksgiving,
and Christmas
Purchase of tents for St. Bede’s Extravaganza and future events
Blessing of the Animals by Father DeBary November 24, 2001
Annual Parish Meeting November 10, 2002
New Vestry Members for 2003:
Nonie Shane
Frank Araneo
Gary Welty
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
2003
Vestry officers for 2003:
Senior Warden Nonie Shane
Junior Wardens David Young and Troy Rose
Clerk Mary-Frances Ferber
Purchase of new hymnals
Adult Social at Ann Hensley’s March 8, 2003
Bishop’s visit March 9, 2003
Donation to National Leukemia foundation in memory of
Canon Dedmon’s mother
Donation to the Manchester Fire Department for education of school-aged
children in Manchester
Reluctant acceptance of the resignation of Father Courtney from St. Bede’s
Recommendation by Father Courtney of a Parish Administrator
Compilation of job description for a Parish Administrator
Decision to sell the Rectory and agreement on a listing price
Meeting with the architect April 17, 2002 to discuss short-term and longterm needs
Planning of a Vacation Bible School themed “Time Travel”
Final meeting of Father Courtney and the Vestry April 16, 2003
Hiring of Jane Fisher as St. Bede’s Parish Administrator
Donation to the Shepherd’s House
Planning for a Search Committee
Establishment of a “Farewell Purse” for Father Courtney
Meeting with Canon Robert Dedmon May 5, 2003 for an explanation of the
search and hiring process for a new Rector
Need for preparation of a Parish Profile
Completion of the sale of the Rectory
Realization of the need for a Policies and Procedures Manual for St. Bede’s
as well as a Strategic Plan
Meeting June 4, 2003 with Denis Milnar on the progress of
the pipe organ construction
Resignation of Ron Cribbs from the Vestry to care for ailing parents
Search Committee to be composed of five persons with one member of the
Vestry to be a non-voting recorder and a liaison between the Search
Committee and the Vestry
Resignation of Senior Warden Nonie Sanders
Election of Ann Hensley to replace Ron Cribbs and Cathy Walker
to replace Nonie Sanders
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Special Vestry meeting Bishop Herlong and Canon Brodie June 11, 2003
concerning a divisive incident at the Sunday June 8, 2003 service
2003 (Continued)
Suggestion by Bishop Herlong that St. Bede’s have a full-time interim priest
Discussion of yoking with St. Matthews of McMinnville
Meeting with Rev. Canon William S. Squire to discuss his serving St. Bede’s
Hiring of Father Squire for a six-month period commencing July 1, 2003
with an option for a six-month extension
Election of a new Senior Warden: Ann Hensley
Re-instatement of the Organ Committee
Special Vestry meeting with Canon Robert Dedmon August 13, 2003
concerning actions taken by the 74th General Convention of the
Episcopal Church
Suspension of the Search Committee
Resignation of Father Squire
Bishop Herlong’s suspension of all lay licenses until a new priest can be
chosen
Decision not to replace the Parish Administrator
Donation to St. Andrews
Meeting of the Diocese September 14, 2003 at Trinity in Winchester to
discuss the actions of the 74th General Convention
Election of new Vestry members for 2004:
Mary Combs
Mary Peterson
Shaw Jared
Annual Parish meeting rescheduled for November 2, 2003 with
Canon Dedmon presiding
Increase in the organist’s salary with the arrival of a new pipe organ
Acceptance of a tentative budget subject to Canon Dedmon’s approval
Approval of painting the rails to the loft
2004
Hiring Father Hermon Pomy as a part-time priest
Meeting of the Vestry with Steve Gilbert, architect with Gilbert/McLauglin
of Nashville about the vision for St. Bede’s facilities
Final payment on the new pipe organ
Assignment of committee responsibilities
Formation of an organ recital committee including:
Chrys Hennigan
Lynda Welty
Virginia Jared
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Luwin Lewis (Organist)
2004 (Continued)
Approval of a $1,500.00 budget for the organ recital program contingent
upon the schedule and actual projected costs
Approval of a bid to repair of the front window
Approval of the purchase of a reconditioned copier
Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 24, 2004 with the EYC
assisting
Approval of a purchase of a new Aborium
Approval of the purchase of a laptop computer with Quick Books software
for the Treasurer’s use
Approval of payment of Father Pomy’s health and disability incurance
2004 (Continued)
Approval of EYC group leaders’ request for funds to purchase resource
books on youth group programs
Approval of purchase of new tables and chairs and the selling of the old table
and chairs
Completion of a church profile by Ann Hensley
Cancellation of Day-by-Day subscription
Donation to the Anglican Digest
Approval of the mass-mailing of post cards advertising the church to
Manchester, Hillsboro, and Morrison residents
Approval of a three-month advertisement in the Yellow Pages
Setting a date and time for the first Organ Recital, May 22, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
Donation to the Manchester Fire Department for fire-education program
Disposal of excess equipment
Donation to the Ministerial Association for the purchase of water to be
handed out at Bonnaroo
Cancellation of the May organ recital
Commitment to pay in full St. Bede’s Fair Share contribution to the Diocese
Agreement to replace leading porch roof
Presentation by the Search Committee of Prentice Dean as its choice
to call as St. Bede’s new Rector
Approval of the calling of Prentice Dean to St. Bede’s
Approval of a small petty cash account of $250.00 to be used with the Senior
Warden’s approval
Suggestion by Father Pomy that St. Bede’s join the Anglican
Network of Dioceses
Setting of new recital program dates and performers:
September 17, 2004 Luwin Lewis, St. Bede’s
October 15, 2004
Margorie Proctor, Christ Church, Nashville
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
November 12, 2004 Andrew Risinger, First United Methodist,
Nashville
2004 (Continued)
Agreement to host a small reception after each recital
Agreement to change the locks and to restrict keys to select individuals or
group as approved by the Vestry
Beginning of Father Prentice Dean’s ministry at St. Bede’s, August 1, 2004
Thank you letter to Evans Baird for his contribution to the Youth Ministry
Voting by Vestry to join the network of the Anglican Communion
Agreement by the Vestry to hold a special potluck the last Sunday in July to
honor Father Pomy for his service
Inaugural meeting of Father Dean with the Vestry August 4, 2004
Setting of November 7, 2004 for the Bishop to install Father Dean as rector of
St. Bede’s
Meeting Troy Cunningham and Steve Gilbert of Gilbert/McLauglin
Architects of Nashville to present accessibility plans for St. Bede’s
Donation of old chairs to Father Richardson at Holy Cross Church in
Murfreesboro
Acceptance of a bid from Sherrill’s Pest Control
Meeting of the Southeast Convocation of the Anglican Network in Late
October 2004
Approval of Father Dean’s activities with the Anglican Fellowship in the
Chattanooga area
Annual Parish meeting December 5, 2004
Vote by the Vestry to send the National Church portion of the Fair Share
donation to the Anglican Network
Annual Diocesan Convention to be held at St. George’s Church, Nashville,
January 28-29, 2005
2005
Decrease in pledges and the need to pay monthly bills from savings
New Vestry members for 2005:
Herman Martin
Becky Combs
Vestry officers for 2005:
Senior Warden Ann Hensley
Junior Warden Shaw Jared
Clerk Gary Welty
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Approval of loose offerings every fifth Sunday to be designated for the
Rector’s Discretionary Fund
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Father Dean’s proposal for committee restructuring and renewal of
commitment
2005 (Continued)
Repair to the front steps
Delay of the postcard mailing for Easter and Good Friday by the Post Office
Preparation for a Vestry Retreat on June 4, 2005 at which time development
of a Mission Statement and future planning to be accomplished
Meeting of the Vestry with Bishop Herlong on Sunday, April 10, 2005
Donation of items to Marines stationed in Iraq
Setting the tentative election of the new Diocesan Bishop on March 18, 2006
Continuing need to draw from savings to meet expenses
Donation to the Manchester Fire Department for fire education for children
Drafting of a letter to the University of the South opposing the awarding of
an Honorary Degree to Bishop Gene Robinson, Bishop of New
Hampshire
Resignation of Mary Combs from the Vestry
Increased need for completed By-Laws
Acceptance with sadness of Father Prentice Dean’s resignation August 17,
2005
Extension of the terms of current Vestry members by one year
Total of $200.00 from St. Bede’s yard sale to be used for Outreach
Agreement to stay with an interim priest
Purchase of food for Shepherd’s House as well as another needy couple
Annual Parish meeting to be held December 11, 2005
Assistance to two families whose homes burned
Contribution of $7,000.00 to the Diocese
Acceptance by Canon Brody of Deanship of the Cathedral of Springfield,
Springfield, Illinois
Replacement of Canon Brody by Father Randy Donovan
2006
Acceptance of the adjusted 2006 budget
Donations to several needy individuals
Installation of new thermostats to reduce utility costs
Continuation of 2005 Vestry officers in 2006
Arrival of Father Jim Tubs as interim part-time priest
Participation in the Coffee County Beautification Association’s Great
American Cleanup on April 1, 2006
Request to Good Samaritan to reduce their use of space
Development of a new web site for St. Bede’s
Installation of new kitchen cabinets
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Acceptance of a new sign from St. Mathias
Passing of a resolution allowing Good Samaritan at St. Bede’s
2006 (Continued)
Agreement to make St. Bede’s a non-smoking facility
Planning for a “Mother’s Relief Day”
Setting of September as the time for a yard sale
Planning for a new church banner
Election of The Right Reverend Katherine Jefferts Schori, Bishop of Nevada,
to a nine-year term as Presiding Bishop of the
National Episcopal Church
Letter from Bishop Herlong, July 2006, to all congregations, explaining his
position and that of the Diocese of Tennessee on the 74th Annual
National Convention’s actions
Approval of purchasing a new St. Bede’s banner
Donation to the Child Advocacy Center of Coffee County
Proceeds of $559.00 from the yard sale to go to the Outreach Program
Purchase of needed items for the city-county Animal Shelter from yard sale
proceeds
Moving of Good Samaritan from St. Bede’s to a new Location
Approval of $4,000.00 to the Diocese and $400.00 to the Anglican Network
Resolution to be presented at the Annual Diocesan Convention January 25,
2007 prohibiting any retired priest from voting who is from another
state or not directly associated with the Diocese of Tennessee
Acceptance of the 2007 Budget
Hanging of the Greens on Wednesday before Christmas Eve at 2:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve service to begin with music at 9:00 p.m.
2007
Election of Vestry Officers for 2007:
Senior Warden Ann Hensley
Junior Warden Herman Martin
Clerk Becky Combs
Donation to the Manchester Fire Department for fire education for children
Request to lower the volume of the organ
Potluck on the fourth Sunday, March 22, 2007
(The 2007 Vestry held no meetings in April, May, June, July, August, or
September.)
Inclusion of a Memo of Record reprimanding the behavior of the organist
during Christmas Eve services 2007
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
2008
Plan for a new Church Directory with photos of families
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, February 26, 2008
Approval of Fair Share Commitment for 2009
(Only January and December 2008 Vestry minutes were found.)
2009
General approval of the church’s appearance and activities
Search for a new organist
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper February 24, 2009
Approval of the installation of additional heating to the “Ghetto” area
Repair of damaged heating units
Congregation meeting on October 19, 2009
Approval of the 2010 budget
Coming of the new bishop on January 17, 2010
(No Vestry minutes were discovered for March, April, May, June, July, or August
2009.)
2010
Congregation Meeting on February 7, 2010
Election of new Vestry members including
Edley Ramsey
Rick Charter
Linda Rollins
Returning Vestry members including
Ann Hensley
Frank Araneo
Herman Martin
John Dotson
Becky Combs
Election of Vestry officers including
Senior Warden Ann Hensley
Junior Warden Herman Martin
Clerk Edley Ramsey
Treasurer Frank Arane
65
St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
2010 (Continued)
Decision to meet at 9:30 a.m. before Sunday services on the first Sunday of
every month
Decision to accept bids on replacement of an air conditioning unit for the
Office and Sunday School rooms
Approval of acquiring professional equipment to clean gutters clogged by
spring rains
Discussion about the changes to the frontal structure of the church and the
installation of an elevator
Approval of refurbishing undercroft bathrooms to meet ADA requirements
(No Vestry notes for the latter part of 2010 were found.)
2011
Completion of the downstairs bathrooms making them handicapped
accessible
Annual Parish Meeting to be February 27, 2011 with potluck to follow
Presentation of three alternative plans to improve the front and upstairs
entrances into the church building
Vote by the Vestry for the installation of an elevator
Consideration of alternatives to an expensive elevator such as a lift
New Vestry Officers elected including
Senior Warden Ann Hensley
Junior Warden John Dotson
Clerk Linda Rollins
Treasurer Frank Araneo
Approval of a new lift not to exceed $85,000.00
Approval of the purchase of the Savarin model lift
Discussion of the front steps project
Acceptance of the Blue Oak Project bid of $51,969.59 for the lift project
Compiling of needed building enhancements
Review of the plans for the lift project
Approval of a trial contemporary service at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays to attract
younger people
Design of a new sign by Amber Dotson approved
Resignation of Edley Ramsey from the Vestry
Burglary at the church with computer equipment taken
Approval of the purchase of a wide-screen television to replace the suspended
screen in the sanctuary
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Replacement of Edley Ramsey to be done at the Parish Meeting
January 2012
2011 (Continued)
Bestowing Senior Warden Emeritus status to Ann Hensley, December 2011
Donation to Citizens for Homeless Relief, formerly the Shepherd’s House
2012
Attendance at the 180th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of
Tennessee
Annual Parish Meeting January 22, 2012
Bishop Bauerschmidt to visit March 4, 2012
Called meeting of the Vestry by Father Tubs to discuss the election of Vestry
Officers and his mandatory leaving at age 72
Elected officers for 2012
Senior Warden Linda Rollins
Junior Warden Rick Charter
Clerk Cathy Walker
Investigation into St. Bede’s use as a storm shelter as part of community
outreach
Placement of Father Tubs on administrative leave in March 2012 by the
Bishop thereby leaving St. Bede’s without a priest
Conducting of St. Bede’s Easter Service by Canon Pamela Snare
Vestry meeting with Bishop Bauerschmidt April 2, 2012 concerning locating
a new priest
Decisions to be made by the Vestry:
Deciding on continuing pay for Father Tubs for April and May
Obtaining a part-time clergy
Yoking a priest with other congregations
Having a Priest-in-Charge on a short-term commitment
Vestry meeting with Canon Pamela Snare regarding interviewing
prospective priests
Vestry interview with Rev. Mary Hassell May 20, 2012
Hiring of Rev. Mary Hassell as part-time Priest-in-Charge
Assessment of recurring and non-recurring costs
Purchase of a new lectionary and Bible for support of the Eucharist
Repair of rotten wood in the narthex
Adult Social with St. James Anglican Church of Tullahoma at the home of
Virginia and Shaw Jared
Vote to maintain $25,000.00 in savings as a “rainy day fund”
Attendance at “Vestries, Wardens, and treasurers’ Day with the Bishop”
August 25, 2012 at Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Purchasing of an ad in the new Chamber of Commerce 2012-2013 Resource
Guide and Business Directory
2012 (Continued)
Attendance by Vestry members at the “Small Church Conference
September 22, 2012 at the Church of the Good Shepherd in
Brentwood
Pre-Planning for St. Bede’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2013
Participation in Manchester’s Old Timers’ Day In October with
Rev. Mary‘s Blessing of the Animals and free water and balloons for
children
2013 to the Present October 13, 2013
Letter to the Anglican Church of North America informing them that St.
Bede’s would no longer donate to them
Report of the Diocesan Safety Manager
Vetoing the opportunity to purchase adjacent land
Vestry Officers for 2013:
Senior Warden Linda Rollins
Junior Warden Rick Charter
Clerk Debbie Bomar
Treasurer Randy Foster
Decision to use monies which had formerly been sent to the Anglican Church
of North America for community Outreach
Emphasis to the Vestry of the need to complete the training workshop
“Safeguarding God’s People”
Making a new video inventory of the church property
Replacing fire extinguishers
Purchase of several First Aid Kits
Purchase of a defibrillator
Decision to have all church checks co-signed
Installation of new smoke detectors and Exit signs to all doors leading out of
the building
Good Friday services for the community Holy Week at St. Bede’s
Completing of a crisis management plan
Plans to refurbish the church playground
Purchase of needed items by the Altar Guild
Developing committees for the 50th Anniversary Celebration
Purchase of new amplifiers for the Sanctuary
Donation of a new microwave and Keurig coffee maker by
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St. Bede’s History 1963-2013
Christy and Rick Charter
Purchase of new microphones
2013 (Continued)
Establishment of a timeline for accomplishment of 50th Anniversary
Celebration
Resignation of Randy Foster as Treasurer because of a move back to Florida
Appointment of Frank Araneo as Treasurer
Attendance of two Vestry members at the Episcopal Church Women’s
Conference at the Church of the Redeemer in Pulaski,
September 14, 2013
Planning for the addition of new steps leading into the front of the church
rather than the side making it possible to carry a casket straight into
the sanctuary and giving a more open and inviting appearance
Approval of DeVille Construction Company to complete the stair project
Participation in Manchester’s Old Timers’ Day, October 5, 2013 with “The
Blessing of the Animals” and a booth with free water and balloons for
children
Participation along with nine other churches in the Coffee County Convoy of
Hope October 13, 2013 with donations of money, clothing, toiletries,
and volunteer time
Bequest by Bertha Ashley of $25,000.00 to St. Bede’s to be used for the new
front stairs project
We pray that God will bless our future endeavors and lead us back to having
a full-time priest and an ever increasing younger congregation.
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