The following article was published by The Franklin News-Post. It can also be found at https://www.thefranklinnewspost.com/news/uncover-trinity-episcopal-s-treasures-on-home-tour/article_78657540-e795-11e8-95a1-2f7902731a53.html
Uncover Trinity Episcopal’s treasures on home tour
By LINDA STANLEY
Nov 1, 2018
Trinity Episcopal Church, at the corner of North Main and East Church streets in Rocky Mount, is depicted covered in English ivy on a postcard printed by Franklin Drug as part of a historic series.
Photo courtesy of the Franklin County Historical Society
Top of FormBottom of FormThe historic Trinity Episcopal Church in Rocky Mount is part of the STEP Into Christmas Home Tour Dec. 8. The church is about 176 years old and its building is about 143 years old. The place is steeped in history, having been the home congregation of many local movers and shakers.
There are several people to thank for preserving Trinity’s history. Chief among them is a former rector, Van Taliaferro Renick of Rocky Mount, who compiled and published parish records some years ago. He admitted at the time that the job was much bigger than he’d anticipated as surviving documents were not in a consistent format, names were spelled differently on this page and that, and many records were just plain gone. Renick served the church 1971 to 1992.
We also have the personal letters and records of the Menefee family, including Charles Menefee, now of Richmond, who shared many documents with Franklin County Historical Society over the years. And the late local historian and one-time church member, “Miss Essie” (Celestia Adelia Wade Butler) Smith.
The church is generally considered to have been organized in 1842 at the home of Judge Hugh Nelson in a house built in the mid-1800s by Rocky Mount’s first permanent physician, Dr. Richard M. Taliaferro. Judge Nelson had married the doctor’s daughter Lucy. The first services are thought to have been held in this home, which stood on the site of Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital. The original “baptismal font” – a cut glass punch bowl – can be seen today at Franklin County History Museum.
For a time, Episcopal services were held on alternate Sundays in the first Methodist church building constructed in Rocky Mount. This frame building stood at the corner of East Church Street and Maple Avenue and was known as a “union church.” The building was used by Methodists one Sunday, Presbyterians one Sunday, then Baptists and Episcopalians. Eventually, each congregation built its own place of worship.
Land for the Trinity building was donated by Mr. and Mrs. George H.T. Greer, who were members of the first congregation. Greer was a young Confederate hero from the War Between the States, who lost an arm in battle, and returned to Rocky Mount to practice law, serve as county clerk, represent the county in the House of Delegates and eventually move to Roanoke to accept a judgeship.
The list of donors to construct the church building on the old Greer property reads like a local who’s who. The first service in the new building was held the third Sunday in December 1875. The original building stood nearer to the streets, which have changed somewhat. Eventually, it was moved back to a more central position on the lot, enlarged and the present native stone building was constructed around it in 1906.
Shortly, real English ivy took root and covered the stone. Although beautiful, the ivy began to damage the stone and had to be removed a few years ago.
Into the 1930s, Trinity consisted of only a vestry room and auditorium. Over the years, classrooms, a kitchen and other areas have been added.
A portrait of Trinity’s organizer, the Rev. John Lee, can be seen on the upcoming tour. He was a native of Pennsylvania and lived in Leaksville, North Carolina at the time. He was the brother-in-law of Judge Nelson — and when the preacher could not get to Rocky Mount for services, the judge read the service for him.
An early member of Trinity was “Miss Mary” Dillard, granddaughter of Dr. Taliaferro and who played the church piano and directed the choir more than 40 years. She often recalled the days when her six children were members of the choir, and it was referred to as “The Dillard Choir.” She died in 1971 at age 95.
“Miss Mary” was officially Mary Celeste Greer Dillard, confirmed at Trinity at age 14. She was married to local attorney Herbert Nash Dillard, who also was the county commonwealth’s attorney for 18 years. Dillard was a son of Circuit Court Judge Peter Hairston Dillard and often argued cases before his father and against his brother, defense attorney Hughes Dalton Dillard.
An infamous story from the 1930s relates that the Dillard sons once became embroiled in a heated argument before their father as he sat on the judge’s bench in circuit court. Words were exchanged, and their father sent them to jail to cool off. Later, a distinctive voice was said to have been heard outside the jail cell pleading, “Huuburt, apologize to your papa.”
It was Miss Mary who held on to the punch bowl/baptismal font. It came to the History Museum through her grandson, William P. Clarke.
On the December tour, several pieces of church silver can be seen. Among them is a gift set from St. Paul’s church in Norfolk. That came through the efforts of Lydia Adelaide Nash Dillard, daughter-in-law of “Miss Mary” Dillard, and her sister, Lucretia. The sisters were members at St. Paul’s.
They were also responsible for the ivy that covered Trinity’s walls. Lucretia (who married L.E. Frances) planted slips brought from St. Paul’s which, in turn, had grown from cuttings brought from Westminster Abbey in England.
Great tales have originated from Trinity Episcopal Church’s years. Some are told on character tours presented by the historical society. To see the church, join the STEP Into Christmas Home Tour. The event also includes visits to five houses along Maple Avenue and East Church Street.
For tickets and information, visit www.stepincva.com or www.facebook.com/stephometour. Ticket outlets include Carter’s Jewelers, ReMax Mountain to Lake Realty, Haywood’s Jewelers and at the Rocky Mount STEP Inc. office.
