Timeline of Events in the Life of Christ Church, Albemarle 1973—1990

Timeline of Events in the Life of Christ Church, Albemarle
1973—1990
1973
The parish supports the creation of a halfway house for alcoholic men in Albemarle
through the donation of furnishings and supplies.
Easter during the time when the altar was positioned immediately in front of a
dossal curtain and the priest celebrated Eucharist facing the altar
Although weekday services have been held occasionally for a number of years,
Father Byrum begins to hold them daily in 1973 due to interest amongst
parishioners. When Father Phil is out of town, parishioners take responsibility for
reading Morning and Evening Prayer. Frances Harris recalls reading Evening
Prayer aloud by herself one evening, at least she thought she was alone until she
heard a peculiar noise. She looked around and saw one of Mrs. Teeter’s cats sitting
in Father Phil’s chair chiming in with the prayers. These were the days when the
church doors were unlocked and remained open to encourage people to use the
church for meditation and prayer.
Father Byrum holds the first baptism by immersion when Vivian and Cleve Miller
are baptized at Lake Tillery. Other lakeside baptisms follow.
Deborah Ledbetter, Father Phil and Amy Aycock
Father Phil, Harley & Barbara Clark, Eddie
Ratiff
1974
Christ Church begins plans for what will become one of its biggest contributions to
the community—the Food Pantry. The idea grows from discussion in an adult
Church School class and is endorsed by the vestry.
The parish requests and receives a
$3,000 grant from the diocese to
establish and maintain a home for
mentally retarded adult males that is
named
Chivington
House
in
recognition of parishioners Marie and
Jack Chivington’s contribution to
mental health issues through their
active participation in the Stanly
Association for Retarded Citizens.
Chivington House meets the needs of
handicapped
persons
in
state
institutions who qualify to be
discharged but have no home to
which they can return.
Chivington House
A group of four women from the church organize and establish a Flea Market as a
fund raising activity on the first Saturday of the month from October through May.
Areas of the Parish Hall are cordoned off to form individual booths that are rented
to members of the community for a nominal fee. The Flea Market becomes very
popular and successful as a fund raising project while providing an efficient and
effective way to offer craft and new items as well as to recycle things that have
outlived their usefulness to the original owners.
Flea Market founders-Anne Byrum,
Joan Giglio, Judy Mudge and Helen Harris
1975
An individual booth at the Flea Market, this one
offering the results of the vendor’s “green thumb”
In January, the Food Pantry opens for the purpose of feeding the needy with
parishioners and community members contributing food and money. The Christ
Church Episcopal Church Women make gallons of soup that is frozen and kept in
the freezer. The food is available to anyone in need and distributed by the rector
with considerable help from parishioner, Frances Harris. Other churches and
organizations such as Social Services, the Health Department and the Employment
Security Commission learn quickly that they can refer the hungry to Father Phil at
any time and be assured that the individuals will be fed with no hassle or red tape.
Bags of groceries are even placed on the porches of those too proud to ask for help.
In 1985 the Food Pantry is approved by the Metrolina Food Bank, which allows
groceries to be purchased at greatly reduced costs. By 1986 so many churches and
individuals are drawn into this ministry that the Stanly County Christian
Ministries (SCCM) is founded and the Food Pantry moves to a larger facility in a
centralized location. While housed at Christ Church, the Food Pantry fed 7,520
individuals and received donations in food and cash of almost thirty thousand
dollars.
Members of the parish begin assisting with the Meals-on-Wheels program.
Parishioners Frances Harris and Helen Comber
pick up meals at Stanly County Hospital
1976
Helen Comber delivers a meal to Christ
Church parishioner, Mrs. J. U. Loftin
In the parish newsletter, Father Phil notes January 25, 1976, as “one of the most
memorable days in the history of our parish.” In an afternoon service, Bishop
Fraser administers the Sacrament of Confirmation to twenty-two young people
and adults, and receives one
adult from another Communion.
This is the largest confirmation
class to date for the parish and
one of the largest groups that
Bishop Fraser has confirmed in
five months.
Lisa Lowder, David Hoff, Mark Scrimgeour, Dodd
Lowder and Amy Aycock
Acolytes have served the parish
faithfully for years, however until
the mid-1970’s they were all boys
until Kathleen Ballenger and
Carroll Smith asked Father Phil
why they could not be acolytes,
too. He replied, “Why not?” so
they become the first girls to
serve in that role at Christ
Church.
In September, a group of parishioners charters a bus for a pilgrimage to
Washington D.C. to attend one of the special services celebrating the completion of
the nave at the National Cathedral. The Archbishop of Canterbury is present for
the occasion as well as President Gerald Ford. The highlight for everyone from the
parish comes when, much to his surprise, Father Phil is asked to assist in the
celebration of the Eucharist.
1977
In October the church has the honor of having the Sacrament of Confirmation
administered by The Most Reverend John E. Hines, retired Presiding Bishop of the
Episcopal Church in the United States. Bishop Hines is assisting Bishop Frazer
with visitations during a time when the diocese is without a second bishop. One
parishioner, John Robinson, is unable to be confirmed in the church because he is
paralyzed so Father Byrum and Bishop Hines confirm him in his home. Mr.
Robinson is thrilled to have the bishop in his home, and the Bishop, upon
returning to the car with Father Phil, said, “Philip, thank you for the privilege.”
Years later Bishop Hines sees Father Phil and immediately remembers Christ
Church, especially his visit to the Robinson home.
1978
The Sacristy is extensively renovated
under the direction of parishioner,
Becky Bradley.
1979
The Long-Range Planning Committee
reviews the needs of the parish and
engages Omnia Design of Charlotte to
develop a master plan that includes the
much-needed expansion of the Parish
House. A columbarium is designed on
the east side of the church. Another
result from the work of this committee
includes detaching the altar from the
chancel wall to allow for the celebration
of the Eucharist with the priest facing
the congregation.
General Glore and Coy Ritchie
at the auction
The Christ Church Columbarium
The Gulledge residence east of the
church at the corner of Pee Dee Avenue
and Miller Street becomes available for
purchase.
Parishioner,
Brigadier
General James Glore accepts the
responsibility of raising the necessary
funds. Within a few days he solicits
sufficient donations from parishioners
and friends of the parish to allow the
property to be acquired by Christ
Church without the use of any parish
funds or future indebtedness to the
church. An auction is held to sell the
home’s fixtures and other architectural
elements. The house is removed and the
property landscaped.
1980
Christ Church is offered an opportunity to operate a food concession at the Stanly
County Fair. While the endeavor is viewed initially as a means of raising funds for
the parish and its programs, it soon
becomes much more as parishioners
come into regular contact with the
traveling staff that supplies the rides
and concessions at county fairs and
carnivals. The daily fare of homecooked food is greatly appreciated while
providing
opportunities
for
conversation and fellowship that
continue to grow through subsequent
years. At the request of the
concessionaires, the Father Phil holds
prayer services and celebrates Holy
Eucharist at the fairgrounds.
The Christ Church Fair Booth
On October 18 and 19 Christ Church holds
a celebration commemorating the 40th
anniversary of the consecration of the
church and the 90th (actually the 93rd or
94th) anniversary of the first Prayer Book
services in Stanly County. The festivities
include a pig-pickin’ on Saturday
afternoon, Sunday dinner on the church
grounds and ‘Reflections of the Past’ by
Ada Shaver. Special guests include Christ
Church’s first full-time resident clergy, The
Rev. Hall Partrick and his wife, Charlotte
plus long-time members of the parish. The
occasion prompts a history of the parish
written by parishioner, Dr. Juanita Kruse.
Father Philip Byrum & Father Hall Partrick
90th Anniversary Celebration—Rev. & Mrs. Partrick with long-term parishioners
Alva Hawkins, Ruth Little, Charlotte Partrick, The Rev. Dr. Hall Partrick, Elmina Hearne Surratt,
Frances Harris, Addie Belle Loftin, James C. “Poss” Wilhelm, Ada W. Shaver
Christ Church establishes a mission, St. Mary Magdalene, in Troy. Father Byrum
serves as priest-in-charge from 1980 to 1987.
The concept of establishing a
place to accommodate elderly
people who do not need or desire
nursing home care but who, for
one reason or another, can not
manage an individual residence
originates at Christ Church.
Elbert Johns, a Christ Church
communicant,
serves
as
chairman of the project, which
involves
other
churches,
organizations and individuals.
Share-a-Home on Main Street
Grants from the Mecklenburg
Presbytery, the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina and the United Thank
Offering of the Episcopal Churchwomen allow the home to be set up without
county, state or federal funds.
1982
Serious plans are made for the
expansion of the Parish House,
which is desperately needed due to
lack of sufficient space for
educational classrooms, offices and
other parish needs. Parishioner,
William Comber prepares the plans
for the building, contributions are
solicited and fund rising activities
are held to fund the project,
however, it is five years before
ground is broken on this project.
Christ Church joins with First
Lutheran, Annunciation Catholic
and Central United Methodist to
sponsor Vacation Bible School.
1983
Parishioner Betsy Ballenger is one of five recipients of WBTV’s Jefferson Award
for her work in fighting drug abuse. She is responsible for starting a community
Drug Education Program and a support group called Parents-in-Action.
1984
Christ Church holds its first Madrigal Dinner in the Parish House, which is
decorated to recreate the atmosphere of an Elizabethan Christmas feast complete
with costumed singers and servers. Three performances require much work and
cooperation but are met with enthusiastic response from the sell-out audiences.
Madrigal Singers: Margaret Wallace, Gina Poovey, Jane Scheer, Anne Byrum, Juanita Kruse, Beth
Irvin, Barbara Ward, Joe Giglio & Philip Byrum. Not pictured: Mark Cook and Tim Rhodes
Our neighbor and friend, Kate Teeter
1985
Parishioner, Jim Harris prints a
limited edition of a charcoal drawing
that he made of exterior of Christ
Church to be used to raise funds for
building an addition to the Parish
House. Another example of Jim’s
handiwork and artistic ability is a
commemorative plaque featuring the
profile of the front entrance of the
church made from the original
woodwork salvaged from the 1978
sacristy renovation.
Our neighbor to the west, Kate Teeter
gives the church some property in
South Albemarle to be sold with the
proceeds used for the parish house
addition. Mrs. Teeter is not only the
church’s nearest neighbor but also a
steadfast friend that Father Byrum
designates as an honorary member of
the parish. Over the years she allows
parishioners to store things in her
garage, to borrow her tools during
parish work days and to pick flowers
from her garden for the altar. Above all
she is an devoted friend and long-time
observer of the life and activities of
Christ Church, literally keeping watch
over the church day and night. The
stone bench in the columbarium is
placed there in her honor.
The men of the church form the Pee Dee Investment Club followed shortly
thereafter by the Women’s Investment Club. The purpose of these groups includes
fellowship and education on the subject of investment.
The mid-1980’s sees the creation of Foyer Groups—an idea that is spreading in the
Episcopal Church at this time. Adult parishioners who wish to participate allow
their names to drawn at random to create a number of groups consisting of eight
to twelve members. Each group meets once a month at different homes with
members providing food for the dinner. The idea is to keep the menu simple and
inexpensive so that everyone feels able to participate. Every six months the groups
are reassigned. In this way large numbers of parishioners get to know each other
in an informal social setting. Newcomers to the parish are added to a group at any
time, providing them with an opportunity to make friends quickly.
1986
J. C. Baucom serves his intern year at Christ Church while enrolled in the
Deacon’s Training Program.
Diane Corlett is ordained Deacon at Christ Church on June 29, the first ordination
in the church since Daniel Sapp was ordained in 1953. She is the first woman from
Christ Church to take advantage of the 1976 General Convention approval of the
canonical change that opens the priesthood to women. She is ordained in 1987 at
All Saints’ Church in Concord.
Parish House Addition Groundbreaking Ceremony—January 11, 1987
Jean Ritchie, Helen Harris, Bill Comber, James “Poss” Wilhelm and George Reaves
1987
After years of considerable work and prayer, the groundbreaking ceremony for the
addition to the Parish House is held on January 11. Participants include Father
Phil who turned the first shovel of earth, followed by 1986 Sr. Warden, Helen
Harris, and 1987 Sr. Warden, George Reaves and vestry member Bill Comber.
Next were parishioners present at the 1956 groundbreaking for the Parish House:
Doris Gehring, Frances Harris, Jean Ritchie, Bill Wilhelm, Jim Harris, Poss
Wilhelm and Mina Surratt. D. A. Holbrook, contractors for the original church
and Parish House is engaged for the major construction with parishioners working
on as much of the building as possible including painting, laying carpet and tiling
floors. Most of the work is completed by December.
1988
On Sunday, May 1 the parish gathers to
dedicate the Parish House addition and
witness the setting of the cornerstone and
memorial plaque for Edward L. Gehring.
The original building, constructed in
1956, was designated by the parish as a
memorial to Mr. Gehring for his
significant contributions to the life and
growth of the Episcopal Church in
Albemarle. Mayor Carlton B. Holt is
present for the occasion and makes
special mention of the active presence
that Christ Church has today in the
community,
which
is
especially
remarkable in view of the size of the
parish.
Following the ceremony the parish holds
an open house for the community and
Parish House Cornerstone & Memorial Plaque friends of the Christ Church family. It is a
joyous occasion not only because of the
completion of the long needed and anticipated addition to the physical facilities
but also because of the personal involvement of so many people in the actual work
of completing the building through the donation of funds, talents and labor.
Marvin Aycock is one of the first
individuals to be ordained (October 2,
1988) a Vocational or Permanent Deacon.
He serves as Deacon at Christ Church for
five years.
1989
The parish holds a surprise celebration to
mark the 20th anniversary of Philip
Byrum’s ministry at Christ Church on
January 29. Over 200 people squeeze
into the church and attended the social
events in the Parish House.
1990
Sonja Snyder Hudson, member of the
parish, is ordained a Deacon at Christ
Church on June 23, 1990.
She is
ordained to the priesthood on June 1,
1991.
Deacon Marvin Aycock & Father Phil Byrum