St. James Episcopal Church (Greeneville, Tennessee)
Encyclopedia
In 1842, a small group of faithful Episcopalians gathered and worshipped at the Greene County Courthouse. They organized as the “Greeneville Parish, Greene County,” and gained admission to the 1848 Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee. With the support of several visiting clergy, they became a formal parish at the diocesan convention in July 1849.
The parish constructed the present church building in 1850, modified it in 1894, and further enlarged the structure in 1951. It is one of Tennessee’s oldest unaltered churches.
From 1852 to 1901, Saint James experienced great turmoil, having to close its doors for 18 months during 1873 to 1875. Throughout this difficult period Saint James lapsed into mission status, not regaining its standing as a parish until 1957. While world wars, financial panic, and the Great Depression consumed the United States, those leading Saint James made great efforts to reclaim her full status within the diocese, in time adding the Saint Luke Chapel, McMillan Hall, and the rectory.
) to paint an altarpiece
. The oil and gold painting, entitled Mater Purissima (Latin: purest mother), emulates the medieval styles of fifteenth century European masters Friars Angelico
and Lippi
. The colors are traditional—red symbolizing the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and blue representing the Purity of His Blessed Mother, Saint Mary.
Ralph Adams Cram
(1863-1942), one of the preeminent ecclesiastical architects of the twentieth century, considered Mary Veronica as the greatest iconographer of his time. Cram once said that she was the only artist for whom he would willingly alter his designs.
Sister Mary Veronica was born Ella MCullough and lived from 1864 to 1965. Her paintings are on display in select cathedrals and churches throughout the United States and overseas. Saint James is most fortunate to enjoy one of Mary Veronica’s works.
Johnson, Mayme Hart (1986). A treasury of Tennessee churches (p. 31). Nashville, TN: J. M. Productions. ISBN: 0939298600.
Patrick, James (1981). Architecture in Tennessee, 1768-1897 (p. 111). Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press. ISBN: 0870492233.
The parish constructed the present church building in 1850, modified it in 1894, and further enlarged the structure in 1951. It is one of Tennessee’s oldest unaltered churches.
From 1852 to 1901, Saint James experienced great turmoil, having to close its doors for 18 months during 1873 to 1875. Throughout this difficult period Saint James lapsed into mission status, not regaining its standing as a parish until 1957. While world wars, financial panic, and the Great Depression consumed the United States, those leading Saint James made great efforts to reclaim her full status within the diocese, in time adding the Saint Luke Chapel, McMillan Hall, and the rectory.
Clergy
- 1850–52 The Rev. William H. Good
- 1852–54 The Rev. W. P. Gahagan
- 1854–60 The Rev. W. M. Steel
- 1860–69 The Rev. William Mowbray
- 1869–72 The Rev. T. Duncan
- 1892–95 The Rev. Alexander C. Killeffer, Vicar
- 1927–37 The Ven. Henry T. Geiger, Archdeacon
- 1937–39 The Rev. Joseph L. Kellerman, Vicar
- 1939–45 The Rev. Charles Boyd Romain, Vicar
- 1945–48 The Rev. Eric Sutcliffe Greenwood, Vicar
- 1948–54 The Rev. Armand T. Eyler, Vicar
- 1954–56 The Rev. Thomas Hall Carson, Jr. Vicar
- 1957–61 The Rev. Warren Hugh Steele, Rector
- 1961–64 The Rev. Joseph T. Boulet, Rector
- 1964–81 The Rev. Robert Alan McMillan, Rector
- 1981–83 The Rev. Rowland A. Clarkson, Supply Priest
- 1983–86 The Rev. Patrick C. Larkin, Rector
- 1986–98 The Rev. Rowland A. Clarkson, Rector
- 1999 The Rev. Willis W. H. Poyser, Rector
- 2002–04 The Rev. Jack Franklyn Wilcox, Jr.,Rector
- 2005–present The Rev. Carolyn W. Isley, Rector
Mater Purissima
In 1950, the parish commissioned ecclesiastical artist Sister Mary Veronica (Community of St. MaryCommunity of St. Mary
The Community of St. Mary is an Anglican religious order of nuns with three independent houses located in Greenwich, New York, Sewanee, Tennessee, and Mukwonago, Wisconsin...
) to paint an altarpiece
Altarpiece
An altarpiece is a picture or relief representing a religious subject and suspended in a frame behind the altar of a church. The altarpiece is often made up of two or more separate panels created using a technique known as panel painting. It is then called a diptych, triptych or polyptych for two,...
. The oil and gold painting, entitled Mater Purissima (Latin: purest mother), emulates the medieval styles of fifteenth century European masters Friars Angelico
Fra Angelico
Fra Angelico , born Guido di Pietro, was an Early Italian Renaissance painter described by Vasari in his Lives of the Artists as having "a rare and perfect talent"...
and Lippi
Filippo Lippi
Fra' Filippo Lippi , also called Lippo Lippi, was an Italian painter of the Italian Quattrocento .-Biography and works:...
. The colors are traditional—red symbolizing the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and blue representing the Purity of His Blessed Mother, Saint Mary.
Ralph Adams Cram
Ralph Adams Cram
Ralph Adams Cram FAIA, , was a prolific and influential American architect of collegiate and ecclesiastical buildings, often in the Gothic style. Cram & Ferguson and Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson are partnerships in which he worked.-Early life:Cram was born on December 16, 1863 at Hampton Falls, New...
(1863-1942), one of the preeminent ecclesiastical architects of the twentieth century, considered Mary Veronica as the greatest iconographer of his time. Cram once said that she was the only artist for whom he would willingly alter his designs.
Sister Mary Veronica was born Ella MCullough and lived from 1864 to 1965. Her paintings are on display in select cathedrals and churches throughout the United States and overseas. Saint James is most fortunate to enjoy one of Mary Veronica’s works.
Further reading
Doughty, Richard Harrison (1975). Greeneville: One hundred year portrait (1775-1875) (pp. 141-150). Kingsport, TN: Kingsport Press. LCCN: 74-28678.Johnson, Mayme Hart (1986). A treasury of Tennessee churches (p. 31). Nashville, TN: J. M. Productions. ISBN: 0939298600.
Patrick, James (1981). Architecture in Tennessee, 1768-1897 (p. 111). Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press. ISBN: 0870492233.