"The little church stood in its beautiful setting of trees--just
a House of Prayer--in the old days. No Sunday School room or any place
for choir practice, then. Only a little slip of a room, narrow and
small, at the left of the chancel where the Rector might put on his
vestments."
With a gift of land and the support
of Angelica and Richard Lockwood, Emmanuel Episcopal Church was built
in 1866 and consecrated one year later in October, 1867.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church 1867
It was a
country church then, built to resemble the one Angelica Lockwood knew
while growing up in Shepherdstown , Virginia [now West Virginia]. There
were just eight families (although large ones!) on the original
register. Through the dedicated hard work of its parishioners, Emmanuel
has continued to grow and flourish; approximately 400 families
are currently on the register. The "little church" has seen many
building additions and improvements to accommodate the growing parish.
Trinity Episcopal Church, Sheperdstown, W.VA
Home Church of Angelica Lockwood
"On
several occasions Mrs. Lockwood, and my mother also, heard people who
knew no better, speak of the church as the 'Lockwood Church.' Both
these church women gently, but firmly, rebuked the speakers, explaining
to them that the church was called Emmanuel, God With Us, and was God's
house alone, built for his glory and worship, and everlasting praise."
Since
1867 the people of Emmanuel Episcopal Church have been building on the
solid spiritual foundation originally provided by the Lockwoods. It is
our continuing source of strength and faith to know the story and to
keep it alive.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church 1915
[ Reminiscences are from
Angelica Jenkins (1868-1959), written in 1933. She was the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. George Robinson, two founding members of our parish.]