History of the church

The Church of the Epiphany, one of Danville's two Episcopal churches, is a significant landmark located in the center of the Historic District at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Main Street. It is a middle-to upper income congregation with an approximate median range of fifty.

The history of this Episcopal Church is primarily the history of the dedication of its clergy; it's Vestries and its congregation. Since it's 1840 founding, there have been only eight rectors of this church. From an original group of four members, the congregation grew to 598, but for a variety of reasons, the membership has declined gradually to 159 active communicants, presently defined as those baptized members who have participated in Holy Communion at least three times in the past year.

In 1840, the Rev. George Washington Dame, the first rector, purchased a lot, which was later exchanged for the lot where the church now stands. As to these two lots, Dr. Dame stated that "a cornfield was traded for a chinquapin patch."

During the War Between the States, Epiphany played a part in history. The first bell in the steeple was given to make cannon for the Army of the Confederacy. (Funds for its replacement were provided at a special tobacco auction sale after the war. It is this bell we hear today.) While Confederate President Jefferson Davis was in Danville, at the very end of the War, he worshiped at Epiphany.

In 1879, the original wood frame building was demolished to make way for the larger present structure. It was consecrated in 1880, and completed in 1881. The building is rated as the most outstanding structure in the cities architectural inventory. It is stuccoed Gothic with stained glass memorial windows.

After Dr. Dame's resignation in 1895, his assistant, the Rev. J. Cleveland Hall, DD., became the Rector of the church and served in that capacity for twenty-five years. Under his leadership, the church continued to grow and the music program flourished.

In 1896, the organist was Prof. Robert S. Phifer, a friend and benefactor of British composer Frederick Delius. It is thought that at one time during his brief stay here, Delius was also the church organist. In 1904, the first vested choir in Danville sang in the chancel of Epiphany, eliciting many favorable comments from the local newspapers.

The Rev. Malcolm S. Taylor, Rector, succeeded Dr. Hall from 1921 to 1925. Under his auspices, a mission, Christ Church, Glenwood was built in 1923.

The Rev. Norvell E. Wicker served as the fourth Rector of the church of Epiphany from 1925 to 1944. During his tenure the Women's Auxiliary, the Ladies Aid Society and the Rector's Aid Society were combined into one organization, the Women's Auxiliary, presently known as Episcopal Church Women.

In 1927, the interior of the church was redecorated, and the following year a Skinner pipe organ was acquired, the specifications having been approved by Dr. T. Tertius Noble, organist of St. Thomas Church, New York. Dr. Noble played the opening recital. This organ, in the front of the church, is played for family and special services.

In 1944, after Dr. Wicker's resignation, the Rev. George Ronald MacClintock became Rector, a position he held for twenty-seven years. The old building, which housed the offices and church schoolrooms, was razed, and the present Parish House, corresponding architecturally with the church, was added in 1954. Classes for the instruction of lay readers were instituted, and with the encouragement of the congregation, Dr. MacClintock was able to receive for instruction and training for Holy Orders a succession of young men sent to him by the bishop.

"Mr. Mac" retired in 1971 and was succeeded by Rev. Malcolm Douglas Girardeau, who had served as curate of Epiphany and priest-in- charge of Christ Church, Glenwood, since 1968. He was called to be Rector of Epiphany in 1972 and served until 1986.

It was during these years that the Outreach Committee, the continental breakfasts, the fellowship suppers, the day camp and the annual Vestry retreat were established. In 1977, the original shingled steeple was replaced with an exact; one piece duplicate made of aluminum, with an antique finish. Through donations, the congregation totally funded the steeple within three weeks.

The centennial of the present building was celebrated in 1979 - the same year the Andover organ, a forty-seven rank mechanical action instrument, was installed in the balcony at the rear of the nave. Two refugee families from Vietnam were sponsored, a Faith Alive weekend proved to be a successful encounter with the Renewal Movement, and we could "read all about it" in The Epiphany Star, our popular newsletter.

In 1975, Mrs. Stuart James Grant, a long time member of Epiphany, purchased and donated to the church the property immediately adjacent on Main Street. In 1980, the beautiful Memorial Garden was created on this property in memory of Mrs. John Boatwright. Additional contributions in memory of many other devoted members of Epiphany have been given for the garden since then. In the late 1970's, Dr. Howard W. Church left endowments, which formed the Schoolfield Fund.

Following Rev. Girardeau's resignation, a Search Committee was appointed in 1987, and the Rev. James Arthur Wilson from San Diego, California, was called in February 1988. There was an initial period of goodwill and fellowship. The use of the church facility increased significantly for meetings of groups such as AA, ACOA, Divorce Support Group, and Teen Care. The Lay Eucharist Ministry Program was also instituted during Fr. Wilson's tenure. However, irreconcilable differences arose between Fr. Wilson and the congregation. On mutual agreement with the Vestry, Fr. Wilson resigned in December 1990. After Fr. Wilson's resignation, the Vestry secured the services of church consultants, and on their recommendation, a response team was formed.

In April 1991, an interim Rector, Fr. David Clark was called until in 1993, the Search committee found Fr. James West Mathieson from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. "Father Jim" has been a healing influence, bringing the Epiphany family together once again. During Fr. Mathieson's tenure, Epiphany activities have continued with renewed enthusiasm. Dr. Joseph Jackson became music director at Epiphany, bringing orchestral accompaniments and Vaudeville singers into church activities. Also, a Van was purchased for church outings.