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Home : Quarterly Archives : Volume 17 |
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Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society |
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Source: April 1979 Volume 17 Number 2, Pages 27–34 St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley A National Shrine
On October 25, 1974, a letter was received by the Rector of St. Peter's Church in Great Valley from David Berman, of the Historic Preservation section of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, from which I quote: "Enclosed are forms for the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historic Places, along with an instruction sheet. Although St. Peter's Church is already listed on the Inventory, additional information would be helpful. Please complete the inventory form and if this office can be of assistance, please let us know." This letter was turned over to me, as historian of St. Peter's Historical Society, and thus began the interesting, yet demanding, task of complying with the instructions. With the aid of Gurney Kissinger, Chard Webb, and Anthony Morris, the last two architects, in early April of 1976 the requirements were completed. The following items were submitted, in duplicate:
Completed copies of the Inventory Form
Photocopies of Patent to Methusaleh Davis of the 200 acres, a small part of which was deeded in
1745 to William Moore, Thomas James, Morris Griffith, Richard Richardson and John Cuthbert for St.
Peter's Church The completed Inventory Form included a listing of twenty-one major bibliographical references and their location; geographical data (in latitude and longitude); a detailed verbal description of the architectural qualities of the structure; a report on the significance of the building or site; and identification of the photographs and photo credit. A brief listing of the photographs may be of interest. They included: 1. The mounting block on the north side. This photograph shows the open country to the west, now blocked by the "earth works" thrown up by the Warner Company, The "carriage road", between the post and rail fence and the Churchyard wall, at that time continued on to Phoenixville, The mounting block still stands, and it is probable that the site of the old log Church was in its immediate vicinity. (From an old blue print) 2. The south side of St. Peter's Church, as it appeared between 1856 and 1899. Here are shown the addition, to the east end, the pebble-dashed and white-washed walls, and tin roof, (From an old photograph) 3. The interior (east end), after 1864 and before 1899, This also shows the "modern" pulpit and blind at the window. 4. The interior (west end), at the same period as above. The old stairs were reached from pew 24 "for the Stare Case", (Photograph by C. V. D. Hubbard) 5. The northwest side, taken "1894 October 27", (From Gilbert Cope Collection #1153, Chester County Historical Society) 6. The south and east sides, taken between 1899 (as shown by the large panes) and early 1900s. (From an old photograph) 7. The northwest side, after 1899 and before the restoration. This picture shows the small diamond-paned window. (From an old photograph) 8. The northwest side, after restoration and before 1952. 9. The south side, as it looks today. 10. The south and east sides, at present. This shows the addition of 1952. 11. From the southwest, showing the mounting block at the gate. This was the old entrance from the road. 12. The northwest side, at present. 13. The interior (east end) of St. Peter's today, with restored Altar window, the shutter closed and painted blue. The reflection of the round window in the gallery can also be seen. 14. The high pulpit and sounding board. The door shown in the picture opens into the Vestry Room. 15. The interior (west end), at present. The floor of old brick and Baptismal Font set into the window sill show clearly in this picture. 16. The gallery and stair case (reached from cross aisle). Actually, the pews originally extended to the wall. Tie rods were necessary to hold the wall after removal of the Sacristy, and mar the interior. The photographs, with the exception of #5, were made by Nightwine Photographers, Jon Marmora, in Paoli. Photograph #5 was made by P and G Custom Photo Service, West Chester. Appreciation must also be given to Gurney Kissinger for his help in procuring the photographs. The print of the Camp at "Trudruffrin" was a reprint of an engraving of the Paoli Massacre which occurred on September 20, 1777. St. Peter's Church is a conspicuous landmark. The original of the print was published at Charing Cross, London, on July 1, 1788. The reproduction of the pen and ink sketch was taken from the Indentures to the lots in the old Churchyard. That the original was done much later than 1744, as it is dated, is apparent from the rectangular window heads, placing it as after 1830 but before 1856. TopArchitectural Qualities of the Structure The following description of the architectural qualities of the structure was included:
MEMORANDUM ON THE FLY-LEAF OF THE OLD VESTRY BOOK Photograph by C. V. D. Hubbard. "St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley, built by the members of the Congregation over a period of some sixteen years (from the time the foundation was laid until its completion in 1744.), was of stone, 47 feet long, 28 feet wide, comprising one large room two stories in height, with vaulted ceiling. (In the early days, there was a small Sacristy — a stone projection on the north side of the Church, the appearance of which may be gotten from that of St. David's, Radnor, for the two buildings were as 'alike as two peas', except that St. Peter's was larger.) "There were six large windows, round-headed, with small panes, two on each of the south and north sides, one on the west, and one on the east end, the last one the Altar Window. The main entrance was a double door on the south side, with a single one on the north, opening into the Sacristy. "The floor was of stone, like that of St. David's; since there was no heat (until 1762), the original building had no chimney. It is probable that the Church in 1744 consisted merely of walls and roof (shingle), for there were no pews, the congregation having only improvised seating arrangements. It was not until September 1749 that the Vestry took measures to provide uniform and orderly seating. At that time the space inside was laid out to allow thirty-two pews. The Altar, Reading Desk and Pulpit came in 1750. "In December of that year, it was agreed 'At a Vestry' there should be a 'Galary' built 'across ye West End and along ye South Side'. This was several years in building. "In 1739, a post and rail fence was put on the road side of the Churchyard; it wasn't until 1770 that the stone wall replaced it. In 1762, provision was made for heating, and a small chimney then appeared at about the middle of the roof. In this same year horse-sheds were added along the north side of the yard. In 1786, the Church was incorporated. "It was in 1830 that the 'vandalism' started. (Just as today, a 'mania' for modernization appeared, though it is believed by Historians that this was not the will of all of the communicants, particularly those who by reason of their years had long known and loved the old Colonial Church, or whose parents and grandparents had attended in the early years.) The interior was plastered; the high-backed pews were ripped out and new pews put in their place; the high pulpit, which with its sounding board had been on the north side just east of the door to the Sacristy, was changed and placed in the east end, taking precedence over the Altar, the rounded window heads converted to rectangular. "All of the foregoing was bad enough. But in 1856, some changes were made which never could be undone. The outside stone walls were pebble-dashed and whitewashed, the shingle roof replaced with tin; the Sacristy removed; the Chancel window walled up and a two-story addition built on the east end (destroying the symmetry of the building); the south gallery torn out, the interior painted grey (it had been white) and green flat blinds hung at the windows. "In 1899, the pulpit was removed from the east end, the Altar restored to its original place, and the semicircular window heads restored; however, they were decorated with hideous 'eye brows", and the glass in the windows changed to large panes. "In 1901, the Parish House cornerstone was laid; this addition was on the east side and at a right angle to the main structure. On the north end a fireplace was built. And at this time, wooden flooring was laid in the Church, the joists being set in concrete, which once and for all ruined the flag-stone floor and the grave stones of those buried within the Church walls; the 1830 pews were replaced with grotesque 'taffy-coloured ones'. "The restoration, as far as it could be done, came in 1944, under the care of R. Brognard Okie, an authority on Colonial Church architecture. He was able to obtain 200 year old brick for the floor, and the rest of the interior was changed back as nearly as possible to what it had been originally. "In 1952, an addition was built onto the Parish House, but unfortunately, at this time the fireplace was sacrificed, probably to provide one large room. "This today is the 'accumulated' Chtrch of St. Peter in the Great Valley, within the old churchyard wall. On the property which now includes 14.375 additional acres the Sunday School building was added in 1962. This is to the east of the old Church and is in modern Colonial style." TopSignificance of the Building and Site To provide information on the significance of St. Peter's Church, this summary was included as a part of the completed Inventory Form: "The people of the Welch Barony, who felt the need of religious instruction, were spread out over a large territory, those who later founded St. Peter's being on the northwestern edge of the 'wilderness'. They had belonged to the Church of England in their native land, and sought the services of a Missionary who could minister to them in Welch, and at least once a month administer the Sacrament. "Tradition tells that a log Chapel, south of Reeseville (the present Berwyn), serving also as a blockhouse, for they were in constant fear of Indian attack, was used by the people of the entire Barony. This was destroyed by fire, so that for a while religious gatherings were probably held in individual farm houses. In 1715, the dwellers in the south west end of the Barony built a fine stone Church (Radnor), while those in the opposite corner built a log Church, in all probability in the immediate neighborhood of the present stone structure. "Both Churches were served by the same clergyman, who did his best, under trying conditions, to minister to those so widely scattered. "About 1700, the Rev. Evan Evans, Rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia, began work among the Welch settlers of the Great Valley. Four others followed him, then starting in 1714 Incumbent Missionaries assigned by the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts served both congregations until 1737, when the Rev. William Currie came, whose ministry lasted until 1785. "It is believed that the foundation of Lutheranism in Chester County began here, through the efforts of Dr. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, at a time during the Revolution when the Church was temporarily closed. "During that time, St. Peter's Church was used as an Army Hospital for and by both the British and American forces. Those who died were buried along the west wall, their graves marked by rough stones." TopA National Monument By early April of 1976, all the requirements were completed and the forms were submitted to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. In a matter of days we were notified that the Church had been registered on the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historic Places. While national registration did not come as quickly, in November of 1977 historic St. Peter's was also placed on the National Register of Historic Places. TopSources: Harold Donaldson Eberlein and Cortlandt VanDyke Hubbard: The Church of St. Peter in the Great Valley 1700-1940 References from the Archives TopA BRIEF CHRONOLOGY OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH
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