Saint Thomas Episcopal Church Collection
Scope and Contents
The Collection contains news articles, clippings, minutes of committee meetings, church announcements, church programs, photographs, and church newsletters.
The bulk of the Saint Thomas Episcopal Church Collection deals with taped and transcribed interviews of members of Saint Thomas Church. Legal papers contain information about the establishment of Saint Thomas in 1958 and later additions in 1971. The Church papers include the will of the late Georgia Mustian Wilkins of Muscogee County Georgia in which a second codicil of her last will and testament was attached and signed by her and three witnesses, Tom B. Slade, Lee H. Henkel, Jr., and Clifford J. Swift, Jr., March 3, 1959.
This codicil expressed her wise to the Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of America of the Diocese of Atlanta that the Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in Columbus should become an incorporated Church.
The first series Church Correspondence and Biographical Files contains one linear foot of materials which highlight the everyday life of Saint Thomas Episcopal Church. Included in the series is Church correspondence concerning church directories, church committee meetings, pictures, pamphlets, Church directories and Jubilee planning committee meeting notes. It also contains biographical files outlining the history of Saint Thomas Episcopal Church and copies of legal documents.
Series two, Oral Histories contains one linear foot of materials arranged alphabetically. This includes manuscripts and tapes and some video-taped interviews of Saint Thomas Episcopal Church members sharing their memories of the church.
The final series a manuscript book titled Grace and Glory: Fifty Years of Spiritual Adventures at St. Thomas written by Michael Owen outlining the history of the Church. Researchers should note that this book is an account of the oral histories of the members of Saint Thomas Episcopal Church.
Dates
- Creation: 2000s
Biographical / Historical
Historical Sketch
The Jubilee of Saint Thomas Church Oral Histories (October 30, 2005) was a project designed to capture the history of Saint Thomas through a series of oral interviews conducted by John Lupold and edited by Lynn Willoughby and his Committee Staff on Oral Histories which included: Mary Jane Wadkins, Bob Watkins, Amy Nerone, Michael Ankerich, Michael Owen, Allison Owen, Bill Combs, Sonya Boyd, Ann Johnson, Ann Burr, Anne King, and Doug Hahn.
Brief History of Saint Thomas Episcopal Church
In 1958, the Saint Thomas Episcopal Church was founded on the outer edge of Columbus Georgia. Today the area has become known as Historic Midtown. At its annual Parish meeting in 1970, the Rector recommended the construction of a house of worship for the community of Columbus. According to church records; the proposal was endorsed by those in attendance and was officially adopted by the Vestry. In 1972, the building was completed and dedicated by Bishop Bennett J. Sims on October 1, 1972. Legend has it that St. Thomas was chosen as the new church’s patron because of what Thomas signifies. Thomas was the disciple who doubted Christ and was referred to as doubting Thomas. This refers to the state of the congregation, who doubted whether the church would come to fruition.
In 1970 and 1971 plans for the Nave were developed and the windows would tell the story of Creation depicted through scenes of Biblical narratives selected by the Adult Bible Class of Saint Thomas. The Willett Studios made each of the individual windows of faceted glass, chipped on the inner surfaces to give a jewel-like appearance. The thickness of the glass varies from one to three inches giving a three dimensional effect in some scenes. The narrative begins on the left wall and progresses through the symbol of the Cross to the right wall, concluding, with its proclamation of Christ as the Alpha and the Omega of all things as foretold in the Bible. The Oral History Project of the Saint Thomas Episcopal Church Manuscript Collection is the direct result of its church member’s vision to capture on tape the history of Saint Thomas for future generations.
Extent
3 Linear Feet : 28 cassette tapes, 3 CDs, and 2 manuscript boxes
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Materials in the Saint Thomas Episcopal Church Collection are arranged in three series:
Series 1. Church Correspondence and Biographical Files - This series contains Church correspondence concerning church directories, church committee meetings, and Jubilee planning. In addition are biographical files outlining the history of Saint Thomas Episcopal Church and copies of legal documents.
Series 2. Oral Histories - Arranged alphabetically, this series contains manuscripts and tapes and some video of interviews of Saint Thomas Episcopal Church members sharing their memories of their arrival at Saint Thomas and other accounts.
Series 3. Manuscript/Book - The final series consists of one manuscript/book titled Grace and Glory written by Michael Owen and donated by Saint Thomas Episcopal Church outlining the history of the Church.
Custodial History
Donated to Columbus State University archives by Saint Thomas's Jubilee Oral History Committee and Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in 2009.
- Title
- Saint Thomas Episcopal Church Collection (MC 263)
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- May 2013
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Columbus State University Archives and Special Collections Repository
4225 University Ave
Columbus Georgia 31907 United States