Christ Episcopal Church Collection
Scope and Contents
This collection covers three linear feet and spans 1853-2003 with the bulk of material dating 1975-2003. It includes programs, correspondence, photographs, and newspaper clippings pertaining to the church’s history, 150th anniversary celebration, and restoration. It also contains photocopies of 19th century documents including Christ Church’s first meeting minutes, articles of association, Kittredge’s donation of land for the church, and lists of donors, subscribers, and expenditures. These church documents include transcriptions. The collection is arranged chronologically.
Dates
- 1853-2003
Restrictions on Access
No restrictions on access.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Physical rights are retained by Nicholls State University. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.
Historical Note
Christ Episcopal Church was built in Napoleonville, La. in 1853 ten years after Rev. Leonidas Polk began assembling Episcopal congregations in south Louisiana. Dr. E.E. Kittredge donated the land for the church’s construction and its cemetery from a portion of his Elm Hall Plantation. The church was designed in the Gothic style by the architect, Frank Wills. Christ Church suffered ruin several times throughout the 19th century due to the Civil War and natural disasters, being subsequently restored each time. The founders of Christ Church consisted of its newly elected vestry and included Col. W.W. Pugh, Dr. E.E. Kittredge, Geo W. Jones, A. Franklin Pugh, Edward Pugh, N. Sparks, and William Reed Mills. In 1853, they called Rev. J.F. Young to pastor the congregation of approximately forty people. In recent times, the church’s congregation has dwindled to four or five families and no longer has a pastor or regular services.
Christ Church’s cemetery is located behind the church, where some of its founders are buried. Both Christ Church and its cemetery are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Extent
3 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Sensitive Materials Statement
This collection may contain material(s) with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Ellender Memorial Library and Nicholls State University assume no responsibility.
- Cemeteries -- Louisiana -- Napoleonville.
- Christ Episcopal Church (Napoleonville, La.)
- Christ Episcopal Church (Napoleonville, La.) -- : History -- : 19th century.
- Christ Episcopal Church (Napoleonville, La.) -- : History -- : 20th century.
- Church buildings -- Louisiana -- Napoleonville.
- Dioceses -- Louisiana -- Napoleonville.
- Elm Hall Plantation (Napoleonville, La.)
- Episcopal Church -- : History -- : 19th century. -- : Louisiana -- : Napoleonville
- Episcopal Church -- : History -- : 20th century. -- : Louisiana -- : Napoleonville
- Historic buildings -- Conservation and restoration -- Louisiana -- Napoleonville.
- Historic sites -- Conservation and restoration -- Louisiana -- Napoleonville.
- Kittredge, E. E. (Ebenezer Eaton), 1739-1802.
- Napoleonville (La.) -- History -- 19th century.
- Napoleonville (La.) -- History -- 20th century.
- Polk, Leonidas, 1806-1864.
- Pugh, William Whitmell (William Whitmell Hill), 1811-1906.
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Nicholls State University Archives and Special Collections Repository
Ellender Memorial Library
Nicholls State University
906 E 1st St.
Thibodaux Louisiana 70310 USA
985-448-4621
clifton.theriot@nicholls.edu