Pondering if Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin had a practical mindset towards Colonial Williamsburg, or a romantic vision, I also wondered how deep his Virginia roots went.
Recently I stumbled upon some fascinating details revealing more about the man who envisioned Colonial Williamsburg.
YOUTH
Goodwin was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1869 to parents who were united in marriage by Charles Minnigerode.
In fact, one of the young girls in this family who helped him decorate the Christmas tree was Cynthia Beverley Tucker whom I blogged about in my last blog post and who features greatly in Goodwin’s life. (more on that below)
Recently immigrated from Germany, Minnigerode taught at the College of William and Mary while staying at the St. George Tucker house, during which time he became an Episcopalian minister.
BURIED CITIES RECOVERED
Soon after his birth, Goodwin relocated with his parents to the family farm in the southwestern Virginia mountain town of Wytheville (named after George Wythe of Williamsburg, who taught law to Thomas Jefferon and others and signed the Declaration of Independence).
Working industriously to help his family put food on the table during these lean years, Goodwin eventually purchased his first book at the age of 16…a hallmark evidenced by what he wrote inside the cover:
First book I ever bought with the money secured by working four days in the cornfield in Nelson County near Norwood. September 1885.
The title of that book was Buried Cities Recovered…which must have incredibly inspire him in later years.
EDUCATION
Goodwin’s education ranged from private school to public, then a BA at Roanoke College in 1889, after which he began studying for a pastorate at Richmond College in 1890, culminating with a divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.
BRUTON PARISH PASTORATE
After pastoring a church in Petersburg (south of Richmond) for ten years, Goodwin was assigned to Bruton Parish Church in 1903.
Soon after arriving he learned about Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman who preserved the old gravestones of Bruton Parish Church dating back to 1678, with local children and neighborhood ladies in memory of her daughter who died in childhood.
When the rector fussed, she organized the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities in 1889 to rescue other historic sites in Williamsburg and Jamestown that were rich both in local and American history.
GOODWIN’S 1903 BOOK ABOUT BRUTON PARISH
That same year, in 1903, Rev. Goodwin wrote a 216 page book, Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia, detailing its founding, history, and restorations…which is simply beautiful to behold and read.
Despite all the technical catalogues of restoration work done on the church, it otherwise reads as a romantic travel brochure from the 19th century!
Obviously, it was written by someone who cared about history.
As Goodwin explains in the preface, quotes from within the book from historical research are in Old English type…which makes it quite unique from other books I’ve read!
DEDICATION
Beautifully written, the dedication page is presented to:
The Congregation of Old Bruton Church, and to those who will share with them in the privilege of Restoring and Preserving this ancient Temple of our fore-fathers, this word is affectionately dedicated. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin
BRUTON PARISH CONNECTION TO 18TH CENTURY WILLIAMSBURG
Easily, the opening pages unfold the story of the past history of the church while seemingly envisioning the future Colonial Williamsburg.
Goodwin definitely knew his history.
Old Bruton Church has well withstood the devastating touch of time. The storms of many winters have gone over it, the fierce battles of two great wars have raged near it, and in it have lain the sick and wounded of two armies, and yet it stands today just as it stood well nigh two hundred years ago. The Building is consecrated by hallowed associations. It is intimately connected with Virginia’s early history. Through its ancient tower entrance passed the Court processions of Colonial days, the governors with emblazoned emblems, betokening the authority and majesty of old England’s Kings and Queens; the Council of State, composed of men whose names will ever live in our nation’s history; and the members of the House of Burgesses, the defenders of ihe liberties of the people. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p7
ROYAL GOVERNORS ATTENDED BRUTON PARISH
Here, in pew ofiicially assigned, elevated from the main floor and richly canopied, sat the proud and imperious Francis Nicholson, the devoted Edmund Jennings, the dauntless Spottswood, Drysdale, Gooch, Dinwiddie, Fauquier, Norborne Berkeley Lord de Botetourt, and Dunmore. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p7
BURGESSES ATTENDED BRUTON PARISH
Here, as Vestrymen, worshipped the Hon. Daniel Parke; the Hon. John Page, “the immigrant;” Thomas Ludwell, Secretary of State; Sir John Randolph; Peyton Randolph, the King’s Attorney and Speaker of the House of Burgesses; Robert Carter Nicholas, Treasurer of Virginia; Major Robert Beverly, Attorney, and Clerk of the House of Burgesses, and many others whose names appear in the long list of Vestrymen and upon the pages of the nation’s history. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p7
STATESMEN ATTENDED BRUTON PARISH
Here once sat the men who first saw the vision of a great free republic of this Western World, and who, at the altar of sacrifice, consecrated their lives to the cause of liberty which they loved—George Wythe, patriot, teacher, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a vestryman ; Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Tyler, and ChiefJustice John Marshall, and Edmund Randolph, worshipped here while students in the College of William and Mary; and most of them in after years while serving
the Colony and State. George Mason, Edmund Pendleton, Edmund Randolph, Benjamin Harrison, Bland and Lee, while members of the House of Burgesses; Patrick Henry while a member of the House and Governor of Virginia (1776), and George Washington, while seeking to win the heart and hand of the beautiful Martha Custis. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p8
PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING
These, and many others, whose names are deathless, have passed within these sacred courts and meekly bowed the knee in supplication to the King of Kings. As we linger in the silence of the Church, they pass before the awakened vision of the mind. They sit, as they did of old, listening to the law of the God of Nations, and to the message of liberty in the great Gospel of redemption. The walls of the cruciform old building seem to echo again with their voice of prayer and thanksgiving. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p8
IMAGINING 1765 LIFE
Before passing from this long ago period of the history of the Church, let us endeavor to bring back an accustomed scene in Bruton Church in Colonial days. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p45
STAMP ACT DISAGREEMENTS
In voices somewhat animated, and with language not always according to the catechism, they are discussing the stamp act, and other usurpations and injustices of the Government. It is a genuine debate, for here forces are very largely divided, and in the crowd are many stout Tories, who are warm in support of the king, and of his representative, his Excellency the Governor. From Raleigh Tavern there comes a group of men who are representatives of the people in the House of Burgesses. Some of them give indication of having been up late the night before. Their faces show very red beneath their flowing
wigs of white. They are talking with loud voice and animated gesture. The king finds few advocates among them, and is being roundly abused in a most disloyal way. They calm down as they approach the Church. The Governor’s carriage sweeps down the Palace Green and draws up before the door. The service will soon begin. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p46
CATHARINE MEMORIAL SOCIETY
On page 62, documentation lists the several necessary repairs within the church along with the need for a new tin roof, for which Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman raised money through the Catharine Memorial Society.
Further down the page, her restoration work in the graveyard (explained here) is documented.
1903 – BRUTON PARISH RESTORATION TO 18TH CENTURY
Page 63 begins with the “present day” of this book, 1903, of the new rector and our author, Rev. W.A.R. Goodwin, presenting to the church body the desire of the vestry to return the church to its 18th century appearance.
When agreement was reached to restore the church, all assented that first funds must be raised, to which Goodwin recommended the formation of a committee for such a purpose.
It is gratifying to the vestry to be able to say that after a full and free discussion of the proposed restoration of the dear old Church, not only in the sessions of the vestry, and among the congregation, but with many distinguished visitors, we are yet to hear of any serious opposition on the part of any one, and we are assured that the funds necessary to make the changes contemplated will soon be available. We have already some substantial promises of aid. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p64
Serving as rector at Bruton Parish for five years, Goodwin helped with fundraising for the 18th century restoration of the church, completed in time for Virginia’s 300th anniversary of Jamestown, which coincides with the founding of the Anglican/Episcopalian church in North America. (Anglican until Independence, Episcopalian after Independence)
BRUTON PARISH IN SPRING
God through nature, has done much to make beautiful the spacious grounds where the old Church stands. Each season gives to the place a special charm, and a varied loveliness. The spring calls forth the wild butter-cups which spread themselves over the entire grounds like a rich cloth of gold. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p66
BRUTON PARISH IN SUMMER
The summer breathes upon the roses which blossom forth and bloom here among the tombs and above the green graves of the dead of other days. The ancient trees, full-leaved, cast upon the dark walls of the old Church deep shadows which lengthen and deepen with the dying day. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p66
BRUTON PARISH IN AUTUMN
Then the touch of autumn tells that another year is beginning to die. The berries redden on the English hawthorn tree which stands near by the ancient tower door; the vine, clinging to the north wall of the Church, turns crimson ; and the leaves flush with varied color, then fall and die. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p66
BRUTON PARISH IN WINTER
In the bleak winter the wind, as if at requiem, sighs through the bare trees, and moans about the walls and tower of the old Church. Only the ivy which mantles the eastern end of the building, and clings to the old trees in the Church yard, remains green. But the scene is one of matchless beauty, when, from heaven, the mantle of spotless white softly falls o’er Church, and tombs, and bending trees. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p66
SPRING RETURNS
And then, again, there come the glad days that speak of life, and suggest thoughts of immortality. Dormant vital forces stir and breathe and move. The air is filled with the music of birds singing as they nest in the trees in the Temple court, and is ladened with the perfume of the hawthorn bloom, and violets come forth and weave a border of purple and green about the bases of the tombs. –Historical Sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia by Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, p66
STAY TUNED…
In 1909, Goodwin moves to New York City to accept a pastorate there, eventually returning to Williamsburg in 1923.
Stay tuned for that story, which unfolds his part in creating Colonial Williamsburg.
Meanwhile I will be taking more pictures of the church to add to this blog post.
For more photos of Bruton Parish Church, check my Flickr set.
