Registration Now Open for History Day 2024
“An ‘elevated position’ in the American Church:” Bishop Ravenscroft’s High Church Legacy
April 27, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., at Christ Church, Raleigh, and Historic St. John’s, Williamsboro
John Stark Ravenscroft was the first elected bishop of North Carolina, serving from 1823 to 1830. Our 2024 History Day marks the bicentennial of his episcopate by exploring his understanding of church and society, and by setting those views in a larger historical context.
Ravenscroft’s tenure as bishop has been long remembered for his staunch high church ecclesiology, which he imparted to this diocese, and which his young followers─William Mercer Green, James Hervey Otey and George Washington Freeman─subsequently carried into other states across the South when they in turn became bishops.
But Ravenscroft was not always an Episcopalian, much less a high churchman. He was a Virginia planter who underwent a religious conversion when he was 38 years old, and he didn’t become an Episcopalian until he was 43. Charting the twist and turns in Ravenscroft’s religious and social outlook will be our diocesan historiographer, the Rev. Brooks Graebner.
Setting Ravenscroft’s views in a larger historical framework will be the Rev. Dr. Benjamin King, Professor of Church History at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. King has written extensively about the Oxford Movement and most recently has concentrated his research and writing upon the connections between the Oxford Movement and the church’s response to transatlantic slavery. His address is entitled: “From Proslavery to Black Liberation: The Revolution in High Church Theology.”
Following these addresses, the Rev. Lindsey Ardrey, canon missioner for diocesan restitution and reparations ministry, will offer a response to the presentations from the perspective of our diocesan commitment to restitution and reparations.
HOSTS
Hosting the program are the two churches where Ravenscroft served as rector during his time in North Carolina: Christ Church, Raleigh, and St. John’s, Williamsboro. In those early years, the diocese had insufficient funds to pay the full-time salary of the bishop, so Ravenscroft combined his work as bishop with serving a parish: first Christ Church (1823-1828) and then St. John’s (1828-1830).
Ravenscroft was in Raleigh at the time he suffered his final illness, and he died there. For that reason, he is buried at Christ Church, even though he was no longer rector.
The afternoon session begins with a program on the history of Christ Church, Raleigh, presented by Carol and Martin Brinkley. The Brinkleys are members of Christ Church, and they share an active interest in its history. Carol has made a study of the use of enslaved labor in the construction of Christ Church, and she will present the fruits of her research. Martin also serves as chancellor of the diocese.
The day will conclude at St. John’s, Williamsboro, the oldest frame church in North Carolina and a historic property of the diocese. St. John’s was the site of the 1824 diocesan convention, the first over which Ravenscroft presided and where the bishop first publicly declared his high church views. The drive between Raleigh and Williamsboro is about an hour, so the concluding session will begin about 3:30 p.m., with wrap-up by 5:00 p.m. Directions to the rural St. John’s site will be included in the souvenir program.
SCHEDULE
9 a.m.: Registration opens; tour of Christ Church belltower
10 a.m.: Noon: Morning session:
- Welcome and opening prayer: Bishop Rodman
- Addresses:
- Brooks Graebner, “'Mad Jack:’ The turbulent life and times of John Stark Ravenscroft”
- Benjamin King, “From Proslavery to Black Liberation: The Revolution in High Church Theology”
- Lindsey Ardrey, Response
Noon-12:45 p.m.: Lunch
12:45-1:45 p.m.: Afternoon program:
- Carol and Martin Brinkley, History of Christ Church, Raleigh
2 p.m.: Depart for Williamsboro
3:30-4:30 p.m.: Closing program:
- To include: History of St. John’s, Williamsboro, and Ravenscroft’s connection to the parish; remembering the 1824 diocesan convention and Ravenscroft’s “Address on the Church.”
- Closing service
5:00 p.m.: Depart
The cost to register for History Day is $20. Online payment instructions and lunch options will be available during registration. The registration deadline is Sunday, April 21. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Lynn Hoke, diocesan archivist.
