Gessell Fellows Present Research

The recipients of the 2014–15 Gessell Fellowship for Social Ethics will present their project, “Can I Get a Witness? Sewanee’s St. Mark’s Community,” at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, in Hargrove Auditorium at Sewanee’s School of Theology.

Sara Milford, T’15, and Katie Bradshaw, T’15, became interested in this topic on Ash Wednesday Quiet Day in 2014. “This is the St. Mark’s side of the cemetery,” professor Jerry Smith told seminarians in the University Cemetery on that day. 

Bradshaw and Milford, now senior seminarians, were eager to know more about a church they did not know existed and learn the story of a community whose life was nearly forgotten. The presentation, which includes Bradshaw and Milford’s documentary film, captures some of the history of the African-American community in Sewanee: what it was and still is. The intention has been to preserve some of the rich history and valuable stories these families and individuals hold for and with Sewanee.

The Gessell Fellowship in Social Ethics, established by John M. “Jack” Gessell in 2006, provides funding for Sewanee students to do an independent research project in social theory or social ethics. 

Otey Parish Dedicates Parish House & Claiborne Portrait

Otey Memorial Parish will celebrate the renovated Claiborne Parish House at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 15. The Rt. Rev. John Bauerschmidt, Bishop of Tennessee, will conduct a dedication and consecration service. A light brunch will follow in the new St. Mark’s Hall of the parish house.

A new portrait of the Rev. William Sterling Claiborne will be dedicated at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the Claiborne Hall. This portrait by Claude Buckley, C’81, will be hung in the entrance hall of the building. A reception will follow the dedication. STHP members John Bratton and David Bowman will be on hand to answer questions about Claiborne.

Otey’s rector in the early 20th century, Claiborne initiated or promoted many local institutions: the parish, St. Andrew’s and St. Mary’s schools to educate the local population, and the first infirmary/hospital. 

Claiborne’s ministry and vision continue. The building houses many community services and ministries. 

St. Mark’s Hall, the largest room in the building, honors the 1968 merger of the St. Mark’s and Otey congregations into Tennessee’s first fully integrated Episcopal Church. Bauerschmidt will consecrate a new small chapel in Claiborne as St. Paul’s-on-the-Mountain. In choosing this name, Otey seeks to honor and remember its precursor church. 

Also in the building are Sewanee Children’s Center, the Community Action Committee, meeting rooms and gathering spaces.