150^th Anniversary Notes for April, 2002 
from Jon Williams

  Beginnings of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church:  

The story of the organization of our congregation and the construction of the church is recorded in the Parish Register.  Laura Alley recently spent untold hours transcribing the handwritten text of the Rev. Frederick Fitzgerald (Rector, 1855-1860) to make it more available to us all:

The history of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the County of Wayne, previous to the present time is soon written.  In the old Town of Waynesboro, the former county seat, some three miles from Goldsboro, an effort was [n]ever made to erect a church edifice for the exclusive use of the worship of Almighty God, according to the services of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.  An edifice was, however, built [for] Divine service, towards the erection of which Churchmen generously contributed.  It was the common property of Episcopalians, and the numbers of the various religious denominations in the county.  Here religious services of every form and character were held, but with what degree of regularity, or frequency Episcopal services were performed the writer is unable to say.   . . .  In 1847 Goldsboro became the county seat, and gradually Waynesboro ceased to exist as a town, on account of being off the Rail Road, and of its great [insularity].  It then became a Deserted village and its inhabitants moved to Goldsboro.

The new town of Goldsboro rapidly increased in size on account of its superior site and healthiness.  Men came from all parts of the county to settle in the new county seat, and speculation and enterprise soon developed themselves astonishingly.  The new-comers, however, were all men who were seekers, rather than possessors of fortunes, so that without Capital speculation soon died out.  The old inhabitants of Waynesboro were the men of Capital of the new town, and for the most part also the men of character and stability.  About July 1855 the speculation fever reached its height, when half acre improved lots were held at $1200.00.

The increased number of Episcopalians now demanded more ministrations of the Church, and the call of a clergyman to the case of this growing missionary field.  Accordingly some time in the year of our Redemption 1853 the Rev. N. F. N. Rolfe took charge of this place.  Services were held in the new Court House.  He made earnest endeavors to collect funds for the erection of a church edifice.  A piece of land was obtained by him near the present site of the church.   The old church in Waynesboro was then moved to Goldsboro to form a part of the material of a new church edifice; none of it, however, was ever used, excepting a small portion in the construction of an office or study which was to be a nucleus for a Rectory.

  Formation of the Parish

On the 7^th of December 1853 the following gentlemen assembled for the purpose of organizing this Missionary station in to a Parish, according to Canon VII of 1842:  viz: Richard Washington; George W. Collier; Daniel Cogdell; Junius B. Whitaker; William A. Williams; Dr. L. D. Battle; W^m L. Dortch; R. T. Hoskins; John C. McRae; John B. Griswold; E. B. Borden; W^m A. Strong; & George V. Strong;  The form required by the Canon was subscribed to; and by motion of Mr. G. V. Strong the name assumed for the Parish was that of St. Stephen's Parish, Goldsboro No. Ca. . . .

In January 1854 the Rev. Mr. Rolfe moved to Goldsboro; and at the first meeting of the Vestry his salary was fixed at $300. per annum.   At the same meeting of the Vestry it was determined to build a Church, as far as possible, out of the timbers of the old Church moved from Waynesboro, purchased by Mr. Collier.  A Contract for that purpose was given to Mr.  George O. Dudley.  A subsequent Vestry meeting resolved to build a Church not to exceed $2000:  while at a third meeting, which was held very soon after, it seems to have been determined to erect an edifice to cost $5000.  On the 12 of January 1854 by vote of the Vestry the Rev. Mr. Rolfe was requested to leave the Parish to obtain funds for the building of the Church edifice.  How long the Rector was absent is not mentioned in any Parish Record.

On the 21^st of September 1854 the Rev. Mr. Rolfe resigned the care if this Parish, and moved to the Diocese of Maryland.

 Second Rector

From September 1854 until the 12 of July 1855 the Parish was without a Rector, or any regular services, at which time the Rev. Frederick Fitzgerald, the writer of this Parish History became the Rector by regular call of the Vestry.  He was to officiate three Sundays in each month, and receive a salary of $450. per annum.  The other Sunday was given to St. Mary's Parish Kinston, Lenoir Co., N.C.

At the time the following persons were members of the vestry; viz:

W^m A. Williams, Senior Warden.

G. W. Collier, Junior Warden.

J. B. Whitaker, Secretary & Treasurer.

Richard Washington.

Dr. D. A. Cogdell.

G. V. Strong.

Dr. W. H. Moore.

Dr. B. F. Arrington.

Dr. J. D. Battle.

W^m T. Dortch.

J. B. Griswold.

B. F. Hawkin.

On the 17 of July 1855 the new Rector called his first meeting of the Vestry.  At this meeting efforts were made to settle the previous pecuniary Difficulties of the Parish, but which were of no avail.  It was determined, however, to erect as soon as possible a Brick Church Edifice, and to open subscriptions for that purpose.  The following persons were elected.

                                  The Building Committee viz:

                                The Rev. Frederick Fitz Gerald

                                George W. Collier

                                George V. Strong

                                W^m A. Williams

The 13 day of August 1855 was the first meeting of the above Building Committee.  A plan of an "Early English" Gothic Church was proposed by the Rector, 70 feet by 25 feet inside, and adopted.  The Drawings for this plan were afterwards perfected by a Interim Architect Mr. John W. Priest of Newburgh New York.  . . .  The bricks were made and furnished by Mssrs Collier & Hall at favorable prices to the Church.  The Mason work was performed in a substantial manner by Mr. James R. Murray, a mason from Georgia.  All the substantial wood work was done by Mr. A. J. Riggs an excellent Master Builder, while the doors, windows, and sash were made in New York City under the care of Mr. J. W. Priest, the Architect of this Church.  . . .

On the 8^th of August 1856 the first ground was broken for laying the foundation of the Church.  And on the 27 of August the corner stone was laid, in which was deposited a glass Bottle, with ground stopped, containing a parchment on which was written a short history of the Parish, together with the names of the members of the Vestry.  . . .

On Saturday the 2^nd of May 1857, at night, the church edifice was first opened for Divine Service, and was full to overflowing.  The service was ready by the Rector; and a sermon was preached by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Atkinson, the Bishop of the Diocese, on the subject of future punishment.

The next day, the Third Sunday after Easter, the 3^rd of May 1857, was the long hoped for, and long prayed for day when full Services were held on the Lord's Day.  The day was a beautiful one, bright and serene; and the congregation as large as the Church could contain.  The walls were not plastered, neither were the pews, nor gallery finished; still by means of chairs and benches the congregation was well seated.  The full service was read by the Rector; and the sermon was by the Rt. Rev. Bishop on the subject of Justification by Faith.  . . .

 Not a few wipe[d] tears of joy, on this day of great things, to this young and full Parish, which now possessed so beautiful an house in which to praise and glorify the King of Heaven; a house that had been builded not without labours, and agonies of tears, and strong crying unto God.