St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 312 North Division Street, Carson City, Carson City

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS NEV,13-CARCI,10-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

St. Peter's is an interesting and attractive building reflecting both Gothic and classic prototypes. PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: 1. Date of erection: In July the Vestrymen announced their intention to build a church. By October 27, I867 the building was shingled and sided. By November 3, the steeple had been raised and topped with the cross. The first service was not held until August 9S and the church was not consecrated until June 2. Architect: none known 3. Original and subsequent owners: St. Peter's Church is built on the northern half of block 35 of Proctor and Green's Division of Carson City. (Frank M. Proctor and Green were two of the four original purchasers in of the Eagle Ranch upon which Carson City was platted).

The following references to the title of these lots are found in the Ormsby County, Nevada Deed Books. Deed, April 27, recorded in Book 9, pages 70, 71. Francis Mandlebaum sold the northern half of Block 35 of Proctor and Green's Division of Carson City to the rector, church wardens, and vestrymen of St. Peter;s Church for I867 Deed, January 9, recorded in Book 11, page The Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Peter's Church received clear title to lots 1, 2, 3 and k and ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH HABS No. MEV-13-11 Page 2. the north half of lots 5 and 6 in Block 35 (the northern half of the block) along -with other properties upon payment of recording fee.

Deed July 1, I89I, recorded in Book 25, page The church "bought lots 7, 8, 9 and 10 and the south 17 feet of lots 5 and 6 of Block 35 from Andrew Robert for The deed describes this as the south half of block 35, and mentions that it has on it "a brick dwelling house known and commonly called the Dean Hatch property." This purchase gave the church title to the entire block, and provided a parsonage for the minister. The "Dean Hatch" house still serves this purpose. k. Original plans, construction, etc.: The I867 portion of the building was constructed by the Corbett Brothers, and cost The original building included the tower and the major portion of the sanctuary. The church as it then stood was 46' x It was described several years later as "very plain but substantial." 5.

Alterations and additions: In October work was begun to enlarge the church. This work was completed by April An account of the changes appears in the July issue of The Nevada Pulpit,' a monthly magazine published by the rector of St. Peter's during that year: "The edifice was enlarged twenty-four feet, making the audi- tory seventy feet. Two wings of the same height as the main part, were added for Lecture and Sunday-school room, being together fifty-eight feet by twenty-one. "The auditory contains fifty-nine pews, arranged in three rows with two aisles. "The gallery in the east end was extended six feet and is entered by stairs from the vestibule in the tower.

"Across the west end is a canopy of three elliptical arches supported by four square fluted columns surmounted by Corinthian capitals. "The two center columns, resting on the platform raised three steps from the main floor, and the two half columns in the rear, one on each side of an elegantly designed triplet stained glass window, form the chancel. "On either side of the chancel there is a passage leading into ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH HABS No. Nev-13-11 Page 3 the school-room over each of which is one of the other re- maining arches of the canopy.

In front over the chancel arch "within an elliptical figure, are the words in gilt letters shaded with "black, 'The Lord is in His holy temple.' The chancel is enclosed with a rail on three sides." (This rail, of wood, has since "been replaced "by a metal one.) The stained glass windows in the sanctuary were installed during this remodelling. The Sunday School room was so arranged that, by opening the doors on either side of the chancel and raising the sash in the chancel window, it could he used as an extension of the church proper. The two areas combined could hold some five hundred persons. The remodelling was done under the supervision of Mr. John G. Parker.

Assisting him were "several excellent machanics, viz: Messrs Davis, Garbett, Lamb, McQuarry, Osborne and Sturr," (the stained glass window above the balcony was donated by these men to the church). Mr. John Meighan was the mason for the work. The exterior painting was done by "Messrs. Hood and Bros.," and the interior was done by John S. Dickson, assisted by Charles G. Hood. In March a platform was built in the Sunday School room, and gas fixtures were installed, the gift of Xerington. In May a fence was constructed around the property. In at a cost of the south transept was arranged to house a pipe organ. The organ, costing was built by Mr. Walley of Oakland, California. In the church was enlarged to include a guild room, kitchen, toilet, and study.

The cost of this was paid for by a legacy of from the Yerington estate, with an equal sum donated by Yerington. In electric lights replaced the gas fixtures. In it was realized that the church, and especially the roof, were in bad repair. Due to financial difficulties the parish was not able to begin work until the next year. By then water had leaked into the pipe organ, and had ruined several feet of the plaster cornice. The exterior of the church was painted, and the interior repaired, including replacement of the damaged plaster. The pews were reset to allow for more kneeling space. In repair work was again undertaken. New exterior siding was placed on the west, south, and east sides, and on the tower. The south half of the roof was reshingled, as was the west roof of the parish house.

At this time the Nev. to- ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH HABS No. NEV-13-11 Page k exterior color was changed from the original yellow drab with dark drab trim to an overall off-white. In the stained glass windows were repaired. In the interior of the Parish Hall was redecorated, a new floor laid there, and gas wall-heaters installed. In the fall of at the cost of a new oil furnace was installed in the narthex, and floor registers installed in the sanctuary. Under the pastorate of the Rev. A.P. Daughters the interior of the church was remodeled. New flooring was laid in the chancel and nave and covered with carpeting. The altar rail was moved forward to enlarge the chancel. The ceiling, walls and woodwork were repainted by Mr.

Frans Benson and the lettering over the sanctuary arches was repainted by Mr. Mike Wagner. Also at this time, the old pipe organ was removed and an electric organ installed. A sacristy was made from the space occupied "by the old organ. In April the foundations were repaired. Redwood timbers (8" x 8") were laid under the flooring and walls, and the exterior of the entire building painted. In an explosion in a building across Telegraph Street blew out the stained glass windows in the north wall of the nave. These were replaced by extremely well executed copies . of the originals, using the windows in the south wall as models. The most recent alterations include installation of a double swinging door between the vestibule and the nave.

Formerly, there were two small doors to the left and right of the space occupied by the present double door, leading directly into the two aisles. A new stained glass window has been installed in the window opening in the tower above the front door, and a sanctuary lamp installed over the altar as a memorial. B. Historical Events and Persons Associated with the Building: The organizational meeting to incorporate a Protestant Episcopal Church in Carson City was held on November 9, At this meeting, the first Wardens and Vestrymen were elected. They were: Sam D. King Yerington A.H. Griswold A.W. Tjader Dorsey Van Winkle James V, Nye Geo, Turner Rice to* ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH # HABS No. NEV-13-11 Page 5 King and Griswold were selected as Wardens, the rest as Vestry- men.

All of these men were well known and prominent citizens of Carson City in its formative years. Perhaps the most noted were James W. Nye, Governor of Nevada Territory (see Stewart- Nye House, HABS No. NEV-13-12) and Yerington, later to become General Superintendent of the Virginia and Truckee Rail- road (see Yerington House, HABS No. NEV-13-18). Among the men who have served the church in a ministerial capacity, the Right Reverend Ozi William Whitaker is perhaps the "best known. He was horn in in New Salem, Massachusetts and ordained at Grace Church, Boston in His first parish in Nevada was at Gold Hill. In and early Whitaker also served St. Peter's in Carson City, conducting week-day services for the congregation, then without a regular minister.

It was during this time that the church edifice was under con- struction. In October, he was appointed Bishop of the Missionary District of Nevada. In June Whitaker con- secrated the enlarged St. Peter's,Carson City. In he became Bishop Coadjutor of Pennsylvania, and later Presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church. C. Sources of Information: # 1. Old views: Page 31 of The First Hundred Years (see second entry in Bibliography) has a photograph of the exterior c. Page 33 of same shows the interior c. with the pipe organ to the left of the chancel. An early panoramic photograph of Carson City, reproduced both in the Second Biennial Report of the Nevada Historical Society, and Davis, The History of Nevada (facing page shows the .

church in its original state, prior to the enlarge- ments . A copy of an early, undated photograph of the interior is owned by Mr. Stephen Drew, Randolph Avenue, Oakland, California, The original was in the possession of the Yerington family. 2.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS NEV,13-CARCI,10-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Davis, Sam. P., ed. The History of Nevada. Reno: The Elms Publishing Co., Kean, Arthur S. The First Hundred Years of St. Peter's ' Church and Parish, Cars6h City, Nevada, 1863-1963.Carson City: Western Litho,"1963. tfEl/. It?. ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH HABS No. NEV-13-11 Page 6 Thompson, Thomas H., and West, Albert A. History of Nevada . Berkely: Howell-North, (facsimile reprint of this volume which was originally published in Wren, Thomas, ed. A History of the State of Nevada, Its Resources and Peoyie, New York: Lewis Publishing Co., The minutes of the Vestry are kept In the Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, West Seventh Street in Reno, Nevada. These were not consulted for this report, but may provide additional information. Prepared by: S. Allen Chambers, Jr.

Architectural Historian Historic American Buildings Survey November PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION: A. General Statement: 1, Architectural Merit and Interest: A mid nineteenth- century church with attractive features of medieval and classic origins, including a notable chancel screen, large- ly in its early state. 2. Condition of Fabric: Good B. Description of Exterior: 1. Overall Dimensions: about 25 ft. x 81 ft. (3 x 6 bays), plus accessory rooms about 37 ft. by 57 ft. One story, T. shape. 2. Foundations: Low; sandstone ashlar, roughly pick-dressed. 3. Walls: Bevel siding, painted. k. Structural system: Wood frame. 5. Porch: A simple porch (,1 x 1 bay) shelters an entrance to the accessory rooms at the west end of the north side of the church. 6. Openings: ST.

PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH-" # HABS Ho. NEV-13-11 Page 7 a. Doorways: The main entrance is centered on the east end, in a projecting tower. It is contained within a high pointed-arched motif which contains a pair of arched panels above the doors, and above that a pointed window divided by wooden tracery; this entire motif is framed by mouldings. The doors are double, each leaf containing a single panel with a pointed head, in which there is a diaper pattern in low relief, now partially obscured by paint. Four sandstone steps lead up to the entrance, between ornamental metal railings. On the north wall of the accessory wing there is a door- way with a label, transom light, and four panels of diagonal matched boards. b.

Windows: There are four windows on each side of the church, their heads in the form of a two-centered arch. Each is divided by a central mullion which branches near the top, forming two lancets and a diamond-shaped light. In the chancel there is a group of three lancet windows, the central one being the widest. In the north and south gables of the accessory wing there are windows (one in each) similar to those of the nave. Above each there is a small divided window. In the west wall of the accessory wing there are four windows: two each of two designs. One type is Tudor- arched, divided by a central mullion, with a hoodmould. Each half is double hung, one light over one light. There are three simple brackets below the sill. The other type is square-headed, trimmed by a label.

Below a moulded transom bar there is a double-hung sash, two lights over two lights. The transom light is leaded; small vertical panes have triangular heads. Below the sill there are two simple brackets. On each side of the doorway in the north wall of the accessory wing, there is a small triangular-headed window with a hood-mould resembling a small gable. At each side of the trim there is a scrolled buttress. Below the sill there are two simple brackets. The glaz- ing is divided into three vertical panes, which at the top form an X-shaped motif. 7. Roof: The church has a gable roof. The accessory wing adjoining the west end of the church has a gable roof per- ci* to. ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH HABS No. NEV-13-11 Page 8 pendicular to it. The western portion of the accessory wing is.

lower and is covered with a hipped gambrel roof. The covering is wood shingles. 8. Eaves: are boxed, "with, small brackets widely spaced. 9. Tover: A tover about ten feet square in plan projects from the center of the east front. Above the entrance motif, described above, a horizontal moulding course terminates the lower stage of the tower. Above this there is a section containing a circular louvered opening on each side, capped by a wide echinus moulding and fillets. Above this the tower is smaller, and cruciform in plan. There is a gabled projection on each side, having pil- astered corners, a pointed louvered opening, and bracketed eaves. Above the gables there is a spire which is square in plan, placed diagonally. It terminates in a small globe and a plain cross. C.

Description of Interior: 1. Plan: The church is rectangular, consisting of a four-bay nave, a shallow chancel at the west end, and a vestibule in the base of the east tower. There is a small gallery at the east end, reached by stairs at the side of the vestibule. The accessory rooms adjoin the west end of the church. This part of the buildings forms the cap of a T whose stem is the church. 2. The Nave: The profile of the ceiling is an inverted V of moderate pitch (less than the roof pitch, as though there were scissors trusses). At the junction with the side walls there is a plaster cornice consisting of two coves and smaller mouldings.

Plaster mouldings also extend along the apex of the ceiling, interrupted by three large circular center-pieces whose central panel is enriched by a foliated motif. The lighting fixtures which hang from these points appear to be modern. Walls and ceilings are plastered, above a wainscot of vertical matched and beaded boards which has a moulded cap. There are three rows of pews or benches, which appear old. The ends have scrolled arm rests and are paneled. They are painted in imitation of wood graining. An octagonal stone font is located on axis a short distance NEV, t3-CAHct' \0. ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH HABS No. NEV-13-11 Page 9 from the eastern entrance to the nave. The windows, four at each. side, contain colored leaded glass.

In the lancets there is a "brown monochromatic diaper pattern, around which extends a simple foliated "border: "blue, yellow, red and green. In the diamond- shaped area at the top of each window there is a symbol: anchor, angel or cherub, rose, crown, lily, lamb, Bible and dove, respectively. In the gable above the gallery there is a single window containing the figure of King David playing a harp, within a trefoil-headed niche with colonnettes. The colors are predominantly red, blue and yellow. This "window" is actually a door, opening into the tower room above the vestibule. 3. The Chancel: The floor of the chancel is elevated three steps above that of the nave. An arcaded three-bay screen emphasizes the symbolic separation of these two areas.

Two square fluted Roman Corinthian columns on pedestals support semi-elliptical arches with moulded archivolts. The central opening is wider than the others. Corinthian pilasters serve as recalls on the west and north walls; the one at the south wall is lacking. In the lunette above the arches there is ornamental grisaille painting: in an elliptical medallion is the motto "The Lord is in His Holy Temple." This is flanked by symmetri- cal foliated scrolls. The Corinthian capitals are gilded. In front of the chancel screen there is a brass railing, semi-elliptical in plan. Scrolled members form an open design. There is a gate in the center. Three colored glass windows on the west wall, visible through the central arch of the screen, contain medallions framed by a border.

In the central one there are a chalice, a font and a dove. The window at the left contains a symbol of the Trinity; the one at the right has the mono- gram IHS. Between the medallions, areas are enriched with foliated scrolls. On the west wall in each outer bay there is a door within a pointed opening. Each door has two vertical panels with pointed heads; in the tympanum the paneling echoes the tracery pattern of the windows in the nave. D. Site and Surroundings: A/EU. ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH HAES Ho. HEV-13-11 Page 10 % This church faces east toward Division Street. It, with the accessory buildings, occupies the north half of the "block hounded by Division, Telegraph., Minnesota and Proctor Streets. The terrain is level. The Rectory adjoins to the south.

The light post next to the entrance is an old gas light from Virginia City which has been electrified. Prepared by: Harley J. McKee Supervisory Architect National Park Service Date of visit - August 19, PART II. Project Information These records are part of the documentation made during the latter half of and the summer of in a project undertaken by the Historic American Buildings Survey in cooperation with the Nevada State Park System to record structures in Carson City and nearby areas. The project was under the general supervision of John Poppeliers, Chief, Historic American Buildings Survey. Eric R. Cronkhite, Administrator;, Nevada State Park System, and Marshall Humphreys of the Nevada Land- marks Society assisted the HABS recorders in Nevada. Professor Harley J.

McKee, Supervisory Architect, National Park Service, selected the subjects and provided architectural data for the sixteen Carson City structures which were recorded. Historical documentation for these buildings was pre- pared by S. Allen Chambers, Architect/ural Historian, Historic American Buildings Survey. Project Supervisor for the Nevada Summer Team, which produced the measured drawings, was Robert L. Hartwig of Harvard University. Student assistant architects were John T. M. Creery (University of Utah), Robert P. Mizell (University of Florida), and Jack W. Schafer (University of Cincinatti). Photographs were made by Aaron A. Gallup of Sacramento, California.