St. John’s Episcopal Church Honors Welsh Heritage
EAST POULTNEY, Vermont – Join St. John’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, July 14 for a special service to honor the contributions of the Welsh immigrants who played an important part in the history of the area. The service will begin at 4:00 PM at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Route 140, East Poultney, Vermont. The service will feature scripture readings spoken in the Welsh language by Nia Davies Demiray. Davies Demiray is Vice President of the Poultney Area St. David’s Society and a native of Aberystwyth, Wales. The service will feature Dr. James Cassarino, Director of the Vocal, Instrumental and Welsh Heritage programs at Green Mountain College, on the original mechanical organ. Light refreshments and fellowship will be offered.
Following the services guests are invited to join the Poultney Area St. David’s Society for a evening of entertainment with Welsh descendant Dave Davies. The event begins at 6:00 PM. at the Iron Lantern Restaurant, Castleton, Vermont. Davies is the author of “What a Line! Highlighting 50 Years of
Adventure, Artistry, Wit and Wisdom” and will share excerpts from his book, and life, at the dinner. All are welcome. Prepaid dinner reservations are required and can be secured by calling the Poultney Area St. David’s Society at (802) 287-5744.
St. John’s Episcopal Church, which held its first service on May 27, 1832, sits on the historic village green in East Poultney, Vermont. St. John’s held regular Sunday services until 1931. In 2013, a group of concerned citizens took on the task of caring for this virtually untouched structure. The church features the original box-style pews, stenciled walls, oil lamps and a remarkable, intact mechanical organ, one of four remaining organs manufactured by the Nutting Organ Company of Vermont. The Church has no plumbing facilities, no furnace, and no electricity. Recent restoration efforts have included repair of the Church roof and steeple and a complete reconstruction of the front stairs, all under the guidance of a restoration architect.
For more information, please contact Reverend William Davidson of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Wells, Vermont by calling (518) 499-1850.