Page:Bruton parish church restored and its historic environments (1907 V2).djvu/96

 *papered from the original rail, revealing hundreds of names and dates carved there by the students of other days.

The tower woodwork was reenforced, and the exterior covered with panel work as it appears at present, which was put on over the modern tin with which the steeple had been covered prior to the restoration work. The ancient clock in the steeple was restored through a contribution made by the "Colonial Dames of America, in Virginia." Many of the pews in the church were restored by patriotic societies and by descendants of the persons whom the pews memoralize.

The total cost of the work of preservation and restoration has been about $27,000. Of this amount, about $14,000 was contributed in Virginia, of which nearly $6,000 was given in Williamsburg. All the bills for work done have been carefully audited, paid, and receipted, and placed on file in the crypt of the church.

While acknowledging with cordial gratitude the kindness of all who have aided in the work of restoration, we feel that special mention should be made of the kind co-operation of those, without whom the work could not have been accomplished.

We would make grateful recognition of the unique distinction and honor conferred upon the Parish, by the gift of a memorial lecturn presented by His Excellency, Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, and a Memorial Bible presented by His Majesty, King Edward VII. commemorative of the Three Hundredth Anniversary of the establishment of English civilization and the English Church in America, and of the kind interest and intervention of His Grace, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of Washington, through whom these gifts were suggested.

Much of the success of the restoration is due to the sympathetic and intelligent interest of the architect, Mr. J. Stewart Barney, of New York City, who gave his service to the church; and to the careful supervision of Mr. Charles A. Hoag.

We would record with grateful appreciation, the kind