From the working group of the Vestry – September 16, 2020

September 16, 2020

To the Members of Saint Paul’s Church,

As many of you know, since June, the Vestry has been discussing the placement of the Leonidas Polk monument plaque that sits adjacent to the altar of the church building. A working group has been formed and work has been underway, including work with the Saint Paul’s History Committee.

We’ve learned that Polk was never a parishioner of Saint Paul’s and there is no evidence he ever attended a service at Saint Paul’s Church, though Polk’s funeral was held at Saint Paul’s in 1864 – in the church building that existed prior to the current building. Polk’s funeral was held at Saint Paul’s because railroads were destroyed at the time and therefore his remains could not be transported to his home state of Louisiana. However, in 1945 he and his wife’s remains were both moved to Louisiana and reinterred there.

Our working group has not been discussing the merits of Polk himself – whether, on balance, he led a good life or did great things worthy of a monument – so much as whether we, as a congregation, ought to continue the historical narrative of Polk’s legacy by maintaining a plaque adjacent to the altar. Polk’s funeral address and scholarly accounts make it clear that Polk’s legacy has been used as a symbol of the romanticized view of the Confederacy during the post-Reconstruction era and onward. What we are discussing is whether continuing this narrative would do a grave disservice to all of the wonderful things our parish is doing in and around the community.

We at Saint Paul’s are blessed to occupy and serve as caretakers of a historic building. But we, the people of Saint Paul’s, are the church, not the building itself. We are commanded to love thy neighbor as thyself. In light of this, we are considering moving the plaque from the altar and placing it in a more appropriate location.

The Vestry will be taking a vote on moving the plaque in an upcoming meeting. Should you wish to speak with one of the members of the Vestry working group, please contact the Parish Office and you will be connected. We welcome your thoughts and any discussion you would like to have.

Sincerely,

The Working Group
Matt Gulette, Brett Montroy, and Laura Robertson