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APPENDIX.

1835, a Convention of the Dioceses of Mississippi and Alabama, and
of the Churches of Louisiana, was held in New Orleans, under the
authority of a Canon of the General Convention, allowing said
Dioceses and Churches to unite in the election of a Bishop. This
Convention adopted a Constitution, and assumed the title of "The
South Western Diocese ;" and proceeded to the election of the Rev.
Francis L. Hawkes as their Bishop ; who declined the appointment.

During parts of the years 1835, and 1836, the Church was favoured
with only occasional ministrations ; and in the autumn of 1836,
Bishop Brownell again acceded to the invitation of the Vestry to pay
them a visit ; and continued with the Parish through the winter.

In the spring of 1837 he consecrated the new church edifice,
Christ Church, Canal Street. The following appropriate hymn form-
ed a part of that interesting ceremony :

HYMN,

FOR THE CONSECRATION OF CHRIST CHURCH.

------

By Mrs. Sigourney.

------

I.

BEHOLD the Temple ! God of grace !
From each unhallowed purpose free,
Which, trusting in our Saviour's name,
We gladly consecrate to Thee.

II.

Here bid our prayers accepted rise ;
Bend to our praise Thy listening ear,
And smile upon the vows that break
From fervent lips and hearts sincere.

III.

The pure baptismal waters bless,
Which here our infant race shall seal,
And with Thy presence cheer the flock
That daily round this altar kneel.

IV.

Lift up your heads, ye holy gates,
And hail the Gospel's peaceful sway,
Yes, lift your heads exulting high,
And give the King of glory way.

V.

So may the gates of Heaven unfold,
With music's everlasting strain,
To many a soul who 'neath this dome
Salvation's priceless pearl shall gain.

On the 15th of February, 1837, the Wardens and Vestry unani-
mously elected the Rev. N. S. Wheaton, D. D., then President of
Washington College in Connecticut, as their Rector ; who entered
on the duties of his office in November, and was instituted early in
the following year.

On the 28th of April, 1838, a Convention of the Clergy and Churches
of Louisiana was held in Christ Church, for the purpose of organiz-

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39

APPENDIX.

ing said churches into an independent Diocese. A Constitution was
adopted, and delegates were appointed to attend the General Conven-
tion, to be held in Philadelphia, in September of the same year ; at
which time, Louisiana was admitted as a Diocese in connexion
with the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the United States of America.

The first Annual Convention was held on the 16th of January,
1839 ; when, by a unanimous vote, the Diocese was placed under the
full Episcopal charge and authority of the Rt. Rev. Leonidas Polk,
D. D., then Missionary Bishop of Arkansas. The change was ac-
cepted, and Bishop Polk continued to officiate as Bishop of the
Diocese till the General Convention of 1841.

To that Convention, a memorial was presented, from a Special
Convention of the Diocese, held in May of the same year, soliciting
the election of a Bishop of Louisiana ; which resulted in the appoint-
ment, by a unanimous vote of both houses, of the Rt. Rev. Bishop
Polk to the office.

As the history of Christ Church is, in fact, the history of the Church
in Louisiana, during the early period of its existence, the narrative
has not been interrupted by a reference to ecclesiastical proceedings
in other parts of the State.

On the 16th of March, 1820, a church was incorporated under the
title of " The Episcopal Congregation of Baton Rouge." The mem-
bers of this congregation have been few in numbers, and are held
together by the voluntary ministrations of the President of the College.
The Church has never been regularly organized.

On the 7th of February, 1829, Grace Church, St. Fancisville, was
incorporated, a congregation having been previously gathered by the
labours of the Rev. Mr. Bowman, who came to St. Francisville as a
Missionary in 1826, and remained there till his death, which hap-
pened in August, 1835. The Church was supplied, with occasional
interruptions, by the Rev. Messrs. Monroe and Ranney, till 1839 ;
when the present Rector, the Rev. D. S. Lewis, was called to the
charge of the Parish.

St. Paul's Church, in the City of New Orleans, was incorporated
on the 14th of February, 1840, under the pastoral care of the present
Rector, the Rev. Charles Goodrich, who commenced his labours in
the autumn of the year 1838. The church was consecrated in March,
1840, and is a very neat and convenient edifice.

FINIS.