The History of Grace Church
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Grace Episcopal Church's building is a beautiful example of the "Carpenter Gothic" style of architecture popular in the decade after the War Between the States when Middle Tennessee, along with the rest of the country was experiencing a recovery from the pain and deprivations of the war. The Church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
In 1877, Mr. and Mrs. Orville McKissack (masters of the 1845 McKissack House two doors south of Grace Church) gave a part of the formal gardens of the house as a site for a Church where the people of the community could come together to worship God. The people of the community raised $1,800 for construction costs.
The Church was designed by the Nashville architect, P.J. Williamson. The Rev. Charles Todd Quintard, Bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee, consecrated the Church on May 16, 1878. It has served continuously since that time as a place for the people of the community to come together to worship God.
The graceful altar rail with its "fruit of the vine" motif was carved from black walnut trees cut on the Ewell Farm by Professor T. S. Morton of the Branham and Hughes Academy.
The carved Altar itself was a gift from Campbell Brown, son of Lizinka Brown Ewell, of the Ewell Farm. It was fashioned by Rev. James Oertel, a former minister and then artist in residence at the Columbia Female Institute, from the wood of trees cut on the Ewell Farm.
Many memorials have been placed in the church by loving friends in the community, including a stained glass window in honor of one of the founders of the Beechcroft School. The inscription reads:
"I know that my Redeemer Liveth"
To the glory of God and in Memory of Henry Bacon Estes
This window is erected by the Children of Beechcroft-1888
The Pilcher organ was purchased with funds raised by the people of the community, lead by Miss Glouster, church organist and a teacher at Beechcroft School.
The original, beautifully-toned church bell, engraved "England - 1839", hangs in the belfry and still rings for weddings, funerals and to call the people of the community together for Sunday Service.
The Grace Church Sanctuary
is a beautiful example of the "Carpenter Gothic" style of architecture popular in the decade after the War Between States.
The Altar Rail
was fashioned in the "fruit of the vine" motif by Rev. James Oertel, a former minister and then artist in residence at the Columbia Female Institute, from the wood of the trees cut on the Ewell Farm.
The Pilcher Organ
The organ was purchased with funds raised by the people of the community, lead by Miss Glouster, church organist and a teacher at Beechcroft School.
The stained glass window in honor of the founders of the Beechcroft School. The inscription reads:
"I know that my Redeemer Livith" To The glory of God and in Memory of Henry Bacon Estes this window is erected by the Children of Beechcroft - 1888