On July 6, 1868 lightning struck the St. Peter’s Church steeple and caused great damage, the second major disaster following the one in 1849 that nearly destroyed the church with only the walls remaining.
Necessary repairs were made and the present gabled roof without a steeple on the front was constructed. In 1873, when it became apparent that the church spire would not be replaced, the vestry erected a plain Belfry, or Campanile, or Glockenturm, apart from the church in the graveyard. Judge Austin Hoyt in the 20th century gave the name to the campanile and appropriately is buried next to it. Until the fall of 2009, the 1850 “Black Meneely” bells, donated by Silas Wood, was hanging in the Campanile (Belfry) for all those years.
Editor’s Note Jim Patton in his papers has a couple of articles he wrote on parts of the church – the belfry, the rectory, and the graveyard. In constructing these, he went to the Vestry minutes but included excerpts from the Bernard diaries and papers since he was living in their house at Gay Mont. (These papers are at William and Mary). He then sometimes researched other sources. This time he went to the records of the Annual Council of the Diocese called the "Journals of the Council." They are available online here. During the 19th century, the minister usually made some short comments about the church. These comments have been very valuable to church historians writing later.
From: St. Peter’s Church Vestry- Minutes re: the Bell Tower
Apr. 19, 1872 " … The condition of the ceiling of the church was called to the attention’ of the Vestry. ‘R.G.R. Catlett, P.L. Robb and John J, Gravatt were appointed a committee to have the ceiling renewed. …"
(This problem was probably a result of the lightning striking the belfry July 6, 1868)
May 10, 1872 "…the committee reported they had contracted with Mr. Robert Garter to have the ceiling of the church replastered at a cost of $74.00 …"
(Unfortunately Mr., Carter is not available in 1999!)
July 3, 1872 The Vestry’s attention was called to the importance of having some suitable structure made for the bell. It was moved and adopted that an architect be consulted and requested to furnish plans for the erection of a tower or belfry. Mr. P. L. Robb was selected to carry into effect the above resolution. On motion Mr. G. W. Catlett was appointed a committee to have the parapet walls repaired.
Note: I never knew of a parapet. JSP
Jan, 6, 1873 Attention of the Vestry was again called for the removal of the bell from the church building and to the erection of a suitable belfry for it. C. B. Thornton and John J. Gravatt were appointed to confer with carpenters as- to the best mode of carrying out the wishes of the Vestry in regard to a belfry – and to make such a contract for it as they, the committee, might deem most advisable.
Apr. 7, 1873 The report of the building committee of the belfry was made and received.
"That is all – the subject is not mentioned again in the minutes. However, Mr. Poindexter’s report to the Diocese as follows; "Not being able to replace the spire which some years ago was destroyed by lightning the Vestry erected a plain belfry apart from the church at a cost of $118.25, $3.25 contributed by the congregation but no mention from whence came the $115. Ralph Fall in his’ Hidden Village mentions the lightning and "again a fire caused great damage to the building. Necessary repairs were made and the present gabled roof without a steeple was constructed. The damage was not so great that church services could not be held. Uncle William Bernard in his diary for Sunday July 12, six days later when he wrote "Helen and Phil went down to church in Port Royal". His attendances thereafter were infrequent. "Due to indisposition" but often mentioned other family members as "going down to church".
"Judge Hoyt of Prospect Hill was a loyal member of St, Peter’s for a few years and requested his burial spot to be beside the "campanile", as he always referred to the bell tower. We were well acquainted as our commute to D.C. was on the same bus and I, for one, and probably the only one, would rather see the 126 year old campanile replaced than a belfry on the church. I have written the National Archives for a copy of notes of the Coast and Geodetic survey of 1854 that contained a tiny sketch of the belfry on the church and, if forthcoming, will pass it on."
During 2009-2010, the church reconstructed a belfry in the front of the church, restored the bell and its frame, placed it in the belfry and put an empty cross on top of it all.
Now after 2010 the campanile on the other side of the church had no functional purpose, a historical curiosity. It was threatened by a sycamore that had to be taken down in 2016. Adding to it woes, the structure by 2017 was leaning significantly and its structural integrity was in doubt. The siding needed work. Apparently it was built without a foundation.
Pitts brothers were hired to lift the structure and place a concrete foundation for the campanile and repair the structure – for the next 135 years.
The campanile provided functional support for the bell and is now considered a unique piece of southern architecture and will be saved as an important structure in St. Peter’s history.
Photo by Cookie Davis.
The repairs have begun.