Memories of Jim Patton
“1. Never joined St. Peters because of his years working for the bishop in DC. He was there for the ground breaking of the National Cathedral and for the ceremonial laying of the last stone. Jim told me he never expected to live to see the completion.
“2. Jim loved Francis. Gay Mont, now again called Rose Hill, was Francis’ ancestral home. They rebuilt the house after it was destroyed by a fire on the same foundation (except for the Music room – now restored by the new owners.) They tracked down most of the original furnishings from family members.
“3. Jim loved history and was a wonderful record keeper! Once when I was trying to figure out conflicting stories on Townfield, he said not to stress over it because there was no one around to argue ….we do the best we can with what records we can find …..some things are lost to history. He encouraged me to keep a record on what we did and what we found at Townfield. (I should have listened!).
“4. I remember Jim loved for me to sing, The Palms on Palm Sunday. He loved the classics and the Stevens organ.
“5. Jim was a kind man. I remember taking Laura to Gay Mont to interview Jim for a paper she was writing for school. Always the gentleman, delighted to inspire children with history.
“6. When I think of my foundation stones at St. Peters, I don’t think of Rev. Friend, or Ware; I think Nell Clark (organist) ,Emily Holloway, Emma Cocke, Beverly Pratt, and Jim Patton. Jim was the last of my corner stones and I miss him.”
Nancy Long
Johnny remembers him as a “True Va. Gentleman.” “I remember he asked me each year to pick Queen Ann’s lace and tint it blue in memory of Frances (his wife) who loved to do that.
He loved his “home” church, NY. Avenue Presbyterian in DC and contributed faithfully to that and to St. Peter’s each Sunday.”
Cookie and Johnny
Roger and Eunice remember him as a man of few words. At a Fellowship Dinner someone remarked that he was quiet and as others were engaging in lively conversations. He said, “you have to be willing to listen in order to learn.”
Roger and Eunice
A Vestry Resolution
"Whereas Jim Patton, through his devotion to St Peter’s Episcopal Church helped to preserve and to promote the history of this Church, And whereas, through his gifts of financial support to St Peter’s Episcopal Church even though he was never a member of this parish, And whereas, he gave his time and talent to this Church, The Vestry of St Peter’s hereby declares that this Founders’ Day be held in Jim Patton’s memory with deep gratitude for his life and service to God in this place. "
Sunday, June 22, 2014