Sunday, April 25, 2010

Case of the last vicar


From "Delmarva"

If Bill Wilson is right, there is a body buried beneath the brick floor at Greenhill Church in an unmarked grave between the pine box pews and raised pulpit in the 1733 sanctuary.

If Wilson is right, he may have discovered a clue to one of the longest running historical mysteries in the history of the church -- locating the grave of the Rev. Alexander Adams. There are three possible sites -- two in Wicomico County and one in Somerset County.

Wilson, who serves on the church's restoration committee, bases his assumption on the misalignment of the bricks along the aisle.

"I have no basis for that theory other than he was the one responsible for building the present church and donating the communion silver service. Out of respect, this is where I think the congregation at the time wanted him buried, just a few feet beneath the aisle bricks," he said. "More than likely, the brickwork was taken up and someone was buried there. That was normal practice in early Anglican churches."

Adams, born in 1679, came to Stepney and Somerset parishes in 1704. He was a fixture behind the pulpit for 65 years, a national church record that has remained unbroken for more than two centuries.

"That he might be buried inside the church seems a fitting tribute," Wilson said.

More here-

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100425/LIFESTYLE/4250336

1 comment:

Leonard said...

I like that...think we ought bring back the tradition...seems sweet and honorable and they probably didn´t charge for the space...what has become of sweet rememberances?