The vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City Parish, was called to order on June 25, 2020 [sic] at 7:00 p.m. for a special meeting. Present were: Senior Warden Charlie Edmonson, Junior Warden Bettyrene Pope, Greg Brauer, Dan Clark, Denine Miller, Stephen Rous, Ruth Simmons, Registrar Emily Klotz, The Reverend Samantha Vincent-Alexander, The Reverend Mark Riley, and The Reverend Peter Stimpson. Absent, excused: Youth Representative Darius Rowe. Note: This vestry meeting was conducted via Zoom, in keeping with the diocese’s mandate for physical distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This special meeting of the St. John’s Vestry was called to discuss the Confederate memorial statue with The Reverend Peter Stimpson, who will be acting as the meeting moderator on July 19, 2020. The July 19 meeting is being held to provide the St. John’s congregation an opportunity to voice their opinions on the plans to remove, move, or modify the Confederate memorial statue presently located in St. John’s cemetery.
Peter asked the vestry, “What is our goal with respect to the monument?” Several answers expressed a desire to make a decision that would promote healing in Hampton, and not just protect the statue from vandalism.
Bettyrene volunteered to call the Daughters of the Confederacy to learn of their opinion, and to ask if they would like the statue back.
Samantha reported that she spoke with several members of the African-American community, and found differing opinions on the statue. Some saw it as a symbol of hate, while others thought it part of St. John’s heritage. Several saw it as a good sign that St. John’s was talking about it. Removal or modification of the statue may not change African Americans’ feelings about St. John’s.
Dan reported on several estimates obtained to remove the memorial. Taking it down would cost $11,000 plus $300/month for storage. Moving it to another part of the cemetery would cost $23,000-$24,000. To cover three sections of the memorial (CSA emblem, flag, “our Confederate dead’) with metal plates, the estimate is $7,500. To cover the fourth side (Daughters of Confederacy donation) would be an additional estimated $3,000. Sandblasting any of the stone was not recommended because of environmental issues.
The congregational meeting to discuss the future of the memorial will take place on Sunday, July 19, 2020, immediately following the 9:15a.m. service. Due to physical distancing requirements, about 50 to 55 people may attend, and only those who registered to attend service may stay for the meeting. The meeting will not be broadcast online.
The meeting closed with prayer and adjourned at 8:17p.m.