The Church Of The Holy Innocents

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Mission: We Christians, in the Episcopal tradition, reach out to all to share the love of God. About Us: On September 11, 1841, John Rust Eaton, 13-year-old son of Sarah and John Summerville Eaton, lost his life in a hunting accident. Though plans were already underway to establish an Episcopal church in the town of Henderson, young Eaton's death would bring these plans to reality. The Eaton's, with the help of others, channeled their sorrow into an intensified effort to establish a place of worship. A group of faithful worshippers began meeting in the home of the Eaton's. On November 22, 1841, Bishop Ives confirmed Major John Summerville Eaton. By Easter Monday, 1842, a congregation was officially organized and the first rector assigned. Within two months, on May 15th, a church had been built on a site donated by Lewis Reavis at the corner of Garnett and Church streets, consecrated and the congregation admitted into union with the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. The church was named The Church of the Holy Innocents in memory of young John Rust Eaton. The Church of the Holy Innocents and Henderson share a rich heritage. In the same year that the church was being organized (1841), Henderson was granted its charter. The tradition of The Church of the Holy Innocents is rooted in the historical development of Henderson and Vance county. As Henderson grew, so did Holy Innocents. By 1879 the need for a larger building had become urgent. Construction was begun on a new church located on Chestnut Street. The first services were held there on July 19, 1885. On April 19, 1892, with all the beautiful furnishings finally in place, the church was consecrated. Though numerous additions and expansions have occurred over the last 163 years, the Chestnut Street structure is still in use today, rich in symbolism found in wood, stone, brass, and stained glass. During 1915-1916, the Parish House was built. It contained one of the few assembly halls in town spacious enough for larg