Grace Episcopal Church, April 19, 2012
SHEFFIELD – According to Mrs. Hermine Wilson’s account, the congregation was organized in 1887 at a meeting just up the street at 900 Montgomery Avenue. A new building was constructed at 8th and Montgomery, but that structure burned. So they moved a block South, and that was the beginnings of the history of the structure that stands there today. In the day, it was a lovely church just there on the corner of Montgomery and Seventh. The stained glass windows were famous throughout The South. But not any more.
The building today is vacant. The European stained glass… Gone.
But as the poet, Alexander Pope, penned, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast.”
And so a group of dedicated people, “Friends of Grace Chapel” began anew the tradition that for many decades was a staple of Sheffield residents, the Ice Cream Supper. Here’s a quote from the church newsletter:
May 16, 1896
The helpers of Grace Episcopal Church will give an ice cream supper Tuesday night,
May 19, in the Montgomery Block.
Now, back to the future. You will recognize many of the faces in these photos. When the “Friends” hold the one next year, make plans to come out.
The Quad-Cities Daily was on hand to record the afternoon in photographs. We hope that you find yourself here. Make a copy if you want!
