St John's in 1948!

This is about 5 minutes of old movie film of St. John's Episcopal Church, Fort Worth, Texas. The film was found in the Parish Archives. It was filmed in 1948-1949. You will see the original Church built in 1925, the original Mitchell Hall and the first Rectory. You will also see Fr. John Leatherbury, Bishop Mason of Dallas, and Fr. Sherwin Clayton, former rector of St. John's; and the Leatherbury children, Hester, Tom and John. The film is in poor shape, and at one point there is a bit of slippage common to reel films.

Comments have been made on my Facebook (which I have also posted this video on) that the film seems to cover several seasons. Some parts have bare trees and other parts have trees in full bloom. To me, most likely it was made over a period of time. All we have on the reel is "1948 Installation." Also keep in mind that the original church was torn down in 1950 when the present sanctuary was built. You might also notice how College Avenue went through into Fairmont. It went uninterrupted to downtown. The original entrance of Dagget School faces what was College Avenue. This street was closed off I believe in the 1960's-70's. And of course caps for the choir ladies.... ah, the good old days! :)