By James Grimstead, Grace Church, Norfolk
The James Solomon Russell Commemoration Committee unveiled a
new sign renaming College Drive to James Solomon Russell Drive last Saturday,
October 11, 2014 on the campus of Saint Paul’s College. This historic event honored the Archdeacon
Reverend Dr. James Solomon Russell, who founded this college in 1888 which
provided an institution of higher learning for many underprivileged citizens in
the surrounding communities.
The ceremony was attended by more than thirty
community local and out of town visitors.
It opened with prayer and welcome by the Rev. Dr. Terrance
Walker of South Hill, VA, followed by comments from program chairman James
Grimstead of Lawrenceville, VA, who pointed out that this sign is the first
recognition in this town of this great pioneer which can be seen and read from
the roadway. Grimstead thanked the Town
Council, the Brunswick County Planning Department and the supporting citizens
for all their help in making this event a reality. Mayor William Herrington of Lawrenceville
brought greetings from the town citizens and expressed thanks to the committee
for having the foresight to follow through on such an historic and important occasion
in the Town of Lawrenceville.
Saint Paul’s College is affiliated with the Episcopal Church
and the Diocese of Southern Virginia.
The Bishop, Herman Hollerith, IV, is on sabbatical leave and could not
attend the ceremony but authorized Dr. Angela Parker, of the Diocesan Standing
Committee, to represent his presence at the unveiling.
The Rev. Dr. Joseph N. Green, an advisor of the Committee
and a long-time supporter of St. Paul’s College gave inspiring remarks
expressing how deeply thrilled he was to see this long overdue recognition of this
renowned educator and spiritual powerhouse, Archdeacon James Solomon Russell.
Members of the Russell family, Mr. Henry Pratt Russell of
Hampton, VA, and Dr. Virginia Russell of Lawrenceville, VA, both expressed their heart-felt thanks to the
JSR Commemoration Committee for seeing this project through making it a
permanent landmark in the Town of Lawrenceville, VA. Dr. James A. Russell, past President of St.
Paul’s College (1971 -1981) expressed his regret for not being able to attend
the ceremony, but sent his thanks and appreciation the for this historic sign
marker honoring such a great man.
In addition to the James Solomon Russell sign unveiling
the Committee planned another special event that took place at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church Parish
Hall. This second celebration and
reception honored the Rev. Dr. Joseph N. Green, Jr., retired Rector Emeritus of
Grace Episcopal Church in Norfolk, VA.
Fr. Green spent much of his time over the last fifty plus years
promoting the welfare of St. Paul’s College.
He has been very instrumental in bringing together a coalition among the
various church memberships of parishes founded by the late Dr. James Solomon
Russell. Dr. Green spearheaded the
efforts to bring much needed funds to St. Paul’s College resulting in a $1.5
million donation to the college single parent program. He was also noted for many of his endeavors
outside of his activities related to St. Paul’s College. He served for twenty years on the Norfolk
City Council with twelve years as Vice-Mayor.
This allowed him to be instrumental in bringing several needed housing
programs on board and turning a dilapidated theater into a top-rate performing
arts center. Fr. Green received a framed
Proclamation from the Committee honoring him for his long outstanding service
to this local community. Also, he was
graced with a beautiful poem by Mrs. Annie Walker, president of the JSR
Commemoration Committee. (Photo L to R: The Rev. Joseph Green, Jr; Mrs. Annie Walker; Mr. James Grimstead)
The Committee thanked St. Andrew’s host-in-charge
and author, Ms. Gay Neale, for their gracious hospitality. She expressed her thanks and appreciation for
this historic sign unveiling celebration for Archdeacon James Solomon Russell
who started his ministry at St. Andrews Parish before the construction of St.
Paul’s Memorial Chapel was completed. The
Committee also gave thanks to members, Nelson and Queen Birchette of St. James
in Warfield, VA, for their special assistance on the program. The sign re-naming project was co-chaired by
James and Shirley Grimstead.
This year's keynote speaker will be Diana Butler Bass, author and
independent scholar of American religion and culture. She will address "Awakening
and the Work of Transformation," and will help us explore a pattern of
change in our lives and congregations that enable us to move to a new
place. 
There are only 43 days until Christmas! Are you ready? And we don
Congregations, dioceses and individuals can download a printable PDF of the 2014 Episcopal Church Christmas card at no fee