A MOST UNCOMMON WEDDING - The Rev. John Bull, then-rector of St. James, was asked to officiate a wedding. This would be no ordinary wedding, as the bride and groom were African-American, and the year was 1964.

The rector at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in East Knoxville befriended Fr. Bull as they worked to unify Knoxville.   He wanted his daughter to be married by Fr. Bull, who happily accepted. The wedding would take place at St. James church that summer. (The spelling of our church name will be addressed in a forthcoming article.) 

Unfortunately, neither rector conferred with their vestries before agreeing to the wedding arrangements. A few  parishioners from both churches discovered the plans and, thinking they represented the general feelings of their  parishes, brought the matter to their vestries.

Both rectors were subsequently admonished and thought it best to voluntarily meet with their vestries to discuss the  issue. After a short but deliberate discussion, the vestries generally agreed to the wedding plans with the following  caveats: In the future, both rectors will openly discuss important matters with their vestries. Communications between  the rectors and their vestries will improve.  Committees will be established, consisting of vestry members and lay persons, to provide guidance in addressing the above.  Both rectors agreed to the conditions and the wedding was performed without a hitch. As a matter of fact, quite a few attended the reception at St. Luke’s. It was reported that “. . . the ice cream was delicious and . . . all had a good time.” 

To my knowledge, the wedding was not covered by any of the local newspapers, radio, or television stations. 

Frank Laszlo 

Your Church Historian