Ravenscroft School - Raven Yearbook (Raleigh, NC)

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RAVENCROFT SCHOOL HISTORICAL SKETCH OR. a new school, Ravenscroft has an old and interesting historical background. In his last will and testament, probated in Wake County in the year 1862, Josiah Watson, a communicant of Christ Church, established a trust to run in perpetuity, the income from which under the terms of the trust, was to be used for the operation of a parish school by Christ Church. For a number of years thereafter Christ Church operated a parochial school, but near the close of the century the school was discontinued. The fund lay dormant for many years, during which the income was used for the operation of the church school and for other religious purposes. In October, 1936, the Reverend John Armstrong IVright became Rector of Christ Church Parish. IVithin a short time he learned of the IVatson Trust, and immediately started a campaign to establish a new parish day school. The Vestry of Christ Church authorized Mr. IVright to investigate the possibilities of such a school. and appointed a committee to assist him. The Committee was composed of E. U. Rag- land, Charles R. Bugg, James R. Bynum, A. L. Purrington, Jr., Aldert S. Root, Perry E. Seagle, and J. M. Sink, Jr. The Committee approved the organization of the school and selected as its site the Edgar Hay- wood Memorial Parish House on Tucker Street. VVith the financial assistance of the vestry of Christ Church numerous repairs were made to the property and modern equipment Was purchased. After much consideration, the school was named 'fRavenscroft in honor of the first Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and the first rector of Christ Church. The school opened on Monday, September 13, 1937, with an enrollment of 130 students, increased to 135 by the end of the school year. The enrollment for 1955-56 has been 242 students.

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THE VESTRY OF CHRIST CHURCH A AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF RAVENSCROFT SCHOOL THE REV. STEPHEN C. WALKE, Rector and President MR. GORDON SMITH, JR., Senior Warden and Vice-President IVZR. RICHARD H. RTASON, Junior W arden MR. WILLIAM JOSLIN, Secretary MR. RALPH SCHOFIELD, Treasurer DR. A. S. ROOT, Senior Warden Emeritus MR. ZACK H. BACON, SR. DR. CHARLES R. BLOG MR. GAVIN H. DORTCH MR. -CARL K. HILL MR. R. CURZON HOFFMAN, JR. MR. IXIIARK G. LYNCH MR. ARMISTEAD J. MAITPIN MR. BART F. HIOORI-I RAVENSCROFT SCHOOL COMMITTEE THE REV. STEPHEN C. AYALKE, President 3-12. RICHARD H. IXIASON, Chczirman IXQR. MARK C1. LYNCH TMR. IARMISTEAD J. IXIAUPIN ILR. GRAHAM TROTT IVR. A. J. FOX MRS. HERBERT L. VVILLIAMSON, Director

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JOHN STARK RAVENSCROFT John Stark Ravenscroft, the first Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, was born May 17, 1772, at Ravenscroft. the family estate near what is now Petersburg, Virginia. As a child he was taken to Ireland by his family, where at eight years of age he lost his father. He spent the remainder of his boyhood in Ireland and there received his early education from his mother. At seventeen he returned to America to equip himself to take care of his family's property in Virginia and entered VVilliam and Mary College. After a year or so at William and Mary, he returned to Ravenscroft and managed the plantation. In February, 1816, he was licensed Lay Reader by the Bishop of Virginia and in April of that year he was ordained Deacon. At Fredericks- burg, Virginia, in May, 1817, he entered the priesthood. The newly formed Diocese of North Carolina elected him its first Bishop on May 22, 1823, and for seven years he labored to lay the foundations on which the work of the Episcopal Church in North Carolina has been built. He died on March 5, 1830, at the house of his friend, Gavin Hogg, at Raleigh, and was buried under the chancel of Christ Church of which he had been Rector. TUITION AND REGISTRATION The school is not operated for profit. It is anticipated that any net income will be used to provide additional facilities for the children who attend the school. For the year 1956-57 registration fee will be 315.00 for the first semester and 315.00 for the second semester, basic tuition will be 315.00 per month for kindergarten through the 6th grade. First child 315.00, second 310.00. Tuition is payable in advance. Until May lst, present students of Ravenscroft will be shown a preference. After that date, to assure a full enrollment, no preference can be given. After .Iune lst, address the director at 1901 St. lXlary's Street, or call 8115. If no answer, call the church office, 4-6259. RAVENSCROFT SCHOOL Many problems face us in thc future of Ravenscroft School, the prin- cipal ones being location and buildings in which the life of the school may continue advantageously. As Christians we are convinced that if God wishes this school to continue it will do so, if not, it will die. Several persons have asked that a prayer be written to be used in this present crisis by members of the congregation concerned about the school. This is one of the great undertakings of Christ Church and we hope that all its members will pray for God's will to be done. IYe suggest that the following prayer, or one like it, could be used in the days to come: Almighty God, who hast committed to thy Church the care and nurture of thy children, we bless thy name for the vision and the work that have gone into our Parish Day School. Now in its time of stress, grant equal vision, generosity, and opportunity to all concerned for the future of Ravenscroft. And if it be thy will, may many children be brought to sound learning, good manners, and the love of Thee through the continuing life of this thy school. NVe ask this through the inter- cession of Him in whose Name we offer up our imperfect prayers, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.