COMPILED BY THE HISTORY COMMITTEE

The first bell in Warrenton rang from the belfry of Saint James’. In 1846, the Rev. George Hatley Norton, D.D., became the second rector of Saint James’. Early in his ministry, a bell weighing 500 pounds was purchased for $110 from St. George’s Fredericksburg.

That bell called parishioners to worship until it was lost in the fire of Oct. 29, 1910. Author M. Louise Evans was on the scene that evening and recalled hearing the bell sound as it dropped from the belfry.

In 1913, in the rebuilt church, a new bell was given as a memorial to an old Saint James’ family. It was cast by the McShane Bell foundry of Baltimore, Maryland, and for more than 100 years has called one and all to worship.

The bell bears the following inscription:

The Souls of the Righteous are in the Hands of God
In Loving memory of
Mary Foster Gaines
William Henry Gaines
William Henry Gaines, Jr.
1913
Ring out the Darkness of the Land; Ring in the Christ that is to be

The bell has two clappers. The main clapper is suspended from the center of the bell, and the other clapper is mounted on the side and is used to toll the bell on solemn occasions. Each is rung by a separate rope at the base of the church tower.

Mary Foster Gaines

Mary Foster Gaines’ funeral was held at Saint James’ on Feb. 2, 1896; she was born in 1832. Her husband, Judge William Henry Gaines, died in 1885 (born c. 1807). Their son William Henry Gaines Jr. died in 1909 (born c. 1856). The bell was given by Mrs. Gaines Smith.

Here is Mary Foster Gaines’ obituary, taken from “Joseph Arthur Jeffries’ Fauquier County 1840-1919.”

The widow of the late Judge Wm. H. Gaines died suddenly at her home ‘Paradise’ in the west end of Warrenton, … age 64 years. It is almost fifty years since, in the beginning of her teens, Miss Mary Foster, a bright, beautiful girl came from Prince William county, her birth place, to Warrenton to finish at the Seminary of the Misses Swift her education. A few years later she married and established here her home. Though fitted in every way to adorn social life, Mrs. Gaines gave but a meager portion of her time to aught else than serving her friends and making home blessed to her loved ones. Her life was a beautiful one, and she added to its charms by early taking up the cross of her Savior, and doing in His name and for His sake the many charities and benefactions for which she was famed. Her children were her crown jewels—and that vigilant sentinel—warm affection—so guarded them that right well has been their response in honor and duty. Well might she have borne on her escutcheon ‘Ich dien’ that motto of princes; as her life was truly one of service. Her home was one of true hospitality, and there was with her no grade line drawn, by which were hedged her benefits and courtesies to humanity. ‘Every wise woman buildeth her house.’ The foundations of hers were laid in love, honor and truth. Her memory can be nothing but a blessed influence to those who enjoyed an intimacy with her; and God’s richest blessings must follow those for whose welfare her petitions were so constantly borne to a ‘throne of grace.’
Judge W. H. Gaines, her husband, was prominent as a citizen, in business and the law. Abundant material is available on Judge Gaines; his portrait hangs in the courthouse.

This essay was originally published in 2016 to mark the bicentennial of Saint James’ Warrenton.