NEEDLEWORK AT POHICK CHURCH

This is another in a series of articles that will be written

about the Pohick Church pew cushions.
These articles will be very useful for those

planning to become a docent of Pohick Church.

Pew Seat Cushion #9 - Used by “Most respectable inhabitants and housekeepers.”

Title: Slave Commemorative Cushion. Symbolism: Tools and implements used by slaves in Virginia, circa 1774. Designed by Mary Lee Link Allen. Needleworker: Paula Boundy. Given by Sydney Pasour for the love of Lizzy and Billy. Cushion was begun in 1992, and dedicated February 1999.

Pew #10 was removed when the stairs to the loft were installed.

Pew Seat Cushion #11 - Used by “Wives of Magistrates and strangers.”

Title: Women of the Church. Symbolism: Women at prayer with lilies (symbolic of purity) and vines entwined together with the cross shedding rays of Christian faith upon them. Designed by Kenneth C. Stanford. Needleworker: Joan A. Stanford. Given by Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth C. Stanford and family in memory of the parents of Kenneth C. Stanford - Alfred Charles Stanford (1897-1975) and Lillian Blanche Stanford (1895-1973). Cushion was begun in 1983, and dedicated in 1985.

Pew Seat Cushion #12 - Used by “Wives of Vestry and Merchants.”

Title: Churching of Women. Symbolism: Flowers and cross symbolic of the ancient church service, where a woman gave thanks and praise to God for the safe deliverance of a child, then gave alms for the less fortunate women in the parish. Designed by Leslie Ariail. Needleworker: Ethel Davis. Given by Mrs. W. W. Davis in memory of her husband, Wilfred W. Davis. Cushion was begun in 1983, and dedicated in 1985.

Pew Seat Cushion #13 - Purchased by M. Cockburn, who came from Jamaica where early missionaries went to spread Christianity. Title: Symbols of Early Christianity. Symbolism: The ship riding amidst storms represents image of early church. The Chalice symbolizes the passion. The Fish was one of the secret symbols of early Christians. Design was adapted by Joan A. Stanford from a kneeler at York Minster, England. Needleworker: Joan Stanford. The cushion was created in Memory of Eugene Hamilton. Cushion was begun in 1993, and dedicated in 1998.