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History of Virginia Hall
Virginia Hall was named in honor of Virginia Chapman Watts. The daughter of William J. and Carrie B. Chapman, she was born in Bay St. Louis on March 18, 1909. The Chapman family members were ?pillars? of the church in the late 1800?s and early 1900?s.
Virginia was baptized and later confirmed in the original Christ Church located at the corner of North Beach Blvd. and Carroll Ave., Bay St. Louis, and was a communicant until her death in 1969. During her lifetime, she was also a member of the Church Guild and was its president at least once.
She became secretary of the church about 1953, and also worked for a time as secretary of the ?New Day School," now known as Coast Episcopal Day School. She held the position of church secretary the rest of her life, performing the duties normally expected of a secretary, as well as any additional jobs that no one was willing to do.
The portrait of Virginia was given to the church by Hardin Shattuck, a former General Manager of Coast Electric Power Association. Mr. Shattuck and Virginia?s husband, Bill, worked together for nearly 24 years, he presented the portrait because of his close association with Virginia?s husband Bill, since Hardin came so close to being the brother he never had.
Construction was completed of this parish hall in 1971, after the other was destroyed by Hurricane Camille. This parish hall, where we gather as a spiritual family, was named for the gracious and charming lady, Virginia, whose legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew her.


Watts 003
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