Similar to today, the early 1970s were times of great societal and religious change. The Anglican religious needlework tradition, which at this period turned to collections of needlepoint kneelers and cushions, produced numerous collections in Britain and the U.S. that reflect their societies' struggle to honor the old while embracing the new. The collection at St. James Episcopal Church in Keene rivals the best of these collections. In over 400 separate needlepoint canvases, requiring 60 volunteers and a decade of work, it explores the ancient symbolism of the church, the stories of the Bible, favorite hymns and prayers, church history, local history and events, and the individual interests and devotions of the needlepoint stitchers. All these diverse subjects of the collection come together in a comprehensive design that continues to inspire hearts and minds of St. James' parishioners. Yet, as the church has continued to change and modernize, parts of the collection have gone out of use and are being elsewhere. More changes will surely follow.
The inevitable dispersal of the St. James needlepoint collection inspired St. James parishioner Ann Carlson to write “The Needlepoint of St. James: Fifty Years of Greater Glory” (ABCarlson Publishing, July 2024, $36.99). With a foreword by the Rev. Elsa F. Worth, rector of St. James, the book provides a complete history and photographic inventory of the project; connects the individual pieces with the record of their makers and of the hundreds of memorial dedications that were given to make the project possible, and tells the story of how this collection has contributed to the life of the community, then and in the ensuing 50 years. It also serves as a companion to a book written by the projects' original director, Mrs. Mary P. Olsen. Mrs. Olsen's book, “For the Greater Glory: A Church Needlepoint Handbook” (Seabury Press, 1980), is a reference book of how this project was completed, with detailed instructions for planning, organizing and directing other large needlepoint projects.
Through the end of 2024, Carlson is offering a special discount for readers of The Vine at her print cost ($22/copy), which can be accessed by ordering the book here or via the QR code.
Dr. Ann Carlson, is a retired aerospace scientist who spent her primary career working for the federal government, mostly at NASA. In retirement, her new career has become that of publishing artists, poets, historians and writers in niche markets, or for local audiences. Occasionally, she publishes a similar project of her own.
“The Needlepoint of St. James” by Ann Carlson
Hardcover, July 2024
ISBN 978-0-9962883-4-7
$36.00; 6 x 9, 134 pages