Str. ROBT. E. LEE Chandeliers at Port Gibson

Two weeks ago while visiting in Port Gibson, Mississippi, the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church gave me a photo of the church sanctuary as it looked in 1903. I was surprised to learn from this image that the three chandeliers from the cabin of the Str. ROBT. E. LEE once had an extra row of lights at the bottom. Those have since been removed. The chandeliers were a gift to the church from the William Parker family, of Port Gibson, which owned an interest in the boat.

Apparently this photograph was taken at Easter, as it seemed to be common in that era for church decorating committees to literally cover the altar and choir area with a "forest" of foliage. In this view the pipe organ is barely visible, a tracker (mechanical action) organ that preceded the current 1930 Henry Pilcher's Sons instrument, made here in Louisville.

Also attached are two additional views which show the famous chandeliers.