First Presbyterian Church
of Annapolis, Maryland

and Arsene Girault's association with it

(Arsene Giriault and John Ridout alternated as delegates to the meetings of the Presbytery of Potomac, as it was then called, for 13 years, from 1846 to 1859. And throughout these 13 years, since they were the only two members of the congregation who were also members of the congregation's Session (governing body), and the pastor as moderator (chair) had no vote unless Arsene Girault and John Ridout voted against each other, they controlled the church's policy.

They also exercised oversight over the church members, and on at least two occasions denied women the privilege of Holy Communion because one had a sexual relationship outside of marriage and the other had a baby four months after being married. Arsene's minutes read that "repentance" could bring these persons back into the full privileges of church membership, but did not specify what might constitute "repentance." These actions were not untypical in that era -- in fact, they were almost universal among most churches and considered an obligation that church leaders were expected to carry out.

Arsene, John, and the pastor met as a Session on only two occasions over the autumn and winter of 1858, and none at all until March 4, 1859. There were probably some rumblings that the congregation should be governed by more than two people plus the pastor, but Arsene's minutes were very, very brief.)

At a meeting of the Session held this day and properly constituted, A. N. Girault was appointed a delegate to the meeting of the Presbytery of Potomac to be held in November, and Dr. Ridout his alternate. Adjourned and closed with prayer. A. N. Girault, Clerk

The Session met this day, all its members being present, and was opened with prayer. Mr. Samuel W. Preston was received as a membe of this Church on certificate from the First Congregational Church of Ottawa, .... Adjourned and closed with prayer. A. N. Girault, Clerk

(Arsene apparently had some different opinions with the pastor, and increasing the membership of the congregation's governing body could be a way of decreasing his influence in the government of the congregation. And this is what the pastor proceeded to do.

The meeting of the Session on March 4, 1859 began with Arsene agreeing to be an alternate delegate to the next Presbytery meeting, as usual. Then the pastor introduced a series of resolutions that apparently had been discussed for some time: increasing the number of people on the Session.

Studying the following minutes, we conclude that the pastor and John Ridout decided to bring matters to a head. The pastor introduced four resolutions, adding one about establishing a Board of Deacons to which Arsene readily agreed -- that may have been Arsene's own proposal. John Ridout voted for the first four resolutions, Arsene Girault voted against them, and the pastor as moderator broke the tie vote. The next order of business, to authorize the forming of a Board of Deacons who would have oversight of the poor and needy, was apparently one of Arsene's concerns, and may have been intended as a way of appeasing Arsene's feelings, because after he left the church the establishing of a Board of Deacons was rescinded.

And Arsene quit.

The Session met this day, all its members being present, and was opened with prayer. Dr. Ridout was appointed a delegate and A. N. Girault his alternate -- to the stated meeting of Presbytery to be held next month. The following resolutions were offered by the Pastor and adopted by a vote of two for, and one against, them.

1st. Resolved, That the Session now take up the matter of an increase in the eldership.

2nd. Resolved, That the Pastor, as soon as convenient, call a meeting of the Church to elect three ruling elders.

3d. Resolved, That Dr. David Stewart, Mr. Elisha C. Taylor, and Mr. Richard H. Holland be nominated by the present Session as persons suitable for the eldership in this Church.

4th. Resolved, That when elders shall have been elected, they be notified of their election; and that if they indicate their acceptance of the office, the Pastor proceed to make arrangements for their ordination and installation, and also that he proceed, at some suitable time, to ordain and install them.

The following was adopted unanimously, viz., 5th. Resolved also that two deacons be chosen at the same time for this Church.

On motion of A. N. Girault, it was Resolved, that A. N. Girault be dismissed from membership in this Church from and after the 10th instant.

Adjourned and closed with prayer. A. N. Girault, Clerk

(The following footnote was scrawled into the margin by the moderator: "Mr. Girault was dismissed to unite with the Episcopal church of Annapolis, or any sister church where his lot may be cast; and this minute should have been made accordingly. I. S. Grass, Moderator.")

(The day after Arsene Girault's church membership, at his request, expired, John Ridout and the pastor met and immediately cancelled the action to create a Board of Deacons for ministry to the poor and needy.)

The Session met - Present, the Pastor and Ruling Elder J. Ridout. Opened with prayer. On motion the Resolution adopted at last meeting, in relation to the appointment of Deacons, was reconsidered, and after discussion the same was rescinded and the subject indefinitely postponed.

The following Resolution was adopted, viz.: Resolved that the Delegate to Presbytery at the Spring Session, either personally, or by letter if prevented from attending, request the Presbytery to ask of the Board of Domestic Missions the same appropriation for this church for the ensuing year, as was allowed by them the present year, viz., Two hundred dollars. Dr. John Ridout was appointed Clerk of Session. Adjourned - Closed with prayer. John Ridout, Clerk

In conformity with the Resolution adopted at the meeting of Session on the 4th March, the Pastor gave notice from the Pulpit on the 13th of that month, of a meeting of the church, to be held on the day following, for the election of three additional Ruling Elders, and the names of Dr. Stewart, Elisha P. Taylor, and Richard H. Holland were announced as the persons recommended by the Session to be appointed, subject to the decision of the Church.

The meeting took place at the time designated, but being small on account of the weather, it was determined to defer the election till the next Sabbath afternoon, in order that a full expression of the wishes of the church might be obtained. Accordingly immediately after divine service on the afternoon of Sabbath, 20th March, the election took place, and the gentlemen nominated by the Session were duly elected.

On Sabbath afternoon of April 3rd, Messrs. Taylor and Holland were ordained, Dr. D. Stewart being already an Elder, and the three were installed at the same time. John Ridout, Clerk

(Thirteen months and six days after he had left the church, Arsene Girault returned to the First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis. The Session minutes follow; it is my guess that Arsene's departure had been mutually regretted and the problem was resolved to the happiness of all concerned. --Don Repsher)

The Session met - Present all the members. Opened with prayer. A communication was read from Prof. A. N. Girault returning the certificate of dismissal from this church, granted to him at his own request, on the 10th March 1859 and expressing his desire to be again united with the church. Whereupon the following Resolution was unanimously adopted.

Whereas Prof. Girault has returned to this Session his certificate of dismission dated 10th March, 1859, together with a declaration that he has not since that time been connected with any other church, Therefore resolved, that Prof. Girault be, and is, hereby cordially received into the Communion of this church, and that the Clerk transmit to him a copy of this Resolution, and assure him of the satisfaction of the Session of the desire manifested by him to resume his membership therein.

It was resolved, that it be recommended to the church to observe the Friday next before the approaching Communion Sabbath, as a day of fasting and prayer. Meeting closed with prayer -- adjourned. John Ridout, Clerk

(And then came the Civil War. Annapolis was in a very vulnerable position, and initially there was a question as to whether the state of Maryland would join the Confederacy or remain in the Union. The decision was quickly made in Washington to move the Naval Academy to Newport, Rhode Island, an ideal place for continuing the work of training the future Navy, for the duration of the war. Prof. Girault retained his membership in the Presbyterian Church at Annapolis, but finally, when it appeared that the Naval Academy would not return to Annapolis as quickly as it had been hoped, he transferred his church membership from Annapolis to Newport, Rhode Island, for the duration of the war, so that he could be actively involved in the church at Newport.)

The Session met and was opened with prayer. Present, the Pastor and Messrs. Holland and Ridout. Mrs. Fanny Patterson was received into this church on certificate from the Franklin Street Church, Baltimore. Prof. A. N. Girault was dismissed at his request to the Newport, Rhode Island.

J. Ridout was appointed Delegate to the Fall meeting of Presbytery, and E. C. Taylor alternate, and R. H. Holland to succeed said Taylor as alternate. Miss Anna Johnson, a member of this church, having united with the Episcopal Church a considerable time since, without having applied for a regular dismission, not knowing it to be required, it was resolved that the name be dismissed. Closed with prayer, and adjourned. John Ridout, Clerk