Recalling historic school; lauding restorations

In the most recent edition of the Preservation Society of Charleston's "Preservation Progress" appears an enjoyable survey by Sarah Fick, who describes several historic schools that used to be on Legare Street, all of which are now gone.

Among those discussed are Madame Talvande's Select School for Young Ladies, Miss Julia Datty's School, Madame Petit's School for Young Ladies, the Misses Murden School for Children, and the Gaud School for Boys.

Not to be a bore, but the author did omit one particular school attended by a lady I know of a certain generation, and that would be Miss Sadie Jervey's primary school (for first-and second-graders) at 6 Legare St.

Alums include Mrs. Frank Rhett (Frankie Cheshire); her brother, Johnny-Boy; their sister, Mrs. Dudley Knott (Katty); Mrs. Nathaniel Barnwell (Nancy Parker); Mrs. Frank Gilbreth (Mary Manigault); Mrs. Hertz Warren (Theodora "Doe" Gregorie); and Burnet Maybank Jr.

All are well. Alums who have passed on include Dr. Cheves Smythe, Mrs. John Ball (Nell Ingle), Peter Manigault, "Hoot" Sass and of course many others.

Students wrote on portable chalk boards under the menacing glare of Miss Jervey, who tolerated no foolishness and apparently did not hesitate to mete out whatever disciplinary measures were necessary to maintain strict order.

Furthermore, there was basically no socializing among the young coeds, who were separated at recess. The academic curriculum was challenging and -- surprise! -- when the students "graduated," they were amply prepared for what lay ahead.

On the architecture/restoration front are the new steeple atop Broad Street's Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the Dock Street Theatre's new face-lift. I was initially caught off guard by the appearance of the steeple, assuming that somehow it would be an extension of the brownstone masonry which defines the rest of the sanctuary.

Once hoisted, I thought it looked a little out of place, all the glittering copper and open air portals, very delicate in appearance and looking like it might get blown away from the massive and dense stone works underneath. But that's the point! The air portals are designed to accommodate hurricane-force winds.

The lower part of the steeple has since been framed by stone buttresses and the copper has already begun assuming the normal patina that would be expected once exposed to the elements. The final product is a very nice addition to the skyline and the fulfillment of a century's-long dream.

I wonder how many other churches downtown are in wont of a steeple?

Morris Street Baptist Church, rebuilt after a massive fire years ago, no longer has a steeple. Second Presbyterian Church has somewhat of a truncated steeple, which, indeed, may have been a blessing during "The Wah," lest it should become a target for Union artillery. I don't know if the current steeple is what the original architect had in mind or if plans called for something else.

The Dock Street's rejuvenation would appear to be highly proficient and yet subtle at the same time. So subtle that, if caught in a time warp of some sort, I'd probably just amble by, scratch my head, think something was different, but not put my finger on it. (Something to do with the columns, perhaps ... ?)

Which is good. Not that I'm so befuddled, but that the transition isn't too noticeable. I imagine interior changes are a little more obvious and welcome.

Sometimes I'll stumble across a word which I think might have done well in "Lord Ashley Cooper's Dictionary of Charlestonese" ... like seine: The act or instance of speaking something. "It goes without seine that this column should now conclude." The problem is the word "sane" is already in there for that very purpose!

Edward M. Gilbreth is a Charleston physician. Reach him at edwardgilbreth@comcast.net.