Family History

A Lenten Devotion by Heather McGraw Esposito

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6: 3-4

For those who have not heard of the McGraw family I will provide a brief history. The first I can find of my family being involved with Edwards Church is the History Directory dated 1914 listing my grandmother Davina Binnie later marrying my grandfather William McGraw who was eventually honored with “Deacon Emeritus”. It is where my parents wed in 1954 and I wed my wonderful husband in 1991. My Dad, William McGraw, Aunts Kay McGraw and Gena McGraw Dooley where all actively involved with the church in various ways from childhood. While young teenagers they would perform in Easter pageants which included their friends from St. George Parish. (Their friends would attend early Mass and then run to Edwards so they could perform as well, what fun they had.) Once married my mother became more active in all my Dad’s church interests. You may have noticed the steeple lights. It was my parents who first arranged the lights for the steeple to line the evening horizon. My Dad figured the various points around town where it would be best for my mother to drive where he could hear her blow the horn. So we loaded into the car, my Dad up on the steeple and my mother drove to the designated points and when the light was in the best position to shine my mother would blow the car horn for my Dad to hear and move on to the next area. That’s right, blow the horn, no cell phones, no walkie-talkie just good ole’ ingenuity.

As Sexton of the church Dad had to be sure the church was warm for Sunday services during those cold winter months. After Saturday dinner I would accompany my Dad at a very young age to the church so he could shovel coal into the old heating system in a very creepy basement. I remember the large grate in the middle of the center aisle which I was always sure to avoid for I was certain I would fall through. While Dad worked diligently I explored the church, the best part being the rooms behind the organ used for storage but I never stayed long for fear someone was hiding there and I knew I wasn’t supposed to be there.

As Easter was approaching parishioners would be reminded to bring a plant to church on Palm Sunday or a few days before Easter Sunday. Since Dad worked on Saturdays he would start his project of decorating the church on Friday and our family was always there to help. He did a wonderful job carefully arranging and re-arranging the flowers around the church altar until he was satisfied. As time went on and I got older Dad would bring home palms left over from Palm Sunday and ask me if I had any ideas for making them into an altar decoration for Easter. Neither of my parents ever discouraged my work but always encouraged, providing their praise. I think even if it was the worst mess they would have found beauty in what I did through their love of me and encouragement in being involved in the church.

There are so many memories of Edwards Church both good and sad. I remember attending Sunday school at the “chapel” which was the first Edwards Church located on Elm Street. Eventually Sunday school was moved to the Jonathan House and the Chapel sold. Youth choir trips to the zoo, my first boyfriend, youth group and attending Christmas eve services with college friends; the funerals of friends and family members the hardest being my Dad’s in 2010. The remarkable beauty of his service was to have it at the place which held his heart and more memories than I will ever know and then to have everyone walk from the church to the grave site as though it was a small old fashion village just as my Dad was an old fashion man with honorable old fashion values.

I am reminded as I write this that my family never professed their work at the church or their volunteer work. I was raised to do it quietly and not look for praise.

A portion of a letter from Rev. Robert Sissen written March 5, 1958 to the McGraw family.

“…you and your family, with the level that all of you have for the good growing things of God’s earth and the affection which you all cherish for God’s House, are living examples of what so many have yet to learn – you worship God more with your hearts than with your words, and more with your hands than with your pious phrases and high-sounding ideas. In the root of the matter this is what all men need – to use their hand to the glory of God and the lighting of the way for men.”

From Rev. Robert L. Johnston, March 16, 1960 to William (Bill) McGraw

“…my personal appreciation for work as Sexton of Edwards Church. Your extra efforts at Christmas and Easter have added to the meaning of the worship services greatly. While we may not be conscious of your regular duties, I am sure that we would all be aware of the lack were you not so dedicated.”