Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church • Kinderhook, New York
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        • Baptismal Font (Catherine G. Johnson)
        • Church Bell (Rev. Porter Thomas)
        • Moving the Edifice (Francis Silvester)
        • Sexton (Peter Vanderpoel)
        • Credence Table (Aaron Melgert Vanderpool)
        • Our Lady of Walsingham (Father Karl Kuhn)
        • Altar Rail (Aaron John Vanderpoel)
        • James Brignull
        • Monstrance (Rev. Susan Waldron)
        • Columbarium (The Winfields)
        • Candelabra (The Livingstons)
        • Stations of the Cross (Roy Roberts)
        • Nursery Wing Painting (Sally Van Alstyne))
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Heroes & History

Picture
Altar Rail - Aaron John Vanderpoel

An altar rail is usually made of wood, marble or metal and sets off the chancel or sanctuary from the remainder of the church.  It requires a gate to allow entrance of the officiating clergy.  Also called a communion rail, the railing facilitates kneeling which is a beautiful form of devotion to our Lord as scripture suggests that communion be received on our knees.
 
The word “sanctuary” comes from the Latin word Sanctuarium, meaning a sacred place.  Symbolically positioned at the head of the church, the sanctuary is set apart from the rest of the church and represents Christ as the head.
 
Some say the altar rail is a marker of the place where heaven and earth meet. The rail is low...it is accessible and has a gate.  We, as parishioners are not prevented from joining or participating in this little bit of heaven.
 
The plaque reads:
For a memorial in the house of the Lord to Aaron J. Vanderpoel 1887
 
Aaron John Vanderpoel was a prominent lawyer, born in Kinderhook in 1825.  He married Adaline and although he practiced predominantly in NYC, they owned a Kinderhook home on Broad Street as well as a farm and 400 acres which lie a couple of miles northwest of the village.
 
His obituary states he died of apoplexy while in Paris, France, during a family vacation.  Apoplexy is the early term for a cerebral vascular accident, (CVA), or stroke.  He died within hours of his stroke event, had a well-attended funeral back in NYC and was buried in the Kinderhook cemetery.
 
Many wonderful things are documented about Mr. Vanderpoel.  He had an excellent reputation and was well respected as a lawyer. He was described as  “gentle, kind and polite” in tributes including one in the minutes of a NYS Bar Association meeting.
 
Excerpted from original research and report submitted September 2012 by Sue Brignull, RN


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  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • Ministries
    • Leadership & Staff >
      • Meet the Rector
      • Office Coordinator
    • History >
      • Heroes & Treasures >
        • Tiffany & Stained Glass Windows
        • Alleluia Eggs
        • Altar Cross (Elizabeth Braine Guion)
        • First Rector (Rev. Frederick Tiffany)
        • Purchase of the Property (The Vanderpoels)
        • The Vestry of 1857
        • Baptismal Font (Catherine G. Johnson)
        • Church Bell (Rev. Porter Thomas)
        • Moving the Edifice (Francis Silvester)
        • Sexton (Peter Vanderpoel)
        • Credence Table (Aaron Melgert Vanderpool)
        • Our Lady of Walsingham (Father Karl Kuhn)
        • Altar Rail (Aaron John Vanderpoel)
        • James Brignull
        • Monstrance (Rev. Susan Waldron)
        • Columbarium (The Winfields)
        • Candelabra (The Livingstons)
        • Stations of the Cross (Roy Roberts)
        • Nursery Wing Painting (Sally Van Alstyne))
  • WHAT WE BELIEVE
    • What We Believe
    • Worship
    • Children
    • Sacraments, Rites & Ceremonies >
      • Baptism
      • Communion
      • Confirmation
      • Reconciliation
      • Marriage
      • Ministry to the Sick and Dying
      • Burial
  • for Parishioners
    • Photos
  • Cheerful Giving
  • WORSHIP
  • Walking in Love
  • CONTACT US