Date: December 3, 2024
From time to time, I use the commentary to write into the record of the Seminary a piece of information that the future would appreciate knowing. Today I wish to document the gift of a fireplace set to the Seminary, which lives in the Deanery.
The gift comes from William Blair. William is the son of Tom W. Blair, an alum of VTS, who served on the Board. Tom was the Rector at St. Stephen’s Church in Richmond and later at Trinity Church, Copley Square, in Boston. When Tom retired from Trinity Church, he was presented with the fireplace set, which belonged to Phillips Brooks, as a gift. This gift has now been given to VTS by William in honor of Phillips Brooks and in memory of William Blair’s wife Robin. We are grateful to William for this gift.
As we prepare for Christmas, this is a fresh reminder of our famous alum Phillips Brooks, who composed “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem”. The fireplace set he used is now being used in the Deanery; and the hymn he composed is now being sung around the world.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary