St. Alban's Church Marks Sesquicentennial October 31 - November 1 By Kenon Ruska St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Bovina, MS celebrated 151 years of worship October 31-November 1. Several events were scheduled to celebrate the 151st anniversary, including a Civil War encampment and skirmish, Boy Scout encampment, Cemetery Living History Tour, Luminary Memorial Service, horse rides and period games. First built in 1858, the church building was used by armies on both sides of the Civil War. The original brick church first saw Confederate and then Union soldiers bivouacked on the grounds. The church is just yards from the railroad and only a few miles from the site of the Big Black River battle. It served as a hospital for Union troops. It was destroyed during the war, with only the original cornerstone and a few bits of glass preserved. Two Union soldiers remain buried in the cemetery. A second church, a wooden structure, was built in 1870. Later, it was bricked, and joined to the "new" church, built in 1927. In 1928, this building was rotated 90 degrees. The attached buildings are still in use today. The church is truly a country church, with many members having three or four generations attending together. For more information St. Alban’s Church, call 601-636-6687 or visit the web site: www.stalbansbovina.org. Saturday, October 31 events were Civil War encampments, an early afternoon skirmish and firing of the cannon. Several of the Civil War and period re-enactors rode horses sidesaddle. On the cemetery tour, costumed re-enactors interpreted the life and times of selected people buried in the cemetery. Saturday evening visitors attended an All Hallows Eve Memorial. At Sunday’s church services, worshipers wore period costumes. After church, there was an old-time dinner on the grounds, with live music, a country market, pony rides, and children's activities.