Vigo County Historical Society

Quilt part of church’s history

The red and white cotton quilt pictured was the result of a fund-raising project by the Ladies Aid Society of the New Highland Christian Church of Terre Haute in 1898.

For a charge of 10 cents, a member’s name was inscribed and embroidered. The completed quilt was given away. The young man who received the quilt gave it to Mrs. Rutherford, a well known citizen and active quilter for many projects.

New Highland Christian Church was at what is now North 15th and Delaware streets and was the forerunner of the Barbour Avenue United Methodist Church.

The design of the church is appliquéd on the white background and its windows and door also are appliquéd. The panes are outlined with white stitches. The blocks with the church design were quilted with straight lines and the autograph blocks, which alternate with the designed blocks, were quilted with a double line of stitching. The pastor’s name, the Rev. L.D. Pierce, is in the center of the quilt with the date.

This historical treasure could be called a signature, autograph or a friendship quilt. It certainly expresses all three names.

The donors, Vane Rutherford and Vernon D. Washburn, gave this quilt to the Vigo County Historical Society in 1974. This quilt is among those from the Society’s collection to be shown Saturday and Sunday in the Village Barn at Fowler Park during Pioneer Days. Stop in and enjoy this beautiful example of fine needlework and expression of friendship.