KILGOROUND
LINDA BALLARD

TREASURES can be found, if one is seeking.

IN Kilgore, those treasures are hanging as exquisite banners behind the doors of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

The banners began as only a thought or two in the minds of the late Paul and Barbara Branch. Their desire to translate ancient origins of Christian art into warmth and color for the church's nave, and their wish to inspire worship in the church in which they were so active, drove them. In 1978, the couple commissioned William R. Phinnie as designer and project director to begin the creation of the eight Banners of Christ and a Processional Banner of the Dove of the Holy Spirit.

"THE designs have brought out an elaboration of many of the symbols used for Jesus' redemption of the world through his sacrifices," Paul wrote after the completion of the banners. "Our quest for expert needle workers led us to not-

ed artists of that field, all of whom reside in Texas, while our search for materials of unique standards led us to England and Europe. Those stitchery artists included Mrs. Connie Brooks from Bullard, Mrs. Jeanette Conrad from Bedford and Mrs. Judith Logan from Dallas."

PAUL and Barbara met when they were in the Navy during WWII. Barbara was a graduate of the University of California at Berkley, was a mosaic artist and spoke fluent French. Paul graduated from the University of Texas. They moved to Kilgore, where Paul began his law practice. They bought a home on the dead end of E. North Street, which remained their home until their deaths. They were both gourmet cooks.

THE couple loved to travel, and on one particular trip to New England, the took photographs of the banners hanging in the Episcopal Church in Keene, New Hampshire to be used as examples. Amazed that someone from Texas knew about the banners, the vicar allowed the photographs to be taken. Their trips to Europe added to their interest in the ancient origins of Christian art and on several trips Bill Phinnie accompanied them.

"AND lastly, our pleasure extended to the dedication of each banner to those members of our church who have made exceptional contributions to the well-being of the parish," wrote Paul. The dedication and blessing of the Banners of Christ, as well as that of the Processional Banner of the Dove, the ninth and final banner designed by William R. Phinnie under the patronage of Barbara and Paul Branch, took place on September 27, 1992.

THE exquisite beauty of these banners can be found in Kilgore, intricate treasures for those who seek.

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IF YOUR child, or the child of a friend, will be at the prom this weekend, please send them a text message. Remind them that you love them, that you want them to get home safely and ask them not to drink or do drugs.

Blowing out the candles today are Justin Vanderwater, Steve Leach, Kathleen Enochs, Pat Lackey, Tammy Belve, Sheila Nolan, Jim Wingfield, Stephen Reed, Lori Ingersoll, Heather Stetson, Judy English, Remona Scott, Dorothy Marshall, Justin Dean, Virginia Copeland, Charlie Fleming.