History and culture come together for a special weekend in Rutland

By James Kent

The journey from Kyoto, Japan, to Rutland, Vermont, is 10,794 km or 6,707 miles distance. That is a long way to travel for a pilgrimage. For 30 dignitaries from Doshisha University in Kyoto, the opportunity to experience the history of their university’s founder, Joseph Hardy Neesima, and connect with the church that helped launch Neesima’s mission to start it and bring Christianity to Japan, made every kilometer traveled worth the trip.

On Saturday, Oct. 12, these dignitaries and students from Doshisha University arrived by tour bus at the Grace Congregational UCC in Rutland after a brief stay in Boston, where they toured the site of Neesima’s seminary studies at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. At 4:30 p.m., the group of visitors enjoyed some local apple cider offered by hosts from Grace Church before embarking on a brief tour. 

Split into two groups, the visitors from Doshisha explored the church and received details of Nessima’s time in Rutland in 1874. The tour included a visit to the church library, set up with artifacts and information related to Doshisha’s time with Grace Church, then known as the Congregational Church of Rutland. Included in the collection were original drawings from Neesima, artifacts left from previous Doshisha visits over the years, and the original bible Neesima placed his hand on while requesting funds to start a Christian school in Japan. The faces of these representatives from Doshisha told the story of why they made this trek to America. For them, 150 years of history came full circle in an instant. One could sense the connection to the past bringing these pilgrims close to Neesima, his presence filling the walls and halls of the Grace church with every footstep. 

Saturday’s tour concluded in the sanctuary, where Neesima once stood 150 years before, with Grace Church Senior Minister Terry Hanley addressing this congregation of visitors from Japan. 

“We think highly of our partnership with you,” said Hanley. “We think of you and pray for you. We pray for Doshisha. I can’t imagine all of the people who have been affected over the generations by what you do, by the Doshisha, and by the mission of Joseph Nessima, but that, in many ways, was needed. You’re planted here in some way. So, we’re very proud of that. We’re very happy to have you here. I’m sure excited.”

The final highlight of the tour was the playing of Bach’s “Fantasia in G bwv 576” on Grace Church’s massive pipe organ by Director of Music Ministries Alastair Stout. This powerful piece stunned the attendees and left them applauding at the piece’s conclusion. 

The Doshisha visit concluded on Sunday, with a special worship service and plaque dedication, before these dignitaries returned to Boston for a Monday flight back to Kyoto, Japan. Although their visit was brief, it was an occasion that will stay in the memories of those who made the journey and those members of Grace Church who got to share in the experience.