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If what we have collected and put in shape for the present and future generations shall prove of interest and use, we shall have accomplished our object and gained our reward.
J. S. MOORE.
Richmond, Va., January 1, 1904.
HISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH
From 1884 to 1904.
BY J. STAUNTON MOORE.
As chairman of the Committee on the History of St. John's Church, it falls upon the writer not only to compile and gather together the fragments of its history, but to give a brief epitome or outline of the Old Church since 1884, at which period the interesting Annals of Henrico Parish, by the Rt. Rev. Lewis William Burton, end. Mr. Burton, in ad- dition to his history of Henrico Parish, which he undertook while rector of St. John's Church, and completed after he became Bishop of the Diocese of Lexington, Ky., embracing as it does statistical information, historic research, and eccle- siastical data, the preservation of which for future use and reference becomes more valuable and precious as time goes apace, wrote also the Annals of St. John's Church during his incumbency. These annals show the growth of the Old Church in spiritual grace, and its material prosperity. These details are of inestimable interest and value to the communi- cants of the Church, during his administration. They con- tain accuracy of detail and incidents, and are written with that facility of pen and fecundity of thought characteristic of the man, and are striking evidences of his affection and a beautiful testimonial of his love for his old parishioners. But the committee, whilst not only appreciating the narra- tive but also reciprocating the generous sentiment and devo- tion that inspired it, does not deem the Annals of St. John's Church of sufficient importance or interest to the public at large to justify its publication in this volume. The com- mittee, however, does recommend its publication in full in a separate volume in the future for distribution to the com-
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municants of St. John's Church, each one of whom should cherish it as a souvenir and a testimonial of love; and would value it as a tie of communion between them and their late beloved rector. Mr. Burton states in his St. John's Annals: "They are not intended for publication, but only as a supply of material from which the future historian is to extract his facts." And whilst the writer has his doubts as to whether this sketch is entitled to the dignity of history, and questions his ability to appear in the role of historian, he will avail himself of the "supply of material" thus placed at his disposal by his beloved rector, gleaning and garnering such facts as time and space will permit, and as he thinks may best interest the public at large. In some instances the facts will be stated in the writer's own way; in other instances he will use not only the ideas, but the language of Mr. Burton, conceding that if there be any merit in his performance Mr. Burton is justly entitled to the credit. The difference be- tween the Annals of Henrico Parish and the Annals of St. John's Church is this-one is the tender outpouring and evi- dence of the kindly love and interest of our beloved rector, showing his personal relations, his affection, his person- ality, his untiring zeal and his work among us, evi- denced in facts, figures and personal incidents that make them peculiarly charming and dear to those under his charge during the period in the recital, with which the public has but slight interest; the other is a matter of more general import- ance, covering, as it does, the most romantic and interesting period in the history of Virginia. The writer was a fre- quent attendant at the services of St. John's under the rec- torship of the late lamented Alexander W. Weddell, but in those days his religious opinions and convictions had not crystallized into faith sufficiently strong to justify his be- coming a communicant. He had the pleasure of Dr. Wed- dell's acquaintance and enjoyed his friendship as a man and brother Mason for several years before his death, and dis- cussed with him freely in a friendly and social way many doubts that beset and perplexed him on religious matters. Dr. Weddell preached at him many sermons that came from the heart of this good and faithful minister, but it was not until Mr. Moody's first visit to Richmond, and under his
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benign influence, plain and practical teachings, that the writer, coupled with Dr. Weddell's kindly ministration, induced was to cast all his burdens on our Saviour's shoul- ders, and to bury his doubts in the bosom of His love.
Dr. Weddell impressed the writer as being liberal, broad- minded, free from cant and hypocrisy. Plain, simple and unaffected, devoid of slang and free from technical terms. He formed his opinions not in the academic schools, but from practical experience-from actual contact with men. His horizon of thought was bounded by no narrow limits; he thoroughly understood human nature. He did not look down upon humanity from an exalted pedestal. He took man- kind as he found it, not as he thought it should be. He had familiarized himself with man's nature "in the tented field" as a Confederate soldier; he knew its capacities, its aspira- tions, its fallibilities. He exercised patience, temperance and moderation in treating its limitations. He was never pessimistic in his religious views or dogmatic in his dis- courses or self-conceited in his opinions. A beautiful opti- mism pervaded his thoughts and breathed in his utterances. A wonderful patience and submission during his lingering illness pervaded his conversation, and governed his actions. Many a time has the writer on his way to his home taken him "up the hill" in his buggy, when scarcely able to walk, yet still trying to perform his appointed duties. Nature cast him in an heroic mould, not only physically, but en- dowed him mentally with those graceful virtues calculated to win human hearts, and enshrined his soul in those lovely traits of character that endeared him to all who knew him. He was indeed a-
" Happy, cheerful, loyal man, Built upon the God-like plan ; Always doing something good For his humble brotherhood. Memory, with her magic spell, O'er the years shall fondly tell How his glorious, active mind Loved and wrought for all mankind."
When he died a pall was cast not only over the Church he
J. STAUNTON MOORE. Editor and Compiler.
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
had so faithfully served and loved so well, but over the entire community ; yet we are consoled with the reflection that-
" They never quite leave us, the friends who have passed, Through the shadows of death to the sunlight above; A thousand sweet memories are holding them fast,
To the places they blessed with their presence and love."
-
The restoration-aye, it may be truthfully said the resur- rection-of St. John's Church is due to the strenuous efforts and consecrated labors of Dr. Weddell. When he took charge in 1876 there were but 118 communicants. By his earnest zeal, his affability, his sincere piety, he increased the number the first year to 221, the membership continuing to increase yearly until he rested from his labors, adding during the eight years of his ministerial work 506 communicants, and presenting for confirmation 243-the largest increase, up to that time, in the annals of the Church since its foundation. But St. John's Church for the past forty years has been pecu- liarly a Church of transition. The constant change of the per- sonnel of the congregation has been remarkable, and probably unparalleled in Church history. The tendency to "move up town" by the residents of the Old Hill as the city grows west- ward has been going on from year to year, thus causing a shifting membership-here to-day, gone to-morrow! The tale is told "in mournful numbers" as the words "removed" or "transferred" appear opposite the names on the communi- cant list.
When the Rev. Lewis William Burton (under whose rec- torship the writer became a communicant of St. John's) succeeded to the rectorship in 1884, there only remained 276 communicants as the result of the indefatigable work of the lamented Weddell. Mr. Burton was called from St. Mark's, Cleveland, Ohio. He took up the work with that energy and devotion characteristic of the man. In addition to a fine presence and intellectual physique, he possessed in a remark- able degree those personal qualities of mind and manner that at once favorably impressed all who met him. In the prime of life, active, zealous, full of divine fire, he at once set to work to build up Old St. John's. Tasteful and possessing a tact that at once gave him intuitive perception and apprehen-
5
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HISTORY HENRICO PARISH,
sion of what was best to say and do under all circumstances ; courteous, kindly, sympathetic, but not familiar, he at once won the hearts of his congregation. His enunciation clear, his language chaste, his utterances distinct-a master of elo- cution-he was happy in communicating his ideas. His preaching, non-Calvinistic, yet thoroughly orthodox, was of an inspiring, hopeful, trustful, helpful nature, that soon filled every seat in Old St. John's, and held his audience with breathless attention. Under his teaching he inspired all who heard him with faith, hope and trust; those who doubted had their doubts removed, those who believed were strengthened in their faith. Mr. Burton, during his pastorate of nine years, added to the communicants of St. John's 563, present- ing for confirmation 337, but the same change of domicile, the same tendency to move westward, was going on, and when the Rev. R. A. Goodwin, our present rector, succeeded the beloved Burton, the number of communicants was only 442. Mr. Goodwin during the ten years he has been rector, by his faith- ful ministration and devotion to duty, has added 521 com- municants, presenting for confirmation 345 persons.
By comparing the work of these efficient ministers, it will be seen that (in round numbers) Dr. Weddell added 48 com- municants and presenting for confirmation on an average 30 persons annually. Mr. Burton averages 63 communi- cants and 37 confirmations during the nine years of his rectorship. Mr. Goodwin has in the ten years he has been with us averaged 52 communicants and 34 confirmations. During Dr. Weddell's administration, including the num- ber of communicants then on the Church roll, there were 506; Mr. Burton added 563 and Mr. Goodwin 521, mak- ing 1,590 persons, and yet to-day, owing to reasons already assigned, we have but 565 on the roll. It will thus be seen that Dr. Weddell planted, like Paul of old, and that Mr. Burton and Mr. Goodwin watered and God gave the increase, and we rejoice in the fact that Old St. John's, that has experienced so many mutations and has known so many vicissitudes of fortune, fire and war, time and change, storm and tempest, has Phonix-like survived them all and stands to-day clothed in her chaste and comely garment of spotless white, amidst her green setting, old in years and yet young
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
and vigorous in good works! St. John's, the Mother Church of the Parish, and the Mother of Missions, has again and again been bereft of her children. At periods of her his- tory it is true her doors have been closed, no voice was heard from her pulpit, no songs or chants echoed within her silent and hallowed precincts. Her walls have reverberated to the mad shouts of a brutal foe, who laid his sacrilegious hand upon her sacred altar. Twice has her tower been dismantled by storm and tempest, but she has not been left desolate nor comfortless nor forsaken. The places of those who have passed away or moved to other sections of our city have been supplied by others, and we rejoice in the fact that to-day she is stronger spiritually and materially than at any period in her history. She is still the shrine at which worshippers as- semble to pay that homage to Deity that is essential to civili- zation, good morals and just government. She is still the Mecca to which pilgrims travelling from afar turn to draw fresh inspiration, and the spot where patriotism delights to point as the place where the fires of liberty were lighted. The fact that this old Church has survived so many disasters and mutations is the best evidence that she has been under God's special care. The fire upon the altar at times burned low, and the glory above the mercy seat had almost departed, but His Shechinah still dwelt among His people. In her old age she has been thrice blessed; the three ministers who have for the last quarter of a century presided over her des- tinies have so endeared themselves to the people of old St. John's that in their hearts they are known as Weddell, the lamented; Burton, the beloved; and Goodwin, the faithful. The individuality of these three faithful ministers has been such as to warrant at least in the heart of the writer the above appellations-not that either would be the less lamented had he been taken from us as Dr. Weddell was, nor that they were not all beloved and all equally faithful in the perform- ance of their duties, but each possessed sui generis, certain qualities of mind and manner, that can only be distinguished by some affectionate cognomen; for we are told: "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and an- other glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory."
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HISTORY HENRICO PARISH,
The Rev. Lewis William Burton was called to the rector- ship of St. John's January 28, 1884, and preached his first sermon on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1884. On assuming charge of St. John's, Mr. Burton, like the general of an army, took his survey of the field of his future operations and laid off his plan of campaign. The problems confronting him were not only those already adverted to, the tendency of the population westward, but he found his territorial responsi- bility embraced (1) Church Hill; (2) the southernmost por- tion of Shockoe Valley (say from the river to Broad street, and from Fifteenth street eastward to the foot of Church Hill, and along Main street to Twenty-eighth street) ; and (3) the parts known as Rocketts and Fulton. These three neighborhoods were so geographically separated that one church building would not suffice them. Those living in the valley were unwilling to climb the hill to attend the old Church. The three neighborhoods were also socially divided. He found a mission established by Dr. Weddell in Shockoe Valley doing good work amongst a class that had no church near them; but recognizing the need of a mission in the sec- tion known as Rocketts and Fulton, six months after his arrival he established the enterprise known as the Weddell Mission Sunday School. In 1886 this school had grown to 141 officers, teachers and scholars. He also gave the name of "Calvary" to the mission established by Dr. Weddell in Shockoe Valley at Nineteenth and Main streets, and which was afterwards transferred and maintained for many years, under the charge of Sergeant B. F. Howard, at the old Mason's Hall on Franklin street between Eighteenth and Nineteenth.
To assist in these missions the Rev. W. B. Everett, M. D., was made missionary assistant of St. John's in 1885. With Easter, 1885, Mr. Burton instituted a custom which still continues.
The four Sunday schools (St. John's, Calvary, Weddell and Good Shepherd) were assembled in the Church; the Good Shepherd (colored school) sitting in the gallery. A printed programme would guide the exercises, some special device would characterize the same; a wooden light-house was built with large blocks; flowers were combined with
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
names or designs, etc., texts or catechism were recited, carols sung, addresses delivered; reports were read by the superin- tendents of the different schools. These festivals are much enjoyed by the children and the Church is generally packed on these occasions. In 1885 Mr. Burton organized a junior branch of the Parish Brotherhood.
When Mr. Burton took charge of St. John's in 1884, he found the church nearly $500 in debt, and at the end of his first year there was also a deficit in current expenses. This unbusiness-like condition confronted him-how to live within the income or how to make the income adequate to the ex- penses. He determined to attempt the latter solution of the problem by adopting the weekly pledge and envelop system. This plan worked so well that beginning with 1887 the Church not only paid its current expenses, but its contingent fund up to and including the year 1893, the last year of his pastorate. Mr. Burton is an admirable financier, and would make a good banker or a successful business man in any line. In 1886 the alms basin now in use and formerly belonging to Old Westover Church was bought and presented to St. John's by Edmund A. Saunders and Richard L. Brown in behalf of their little daughters, Mamie and Bessie, and is so inscribed in large letters punctuated by a cross pattee around the rim. On the base of the plate is the following original inscription, "Ex dono D'nae-Sarah Braine," and a hall mark, indicating its origin-1694-1695. In the centre of the basin is an ingenious monogram in script letters two and a half inches long, which spells out the name of Sarah Braine. The rim of the basin is in simple repousse work, of what might be called pie crust shape. In June, 1886, the Vestry determined to restore the sound board to its place. It had been taken down years before, and had been lying in the Brick School-House. It was placed in its present position and the pulpit steps were placed on either side of the panel and pulpit. In order to restore the sound board it was sent to a furniture establishment. In grinding through the suc- cessive layers of graining and through a coat of white paint and gold to the original wood, was found the design of a cir- cle with inlaid nose, eyes and mouth, and with rays (also inlaid) diverging from it, alternately waving and straight.
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HISTORY HENRICO PARISH,
This old sound board that drank in the eloquence of Henry, and has heard the voices of so many who have ministered to the congregation assembled in Old St. John's now stands as it did originally. In 1886 Mr. Burton tried the experiment of a cornetist in the choir, with such gratifying results that it was continued during his entire incumbency. Under the in- spiration of Mr. Burton's ministrations, the spirit of im- provement took possession of the congregation, and extensive repairs were made both to the exterior and the interior of the old Church. The ceiling and walls were calcimined in colors, with simple ornamentations, the chancel richly deco- rated, the wood and pews revarnished, the chancel platform raised ; the position of the gates in the rail were changed to their present position. The Vestry room was renovated and made comfortable and convenient. New carpets were laid on the floor, and, in fact, so many changes were made that one of the most venerable and respected parishioners said when the changes were contemplated, that "this Colonial Church in colors would look like a highly ornamented bonnet on an old lady's head," but the result was so satisfactory that all agreed, including the person who made the remark, that the change was for the better. At this time Captain John A. Curtis and wife presented a new communion table, and Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Saunders a prayer desk. These improvements cost about $1,000. At a meeting of the Vestry in March, 1887, it was decided that so much of the gallery as lay east of the organ (which was then in the gallery) be set apart for colored people.
On the 4th of June, 1887, a great sorrow came upon our beloved rector and his wife; their only child, a beautiful and promising boy, who had been born to them in the rectory June 10, 1885, Lewis James Hendree Burton, was folded in the arms of the Good Shepherd. In their deep distress the rector and his wife had the heartfelt sympathy, not only of the congregation, but of the entire community. On January 5, 1888, the Rev. Pike Powers, D. D., was called to become the assistant minister of St. John's, in charge of Weddell Memorial Chapel. One characteristic of St. John's since its revival under the lamented Weddell has been its deep in- terest in missionary work. It is not only the Mother Church of the Parish, but the mother and founder of missions.
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. :
Weddell Memorial Chapel was completed and open for ser- vices the first time November 20, 1887. Previous to the building of the chapel the mission had been conducted in other buildings. The first communion occurred December 18, 1887. The entire cost, not including the land and other things donated, was a little over $4,000, and in January, 1889, the chapel was out of debt; and in the following month of March it was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. F. M. Whittle. One of the lots upon which Weddell was built was donated by the open-handed and liberal hearted P. H. Mayo, Esq.
In May, 1882, that saintly soul, Mrs. James M. Estes, now gone to her reward, began a mission Sunday school for colored children in a basement room of her residence. The first attendants were four small boys, but the room soon filled, and the school was removed to the Brick School-House in the Church yard. One hundred scholars were soon enrolled. Owing to the sickness of Dr. Weddell the school waned, and after his death it was disbanded.
In the fall of 1884, under the rectorship of the Rev. L. W. Burton, the school was reorganized under the name of the Good Shepherd, and met in the Brick School-House. In 1885 the enrollment was, officers, teachers and scholars, 133. In January, 1887, it had increased to 148. This good work had so grown under Mr. Burton's indefatigable efforts that in January, 1889, fifty applicants had been turned away for lack of teachers and room.
Realizing the necessity for larger accommodations for mis- sion work among the colored people, upon the suggestion of Mr. Burton to Mr. E. A. Saunders, who was always ready and willing to respond to appeals of this character, a lot on Twenty-eighth street between L and M was cheerfully do- nated by him and his wife, and the chapel on this lot was given the name of "Good Shepherd."
The building on this lot was formerly St. James', in St. Peter's Parish, New Kent county, Virginia, which stood on the land of Mrs. Sally D. Duval. This lady and Mrs. E. T. Drew were the sole surviving members of St. James', and they were about to leave the county. The church was rapidly falling to decay and would go with the land when sold, and Mrs. Duval desired to see the building utilized by
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HISTORY HENRICO PARISH,
the Church which had erected it. Moreover, it had been built under the rectorship of Mrs. Drew's first husband, the Rev. John T. Points, who had died as the rector of St. John's. Thus his first and last labors would be brought together. It was thus presented to St. John's Church, and was transferred to the lot upon which it now stands. The removal and trans- fer of the building cost, not including the furniture, about $900. This building was open for service October 7, 1888. While the building stood in the county of New Kent, some of the pew ends had been appropriated for head boards for the graves of soldiers. When restored to their place in the church at Richmond, the epitaphs rudely carved upon them were allowed to remain. It was especially through the interest of Miss Julia C. Emery, General Secretary of the Woman's Auxiliary, who secured in April, 1889, $300 from the "Society of the Double Temple" of New York, that the indebtedness involved in erecting this chapel was paid.
The Chapel of the Good Shepherd was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. F. M. Whittle, the Rev. James B. Funsten preach- ing the sermon; the rector, the assistant minister, Rev. Pike Powers, and the rector's brother-in-law, the Rev. Arthur M. Backus, of the Diocese of Massachusetts, were present.
Bishop Whittle, in his Council address, 1889, in speaking of churches consecrated, made the following remarks: "In 1889, March 31st, Weddell Memorial Chapel, a very pretty and comfortable building in Fulton, a neglected suburb of the city of Richmond. * *
"May 5th, Chapel of the Good Shepherd, a very nice and comfortable church for colored people, also belonging to St. John's, Richmond. This chapel is the outgrowth of a Sun- day school commenced by a devoted lady in her kitchen, who has now the happiness of seeing a flourishing school and the church services regularly conducted in a suitable and sacred building."
Mr. Burton was never satisfied unless he was continually progressing. The establishment of two missions in a field where none before had existed would have satisfied an ordi- nary mind, but his active brain and zealous heart and conse- crated life, whose motto was "Onward, Christian Soldier," were not content unless he was continually advancing the banner of the Cross.
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