USA > Virginia > Colonial churches; a series of sketches of churches in the original colony of Virginia, with pictures of each church > Part 13
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About 1787 the Falls Church was deserted as a house of worship by Episcopalians. This was the time of popular hatred and general decadence of the Church because of its imagined association with England and English tyranny. "Since then," wrote Bishop Meade, "it has been used by any who were disposed to occupy it as a place of worship; and the doors and windows being opened, itself stand- ing on the common highway, it has been entered at pleasure by travel- ers on the road and animals of every kind.
Some years since the attention of the professors of our Seminary and some of the students was drawn toward it, and occasional ser- vices performed there. This led to its partial repair (chiefly at the expense of Captain Henry Fairfax, grandson of the Rev. Bryan Fairfax, a former rector of this church). The most successful effort in its behalf was made by one of those devoted youths who has given himself to Africa. Young Mr. Minor, of Fredericksburg, then a stu- dent at the Seminary, undertook the task of lay-reader, and by his untiring zeal and most affectionate manners soon collected a large Sunday-school, aided by some fellow-students of kindred spirit.
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In losing Mr. Minor when he went to Africa the children and parents thought they had lost their all, but Providence raised up others, and doubtless will continue to raise up as many as are needed. Our Sem- inary will surely furnish the supply that is called for.
"The house of which we are speaking has recently been more thor- oughly repaired and is now as to outward appearance, strength and comfort one of our most desirable temples of religion, bidding fair to survive successive generations of those unworthy structures which are continually rising up and falling down throughout our land. On Saturday and Sunday, assisted by several of our ministers, I perform- ed pastoral and Episcopal duties in this church. On the latter day, in the midst of an overflowing congregation, I confirmed six persons and administered Holy Communion." Thus wrote Bishop Meade in 1827.
But as rich a storehouse of momentous historic names, events, and principles as is this ancient sanctuary, it is equally valuable for the religious records it preserves. Virginia's progeny of illustrious Churchmen has been as noble and as numerous as her statesmen. And imbedded in the grounds and walls of this venerable shrine is the name and image of many a spiritual prince and hero. Hear but a partial roll-call of its rectors:
Rev. Chas. Green, in 1736, after being nominated to the vestry by Capt. Augustine Washington and sent to England to receive ordina- tion from the Bishop of London, as recorded in the old parish Vestry Book; Rev. David Griffith, elected the first Bishop of Virginia, but prevented by circumstances from being sent to England for consecra- tion; Rev. Bryan Fairfax, Washington's much-revered pastor and friend; Rev. Drs. E. C. Lippitt, James May, Joseph Packard, professor in the Virginia Theological Seminary; Bishop Horatio Southgate, pre- viously Missionary Bishop in Constantinople; Bishop Richard Wilmer, Rev. Launcelot Byrd Minor, who died a missionary in Africa; Rev. W. H. Kinckle, also Rev. Drs. Churchill J. Gibson, Joshua Peterkin, George W. Shinn, and others, who regularly officiated here when stu- dents at the Theological Seminary, five miles distant; Bishop Madison, Virginia's first Bishop, visited this church to preach and administer confirmation; Bishop Meade officiated in and wrote most feelingly and admiringly of it in his well known history; Bishop Kinsolving, our Missionary Bishop in Brazil, there received confirmation; Rev. Dr. John McGill was twice its rector; before him Rev. Templeman
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Brown, and more lately Revs. Frank Page, J. Cleveland Hall, and R. A. Castleman were rectors. Many other noble, sainted names also adorn and enrich its history.
Oh, what a perpetual standing sermon is this hallowed fane! What glorious truths it ceaselessly proclaims! Long before the Colonial Church of England changed its American local title to "Protestant Episcopal," this building was known only as the Anglican Church. A living, visible, tangible, speaking witness indeed it stands in the identity of our American branch of the Church with the Church of. England, and through it to our oneness with the one Holy Historic Body of all ages and of all lands. Who can sit beneath its roof with- out profounder, more thrilling convictions that our worship is Apos- tolic; our faith is Catholic; our Priesthood is Divine! Who can tread its grounds without feeling the throb and beat and impulse of our fore- fathers' unfaltering faith and their effectual, fervent prayers? Who can even in passing behold it without hearing mighty voices calling and seeing brave hands beckoning to higher, grander, more enduring things than earth's brief, fitful dreams?
But alas! this precious storied monument that brings down to us great messages from the past and is carrying on added tidings from ourselves to centuries of posterity to come, is now the prey of decay, dilapidation and ruin. For two years the present rector has labored strenuously for its restoration. The task and the expense have prov- ed far greater than was anticipated. From roof to yard and enclosure all has to be renewed or reclaimed. From $8,000 to $10,000 is re- quired to put building and grounds in thoroughly worthy and working condition. Of this (including a few hundreds contributed to help pay off its parish debt) about $4,000 has been raised and expended on the church. The work has had to stop until further funds are secured. Our Bishop has lately seen and been greatly pleased with what has so far been done. The church's prospects for future Christian service is simply boundless, if fitted therefor. My only possible hope to com- plete the work is with outside help.
Christians, patriots, Churchmen, remember your sacred landmark! Honor its holy memories. Make it rejoice with renewed strength and beauty for the great Jubilee Year of 1907!
CHRIST CHURCH, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
BY MISS HELEN NORRIS CUMMINGS.
M IDWAY between Washington and Mount Vernon there lies a little city of infinite value to lovers of history, and in quaint old Alexandria one of the places that claim the greatest in- terest is Christ church, being spoken of far and near as the church of Washington. His was the first of a long line of names of whom the country is so justly proud, to be found in connection with this church; his name and but one other are inscribed upon it. Two mural tablets, one on either side of the chancel, are placed in memory of the two sons of this church, whom Virginia most loves and honors-George Washington and Robert Edward Lee, and two pews which they occupied are marked by silver plates engraved with their respective names, a fac- simile of their own handwriting. Both lived on the Potomac, one a few miles north, the other a few miles south, of Alexandria, and although their lives were separated by many years, yet this church was a mother to them both.
In 1765 prosperous Alexandria determined to erect for herself a handsome church in place of the little chapel that by this time had been outgrown. On February 1st of that year the parish of Fairfax was created out of Truro, and March 28th Col. George Washington, then thirty-three years old, was elected one of the twelve vestrymen. In Colonial days the Government of Virginia was largely controlled by the vestry of the parish, holding as it did, in a generous measure, the power of civil authority. This close connection between Church and State extended the power of the vestry to a variety of duties, and made the position no sinecure; for. besides attending to the temporal wants of the church and overseeing the needs of the poor, giving the deserv- ing ones food and clothing as well as medical attention, it had the right to impose fines for the non-observance of secular laws, and with it rested the responsibility of administering justice.
In order to build the church, the vestry was obliged to impose upon the parish a tax of 31,185 pounds of tobacco. From the funds raised two churches were to be erected, one at Falls Church and the other at Alexandria. The site chosen for the Alexandria church was at the
CHRIST CHURCH, ALEXANDRIA, VA.
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head of Cameron street. It was a thick wood then, but the ground, shaded by the forest tres, seemed an ideal spot to set aside as God's Acre.
In 1767 the contract was given to James Parsons for £600 sterling, a large sum of money at that time; but it was to be a handsome build- ing, though simple in treatment, as were all Colonial churches. Built of brick and roofed with shingles of juniper, since replaced by slate, the church now stands in the heart of the city, surrounded by its beau- tiful yard and overshadowing trees, and to this day is a delight to all visitors who, on their pilgrimage to Mount Vernon, take a little time to see this sacred building, the pride of Alexandria.
The severity of the interior is extreme; "the arches and pediments are of the Tuscan order, the altar piece, pulpit and canopy of Ionic style;" there are three windows in the chancel, and on either side of them are two panels, one containing the Lord's Prayer with the Creed; the other has the Ten Commandments, both done in black lettering on a gilt background. The sounding-board or canopy and high pul- pit, with its winding stairway, is in the center of the chancel. Di- rectly against the window, below that, is the "altar piece," all of Ionic style, and immediately in front, by the chancel rail, is the tiny font.
The architect selected was James Wren, a descendant, so the story goes, of the great Sir Christopher Wren, who, as architect of the wonderful Cathedral of St. Paul's, in London, has shed glory not only on himself, but on his posterity. In 1772 the work of building came to a standstill, and Colonel John Carlyle agreed to complete James Parson's unfinished contract for an additional sum of £220. One year later, February 27, 1773, the church was placed in the hands of the vestry, who regarded it as finished "in a workmanlike manner." The same day Colonel Washington purchased for £36 10s., the pew then known as Number 5.
The choice Oronoko tobacco played a prominent part as a commer- cial factor of Alexandria, since the church was built with it, the clergyman's salary was paid in the same way, and the first rector, Rev. Townsend Dade, ordained by the Bishop of London, received his salary in the shape of 17,280 pounds of tobacco, and for want of a glebe, 2,500 pounds were added to this sum. In 1770 the church was able to purchase five hundred acres of land, and three years later was wealthy enough to erect on it a glebe house, or parsonage, with dairy,
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meat house, barn, stable and corn house, at a cost of £653. The next year, to complete the convenience of the rector's family, a hen house was added. Thus steadily the financial condition of the church in- creased.
That women stood high in the estimation of the vestry is proved by the fact that in the selection of a sexton the choice was given to Susannah Edwards, who preceded the members of the congregation up the aisle, locating each family in their respective pews, according to dignity. She evidently filled the office well, for she was succeeded by another dame, Mistress Cook, who was most "peculiar in dress and physiognomy; had a stately manner of ushering persons into their pews and locking the door upon them, and with an almost mil- itary air she patrolled the aisles, alert to protect and prompt to sup- press any violation of order."
To the church-goers the great family coach of the Washingtons was a familiar sight. Made in England, it was both substantial and ele- gant, if somewhat heavy. Four horses were necessary to draw it, but when the Virginia roads were very bad six were used; and to each span of horses there were the liveried postilion riders. After service. one Sunday morning in the summer of 1774, surrounded by the con- gregation, every one of whom he well knew, Washington advocated withdrawing allegiance from King George, and stated that he would fight to uphold the independence of the Colonies. No more solemn time or occasion could have been chosen. With calmness, in a spirit of prayerful deliberation, he announced his momentous decision under the very shadow of the church. Nine years after, when that inde- pendence had been successfully established and the long contested fight so bravely won, having resigned his commission at Annapolis, he was free to turn his face towards home. His arrival at Mount Vernon was on Christmas Eve. The next day found him once more in his accustomed seat in the church at Alexandria to hear the tender mes- sage of peace and good-will that was proclaimed like liberty through- out the land, and no one bowed in deeper gratitude than the great general, who came as humbly as a little child to this, his Father's House. In addition to the Christmas service, the rector, the Rev. Da- vid Griffith, who served as chaplain of the Third Virginia Regiment in the Revolutionary War, read the exultant song of Moses and the Children of Israel: "I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea"; and
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the sermon he preached was from the 128th Psalm: "Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children and peace upon Israel." The children's children of some of those men who composed the congregation in Washington's day are still to be found Sunday after Sunday in the old church; some in the same old family pews. He greeted after service the Wests, the Muirs, the Flemings, the Carlyles, the Custises, the Ramsays, the Daltons, the Alexanders, the Adamses, the Wrens, the Herberts, the Paynes, the Dulings, the Sanfords, the Frenches, the Shaws, the Broadwaters, the Blackburns, the Darnes, the Gunnels, the: Chichesters, the Tripletts, the Coxes, the Browns, the Gilpins and the Hooes; and the heritage of friendship has passed on to their descend- ants.
In the Colonial period, having no Bishops, there was no confirmation in the Colonies. The first record of confirmation at Christ church was in 1814, by Bishop Moore; probably his first official act as Bishop of Virginia. Dr. David Griffith, the chaplain of Revolutionary days, was the first Bishop-elect of this Diocese, but owing to lack of funds, Vir- ginia could not undertake the expense of his journey to London for ordination.
At the time the church at Alexandria was built it was known as the twin church of Pohick, but changes crept on, and they grew apart in appearance. The galleries at Christ church were added and the high square pews cut down and divided; the Washington pew is the only square pew left. In 1808 interments ceased in the churchyard, though spacious and by no means filled with graves; the vestry considered it best to purchase a cemetery on the outskirts of the city, and long stretches of velvety grass, broken only by the flickering sunlight through the trees, forms an exquisite setting to the old Colonial church. In 1810 an organ was introduced, and in 1812 the chimneys were built, no longer foot-stoves were necessary. With the change of appearance came the change of name. From 1765 to 1813 it had al- ways been spoken of as the Episcopal church; now to future genera- tions it was to be known as Christ church, and on June 9th of that year it was consecrated by Bishop Claggett, of Maryland. By degrees the bell was purchased, the steeple erected, the vestry-room under the tower was built, and the porch at the southwest corner constructed. Always with adequate means at command, no expense was spared to enlarge or beautify, and as the years went on each new improvement was easily and happily welcomed.
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In 1815, at the Diocesan Convention of Virginia, it was decided to establish a Theological Seminary. A few years later a class was formed at William and Mary College, Williamsburg, which, in 1823, was transferred to Alexandria, and the first building erected in 1827; and from that time until 1855, on every alternating year, the ordina- tion services were held at Christ church. The Bishops who officiated were Griswold, Moore, Meade and Bedell, and the men who consecra- ted their lives to the dark continent of Africa were Savage and Minor, Payne and Henning, and Colden Hoffman, while Cleveland Keith de- voted his life to China. The rest of the candidates for Orders found their work nearer at hand, but for all these men the memory of Christ church was very dear.
During the boyhood of Robert E. Lee his winter home was in Alex- andria. Many a Christmas, with the other boys of the neighborhood, he brought the evergreen and helped to decorate the church; and in the summer of 1853, when he had reached the rank of Colonel, he was confirmed here by Bishop Johns, who said to him, after service, that if he should make as good a Christian as he had a soldier, the Church would be proud of him. The mural tablet is evidence that the hope 01 the Bishop was fulfilled. Here, too, in the churchyard, in 1861, counting the agonizing cost to his State, he agreed to take command of the Virginia forces, seeing only too clearly the first inevitable per- sonal sacrifice, the loss of his Arlington home. During the war the Federal authorities forcibly held the church, but it was finally restored to the vestry in 1866.
Of the ministers of God who have served at her altar there is a long list of men who, inspired by her, have done noble work. Two have become Bishops. The first minister was Townsend Dade; then fol- lowed Mr. West, David Griffith, Bryan Fairfax, Thomas. Davis, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Barclay, William Meade, Oliver Norris, Beuel Keith, Geo. Griswold, John P. McGuire, Charles Mann, Charles B. Dana, Cornelius Walker, A. M. Randolph, Randolph H. McKim, Henderson Suter, Ber- ryman Green, and the present rector, William Jackson Morton.
The church to-day is in a state of perfect preservation. Time has laid his finger on her, but to soften and to beautify. She still stands with open arms and a gracious welcome. She reproves, she warns, she cheers and loves. For generations she has been to her sons and daughters a source of consolation and of joy, and she still extends the promise of a protecting mother love that will cause the children of the future to rise up and call her blessed.
ST. PETER'S CHURCH, NEW KENT COUNTY, VA.
ST. PETER'S CHURCH, ST. PETER'S PARISH, NEW KENT COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
BY CHURCHILL GIBSON CHAMBERLAYNE, PH. D.
T 0 the question, When was St. Peter's Parish established? the student of Hening's. "Statutes at Large" is surprised to find that that work gives no direct answer. It is, perhaps, to this omission on the part of Hening that Bishop Meade's discreet silence upon the subject is due. His "Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia" has much to say about the parish of St. Peter's and its people, but not a word in regard to its establishment. To the writer of the present article it seems probable that the parish-if not co-eval with New Kent county, which was formed from the county of York in 1654-was created shortly after 1656, in which year the General Assembly of Virginia passed the following act:
"Whereas, there are many places destitute of ministers, and like still to continue soe, the people content not payinge their accustomed dues, which makes them negligent to procure those which should teach and instruct them, soe by this improvident saveing they lose the great- est benefitt and comfort a Christian can have, by hearing the word and vse of the blessed sacraments. Therefore be it enacted by this present Grand Assembly. That all countys not yet laid out into parishes shall be divided into parishes the next County Court after publication hereof, and that all tithable persons in every parish within this colony respectively, in the vacancy of their minister, pay `15 lb. of tobacco per poll yearly, and that tobacco be deposited in the hands of the com- missioners of the several counties, to be by them disposed of in the first place for the building of a parish church, and afterwards the sur- plusage thereof (if any be) to go towards the purchaseing of a gleab and stock for the next minister that shall be settled there: Provided, that the vestrys of the several parishes be responsible for the said to- bacco so leavied."
This act, with some slight verbal changes, was re-enacted by the General Assembly in March, 1657-8.
For the period between its foundation and the year 1684-the date of the first complete minutes in the published "Vestry Book of St.
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Peter's"-there are no extant records from which a history of the parish could be written. For the period subsequent to 1684, however, and coming down to 1857, the materials-official documents and other sources-for such a history are ample.
Between 1684 and 1700 Church life in St. Peter's parish was not of the most active sort-that is, judged by modern standards. There is no good reason to suppose, however, that it compared unfavorably with the life in many another parish in Virginia at the time, notwithstand- ing a statement to the contrary made once by one of its own ministers, of which more later on. Vestry meetings were held two or three times in the year-some years there were even four meetings, but this was not often the case. These gatherings were mostly of a business nature, and business matters of all sorts in regard to the parish were brought forward, discussed and settled. Whether it were simply the election of a vestryman or Church warden in the room of another, resigned or deceased, or a quarrel with the neighboring parish of Blissland; whether it were the appointment of a vestryman to serve as the representative of the parish in a law suit, or the determining of the parish levy for the year-whatever the matter might be, it did not go unrecorded in the minutes-book of the vestry.
For example, the dispute with Blissland, in regard to the location of the dividing line between the two parishes, furnished the vestry- book of St. Peter's with material for frequent entries like the follow- ing:
"At a Vestry hold at St. Peter's parish Church on ye behalf of ye s'd parish this 3rd day of Sept., 1688. PRESENT: Gideon Macon, Corn. Daberni, Geo. Smith, Hen. Wyatt, Mr. Thom. Mitchell, James Moss.
"Mr. Jno. Roper, Mr. Will. Bassett, Church wardens.
"It is ordered by this present vestry that Mr. Gideon Macon do & is hereby impowered to appear before his Excelansy Francis Lord How- ard, Baron of Effingham, his Majes' Left. Gen'l of Virgr. & ye Hon'l Counsoll of States upon ye 10th day of ve next Gen'l Court in obedience to an order of his Excell. to y't purpose to answer ye complaint of Mr. Lanselott Bathurst, attorney of ye vestry of Blissland parish, concern- ing dividing line to be run between ye parish of Blissland & ye parish of St. Peter's, according to an agreement & conclusion of twelve men Elected by an order of vestry of ye whole parish of Blissland before ye same * and this present vestry hath Ratified and confirmed all whatsoever ye Mason shall act or do in & about ye premises above s'd."
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The minutes of these old meetings, however, show that the vestry did not confine its attention to matters of a purely material nature. At this time there were two churches in the parish. The vestry was careful that the spiritual needs of the inhabitants in both neighborhoods should be looked after. It was provided for that services be held at both churches regularly. Under date of November 25, 1686, the vestry- book contains the following entry: ** * * This vestry taking into consideration the present want of ye parish and desirous of the ad- vancement of God's Glory and ye continuance of ye sacred function in this parish do consent and agree with ye said Mr. Jno. Ball Minis- ter to officiate as minister in this s'd parish of St. Peters at ye two churches, at ye lower Church one Sunday & at ye upper Church ye other for this ensuing year from ye date of these presents, at ye rate of one thousand pr month."
The ordinary morality of the community was a matter with which the vestries of the Colonial period had to concern themselves generally. The records of St. Peter's Parish show that its vestry was at least fully awake to a sense of its duty in this respect. Entries like the following, under date of October 5, 1687, are not infrequently met with in the vestry-book: "It is ordered that Mr. Thomas Mitchell do prosecute ye woman servant belonging to Capt. Jo. Forster for having a bastard child." In St. Peter's Parish, too, as elsewhere, the care of the poor, the lame, the maimed, the halt, and the blind devolved upon the vestry, and the vestry-book shows that, outwardly at any rate, this obligation was not neglected.
In spite of all that has been said, however, one is hardly warranted in maintaining that at this period religion was flourishing in New Kent county. During the sixteen years from 1684 to 1700, St. Peter's Parish had no less than nine regular ministers, and the times-often months in duration-when there was no minister at all, were frequent enough. One of these nine ministers was the Rev. Nicholas Moreau, who, to quote the vestry-book again, had "been recommended by his Excell. and Mr. Camesery unto this parish." What Mr. Moreau thought of his parish, of the people, and of the state of affairs and religion generally in the community can be seen in the following extracts from a letter of his, dated April 12, 1697, written to the Lord Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, His Majesty's High Almoner: "My Lord,
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