USA > Virginia > Henrico County > Henrico County > History and reminiscences of the Monumental Church, Richmond, Va. : from 1814 to 1878 > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
The holy communion was also administered in the morning. In the evening Mr. Woodbridge, (in his private record of services and sermons), says : "Mr. McCabe preached upon the 46th Psalm, commenc- ing with 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,' 1st verse; and 7th verse: 'The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.'".
At the meeting of the vestry on the 4th December, 1845, a committee, composed of Dr. F. H. Deane, James H. Gardner, and Robert R. Duval, was ap- pointed to dispose of such pews as are not now sold,
236
HISTORY OF THE
and to lay such assessment on all the pews as will be necessary to defray the annual expenses of the church.
At a subsequent meeting, on the 13th, the com- mittee reported, that they had been unable to fix upon any assessment ; it was therefore moved and
" Resolved, That the rate be ten per cent. on the the original purchase money which the pews sold for when the church was first ready for worship, payable quarterly in advance.
This was the best course the vestry could adopt in its new condition, and trusted to the future increase of pew-renters to levy an assessment of more uni- formity, and commensurate with the location of the pews, as well as the means or ability of the pew- renters. The subject was quite a difficult one for the vestry to settle, and satisfy all who rented pews.
SALE OF PEWS.
It having been assented to by the gentlemen of the former congregation that the new vestry should make sale of the pews which had become confiscated for non-payment of rents, the same committee of gentlemen proceeded, on the 19th December, 1845, to sell the pews at public auction, and the following was the result of the sale, which took place in the church, viz :
No. 10, Bought by John H. Tyler,
for $50 00
" 11,
Joseph Gill, 66 35 00
“ 28, 66 Jas. H. Gardner, 66 50 00
237
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
" 31, Bought by Moses Branch,
for
$35 00
66 32,
J. H. Anthony,
35 00
48, C. A. Colquitt, 30 00
53, 66 Ro. R. Duval, 66 30 00
54,
Robert Nimmo, 66
30 00
62,
66 John T. Sublett,
20 00
6 78,
66 James A. Snell, 66 25 00
81,
Jas. H. Poindexter, " 31 00
83,
66 Dr. F. H. Deane, 30 00
" 86,
66
A. W. Nolting, 66 30 00
63,
Philip Rahm, 66
20 00
87,
66
James M. Baker, 66
25 00
57,
66 Henry Fisher, 66
25 00
45,
Chas. G. Thompson,"
20 00
47,
66 Lewis E. Harvie, 30 00
“ 92,
66
E. H. Taliaferro, 66
20 00
LETTERED PEWS.
A, Bought by Miss Camilla Harris, for $50 00
B, Geo. N. Johnson,
66 50 00
D, 66 Mrs. Margaret Brooks,
50 00
E,
66 Joseph Allen, 66 30 00
F,
66
James M. Sublett, 66 30 00
G,
66 Millisan Snell,
30 00
H,
Holden Rhodes, 66
30 00
The lettered pews were made from the aisles" which ran east and west when the church was first used, and when the congregation increased were closed to make more room for pews, and had to be lettered instead of being numbered.
238
HISTORY OF THE
Pew No. 12 was appropriated by the vestry to the use of the minister's family, and so was No. 20 to the use of Bishop Johns' family, as long as the vestry could control them, and of course were free of rent.
At the same meeting of the vestry, Messrs. James H. Gardner and George D. Fisher were appointed a committee to repair the church as soon as possible, so as to prevent the rain and cold winds from searching through the roof and windows.
Some two years before that time, the plan of building the new church (St. Paul's) was determined upon, and in consequence of it the repairs to the Monumental Church were sadly neglected.
At a meeting of the vestry, held at the residence of Mr. James H. Gardner, on Saturday evening, the 17th of January, 1846, it was ordered that the treas- urer do apply the sum of five hundred dollars from the sale of pews towards the payment of the $1,000 which ten gentlemen of the congregation had as- sumed, in order to become possessed of the rights and privileges of the church when the former vestry and congregation were dissolved and went to St. Paul's church. And it was also
" Resolved, That the report of the former treasurer, Mr. Wm. H. Hubbard, be received and filed.
"It was also Resolved, that the committee autho- rized to make sale of the pews shall have full autho- rity to convey the title of said pews to the respective purchasers."
At this meeting it was also determined, until
239
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
otherwise directed, that the eastern gallery shall be appropriated to the use of colored persons attending service.
RATIFICATION BY PEW OWNERS, &C.
At an adjourned meeting of the pew owners and renters, held in the Sunday-school room, on Monday, the 11th of May, 1846, on motion of Mr. Wm. Beers, the former vestry and wardens were duly elected for the present year. And the same meeting rati- fied all the proceedings of the vestry in regard to the sale of the pews, as well as the renting out those belonging to the church.
Immediately after the adjournment of the pew holders, the vestry convened, and elected Mr. John Adams Smith, as delegate from the Monumental Church, to the annual convention of the diocese, to be held in Petersburg, on Wednesday, 20th May, 1846.
Teste : GEO. D. FISHER, Secretary to both meetings.
PAROCHIAL REPORTS TO CONVENTIONS,
WITH A SYNOPSIS OF VESTRY MEETINGS OF MONU-
MENTAL CHURCH.
1846.
Convention met in St. Paul's church, Petersburg, on Wednesday, May 20th.
Right Rev. Bishop Meade, D. D., bishop, and Right Rev. John Johns, D. D., assistant bishop, and Wm. M. Blackford, of Lynchburg, secretary.
240
HISTORY OF THE
Report of Monumental Church, Richmond,-Rev. George Woodbridge, rector, and Mr. John Adams Smith, lay delegate, each present on opening of the convention.
On the first of last December, the late congrega- tion of Christ Church united with a few families who remained in the Monumental Church, removed thither, and formed the present congregation of the Monumental Church.
The number of communicants last reported from Christ Church was 111, of whom three have since been admitted to holy orders. These, with the exception of eight, who either have attached, or intend to attach themselves to St. John's church, were joined by thirty- two from the late Monumental Church, making 140, of whom one is colored. Contributions, total, $517.29.
The rector has three Bible classes, which, together with the Sunday-school and weekly lectures, have been well attended, and it is believed have been pro- ductive of much good. There is also a colored Sun- day-school attached to the church.
GEORGE WOODBRIDGE, Rector.
The vestry held its first annual fiscal meeting since its new organization, on Friday evening, 4th of De- cember, 1846, in the Sunday-school-room ; and after receiving the report of the treasurer, the secretary was requested to return the thanks of the vestry and congregation to the family of the late Col. John Ambler, for the silver bowl or baptismal basin pre-
241
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
sented by him to the Monumental church, and the inscription which was desired to be engraved on same: has accordingly been done.
1847.
The convention met in Christ church, Winches- ter, on Wednesday, May, 19th. Right Rev. Wil- liam Meade, D. D., bishop of the diocese, and Right Rev. John Johns, D. D., assistant bishop, present, with Mr. Wm. M. Blackford, as secretary.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, rector, and Mr. George Nicolson Johnson, lay delegate-neither present : Communicants, 144; convention fund, $143; benevolent purposes connected with the church, $200; total, $630.
The vestry held a meeting on 26th April of this fiscal year, ending 1st December, 1847, and ap- pointed Mr. Geo. N. Johnson as lay delegate to the annual meeting of the convention of the diocese, to, be held in Winchester on the 19th of May next .. At this meeting also, a committee was appointed to purchase the remaining shares of the organ stock, and another committee to ascertain the cost of cer- tain repairs necessary to be made to the church. At this meeting also, the letter of resignation as organ- ist, of Mr. Wm. Daniell, was read and accepted.
1848.
The convention met in Christ church, Norfolk, on Wednesday, May 17th : Present, Right Rev. Wil-
16
242
HISTORY OF THE
liam Meade, D. D., bishop, and Right Rev. John Johns, D. D., assistant bishop, and Mr. Wm. M. Blackford, secretary.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, rector, and Mr. John Adams Smith, lay delegate from same, both present: Communicants, 149 ; contributions : bene- volent objects connected with the church, $767.15. Contributions towards repairs to church about $1,000; making in all the sum of $1,767.15.
The vestry held four meetings during this fiscal year, ending 1st December, 1848, viz : on Wednes- day, 8th December, 1847, when a committee was appointed to have the outside of the church painted in addition to the repairs and painting and altera- tions of the inside as originally determined upon ; and on which the committee reported a balance of $203.85 now due, and promised to be paid by the first of January, 1848. The next meeting was held on the 5th of January, 1848, when a report of the details for repairs of the church was proposed should be made in the next two weeks, in order to appro- priate the sums collected to respective amounts due. A communication from St. Luke's chapel was also read, asking aid of the vestry and congregation of the Monumental Church, but which had to be de- clined at that time. The next meeting was held on Wednesday, 19th of January, 1848, when the report of the committee on repairs was presented and adopted. At this meeting the rector's salary was raised to $1,500 a year. And it was also agreed
243
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
that a collection to defray the contingent expenses of the church should be taken up on the third Sun- day of each month. The next meeting was held on Thursday, the 27th April, 1848, when Mr. John Adam Smith was chosen the lay delegate to the an- nual meeting of the convention, to be held in Nor- folk, on the third Wednesday in May next.
1849.
The convention met in Christ church, Charlottes- ville, on Wednesday, May 16. Present, Right Rev. Wm. Meade, D. D., bishop, and Right Rev. John Johns, D. D., assistant bishop, with W. M. Black- ford, Esq., as secretary.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, rector, and Mr. George D. Fisher, lay delegate from same, and both . present. Communicants, 153 ; contributions for the different institutions of the church, $510; besides which the congregation has contributed towards the repairs of the church, principally through the exer- tions of the ladies, $1,000.
Two meetings of the vestry were held during this fiscal year, viz: the first on the 11th of January, 1849, when the committee on the extensive repairs and alterations inside and about the chancel of the church, as well as the painting of the outside with three coats of the best paint, including a new Bible, prayer books, and marble baptismal font, made a detailed report, and exhibiting the entire cost to amount to the sum of $2,884.99, all of which
.
244
HISTORY OF THE
had been paid except $706.97. And this balance was soon discharged by an advance from three mem - bers of the vestry.
The repairs were commenced on the 23rd of Feb- ruary, and finished on the 12th of October, 1848. In February, painting the outside of the building was done, and in July, the inside was commenced, . when the church was closed for the summer. At this meeting resolutions of thanks to the ladies of the sewing society connected with the church were also adopted, and the register of the vestry requested to convey the same by letter to Mrs. Woodbridge, president, for the liberal amount raised by two fairs held in May and December, amounting together to $1,048.84; say in May, $210.20, and December, $838.64, all of which aided the vestry most mate- rially.
The second meeting of that year was held on the 6th of May, when Mr. Geo. D. Fisher was appointed the lay delegate from the Monumental Church to the annual meeting of the convention of the diocese, to be held in Charlottesville, on the 16th of May, and Mr. Geo. N. Johnson was chosen as the alter- nate.
1850.
The convention met in Alexandria, on Wednes- day, 16th of May, in St. Paul's church. Present : Right Rev. Wm. Meade, D. D., bishop, and Right Rev. John Johns, D. D., assistant bishop, with Tazwell Taylor, Esq., of Norfolk, as the secretary, pro tem.
245
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond. - Rev. Geo. Woodbridge, rector, and Mr. Geo. D. Fisher, lay delegate from same Mr. Woodbridge did not attend the meeting of the con- vention on that occasion. Communicants, 151. Amount collected for the different institutions of the church, about $770.78.
The vestry held four meetings during the fiscal year, ending with November, 1850. viz: One on 10th December, 1849, when the annual report of the treasurer was handed in and duly received. A resolu- tion was also passed instructing the treasurer to re- fund to the reverend rector the sum of forty dollars, which he had paid to Mr. Upjohn, the architect in New York, for furnishing a plan for certain altera- tions about the pulpit and chancel of the church.
The next meeting was held on the 2nd of Janu- ary, 1850, when a resolution was adopted, that it was expedient for the church to have a new organ, and a committee was appointed to take the necessary steps to procure one.
The next meeting was held on the 1st of May, when Mr. John L. Bacon was duly appointed the lay delegate from the Monumental Church to the annual meeting of the convention of the diocese of Virginia, to be held in Alexandria, on the 15th in- stant, and Messrs. C. J. Macmurdo, Jr., and George D. Fisher, were appointed as alternates.
The next meeting was held on 22nd August, when the committee appointed in January to purchase a new organ made their report of the contract entered
246
HISTORY OF THE
into with Mr. Henry Erbin, of New York, to build an organ for the Monumental Church, at a round sum of three thousand two hundred dollars, and towards payment, the old was to be taken by Mr. Erbin, at the price of three hundred dollars. $1,500 was required to be paid on the completing and put- ting the organ in the church, and the residue upon a credit of six, nine and twelve months of equal amounts. Mr. Erbin, afterwards made a liberal dis- count, and all the money was raised and paid to him in August, before he returned to New York. The contract was made with him on the 26th January, previous.
1851.
The convention met in Trinity Church, Staunton, on Wednesday, 21st May. Present, Right Rev. William Meade, D. D., bishop, and Right Rev. John Johns, D. D., assistant bishop, with the Rev. John Grammer, as secretary, pro tem. by request, in the place of Wm. M. Blackford, Esq., who had sent in his resignation as the previous regular secretary.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, rector, and Mr. John Adams Smith, lay delegate. Communicants, 166 ; contributions for the various institutions of the church, $887.67.
The vestry held four meetings during this fiscal year, to wit : 9th December, 1850, when the annual report of the treasurer was handed in and received. And at the same meeting the rector's salary was raised to $1,700 per annum. The next meeting
247
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
was held on the 18th of May, and Mr. George N. Johnson elected the lay delegate to' the an- nual meeting of the convention, to be held in Staunton, on 23rd instant, and Mr. George D. Fisher was appointed the alternate. On the 22nd another meeting was held, as it was ascertained that neither Mr. Bacon or the alternate could conveniently attend the convention, whereupon Mr. John Adams Smith was elected the delegate. The next meeting was held on the 10th of June, when a committee, composed of Messrs. James H. Gardner and James H. Poin- dexter, was appointed to ascertain the best mode for warming the church, and getting rid of the coal-dust produced from the old open stoves, used many years prior to 1845, and which were often insufficient to warm the church .*
* NOTE .- When the church was first heated, in 1814, it was. done by a very small furnace in the basement, and the heat as- cended through four openings in the middle aisle, not larger than six inches square; this proved to be an entire failure. After- wards the open stoves at the east and west windows, with long. piping dropping into a flew on each side of the chancel, were. adopted and in use in 1845. In 1848 the old reading desk and! pulpit, which stood between the two large pillars on either side of the chancel, were removed, and the floor of the chancel raised to its present height, and the door cut through the thick brick wall to communicate with the vestry room. Before that door was cut the entrance was from the church on the left of the chancel, and on the level of the main floor ; the door is still there, but closed. The chancel was enlarged and made a half circle ; formerly it was square, and the first communion table was a cir- cular planking around the base of the left hand pillar, (not then square at its base, ) covered with fine red damask. It was very contracted as to room for administering the communion, and was. accordingly changed, and the present table substituted.
248
HISTORY OF THE
1852.
The convention met in St. Paul's church, in the city of Richmond, on Wednesday, 19th May. . Pres- ent : Right Rev. Wm. Meade, D. D., bishop, and Right Rev. John Johns, D. D., assistant bishop, with Cassius F. Lee, Esq., of Alexandria, as sec- retary.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, rector, and Mr. George N. Johnson, lay delegate from same, viz : Communicants, 160; amount of contributions for the different institutions of the church and religion, $1,423.
The vestry for the fiscal year ending with November, 1852, held but two meetings; but they were impor- tant and interesting. The one of 18th December, 1851, recording suitable resolutions upon the death of our late and much valued and beloved brother vestryman, Benjamin L. Meade, a copy of which was sent to his bereaved family; and the election of Mr. Thomas U. Dudley, a worthy communicant of the Monumental Church, to fill the vacancy occa- sioned by Mr. Meade's death.
The report of the treasurer for the year was also handed in, and referred to the secretary for exami- nation.
A resolution of thanks was adopted, and a copy sent to the ladies' sewing society, as well as the ju- venile members of the congregation, for the liberal sum of $660, raised by them towards the payment of the late repairs of the church.
249
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
At this meeting the report of the committee for warming the church, and also for repairs to the roof, was received and adopted.
The other meeting was held on the 5th of May, 1852, at which time the lay delegate to the conven- tion was appointed.
1853.
The convention met in Wheeling, in St. Matthew's church, on Wednesday, 18th of May; Right Rev. John Johns, D. D., assistant bishop, presiding, and Mr. A. L. Seabury, acting as secretary in place of Mr. Cassius F. Lee, of Alexandria, who had sent in his resignation.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, rector, and Cap- tain Charles Talcott appointed as lay delegate. From the printed journal of that year, neither was present. Communicants, 171; (169 white; 2 colored); con- tributions to the church, $2,368.92.
The vestry held three meetings in this fiscal year, up to the end of November, say on the 11th Decem- ber, 1852, which was an interesting one, as the ladies had proposed to discharge the balance of the debt due on all the repairs up to that period, if the gentlemen would agree to pay what was due on the organ debt. . Also a report was adopted, which was handed in by the wardens, Messrs. Jas. H. Gårdner and John Adams Smith, relating to the stock issued for the first organ put up in the church, and which had been purchased on credit. Interest semi-annually
250
HISTORY OF THE
paid on it, until it was virtually given, (the principal most of it,) to the church.
The second was on the 4th January, 1853, and the other on 9th of May, when Captain Talcott was elected lay delegate from the Monumental Church to the annual meeting of the convention for the diocese of Virginia, to be held in Wheeling, on the 18th instant ; Mr. John W. Atkinson was chosen the alternate delegate.
At the meeting of December 11, 1852, a resolu- tion of thanks to the ladies of the congregation for the liberal contribution they had again made towards the payment of the debt for the repairs to the church building was adopted; and also suggesting that whatever surplus existed should go towards the cost of introducing the gas in the church.
Messrs. George D. Fisher and Geo. N. Johnson, were the committee appointed to wait upon the ladies of the sewing society on the subject.
1854.
The convention met in St. Paul's Church, Lynch- burg, on Wednesday, 17th May. Present: Right Rev. Wm. Meade, D. D., bishop, and Right Rev. John Johns, D. D., assistant bishop; Mr. A. L. Sea- bury was appointed secretary, pro tem.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, rector, and Mr. Wm. F. Davis, the lay delegate. Communicants, 190; contributions to the cause of religion and the church, $953.
251
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
The vestry held but two meetings in this fiscal year : the first on the 6th of December, 1853, when a resolution of thanks was adopted, with a present of a piece of silver plate to Mr. Becktel, as a token of gratitude to him for his voluntary services as or- ganist for some months past.
At this meeting also Mr. James Evans was unani- mously chosen as organist, and Mr. James M. Baker was added to the music committee.
The next meeting was held on the 10th of May, 1854, when Mr. John L. Bacon was elected the lay delegate to the convention of the diocese of Vir- ginia, to be held in Lynchburg, on the 17th of the month, and Mr. Wm. F. Davis, as the alternate.
Our rector's salary was raised last year to $2,000. At this meeting Mr. James M. Baker, having cx- pressed his intention to leave Richmond permanently in a few weeks, and that some one else should be ap- pointed in his place as treasurer of this church, upon consultation, the members present appointed Mr. Geo. D. Fisher, the present secretary of the church, to fill the place, he reserving the privilege of accept- ing the office.
Mr. Philip Rahm was then nominated as a mem- ber of this vestry, and unanimously elected.
18.55.
The convention met in Grace church, Lexington, Wednesday, 16th May. Present: Right Rev. Wm. Meade, D. D., bishop, and the Rev. Geo. D. Cum- nins, rector St. James' church, Richmond, secretary, pro tem.
252
HISTORY OF THE
Parochial report of the Monumental Church, Rich- mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, rector, and Mr. John W. Atkinson, lay delegate. Communicants, total, 171 ; General contributions, $1,425.
The vestry held three meetings during this fiscal year, say, on the 3rd of January, 1855, at which time 20 per cent. upon the pew rents was levied, in order to make the revenue equal to the expenses of the church, in addition to the weekly collections for contingent expenses. The second meeting was called on Sun- day morning, the 1st of April, after divine service, to adopt suitable resolutions in accordance with the deep sorrow which prevailed throughout the congre- gation, (and especially in the vestry,) caused by the sudden death of our much beloved, admired, and truly pious brother-vestryman. Mr. George Nicolson Johnson. The third meeting was held on the 14th of May, when a vacancy of two members in the vestry was filled by the election of Mr. William H. Powers and Mr. John W. Atkinson.
Mr. Atkinson was then chosen the lay delegate to the convention, to be held in Lexington on the 16th of the month.
1856.
The convention met in St. George's church, Fred- ericksburg, Wednesday, May 21st. Present: Right Rev. William Meade, D. D., bishop, and Right Rev. John Johns, assistant bishop; secretary of the con- vention, Rev. George Woodbridge, pro tem; and assistant secretary, Mr. A. L. Seabury.
253
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
Morning prayers were read by the Rev. James T. Johnson, of St. Paul's church, Alexandria, and the convention sermon was preached by the Rev. Wm. N. Pendleton, of Grace church, Lexington. His text was a portion of the 21st verse of the 17th chapter of the gospel according to St. Luke: "The kingdom of God is within you." A touching allu- sion was made to the lamented death of the Rev. Messrs. Chisholm and Jackson, both of whom fell noble martyrs at the post of duty in the plague- stricken cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth during the past summer and fall, from yellow fever. Mr. Jackson had been appointed to preach the opening convention sermon this day. The sermon was fol- lowed by a brief address from the Right Rev. the Bishop of the diocese, in consonance with the spirit. of the sermon, both of which were listened to with marked attention.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.