USA > Virginia > Augusta County > Augusta County > History of Augusta County, Virginia > Part 11
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The colonial government, anxious to seat a white population west of the great mountains for the reasons previously mentioned, relaxed its rigor towards the Presbyterians and other Dissenters, and welcomed them, in- deed, in 1732, and thereafter, to the upper country of Virginia. From the Scotch and Irish settlements in Pennsylvania emigrants began to pour into the Valley, as soon as the more fertile lands of Pennsylvania and Mary- land were located. They were directed and encouraged to do so princi- pally by Vanmeter, of Frederick, Beverley, of Augusta, and Burden, of Rockbridge. For mutual protection, social intercourse, and religious wor- ship, they came in bodies composed of a number of families. If a more adventurous spirit penetrated deeper than usual into the forest, he was soon followed and surrounded by others. Within five years of Lewis' settlement at Bellefonte, so great was his own desire and that of the people for the ordinances of religion, that they sought to secure the services of a Presbyterian minister. On the 2d of September, 1737, a supplication from
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the inhabitants of Beverley Manor was laid before the Presbytery of Done- gal, Ireland, requesting supplies. The Presbytery "judged it not expe- dient, for several reasons, to supply them this Winter, but ordered that Mr. James Anderson should write an encouraging letter to the people, to signify that the Presbytery resolves, if it be in their power, to grant this request next Spring."
In 1738, Mr. Anderson visited Virginia, bearing a letter from the Synod of Philadelphia to Gov. Gooch. His visit was made on the invitation of John Caldwell and others, who asked protection in the exercise of their religious preferences. He was kindly received by Gooch, and visited Augusta with assurances from him that the protection he sought would be extended to him, Anderson, and the people west of the mountains. Leav- ing Williamsburg, Mr. Anderson crossed the Blue Ridge, proceeded to the house of the Founder, where he remained some time, consulting the leading Presbyterians of the settlement. The Governor was actuated in his liberal course as well by a desire to place a barrier between the eastern settlements and the Indians, as by his high opinion of the inhabitants, whom he well knew to be enterprising, industrious, and spirited-the best of citizens in times of peace and soldiers in times of war.
The next probationer who visited Augusta was Mr. Dunlap, of the Presbytery of New York, who spent three months in the neighborhood of Staunton in the year 1739. In this year, Mr. Jno. Thompson, of the Pres- bytery of Donegal, also visited the Valley, spent some time in Augusta, and was active in promoting the Presbyterian cause in Virginia. Through his instrumentality, Mr. John Craig was sent to Augusta in 1739 by the Presbytery of Donegal, and ultimately became pastor of Tinkling Spring and Augusta churches.
Rev. John Craig was ordained in 1740, and immediately commenced his ministry at Augusta and Tinkling Spring churches. He was thus the first Presbyterian minister regularly settled in the colony of Virginia. Uniting the duties of a teacher with those of a preacher and pastor, he was emi- nently useful in both capacities. Those who may wish to read the story of his life can find it in an autobiography which he prepared in his old age, entitled "A Preacher Preaching To Himself, &c.," and embraced in Foote's Sketches.
Space will henceforward admit of little more than an enumeration of the churches and their ministers from their organization to the present time. Those seeking fuller information may obtain it from Foote's excel- lent sketches of the Presbyterian Church in Virginia.
The OLD STONE, or Church of Augusta, where Mr. Craig's ministry com- menced, was built in 1740. It is situated on the Valley turnpike, about eight miles north of Staunton, and is standing, at the end of one hundred and forty years, in perfect preservation. It was the second church built
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in the Valley. The first church, or "meeting-house," was erected about 1736, at Opeckon. The old Stone Church was erected during that long period of tranquility which followed the settlement of Augusta, but while the Indians were warring among themselves, but friendly to the whites. Doubtless, the apprehension that the savages might turn their arms against the colonists on some future occasion, led to its being built of stone at a vast labor, in order that it might serve, as it subsequently did, the pur- poses of fort as well as church. The reader can form an idea of the labor spent upon this venerable edifice when he reflects that there were then no roads on which to transport material, no carts or wagons, few trained horses or oxen, and the population rather pastoral than agricultural. The build- ing of the church, was, indeed, an arduous undertaking, and could never have been accomplished in those days but for the persevering labor of all- men, women, and children; for the women and children took part in the good work, carrying in sacks upon their backs the lime and sand neces- sary for the building, while the men hewed and transported the stone to the spot, night oftener, than otherwise, finding them at their work, and not putting a stop to it. This sacred building, half church, half fortress, was the strong place of the northern part of the county, as Fort Lewis was of the country east, south, and about Staunton, and to its shelter the women and children betook themselves during the Indian forays which occurred so frequently after 1754. The church was surrounded by an earthen em- bankment, which gave it greater strength, and traces of this rude military work may still be seen.
Mr. Craig was a man of eminent piety and usefulness, and discharged his duties at Augusta Church until his death, in 1774. The church erected at its expense, in 1798, a monument to his memory. His successors have been Revs. Wm. Wilson, until 1805; Conrad Speece, DD., from 1813 to 1836 ; Wm. Brown, F. M. Brown, I. I. Handy, DD., and the present pas- tor, Rev. Alex. Sprunt.
TINKLING SPRING .- In the southern part of the settlement, on the triple forks of the Shenandoah, near the present village of Fishersville, the division of the congregation, known as Tinkling Spring, worshipped. Staunton belonged, in its early days, to this congregation, and the Foun- der, James Patton, John Preston, and the people of Staunton generally, attended its services. The first building used for worship was a log house, belonging to Preston, and Rev. John Craig preached on alternate Sun- days. "The members of this congregation were distinguished," says Foote, " for the part they took in the Indian wars, and furnished some of the leading military men in the border wars ; the most famous were of the Lewis family."
Shortly after Beverley's grant, a grant of 100,000 acres was made to John Lewis and his associates, under the name of the " Greenbrier Com-
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pany." Much of this land was located on the Greenbrier river, a name given to the stream by Col. Lewis. James Patton, another member of the congregation, received a grant for 120,000 acres, which he located in the present county of Montgomery, where he was killed by the Indians in 1753. John Preston, who married a sister of Col. Patton, also belonged to this congregation, though his residence was north of Staunton, on Spring farm, which, in 1882, is owned by the city of Staunton.
After Mr. Craig ceased to be the pastor of Tinkling Spring, Rev. John A. VanLear, the son of an emigrant from Holland, became pastor, and, in 1778, was succeeded by Rev. James Waddell, D. D., and he by Rev. John McCue, D. D., whose ministry extended to September 20th, 1818, when he was killed on his way to church by a fall from his horse.
Mr. McCue has been succeeded at Tinkling Spring by the following : Revs. James Wilson, until 1840; B. M. Smith, D. D .; Robert L. Dabney, D. D., the distinguished author and theologian ; C. S. M. See, and Givens B. Strickler, the present pastor.
The Rev. John Blair, during his visit to Virginia, in 1746, formed four congregations, embracing the whole width of the Valley, from a little south of Staunton to some distance south of Lexington. The congrega- tions were those of the "Forks of the James."
Timber Ridge, now in Rockbridge, New Providence, and North Moun- tain.
Timber Ridge and New Providence alone remain.
In the place of North Mountain there are the two congregations of Bethel and Hebron.
BETHEL church was first built about 1772, principally through the exer- tions of Col. Doake, a few steps from the site of the present brick church, about ten miles south of Staunton, and about midway between the Green- ville and Middlebrook roads, leading from Staunton to Lexington. The first minister was Mr. Charles Cummings, who received a call in 1766, and served till 1772. He was followed by Mr. Archibald Scott, who dis- charged his duties for over twenty years with great zeal and fidelity, and dying in March, 1799, was followed, after a vacancy of some years, by Rev. William McPheeters, D. D., a native of Augusta, who was educated in Staunton and at Liberty Hall, Rockbridge. He took charge of Bethel in 1805. In 1810, Mr. McPheeters removed to Raleigh, N. C., where he died in 1842. His successors have been : Revs. Chapman, D. D., (we believe), Francis McFarland, D. D., who resigned and went to Philadelphia, when Rev. Alex. B. McCorkle took his place. Mr. McC. resigning, Dr. McFarland was recalled, and died, senior member of the church. He was succeeded by Rev. James Murray, the present pastor, who was Dr. McFar- land's colleague for many years.
SHEMERIAH was organized about 1832, principally from the congregation
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of Bethel. The first minister was Rev. Henry Brown. His successors have been : Rev. E. S. Thomas, Luther Emerson, W. G. Campbell, Har- vey Gilmer, I. N. Campbell, and the present minister, Rev. I. H. H. Win- free.
HEBRON CHURCH, which was anciently called " Brown's Meeting- House," is situated about four miles west of Staunton, in the midst of much attractive scenery. The original church, under the name of North Mountain, was organized by Dr. John Blair on his visit to Virginia, in 1746, and within the bounds of that congregation there are now Bethel, Shemeriah, and Hebron. In October, 1746, Rev. Charles Cummings re- ceived a call from the congregations belonging to Major Brown's meeting- house, in Augusta. He remained pastor until April, 1776, when the ser- vices of Rev. Archibald Scott were secured. He was ordained in 1778, preaching from the words, "God is Love." He was a man of great piety, and one of his sons has written an able and instructive work, entitled, "Genius and Faith ; or, Poetry and Religion in Their Mutual Relations." N. Y., 1853. After a vacancy of a few days, in May, 1805, Rev. William Calhoun received a call from Staunton and Brown's meeting- house. In 1826, his pastoral relations with Staunton ceased, and for many years thereafter he gave his attention to Hebron church. Mr. Calhoun, whom the writer, as a boy, had the pleasure to know, was one of the strong men of the Presbyterian church. He published a trea- tise on Christian baptism, which illustrates well his vigorous intellect. He was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Jones, remarkable as a revivalist. The writer remembers some of his terrific discourses and can endorse the general estimate of them-that they excited rather than instructed his lis- teners. He was succeeded by a native of Ireland, Rev. Solomon I. Love, who continued in charge until 1858, when his place was filled by Rev. John F. Baker, who, from ill-health, gave up his charge in a few months, and was succeeded by Rev. T. L. Preston, D. D .- a descendant of the original John Preston, who settled in Augusta, 1746-who served from 1861-'65, and is now pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Richmond, Va. Mr. Preston was followed by Rev. D. B. Ewing, and he by Rev. F. H. Gaines, the present pastor. Hebron is identified with the fame of Dr. Alexander, the elder, as the place where he was received under care of the Presbytery as a candidate for the ministry.
The Rev. Mr. Paris, missionary to the Sandwich Islands, and Rev. W. W. Trimble, of Missouri, are among the ministers who have gone out from this congregation.
MOSSY CREEK congregation was originally a part of Augusta church, but about the year 1767, became a separate organization upon the request of John Davis and Mr. Makamie. They were stoutly opposed by Rev. John Craig, who said he could "do all the preaching that was needed be- tween the mountains."
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In 1768, Mr. Thomas Jackson was received as pastor of Mossy creek, and continued in charge till his death, in 1773. His place was filled by Rev. Samuel Edmondson, in 1773, who soon removed to South Carolina, and was followed by Rev. Benj. Erwin, who was ordained pastor in 1780. His pastorate closed in 1808, when he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Transylvania, Ky. In 1809, Rev. A. B. Davidson was installed at Mossy Creek, over the united congregations of Cooke's Creek, Harrisonburg and Mossy Creek. Mr. Davidson introduced politics into his sermons, thus following the pernicious example of many New England divines, which greatly offended many of his listeners, and probably led to his resignation in 1814. After three years, in 1818, Rev. John Hendren became pastor, and remained many years in charge. In 1835-'36, Rev. Isaac Paul sup- plied this church a few months, until his death. Rev. John A. VanLear became pastor in 1837, and so continued until his death, in 1850. In 1853, Rev. John Pinkerton was ordained and installed, and served with success until his death, in 1871. He was succeeded by Rev. John W. Rosebro, in 1873. The present church, built during Mr. VanLear's pastorate, is the fourth which has been occupied by this congregation since its organiza- tion.
UNION CHURCH was organized February 17th, 1817, Rev. Conrad Speece preaching upon the occasion. The ruling elders were Thomas Hogshead, F. Gilkerson, D. Hogshead and James Irvine. In 1818, Rev. John Hendren was regularly installed as pastor, and his pastorate extended until 1855. He was succeeded by Rev. R. C. Walker, who was installed in 1857, and served until 1877, when he resigned, and for two years Revs. A. S. Moffett and I. N. Campbell preached as supplies. In 1879, Mr. Campbell was installed as pastor, and is at present in charge.
LOCH-WILLOW CHURCH, at Churchville, was organized October 5th, 1866, within the limits of Union church, and the members came from both Union church and Hebron. The first pastor was Rev. P. Fletcher. His successors have been : Revs. McDuff Simpson, A. S. Moffett and J. H. H. Winfree, the present pastor.
MT. CARMEL CHURCH .- South of Staunton 17 miles, near Midway, in the County of Augusta, upon a beautiful eminence, over-shadowed by primitive oaks, stands the neat and tasteful house of worship wherein the Mt. Carmel congregation assembles.
This church was built in 1835, upon an acre of land presented to the congregation for this purpose by David Steele, then living in the village of Midway, but who afterwards removed to Missouri. Prominent among those who exerted themselves to build the church was the late Capt. Jas. Henry. Soon after the house was completed, the ministerial services of the Rev. James Paine, who also preached at Fairfield, were secured for one-third of his time. He commenced his labors in 1836, and continued them until
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1856, when he resigned. His successors have been : Revs. John Miller, William Pinkerton, until his death, in 1875, and A. H. Hamilton.
STAUNTON CHURCH .- The Presbyterians of Staunton had no house of worship previous to the Revolution, but were in the habit of attending, as we have mentioned, Tinkling Spring. If a minister preached in Staunton it was in the court-house or some private residence. After the Revolution the Episcopal and Presbyterian congregations occupied the Episcopal church on alternate Sundays.
In 1776, Rev. James Waddell settled in Augusta, as the pastor of Tink- ling Spring, and in 1783, received a call by the united congregations of Tinkling Spring and Staunton ; on part of the Staunton people the call was signed by Alex. St. Clair and William Bowyer. Dr. W. removed from the county in 1784, and it is not known who, if any one, officiated in Staunton until 1791, when Rev. John McCue became pastor of Tinkling Spring and Staunton. From 1799 to 1804, Rev. John Glendy, from the Root Presbytery, in Ireland, preached occasionally in Staunton. In May, 1804, the church was organized in Staunton, with the following ruling elders : James Bell, Joseph Cowan, Andrew Barry and Samuel Clark. In 1805, Rev. William Calhoun was installed pastor of the united congrega- tions of Brown's meeting-house (Hebron) and Staunton. During his pas- torate, a substantial brick church was erected in Staunton, and was used . until 1871, when the present commodious and elegant church edifice was commenced and completed in 1873. Mr. Calhoun retired from his con- nection with the Staunton church in 1826, and devoted himself to Hebron congregation. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Smith, D. D., of Penn- sylvania, who, while pastor, was also Principal of the Staunton Academy. Mr. Smith retired in 1832, and was succeeded, in 1834, by Rev. John Steele, who removed to Illinois in 1837, and was succeeded by Rev. Paul E. Stevenson, of New York, during whose pastorate the church and con- gregation made considerable progress in various ways. Amongst the outward improvements was the enlargement of the church grounds and the establishment of the Augusta Female Seminary, under the Rev. R. W. Bailey. In 1844, Mr. Stevenson retired, and was succeeded by Rev. R. R. Howison, the distinguished author of the History of Virginia ; at the end of six months he retired, and was succeeded by Rev. B. M. Smith, D. D., who resigned in 1854, when Rev, Joseph R. Wilson accepted a call from the congregation, and remained two years in Staunton. He was succeeded by Rev. William E. Baker, who was installed in 1859, and continues in charge. Under Mr. Baker's pastorate the church and congregation have made marked progress, as well as the Seminary.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON .- This church was orga- cized in 1875, by many who had previously worshipped in Staunton church. Among the active friends of the movement to establish the
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Second church were Major Jed. Hotchkiss, William Jordan, M. H. Effin- ger, Henry A. Walker, J. W. Morrison, J. S. Lipscomb and J. M. Lickli- ter. The first elders were Messrs. Morrison and Jordan. The first pastor was Rev. McDuff Simpson, M. A .; the second, the present minister, Rev. J. B. Booker. A beautiful lot was purchased on the northwest corner of Lewis and Frederick streets, and the handsome and substantial brick church, in which the congregation now worships, was erected, and occupied in 1876.
MT. HOREB CHURCH .- This church was formed from the congregation of the Stone church in 1857. The first minister was Rev. David Erwin. His successors have been : Revs. P. M. Custer, H. H. Haws, G. H. Den- ny, and Thomas M. Boyd.
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH is situated near Deerfield, in the Big Calf Pastures, and the minister is Rev. Mr. Brown.
On the eastern slope of Betsy Bell, about a mile from Staunton, there is a pretty little Presbyterian chapel. It originated in the effortsof Mrs. D. A. Kayser, Miss M. J. Baldwin, and other ladies, who first established a Sun- day-school, occupying the public school-house at that place. In 1881, through the zeal and activity of David Doom and other residents of the vicinity, assisted by the ladies of Staunton church, the chapel was erected. Services are regularly conducted in it by Rev. J. B. Booker, and there is also connected with it a flourishing Sunday-school.
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
With all of the above-mentioned churches, as, indeed, with those of every denomination of Christians in the County, Sabbath-schools have been for many years organized, and in successful operation. At present they are in a flourishing condition, many of them having excellent circu- lating libraries for the use of the pupils.
Volumes might be written upon the lives and labors of the noble men whose names have been mentioned, and merely mentioned for want of space in the foregoing account. Our object has been simply to give a proper place in history to those by whose labors and sacrifices the Presby- terian church was established in our county and brought to its present position of usefulness and importance. In our outline we could do no more than place on record names which well deserve to be remembered, and deeply regret our inability to give, at least, sketches of lives so worthy to be studied.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN AUGUSTA.
The Methodists are a comparatively new sect, having sprung up in England about the year 1737, under Rev. John Wesley and George Whit- field, students of the University of Oxford. It was founded in New York
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in 1766. They received their name from living by a stricter regimen and method than the members of the Church of England, and they are more animated, spirited and zealous than the regular clergy of that church. The Methodists are, however, baptised with the Episcopalians, attend Episcopal services and sacraments, admire the Episcopal liturgy, and only blame the Episcopal church for lukewarmness and want of energy and animation. About the year 1775, John Hagerty and Richard Owens, two Methodist preachers, delivered, at Stephensburg, near Winchester, the first sermons ever preached by any ministers of this sect in the Virginian Valley, making a most favorable impression ; many joined the church, and a place of worship was soon erected in Stephensburg, and the Methodist is now one of the most numerous, wealthy and intelligent denominations in this section of Virginia.
We are under obligations to Rev. J. S. Martin, D. D., for the following account of the church in Augusta :
" The name of Staunton Circuit first appears on the minutes published for the Methodist Episcopal Church in the year 1806. The circuit, then, must have included all of Augusta county, including, under the same name, much of the country beyond the North Mountain; also the county of Rockbridge. Much of this territory had been served before in con- nection with the Rockingham Circuit. Rockingham Circuit was begun in 1788. William Phœbus was appointed to it as its first preacher. In 1789, Rockingham Circuit had only seventy-nine members, though it then em- braced some four or five counties, from Winchester, beyond Staunton, in the Valley, and west of the North Mountain. In 1806, the membership had increased to seven hundred and sixty. In that year Staunton Circuit, as described above, was formed. In 1807, it embraced two hundred mem- bers, scattered over its extensive territory. Noah Fiddler was the first preacher appointed to Staunton Circuit. In 1833, Staunton Circuit was divided-Rockbridge was taken off under the name of Lexington Cir- cuit. Augusta Circuit, embracing all of Augusta county, was formed, and the town of Staunton was made a distinct station to itself, and which re- ported, in 1834, a few members. In 1838, Staunton had only sixty white members, and unable to support a preacher alone, to whom it had given usually, as a single man, $100 and his board. It was now placed again as one of the appointments on the Augusta Circuit." In 1882, there were twenty Methodist churches in Augusta county, with a membership of 1,5II. The value of the church property was $29,100. There were also six parsonages, valued at $11,500. The Wesleyan Female Institute, held by trustees for the Baltimore Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, is located in Staunton, and valued at $60,000. The African portion of the Methodist church is represented in Staunton by two large and flourishing congregations, one of which worships in an imposing brick
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edifice, handsomely fitted up, and the other in a substantial and well ap- pointed frame church. Scattered throughout the county are a number of chapels and churches, in which services are held at regular intervals.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN AUGUSTA.
The Baptists differ from other sects chiefly in the mode of administering baptism, which, they conceive, should always be by immersion, and they reject the baptism of infants. There were many of this faith in Holland, Germany, and the north of Europe; in Piedmont and the south. Their first congregation in England was in 1607. As early as 1754, Mr. Stearns, a preacher of this sect, and several others, removed from New England to Opeckon, in the present county of Berkeley, where they formed a Baptist church, under the care of Rev. John Gerard. This was probably the first Baptist church founded west of the Blue Ridge in Virginia.
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