History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 36

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054

USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 36

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Two of these, Thomas D. Toy and Will- iam Dev, had some months before purchased a piece of ground at the corner of Freemason and Bank streets. A plan of a building was obtained from Thomas U. Walter, of Phila- delphia, workmen secured and the building begun; the lecture room was completed in May, 1849, and the whole house, including the spire, about October, 1850. The dedica- tion sermon . was preached by Dr. Richard Fuller, of Baltimore. The cost of the house was about $35,000, and of the land $5.000. The architecture and acoustics are uncommon- ly good.

The church worshiped, in the meantime, the first year in the Odd Fellow's Hall, cor- ner of Washington and Avon streets. For one month after the constitution, the pulpit was filled by Rev. J. B. Taylor, of Richmond, and in June following. Rev. Tiberius Grac- chus Jones was secured as pastor, and the church began its life.

The first pastor, Rev. Tiberius Gracchus Jones, commenced about August, 1848, and re- mained in all 19 years, from 1848 to 1871,

with absences amounting to four years. It was his first pastorate: he and the church grew out together, and were endeared to each other by the thousand experiences of ecclesias- tical and individual life. His lofty eloquence, noble nature and genuine piety, gave him a lasting hold on the church and community. Under his care, the church grew in numbers and efficiency. The Sunday-school flourished. and Baptists took a position in the community that they had never before held. In 1863, dur- ing the occupation of Norfolk by Federal troops, he went to Baltimore and became pas- tor of the Franklin Square Baptist Church of that city, returning to Norfolk in 1865, as soon after the end of the war as possible. In 1867, he was elected president of Richmond College, but gave up the position after serv- ing two years; and in 1869 resumed the pas- torship of his old church in Norfolk. In 1871 he accepted a call to the First Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Jones returned to Norfolk in 1884, becoming pastor of the First Baptist Church, and so continuing until a few years before his death, which occurred June 27, 1895, at the age of 74 years.

During the temporary absence of Dr. Jones, from 1863 to 1865, the church had the services of Rey. H. J. Chandler and Rev. Dr. Bealor, who faithfully discharged their duties in that trying time. ministering to the handful that remained in the city, and keeping up the church organization.

From 1867 to 1869, while Dr. Jones was at Richmond College, Rev. J. Lipscomb John- son (later a professor in the University of Mississippi) acted as pastor. His ministry was markedly successful, especially in that he had great influence over the younger part of the congregation, and the church was greatly attached to him.

After Dr. Jones' removal to Nashville. Rev. William D. Thomas ( then in Greenville, South Carolina) became pastor. Ilis faith- ful and able ministry began in October, 1871. Ile served until 1882, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. L. Burrows, D. D. Rev. M. B.

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Wharton succeeded Dr. Burrows in IS91, and resigned in 1899, when Rev J. J. Taylor, the present pastor, was called.

The history of the church has been marked by the usual variations of prosperity and ad- versity. Of its constituent membership only a few persons now remain. It suffered 110 little by the yellow fever scourge of 1855, and during the late war, when, however. by the exertion of some of the members, the build- ing was saved from injury. The church has never been without the kernel of earnest, spir- itual-minded members, and has never given countenance to injurious errors or fanatical views. AAt various times special meetings have been held, with greater or less effect; in 1849, by the beloved Reynoldson : in 1852 and 1874. by Rev. Cornelius Tyree : in 1870, by Rev. A. B. Earle: and in 1876, by Rev. William E. Hatcher.

In 1872 the pastor. Rev. Dr. Thomas, ar- ranged a series of lectures on denominational topics, the expenses being borne by the church. which were delivered in the church by some of the prominent Baptist preachers of the coun- try, and, being afterward printed and cir- culated in pamphlet shape, made a contribution to the literature of the subject. The lecturers were Rev. Alvah Hovey, of Newton Thelogi- cal Seminary; Rev. Howard Osgood, of Cro- zer Theological Seminary: Rev. J. L. Bur- rows; Rev. N. M. Wilson ; and Revs. John .1. Broadus and William Williams, of the South- ern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The Sunday-school. under the superin- tendence successively of Thomas D. Toy, T. P. Warren. J. H. Hendren. J. A. Yancey. W. H. Morris and C. E. Jenkins, has been notably successful, both as to members and as to its general efficiency and liberality. Unusual care has been given to the music in the church.

The choir has been under the directorship. first of Thomas D. Tov, then of Samuel Borum, and then of R. B. Toy. The organ- ists have been Possett, Whitman, Southard and Miss J. MeKenny. Under the direction of R. B. Toy, the singing of classic music in 14

the church and the Sunday-school has been introduced without diminishing the congrega- tional singing. The church continues to be an earnest body, with a growing interest in mis- sions and education. One minister of the gos- pel has gone out from it, Rev. C. 11. Toy, and one licentiate, Rev. T. P. Warren. The prop- erty of the Freemason Street Baptist Church is valued at $40,000, and the church has 821 members.

West Norfolk Baptist Church

Is situated in the village of that name at the mouth of the Western Branch of the Eliza- beth River. It is an offspring of the Church- land Baptist Church, not far distant, and was organized in 1895. The building is worth $1,500, and the church has 93 members. Rev. .A. B. Dunaway, D. D., the first pastor, was succeeded by Rev. Braxton Craig and he by the present pastor, Rev. Vernon I'Anson.

South Street Baptist Church, Portsmouth,

Is at the northwest corner of South and Effingham streets in Portsmouth. It was or- ganized in 1889. the first pastor being Rev. J. W. Daugherty, who continued until 1894. when he was followed by Rev. J. W. Mitchell, the present incumbent. The church property is valued at $21,000, and the church has the names of 337 members on its rolls.

Port Norfolk Baptist Church

Is located in the northernmost suburb of Portsmouth,-Port Norfolk. It was organ- ized in 1898 as a mission from Calvary Bap- tist Church. Rev. A. B. Dunaway, D. D., was the first pastor and continues to this date. The church building cost over $5,000, and there are 124 members.

South Norfolk Baptist Church

Is a mission of the Berkley Avenue Baptist

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Church, located in the suburbs of Berkley. It was organized in 1893, has 115 members, and the building is worth $2,000. Rev. S. S. Rob- inson is the present pastor.

Park View Baptist Church, Portsmouth,

Is located on Hatton street, Portsmouth. It was organized in 1899, has 115 members, and the church building is valued at $6,000. Rev. W. P. Hines is pastor.

Gilmerton Baptist Church

Is located in the village of that name, at the mouth of the "new cut" of the Dismal Swamp Canal, on the Southern Branch of the Eliza- beth River and at the end of the trolley line south of Portsmouth. It was organized in 1895 under Rev. F. H. Martin, who served the church until 1898, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. E. Dudley, who remained until 1899, when Rev. J. T. Riddick assumed charge of the flock. It has 71 members and the build- ing is valued at $1,500.

Calvary Baptist Church

Is an offspring of the Court Street Baptist Church in Portsmouth. It is located in the suburb called Scottsville and was organized in 1889. The first pastor was Rev. J. W. Daugh- erty, who served several years and was suc- ceeded by Revs. R. W. Baylor. F. H. Martin, P. C. Davis and Samuel Saunders. The church building and parsonage are valued at $3,000. It has 233 members.

Burrows Memorial Baptist Church

Is located at Lambert's Point, suburb of Nor- folk and the seat of the great coal piers of the Norfolk & Western Railway: It was organ- ized in 1894 and has 138 members. Rev. R. H. White was chosen pastor in 1895 and he was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Cox. The church property is valued at $2,500.

Park Avenue Baptist Church, Norfolk.

On May 24, 1885, the Park Avenue Bap- tist Church was organized, with Rev. R. W. Cridlin as its first pastor. He was succeeded in turn by Rev. D. W. Gwin, D. D., who served the church from 1889 to 1893, and was succeeded then by its present pastor, Rev. James J. Hall. The church has a membership of over 700, and is now in a sound financial and spiritual condition. The present hand- some edifice is situated on the corner of Park and Brambleton avenues, Brambleton Ward, Norfolk, the erection of which was begun un- der its present pastor in 1895.

Central Avenue Baptist Church, Norfolk.

This church, which is located in Atlantic City Ward, Norfolk, at the corner of Central and Fort avenues, is about to erect a hand- some edifice on Olney Road, at a cost of about $20,000. Its former pastor was Rev. T. A. Hall, who was succeeded by Rev. E. E. Dud- ley, who is still serving the church. It has 189 members.

Grace Baptist Church, Norfolk.

On the corner of Princess Anne avenue and Church street, is an offshoot of the Cumber- land Street Baptist Church. The following named ministers have served as pastors : Rev. Vernon I'Anson, Rev. W. S. Leake and Rev. Lundy R. Wright. Rev. Dr. A. E. Owen is the present pastor. The church is growing in numbers and has 193 members.

Spurgeon Memorial Baptist Church, Norfolk,

Was organized in 1892,-a colony from the Park Avenue Baptist Church. Rev. J. J. Wicker was the first pastor, and he was suc- ceeded in 1896 by Rev. F. H. Martin, who was succeeded in 1898 by Rev. L. R. Christie. It has a membership of 196 and its property is worth $3,000.

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Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

This church, the outgrowth of the North West Baptist Church, was constituted in 1845. located in Norfolk County. Its organization is due to the indefatigable labors of Deacon Thomas Jefferson Harrison, a pious and in- fluential Baptist. then living in the neighbor- hood. It was through his efforts also, and that of John Cooper and Mr. Warden, that the house of worship was built. Mr. Warden, though not a member of any church, was a warm friend of the then feeble church, and gave liberally of his means to its support.

The first pastor was Rev. G. A. Exall, a teacher in an academy about two miles from the church. His pastorate was of short dura- tion. being called away upon some important business. His place was immediately supplied by Rev. E. F. Dulin, of the same academy. From 1846 to 1848 the church was without a pastor, but was supplied by pastors of other churches, among whom were Revs. Thomas Hume. Sr .. Jeremiah Hendren and Robert Gordon, and David Riggs, of Pungo.

In 1848 the church called Rev. Lemuel Sanderlin, of North Carolina, who entered upon his duties in April. Rev. Mr. Sanderlin continued to labor acceptably until the close of summer (.August ) .. 1854, when he was re- moved by death. The church was then with- out a pastor until September, 1855, when Rev. Joseph H. Womble became the minister. Upon Rev. Mr. Womble's resignation, Rev. Abner Berry was called to the pastorate, and served in that capacity until near the close of his life,-May, 1858. After his death Rev. William D. Pritchard became pastor and served 14 years .- an evidence of worth and appreciation. During his pastorship Rev. Thomas G. Wood, a member of this church, was licensed to preach, and subsequently or- dlained at a union meeting of the lower district of the Portsmouth Baptist Association, by Revs. J. Paul Repiton. D. D., William D. Pritchard, J. A. Speight and R. W. Cridlin.

In December. 1871. and subsequently. the

church dismissed 45 members ( nearly one- half ) to constitute the church at Centreville. This left them in a very feeble condition, so that they had to apply to the state board for aid. The state board, through the union meeting of the lower district, sent Rev. J. A. Speight, the then missionary of the lower dis- trict. to preach for them one Sabbath in a month.

Rev. Samuel Saunders succeeded Rev. Mr. Speight in January, 1873, and served seven months, leaving to go to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Rev. N. M. Munden, the present pastor, commenced his services with the church in October, 1873. In 1874 the church was remodeled. It now numbers 121 members.

Lake Drummond Baptist Church

Is located in Norfolk County, 20 miles from Norfolk, and three miles east from the Dis- mal Swamp Canal. It was constituted July 27. 1850. Revs. Thomas Hume, Sr .. and J. G. Councill officiating. At the time of the or- ganization there were but nine members-five males and four females, who had taken let- ters from the North West Baptist Church. In July, 1851, the new house of worship, built on a lot donated by Michael Sykes, was dedi- cated, and the same year the church was ad- mitted into the Portsmouth Baptist Associ- ation.

From the time of organization Revs. Will- iam Gates Thompson and Evan Forbes served the church as pastors, during which time there were seven added to the membership. From 1856 to 1857 the church with difficulty main- tained an existence.

In the winter of 1864 and 1865 the colored people, led by one Johnson Hodges, took pos- session of the house of worship, but were promptly ejected by the Federal forces. In 1866 they again attempted its occupancy, but were dispossessed by the civil authorities.

During all these years the church was sup- plied irregularly with preaching, respectively.

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by Revs. Lemuel and Dorsey Sanderlin, Will- iam D. Pritchard, Absalom Cherry and J. F. Deans, and Joseph Lassel, of the Methodist Church.

In February, 1867, the church again called a pastor, and was served until 1873 by Revs. William L. Fitcher, Jesse Wheeler and William D. Pritchard, during which time 58 persons were added to the membership. For the next four years, 1873-1876, inclusive, Rev. J. M. C. Luke "goes in and out among them ;" 23 members were added to the church, and much material progress was made. Next in the pastorship was Rev. Q. T. Simpson, who served the church for one year. At the ex- piration of this time Rev. J. F. Tuttle was installed.

The church at present is in a healthy, vig- orous condition, is in co-operation with the general work of the denomination. Rev. D. G. Lancaster is the present pastor and there are IIO members.

Salem Baptist Church

Was originally called Tanner's Creek and is situated about five miles northeast of Norfolk. Dr. Howell said it was brought into existence under the following circumstances: On Tan- ner's Creck, some six miles from the city of Norfolk, in the direction of Hampton Roads, was a very fertile, wealthy and populous neighborhood. Here was an old forsaken colonial meeting house, which their fathers had occupied before the Revolution. This house a Mr. Brown and others living near fitted up for service, and induced Jeremiah Hendren, of Norfolk, to hold there regular prayer and exhortation meetings. The congregation now became full, and the leaders made application to the Cumberland Street Baptist Church to license him to preach, which it did on July 2, 1828.

Early in the next year the brethren at Tan- ner's Creek purposed establishing a Baptist church there, looking to the services of Rer. Mr. Hendren as prospective pastor. For this

purpose they applied to the churches in Nor- folk and Kempsville for the appointment of a presbytery. The former sent Rev. R. B. C. Howell, the latter Rev. Smith Sherwood. Being assembled, this presbytery first consti- tuted the church, next they ordained Rey. Mr. Hendren to the full work of the ministry, and installed him as the pastor of the church, and then they ordained the deacons. Rev. Mr. Hendren continued to serve them as their pas- tor until his death,-which occurred in Janu- ary, 1864,-some 35 years.

This church was always a feeble body. Rev. Mr. Hendren, being engaged in mercan- tile business in Norfolk, was not dependent upon the church for support, but was enabled to preach for them almost gratuitously during the whole of his long pastorate.

In the year 1833 the Portsmouth Baptist Association met in this church, and was hon- ored with the presence of the illustrious John Kerr and Ira M. Allen, of Philadelphia. This session was a memorable one, on account of the strong and very decided ground taken by the body against the teachings of Alexander Campbell and his followers, which at that time were distracting the Baptist churches of Vir- ginia and the country.

In the year 1836 the name of this church was changed from Tanner's Creek to Salem, its present name. There are no records of the church prior to the Confederate War. The membership had run down very low.

In 1866 Rev. Edward Jordan was pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. R. H. Baylor in 1867. Of the next two years we have no rec- ords, but we are in possession of some facts concerning that period. The meeting-house was in a state of rapid decay, and the church well nigh extinct.

J. Hardy Hendren, of Norfolk, desirous of building some kind of monument in memory of his father, concluded that the best memorial he could erect would be to rebuild his father's old church, which he did, largely at his own ex- pense. Soon a spacious and neat house of worship was constructed out of the old one,

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and opened for public worship some time about the year 1870. Soon he had a flourishing Sunday-school, with all the modern appliances and facilities, two regular pastors, Revs. . 1. Paul Repiton and J. A. Speight, with frequent baptisms. To help forward the cause, Rev. .A. B. Earle was invited to hold a meeting in the fall of 1871, which he did with only little success. For two or three years the church ran forward gloriously on the flood tide of prosperity, and then the ebb tide began.

October 10, 1872, Rev. T. G. Wood was elected pastor. In January, 1873, Rev. J. . 1. Speight was elected to the same office. So the church had two pastors laboring jointly for a short time. In September, 1874. Rev. A. Paul Repiton was again made pastor. Revs. J. A. Speight and J. F. Tuttle were joint pas- tors in 1876; Rev. Mr. Warren, of Norfolk, supplied the church in 1877; Rev. R. W. Crid- lin, in 1885 and 1886; Rev. W. P. Hines, in 1878-1888-1896-1897: Rev. J. J. Wicker, in 1892: and Rev. Kelly Hobbs, in 1899 and 1900. There are 40 members.

Decp Crock Baptist Church

Is called after the village of that name, situ- ated on the Dismal Swamp Canal, in Norfolk County, eight miles from the city of Ports- mouth. There were a number of Baptists in Deep Creek as far back as 1785. In that year 12 members were received from Deep Creek into the fellowship of the Shoulder's Hill Bap- tist Church. One of these. Jeremiah Ritter, subsequently became a preacher, and was for several years the pastor of the Shoulder's Hill Baptist Church. But there is no evidence of any regularly organized church at Deep Creek until the year 1830, when the Deep Creek Bap- tist Church was admitted into the Portsmouth Baptist Association, with Rev. Jeremiah Hen- dren for its delegate. The body was never again represented in the association: after being waited upon by a committee of the as- sociation, and borne with for several years, it was dropped in 1840.

The present church was organized .August 29, 1860, by Revs. N. B. Cobb, Harvey Ilatcher and George J. Hobday, with 17 mem- bers. The first pastor was Rev. A. Paul Repi- ton, who filled the pulpit from April 24. 1870, until July 26, 1873, a little more than three years. Rev. Mr. Repiton was an attractive man and gave a fresh impetus and prestige to the Baptist cause in the village.

Rev. J. M. C. Luke was the next pastor, who occupied that position from January 4, 1874. to July 19. 1876, when he resigned, hav- ing served over two years, not without a meas- ure of success. Rev. A. E. Owen. D. D., filled the pastorate of this church from November 1, 1877, until 1881. Then followed in succes- sion : Rev. J. F. Tuttle, Rev. J. \. Speight, Rev. W. V. Everton. Rev. J. W. Harris, Rev. W. F. Fisher and Rev. J. T. Riddick, the pres- ent pastor.

North West Baptist Church.

This church is located in Norfolk County, about a mile from North West River Bridge. near the North Carolina line. It appears on the minutes of the Portsmouth Baptist Association first as the North Upper Bridge. and then as the North West Upper Bridge Church. In 1820 it assumed its present name. It so happened that Baptist preachers, traveling from Shiloh, North Carolina, to Pungo, Virginia, preached at private houses in the neighborhood on their way. Rev. Edward Mintz, from Nansemond County, also paid them frequent visits and preached to the people. Out of the fruits of their labors the North West Baptist Church was constituted in 1782. and was received into the Kehukee Baptist .Association at Shoulder's Hill in 1785. The records of this church from 1782 to 1800,-18 years,-were destroyed when the meeting-house was burned in 1818. A new church was built in 1821. The present house of worship was erected in 1895.

Rev. Jacob Grigg was the first pastor after 1800. and he served as such from 1802 to 1805. a period of three years. Mr. Sample

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speaks of Rev. Mr. Grigg as "a preacher un- surpassed by any in Virginia for deep in- vestigation and for clear and lucid exhibitions of divine truth." Rev. Dempsey Casey be- came pastor in 1805, and continued to serve until 1814, a period of nine years, with only partial success. Rev. Peter Lugg succeeded Rev. Mr. Casey, and remained from July, 1814, to February, 1819, a period of five years. Rev. Reuben Dowdy served as pastor from 1821 to 1824, a period of four years. Rev. Matthias Etheridge, one of their own mem- bers, was next called to the pastorate, and held the office from 1825 to 1837, 12 years. He was the father of Dr. H. S. Etheridge, of Wal- laceton. Virginia. Rev. William B. Dawley then followed, to hold the office only one year. Rev. Matthias Etheridge was again chosen pastor, and served a second term of three years.

To say nothing of others who filled the office of clerk, it is worthy of statement that Joseph Williams was elected clerk of the church in 1842, and served over 50 years.

Rev. Evan Forbes, of North Carolina, was made pastor in November, 1842, and served until September, 1848, a period of six years. October 5. 1844, about 20 members were dis- missed to constitute the Pleasant Grove Bap- tist Church. Rev. Lemuel Sanderlin was chosen pastor in September, 1848, and served the church as such for several years. April 27, 1850. a number of members were dis- missed to constitute the Lake Drummond Bap- tist Church. Rev. Joseph H. Womble was chosen pastor in 1854, and served the church two years. Rev. A. Barry was pastor in 1856. Rev. J. D. Elwell assumed the pastorate in January, 1857. and remained about six years. Rev. . A. J. Lowe was pastor in 1864 and 1865. Rev. J. F. Deans had charge of the church in 1866, and baptized during the year 60 per- sons. Rev. N. B. Cobb was pastor two years, -1867 and 1868. Rev. William Fitcher served the church one year, in 1869. Rev. A. Paul Repiton was pastor from 1870 to 1872. Rev. T. Babb then took charge only for a few

months. Rev. J. A. Speight was pastor of this church from June, 1872, to the close of 1879, -- about seven years and a half. Then fol- lowed Revs. O. C. Horton, J. A. Speight, W. V. Everton, J. B. Chittey and P. S. C. Davis, the present pastor. The church now has 213 members.

Centreville Baptist Church.

This church, located on the Great Road. about four miles from Great Bridge and 16 miles from Norfolk, is a branch from the Pleas- ant Grove Baptist Church, and was consti- tuted February 7, 1872, Revs. A. E. Owen, R. W. Cridlin and J. A. Speight, with brethren W. A. Smith, J. B. Howell, A. O. Lee and J. M. Sawyer composing the council. The house of worship had been previously con- structed, and was dedicated January 7, 1872, Rev. N. M. Munden officiating. The church was organized with 41 members, representing all the essential elements of efficiency usually found in the most highly favored country churches.

Rev. J. F. Tuttle was pastor in 1882, and was followed successively by Rev. J. A. Speight, Rev. W. V. Everton, Rev. J. M. Dun- away, Rev. P. S. C. Davis, Rev. J. B. Chitty and Rey. S. B. Overton, the present pastor. This church has 77 members and its building is valued at $1,200.

Mulberry Baptist Church.

This church is located near the Western Branch in Norfolk County, about six miles west of Portsmouth. It was constituted in December, 1849, by a presbytery consisting of Rev. Thomas Hume, Sr., and Rev. James G. Councill, the missionary of the lower district. The services were held in the public school- house, and six members entered into the or- ganization. The church was erected in 1850. Rev. James G. Councill was the first pastor and served for four years, increasing the mem- bership to 84 whites and two colored. In

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 36

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912 Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1054

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054