History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 37

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 37

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September, 1857. Rev. Isaiah T. Wallace was ordained in the church. When the Confed- erate War broke out the members became dispirited and scattered. The church building was torn down by the Federal troops, and after the war the church membership was al- most extinct. The church edifice was rebuilt. but the membership became gradually reduced to six, and in 1899 the church was dropped from the association.

Bethel Baptist Church

Is situated in Norfolk County, about 10 miles from the city of Norfolk. It was organized in 1889. Rev. P. S. C. Davis is the pastor. The building is valued at $1.500 and the church has a membership of 98.

Berkley Avenue Baptist Church, Berkley,

Was organized September 8, 1873. by the following presbytery, called together for that purpose. viz: Revs. A. Paul Repiton, D. D., R. W. Cridlin. A. E. Owen, N. M. Munden and William D. Pritchard. Only 16 members entered into the original constitution.

Rev. J. F. Deans immediately took the pas- toral oversight of this little flock, and preached for them until 1875. AAbout this time Rev. E. M. Buyrn came to Berkley, and astonished the people by his pleasing elocution, but his stay was short. From 1875 to 1877 there was no regular preaching. except an occasional ser- mon on Sunday afternoons by the pastors of Norfolk and Portsmouth and Sunday night preaching for a few months by Rev. Reuben Jones, of Churchland. On July 10, 1878. Rev. Robert Vandeventer, from Crozer Theo- logical Seminary, took the pastorate. The membership increased from 24 to 60. In 1881 they erected a house of worship, on a central and eligible lot, which was given them by Mr. Berkley. Rev. H. N. Quisenbury was pastor in 1892, succeeded by Rev. C. W. Duke in 1896, who was followed in 1898 by Rev. T. C. Skinner, the present pastor. This church has 337 members and the property is valued at $12,000.

Broadway Baptist Church

Is situated between Great Bridge and Kemps- ville in Norfolk County, about four miles from Berkley. It was organized in 1899, has a membership of 17, and its property is valued at $300. Rev. S. S. Robertson is pastor.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES, SOUTH.

There are, in all, 35 Methodist Episcopal churches in Norfolk County.

SEVEN IN NORFOLK.

Epworth .852 members.

Queen Street .589 members.

McKendree . 580 members

Cumberland Street. 587 members.

Centenary .353 members.

Lekie's Memorial. .263 members.

Trinity

237 members.

FIVE IN PORTSMOUTH.

Monumental 650 members.

Central 603 members.

Wright Memorial. 432 members.

Owens Memorial. 240 members

Park View. .213 members

SEVEN IN WESTERN BRANCH MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT.

Port Norfolk .IO1 members.

West Norfolk. 57 members.

Churchland 55 members.

Joliffs. Not reported.

Olive Branch

. Not reported.

Brighton Not reported.

Cottage Place. . Not reported.

FOUR IN WASHINGTON MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT.

Chestnut Street. Berkley. .425 members.

Liberty Street, South Norfolk. 17) members.

Oak Grove 77 members.

Oaklette 37 member -.

FOUR IN TANVER'S CREEK MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT.

Lambert's Point. 215 members.

Hunter-ville 101 members.

Bethel 52 members.

Denby's Not reported.

THREE IN PLEASANT GROVE MAGISTERIAL. DISTRICT

Good Hope

. 154 members.

Bethesda 128 members.

Tabernacle Vor reported.

THREE IN DEEP CREEK MAGISTERIAL. DISTRICT

Gilmerton Not reported.

Deep Creek . Not reported.

Indiana Not reported.

TWO IN BUTT'S ROAD MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT.

Indian Creek 44 members.

Mount Pleasant Not reported.

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Cumberland Street M. E. Church, South, Norfolk.

The first Methodist Society founded in Virginia was organized in Norfolk in 1772, and is accredited to Rev. Robert Williams, who, on his arrival here, preached his first ser- mon on the Court House steps, which was on the site of the great dry goods store on Main street at the head of Market Square. History records that they owned no church edifice here before 1793 or 1794. Their regular place of worship until the Revolutionary struggle is supposed to have been the old shattered build- ing, the "Play House," referred to in the writings of Pilmoor and Ashbury.

The first church erected on Cumberland street was on the site where the present build- ing stands, and was completed in 1802.

In March, 1803, 97 years ago, Bishop Ash- bury preached in it. The present edifice is the third one built, the second building having been destroyed by fire on the night of March 2, 1848. The third church was finished in Janu- ary, 1849, and on the 8th of that month was dedicated by Rev. John E. Edwards, D. D. The Methodists numbered at that time, white and colored, between 600 and 700 members.

In 1848 and 1849, such was the growth of Methodism that the time had ripened for the building of a new church edifice, and measures were taken to accomplish the result, and the erection of the Granby Street Church was commenced under the leadership of Rev. Dr. John E. Edwards, and the building was com- pleted and dedicated by Dr. Edwards in 1850, who was its first pastor. From this church also sprang Centenary and McKendree, two influ- ential and self-sustaining stations. Queen Street Church was the direct product of the Cumberland Street Church, as was also the Chestnut Street Church in Berkley. The Huntersville Church is a child of the Granby Street Church, now Epworth. So that from the small number of 600 members, Methodism in Norfolk during the last 128 years has grown to nearly 4.000, with about 12,000 adherents.

The total membership in the Norfolk district is about 7,000; total value of church property in Norfolk, $265.000; number of pastors, eight ; local preachers, three.

Epworth M. E. Church, South, Norfolk,

Is one of the finest buildings in the South. It was formerly Granby Street Methodist Episco- pal Church, South, which was organized 50 years ago.

Dr. William A. Smith, while pastor of the Cumberland Street Church, saw the need of a new organization, and declared to his people that the interests of Christ's kingdom and of Methodism demanded that they build another church and organize a new society. Under the pastorate of Dr. J. E. Edwards, in 1848- 49, measures were taken to accomplish this result. A lot on the corner of Freemason and Granby streets,-a most eligible location,- was secured, and the Granby Street Church was built. It was completed in 1850, and on the Ist of December of that year 116 members withdrew from the Cumberland Street Church and organized the Granby Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The church was dedicated on Sunday, December -, 1850, by Dr. John E. Edwards, who was its first pastor. The official board consisted of the following stewards : H. W. Williams, James Hicks, Nathaniel Nash, E. J. Griffith, G. W. W. Camp, C. F. Martin, E. R. Gale. Trustees : J. H. Nash, Benjamin W. Gatch, James M. Brooks, William P. Griffith, William Callis, E. H. Delk, William Taylor, Horatio N. Will- iams. Dr. John E. Edwards was the first pastor of the church, filling the station from 1850 to 1852. He was succeeded by Dr. D. S. Doggett.

The subject of a new church building had been agitated for several years. The congre- gation felt that a more modern and more com- modious building was needed. In March, 1892. Dr. William E. Evans called upon the congregation for a subscription for this pur- pose, and the sum of $42,000 was at once

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realized. The committee appointed to select a suitable site purchased a large and elevated lot on the corner of Freemason and Boush streets, one square west of the old site, and on this was built a church which is second to none in Virginia or in the South. The corner- stone was laid with Masonic rites on the 24th day of April, 1894, in the presence of a large concourse of people. and Rev. A. Coke Smith, D. D., delivered an eloquent and able address. It was completed and dedicated on the toth day of January, 1896, by Rev. Dr. A. Coke Smith, who delivered a powerful sermon, from Titus. 2d chapter, 11th to 14th verses, to an immense audience. It is a magnificent struct- ure, with an interior symmetrical and charm- ing, and withal comfortable ; an exterior stately and imposing ; and with its elegance and rich- ness of frescoing. fittings and furnishings un- surpassed. It is truly a work of art, and an ornament to the city of Norfolk. The members of the congregation felt more than gratified at the happy consummation of their long-cher- ished hopes and plans, but perhaps no one felt happier than did William Taylor, the oldest living member, who came out from the old Cumberland Street Church and helped to build the Granby Street Church, and, after serving on the Epworth Church Building Committee, was spared to see the dedication of their grand church edifice. The following are the officers of the church :

TRUSTEES.

William Taylor, Chairman.

H. C. Davis, J. L. Roper. 11. C. Ferebec,

J. D. Gale, A. J. Denby, B. D. Thomas.

R. A. Dodson. R. O. Nottingham.

STEWARDS.

John L. Roper. Chairman. W. M. Jones, Secretary. L. Clay Kilby. Church Treasurer. B. T. Boekover. Poor Fund Treasurer. W. B. Roper, Choir Fund Treasurer. John H. Thompson, Recording Steward.

G. R. Atkinson. W. D. Rountree.

M. L. T. Davi -.

B. D. Thomas,

J. L. Walker, D. J. Turner,

J. W. Perry. W. J. Vesey. Mel). L. Wrenn,

B. G. Pollard,

T. S. Southgate, J. Sydney Smith,

W. T. Simcoe. (. W. Harrell.

John T. Bolton, E. C. Deming.

William A. Wrenn, .A. C. Miley.

McKendrec M. E. Church, South, Norfolk.

There is probably no other congregation in the Virginia Conference which has grown more rapidly than that now worshiping in the McKendree Methodist Episcopal Church, South. of Norfolk, Virginia. ( Brambleton Ward.)

This section of the city has increased so rapidly in population that in a few years it has been transformed from a small suburb of 500 people into a populous and one of the most important residential wards of the city, with over 6,000 inhabitants,-a community of thrifty, industrious business men and mechan- ics, a large percentage of whom own their homes.

This fully explains the fact that, in the same short time, the little chapel which was built for this progressive congregation, about 15 years ago, by its worthy mother, the Gran- by Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South, has been replaced by a commodious and well- appointed edifice, with a seating capacity of over 800, and every modern appliance for the comfort and convenience of those who seek its walls to worship. This property cost about $25,000, and is truly a monument to Method- ism. The new church was dedicated on Oc- tober 2, 1892, Dr. R. N. Sledd preaching the sermon. The church was named for the late Bishop McKendree.

Queen Street M. E. Church, South, Norfolk.

Early in 1877 the church building was fin- ished. It stood on the southeast corner of Queen and Newton streets, where one of the buikdlings of the Ballentine Arcade now stands, was a rectangular brick structure, without tower or spire, plain and neat in ap- pearance. comfortably furnished, had no gal-

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leries, and would accommodate about 400 per- sons. At first it had but one room, but after- ward a pastor's study was built in the rear of the pulpit. The dedicatory services were held on Sunday, February 25, 1877, with large con- gregations in attendance. Rev. John E. Ed- wards, D. D., preached both morning and evening.

The house of worship above described. after several years of use, was found to have been defectively constructed; the walls were bulging in such a manner as to render the whole structure unsafe. It was decided to pull down the building, sell the lot, purchase a bet- ter one on the opposite side of the street, a little further east, and erect a much larger and better edifice. In December, 1885, a lot was bought on the corner of Queen and Pulaski streets, a temporary tabernacle was erected for the use of the congregation, and some time during 1886 the present handsome building was begun. The lecture-room wing was first built and occupied. The opening services were held on Sunday, February 27, 1887, sermons being preached by Rev. W. V. Tudor, D. D., Rev. L. B. Betty, and Rev. A. G. Brown. Work on the auditorium was begun in July, 1888, and the entire building was completed in 1801. The dedicatory exercises were held on Sunday, January 11, 1891. and in spite of the very inclement weather large congrega- tions were in attendance. Bishop Robert K. Hargrove, D. D .. officiated and preached both morning and evening. This church has con- tinued to grow very rapidly, and is now one among the largest in the district.

Monumental .M. E. Church, South, Ports- mouth.

The day after Rev. Robert Williams preached in Norfolk, which was in the early part of 1772. he preached in Portsmouth on the invitation of Isaac Luke, a prominent citi- zen of the place. Rev. Mr. Williams remained in the twin cities a month or more, preaching to large congregations. A class was formed

under the care of Isaac Luke, and Monumental Methodist Episcopal Church, South, goes back in unbroken sequence to that organiza- tion.

Nine years prior to this it is said that the great Whitfield appeared in Portsmouth. William Maxwell's recollections of his mother, printed in the Antiquary, reports her as say- ing in referring to her mother: "She took me. too, to churchi along with her every Sun- day, and I got some good. I suppose, from the sermons I heard, though I cannot say that I remember any of them, particularly, except one. This was a sermon which I had the happiness to hear from the great Mr. Whit- field, when I was about 12 or 13 years old. He preached in Portsmouth and stood out, I remember, on the steps of a house not far from the Ferry wharf, for such crowds of people had come in from all quarters to hear him that no house could hold them all. . AAnd there he held his white handkerchief in his hand and talked away with a loud, sweet voice that I shall never cease to be hearing. His text was from the 3d chapter of John, 'Ye must be born again.' 'Poor Nichodemuis, methinks I see him now-a ruler of the Jews- and yet did not know that he must be born again.' At another time he broke out. : \las, I tell you I might as well think to stop yon vessel under sail, by waving this handker- chief at her,' waving while he spoke, 'as for one of you to think of getting to heaven with- out being born again.' All the people were moved. For my part, I thought I never heard anything like him before, and, no doubt, he did me more good than I knew at the time- for I have felt his words, or rather the words of our blessed Savior himself, in my heart from that time to this." As Mrs. Maxwell was born June 20, 1750, it must have been during Whitfield's visit in 1763 that she heard him in Portsmouthı.

The first house in which the Methodists worshiped in Portsmouth, apart from private residences, was the one which stood at the in- tersection of South and Effingham streets. In

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1792 the congregation purchased a lot in Glas- gow street from Director Friedly, and tradi- tion says that the house on South and Effing- ham streets was moved on wheels or round poles to the new site. The first Methodist church was a plain wooden structure, about 40 by 30 feet. its longest side parallel to and on the line of Glasgow street. It was twice enlarged to meet the demands of a constantly increasing congregation. In the first instance an addition of about 20 feet was added to the east end. and along this a "singing gallery," as the records term it, was erected for the choir. In the second instance an "L" was added to the side furthest from the street. and two additional galleries were constructed. This made the ground plan of the building in the form of a "T," and with the pulpit moved to the center and fronting the new extension, the church was considered the most conveni- ently arranged of any in this section. No trace of the building save the foundation re- mains. It was given up to the colored people, and was destroyed by fire in 1856. Rev. Jesse Nicholson is buried in the churchyard. The inscription on his tomb is: "Sacred to the Memory of Jesse Nicholson. Patriot of the American Revolution. A most exemplary Christian-45 years a minister of the M. E. Church, a man loved and venerated for his many virtues, died September 26. 1834, aged 75 years." Ile was a Revolutionary soldier, county surveyor. Methodist minister, school teacher, and postmaster of Portsmouth. He lived on High street, the present site of the Hume stores. Ile was always a highly re- spected citizen and a useful man.

A large brick church edifice was erected on Dinwiddie street between 1830 and 1833, with a seating capacity for 1,000 persons. During the Confederate War this building was seized by the Northern Methodist Episcopal Church and while in its possession was consumed by fire in 1864. Afterward a building was erected on the rear portion of the same lot and was used for public worship until 1876, when the present Monumental Church was completed.

This edifice is Gothic, with a lofty spire, richly stained glass windows, with a seating capacity of Soo.

Chestnut Street M. E. Church, South, Berkley.

The history of this church is very inter- esting, and is but another proof of the active, progressive spirit of the people called Metho- dists.

In the year 1870 several Methodist fami- lies moved to the little village then called Ferry Point ; there was at that time no steam ferry communication with Norfolk and Ports- mouth, foot boats being used at irregular in- tervals. There was no church in the place ex- cept the Christian Church, Rev. Stephen Bar- rett, pastor. Soon, on account of the distance from, and the great inconvenience in reaching, the churches of which they were members, these few Methodists determined to form a society and make arrangements for regular church services ; a room was secured in the old Court House, fitted up for religious services and called the chapel, and here they met for divine worship, with some one of the Methodist preachers of Norfolk and Portsmouth preach- ing on Sunday afternoon and the society hold- ing class and prayer meetings during week nights. This continued until November 27, 1870, when Rev. A. G. Brown, presiding el- der of the Norfolk District, met the society in the chapel and formally organized the church.

The following was the first official roll : H. C. Cheatham, preacher in charge ; H. B. C. Walker. M. C. Keeling, H. V. Moore, C. S. Rogers and Enos Cuthrell, stewards.

Central M. E. Church, South, Portsmouth.

Forty-four years ago, in 1856, Wesley Chapel Mission was established by the Din- widdie Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South, to meet the increasing demands of Methodism in Portsmouth.

The demand for a larger edifice becoming

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imperative, the old church was sold in April, 1870, to a colored Baptist congregation, and a site purchased on County street, near Wash- ington street, and a new building commenced, to be called Central Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The corner-stone was laid with Masonic ceremonies, April 22, 1870, D. D. Fiske, master of Naval Lodge, No. 100, A. F. & A. M., officiating. Rev. P. A. Peter- son delivered on this occasion a very able and interesting address on "Historic Methodism."

From the time of the delivery of the old church to its purchasers to September 4, 1870, the membership of Wesley Chapel, numbering about 225, worshiped in Oxford Hall, on High street, between Court and Middle. On the 25th day of October, 1874, the building being complete, it was dedicated by Rev. Robert N. Sledd, D. D. Below is given the first board of stewards, and then the board now in office : Wesley Chapel-George L. Neville, B. H. Owens, John L. Thomas, James M. Butt. John H. Thompson. Central Church-Reu- ben Bohlken, John L. Thomas, William Ives, B. B. Warren, W. L. IIowlett, W. B. Wilder, B. H. Owens, George W. Wonycotte, Harvey Lane, J. E. Thompson, F. A. Friedlin, W. E. Weber and Thomas C. Rice. The church has outgrown its present building and is preparing to erect a fine stone structure on the north- west corner of South and Washington streets. Il'right Memorial M. E. Church, South,

Portsmouth.

In 1861 the name of Gosport Station was changed to Second Street. There Methodism prospered for many years. It has been esti- mated that 1,500 souls were converted in that house. The location, style and size of this building not meeting the demands of the grow- ing congregation, November II, 1882, while under the pastoral care of Rev. George M. Wright, a lot was purchased through W. H. Elliott on the corner of Randolph and Fourth streets, and the foundation for a new church edifice, to be called Centenary, was begun July, 1883.

September 13th, of the same year, the cor- ner-stone was laid by Naval Lodge. No. 100, A. F. & A. M. April 12, 1885, the building was formally dedicated by Rev. R. N. Sledd, D. D. The church is a handsome edifice, and is eligibly located. Its size, outside measure- ment, is 45 by 90 feet ; height of spire, 130 feet ; audience room, 42 by 63 feet, with a gallery 14 by 42 feet; seating capacity, 500. The interior is attractive, the walls and alcove in the rear of the pulpit being tastefully fres- coed, the windows of beautiful stained glass, the pews comfortable. It is heated by a fur- nace located in the basement, and is lighted by electricity.

Board of stewards: Chairman, C. A. Mc- Lean ; secretary, George Davis; treasurer, R. A. Etheridge; members, G. T. Townsend, John E. West, E. Cross, A. C. Bushnell, J. C. Sumners, Edward Powell, R. H. McLean, A. P. Cuthriell, J. O. Bailey, T. B. Tyler, T. J. King, William Anderton, J. J. King and C. A. Moody.

On the 23d of July, 1885, Rev. George M. Wright, to whom the church felt indebted for his untiring efforts to build their beautiful house of worship, died. Shortly afterward, at the suggestion of the pastors of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in Norfolk, Ports- mouth and Berkley, the Quarterly Conference by unanimous vote changed the name of the church to Wright Memorial.

Oak Grove M. E. Church, South,

Is located near the site of the British fort at Great Bridge. It was first called Cutherell's meeting-house, but in 1842 it was removed from that site about one mile distant to the present location, when the name was changed to Oak Grove. The church building was oc- cupied by the Federals as barracks and hos- pital for about three years during the Con- federate War ; it was almost entirely destroyed during their occupancy. The board of stew- ards is constituted as follows: Maj. William H. Etheredge, Frank Williamson, Charles N.

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Foreman. Alexander Stokes and Luther Etheredge.

Deep Creek M. E. Church, South.

This church, prior to the' Confederate War, was called Rehobeth; during the war it was entirely destroyed by the Federal troops, who used the materials to construct barracks. A new building has since been erected on a new site in the heart of the village.

BENEVOLENT AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS OF NORFOLK. Masonry in Norfolk.

This article was written for the "Century" edition of the Virginian-Pilot by Past Master Henry L. Turner.

We find from the earliest records, accord- ing to "Auld and Smellie's Freemason's Pocket Companion," published in Edinburgh, A. D. 1765, under the heading: An exact list of the Regular English lodges according to their Seniority and Constitution under the Grand Lodge of England, which was organ- ized in 1717, recorded No. 172,-"The Royal Exchange, in the Borough of Norfolk, in Virginia, the Ist Thursday of December, 1733.

This lodge was one of the original eight which met in Williamsburg on the 6th of May, 1777, by request of Williamsburg Lodge, No. 6. The deliberations of this convention re- sulted in the formation of the Grand Lodge of Virginia on the 13th day of October, 1778. At the meeting of the Grand Lodge of Vir- ginia, held in October. 1786, a committee regu- lated the rank and standing of the several lodges then under its jurisdiction. This lodge, Royal Exchange, No. 172, was changed to Norfolk Lodge, No. I. and constituted as dating from 1741. There is a difference in dates here: the original charter was dated 1733. and it is claimed to be the oldest lodge in existence in the United States. It was, however, kept on the register of the Grand Lodge of England until 1813. Mathew

Phripp, Esq., was the representative of this lodge in the Williamsburg Convention. He was honored by being chosen the president of the convention. In the Grand Lodge of 1778 we find the names of Mathew Phripp and Paul Loyall ( this gentleman was evidently one of the ancestors of the Loyall family now in our city), representing Lodge No. 1 at the session of the Grand Lodge of Virginia in 1790. Thomas Matthews, of Norfolk Lodge, No. I. who was the speaker of the House of Dele- gates, was elected grand master, being the 5th grand master. In 1793 Mr. Matthews was presented by the Grand Lodge of Virginia with an elegant past master's jewel. At the Grand Communication held December, 1798, a char- ter was granted for the establishment of a lodge to be known as Napthal Lodge, No. 56. with Robert Brough, grand master; John K. Read, S. W .; and James Kerr, J. W. This lodge was regularly represented for some years by Mr. Brough.

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 37

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