USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.1 > Part 37
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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 tlie 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 19th day of January, 1896. by Rev. Dr. A. Coke Smith, who delivered a powerful sermon, from Titus, 2d chapter, rith 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. D. Gale. J. L .. Roper. A. J. Denby, M. C. Ferebee, R. A. Dodson, B. D. Thomas. R. O. Nottingham.
STEWARDS.
John L. Roper. Chairman. W. M. Jones, Secretary. L. Clay Kilby, Church Treasurer. B. T. Bockover, Poor Fund Treasurer. W. B. Roper, Choir Fund Treasurer. John H. Thompson, Recording Steward.
G. R. Atkinson, WV. D. Rountree, R. D. Thomas.
M. L. T. Davis.
J. L. Walker, D. J. Turner,
J. W. Perry. W. J. Vesey. McD. L. Wrenn,
B. G. Pollard,
T. S. Southgate, J. Sydney Smith,
W. T. Simcoe, C. W. Harrell.
John T. Bolton. E. C. Deming,
William A. Wrenn, A. C. Miley.
MCKendice 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 buildings . 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. Jobs 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 wails 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 1891. The dedicatory exercises were heid on Sunday, January II. 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 church 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. And 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 Nichodemus. 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. Alas, 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, atid. 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 Portsmouth.
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- ban streets was moved on wheels or round podles to the new site. The first Methodist Chestnut Street M. E. Church, South, Berkley. 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 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. 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 ; the chapel and formally organized the church, lived on High street. the present site of the Hume stores. He 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 800.
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 following was the first official roll : H. C. Cheatham, preacher in charge; H. B. C. Walker. M. C. Keeling, 11. 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, I8;o, 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 hid 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. Howlett, W. B. Wilder, B. H. Owens, George W. Wonycotte, Harvey Lane, J. E. Thompson, P. 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. W'right Memorial M. E. Church, South,
Portsmouth.
In 1861 the name of Gosport Station was changed to Second Strect. 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 11, 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.
Decp 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 L'irginian-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. 1, 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. I 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.
The year IS01 was very unhealthy, as the lodges lost by death during this year II members. The year 1813 seems to have been very peculiarly unhealthy or there must have been an epidemic, as Norfolk Lodge, No. I, lost 14,-among the number P. G. M. Mat- thews,-and Napthali Lodge, No. 56, 26: a total of 40. At the Grand Communication held December, 1813, Robert Brough, of Napthali Lodge, No. 56, was elected grand master. The two lodges lost by death during 1815, 13. Norfolk health at that time must have been very poor, for there certainly could not have been more than 150 Masons, and a death rate of IO per cent. was fearful. With a membership at the present time, A. D. 1900, of 450, the death rate for the last three years has averaged one-half of one per cent., show- ing a vast improvement in the health, cer- tainly, of the members of the fraternity.
There was also a lodge in the city known as the Lodge of Truth, which evidently worked in the French language, as the names of its members recorded as visiting Norfolk Lodge, No. I, and Naptliali Lodge, No. 56.
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were those of Frenchmen ( in fact, some of the descendants of those good French Masons were known to the writer ). but all records in rela- tion to it have disappeared. Probably they may be in the possession of some of the de- scendants of those good old Frenchmen Ma- sorry flourished, and on October 24, 1821. there occurred in the borough of Norfolk a Masonic affair which is not only interesting to the craft in this city but to the craft where- soever dispersed. I shall transcribe from the record book of Napthali Lodge, No. 56, the records as they appear :
At a called communication of Lodges No. 1, 16. 56 and 100. held at the Mason's Hall pursuant to notice, Lodge No. 1. presiding. on Sunday morning. Oct. 24. A. D. 1824, A. L. 5824.
Present Wors. Beni. Pollard ,Master. Brother Jno. Myers. S. Warden. Brother. Geo. Weaver. J. Warden. Brother W. D. Roberts, L. Deacon. Brother Willoughby Butt, J. Deacon.
Brother P. J. Cohen. Treasurer. Brother M. B. O'Neil. Secretary. Brother John Warrington. Tyler.
And a large concourse of members from each of the Lodges and visiting brethren. On mo- * tion made and seconded.
"Resolved, That by- a general subscription among the brethren now present. a P. M. Jewel be purchased and presented to our distinguished Brother General Lafayette, the deficiency if any to be made good from the fund- of each Lo.lge now represented."
A committee consisting of W. M. Senar of Lodge No. 16. and W. M. Mordecai Cooke. of Lodge No. 100. with Brothers Moses Myers, Thomas Newton. William B. Lamb, Stephen Wright and four deacons were dis- patched to wait on Brother Lafayette, and announce to him. that the Lodge was prepared for his reception. At 12 minutes before It o'clock he appeared, and having been received with the most exalted honors and pre- sented by the Wor. M. B. Pottare with the Masonic Badge, he was by him ad tressed in the following ele- galit and dignified speech :
:
"Most Venerated Brother. among the variety of cordial welcomes. and heartfelt congratulations with which you have been greeted since your arrival in our happy country, permit us to enroll that of the Free and Accepted Masons of the Borough of Norfolk and Town of Portsmouth congregated here in our Lodge for the purpose of tendering you the assurances of their re- spect and fraternal love. We will not detain your at- tention by eulogies on the antiquity of our order. nor dwell on the honorable character it has universally maintained. Neither will we fatigue you with a re- capitulation of the many virtuous and distinguished characters, who have adorned our annals; but in the
presence of the friend and companion of our beloved Washington, permit its to boast that he was a member of our Craft : and was proud to be hailed as the Grand Master of the Lodge of Virginia, from which stock we derive our descent as Masons. You. Sir, who have stood in the presence of Princes and Potentates, have often practically experienced the sovereign influence of our principles wherever there has been found capacity to comprehend them; and in the day of danger, and on the field of carnage, have probably witnessed the Bener- olence and magic sympathy they have extolled amidst the din of battles, and from the deadliest foes. We are not. however, ignorant of your sentiments on this subject : they are recorded in the toasts with which you were pleased to honor the fraternity in the City of New York, in which you have contrasted names dear and precious to enlightened man. throughout the civil- ized world, with those with which are associated with darkness and despotism, with the degradation of human nature, and the perpetuation of ignorance and super- stition. Permit me. Dear Brother, as we may never again be favored with the honor and happiness of your presence. to record for the edification of successors and of generations who are to follow us, that we have your sanction to enroll the name of Lafayette with those of Washington and Franklin, in our aunals, for which purpose allow us to confer on you the title of honorary member of Lodges Nos. 1. 16. 56 and roo here assemi- bled. aud permit us also to invest vou with a Past Master's Jewel. bestowed by the unanimous vote of the Brethren as a lasting memorial of their respectful re- gard. We also beg that you will yourself inscribe your name in the Books of the Constitutions of the several Lodges which are here presented by their respective secretaries. for that purpose. We wish your signature to be preserved among the archives and ancient land- marks of our order. to which our successors and off- spring may point with elated feelings, and honor it. as a Star in the East, that Masons yet unborn may glory in your name and be stimulated to emulate your virtues."
To which the General returned a neat and appro- priate reply. He was then presented by the W. M. with the Jewel and by request became an honorary member . of each of the Lodges then represented by affixing his signature to the respective constitutions. And Master Elect Geo. Washington Lafayette (his son) and Brother Le Vasseur, were also presented with badges and he- came honorary members of each Lodge in a similar way. ( The Book of Constitutions of Norfolk, No. I. containing these signatures, is in the Masonic Temple. ) The procession having been formed. the General and his suite were conducted to Christ Church where the Rev. Dr. Wilmer delivered an eloquent sermon adapted to the occasion. After which the General was con- ducted to his lodgings, they moved thence to the Lodge. when after having spent some time (by partaking of a handsome collation ) in the most affectionate and broth- erly manner the Lodge was closed in ancient form.
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