USA > Virginia > City of Staunton > City of Staunton > The First Presbyterian Church, Staunton, Virginia > Part 3
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
"This is the way the fathers trod, "The way that leads me home to God,
"The King's highway of holiness,
"I'll go for all his paths are peace;"
you will make him a true ambassador of Christ, and "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly . dividing the word of truth." "All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." Your sons shall be as plants grown up in their youth and your daughters will be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace? Into all the walks of life you will send forth faithful men and women, fearing God and loving their fellow men, intelligent and capable, conscientious and devoted, whose names are writ- ten in Heaven.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAUNTON, VA.
CHAPTER III
THE UNITED CONGREGATION OF STAUNTON AND TINKLING SPRING PRESENT A CALL TO THE REV. JAMES WADDELL
T HE First Presbyterian Church, Staunton, Virginia, was organized by Lexington Presbytery in 1804. But it inherits a much longer history. The Presby- erians at and near Staunton were connected with Tinkling Spring Church. On the 1st day of May, 1783, "the united congregation of Staunton and Tinkling Spring" presented a call to the Rev. Jas. Waddell, D. D. (immortalized in the "British Spy" by William Wirt as "The Blind Preacher"). He preached occasionally in Staunton, but having determined to remove east of the Blue Ridge, he declined the call.
"This call is respectfully presented by the united congregations of Staunton and Tinkling Spring to the Rev. Ja. Waddel :
Rev. Sir :
The congregations of Staunton and Tinkling Spring, having cordially agreed to unite under your ministerial care and to share equally of your labors and provide equally for your support, have ap- pointed us, the subscribers, in their name and behalf, solemnly to invite you to take the pastoral charge of them by installments. Preaching, catechising, reproving, and administering the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper to worthy subjects, are official duties which will be expected from you; and as the discharge of these imply on their part a respectful attendance and Christian submission, you have a right to demand both, and every virtuous effort to promote and maintain order, peace and love in the societies. Moreover, we, Alexander St. Clair and William Bowyer, Commissioners, do hereby covenant and promise in behalf of the Congregation of Staunton to pay to you, or your order, from time to time, at the end of every six months from the date hereof, you conducting yourself as a minister of
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
Christ Jesus, the sum of twenty-five pounds in gold and silver, or in current money, fully equivalent thereto, for the half of your labours.
* And we, * * * bind ourselves in the same terms and manner with the above gentlemen, to pay in behalf of the con- gregation of Tinkling Spring twenty pounds. In Witness whereof, we the parties for ourselves and for our respective societies, do sub- scribe our names, this first day of May, 1783.
For Staunton,
ALEXANDER St. CLAIR, WILLIAM BOWYER, Commissioners."
The names of the Tinkling Spring Commissioners have been cut out, by whom or why I do not know ; it will be observed that their names are not given in the call.
The foregoing is a copy of the original paper in my possession. It shows that there was a Presbyterian organization in Stauntan in 1783, although the church here was not constituted by Presbytery till 1804.
Jos. A. WADDELL.
The Rev. James Waddell was born in the month of July, 1739, and it is believed that his birth occurred on board of the ship which brought the family from Ireland to America. A failure of crops in Ireland at that time in- duced many people to leave the country and come to a land of greater abundance. Many of the early settlers of Augusta County came at that time, and possibly in the same ship with the Waddell family.
While many of the new-comers came directly from the landing place, on the Delaware river, to Augusta County. the Waddells settled in the eastern part of Pennsylvania.
James Waddell was sent to school at an early age, and educated at one of the most celebrated schools in the Colonies at that time. He became an assistant teacher, and the afterwards celebrated Dr. Benjamin Rush was one of his pupils.
When about nineteen years of age he started to go from home on horseback to South Carolina, where he ex- pected to engage in teaching. Passing through Virginia, he encountered the Rev. Samuel Davies, who induced him to remain here. He was first employed as a teacher in
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
the school of the Rev. Mr. Todd, in Louisa County, and there began to study for the ministry. He was taken under the care of Hanover Presbytery, at a meeting held at Augusta Stone Church in 1760.
After being licensed by Presbytery he preached for a time in Bedford county, and, according to the narrative of an aged member of the church there, his preaching at- tracted much attention. He finally accepted a call to Lan- caster County, and remained there 'till May, 1776, when he removed to Augusta County, residing on South River above Waynesboro. While living in Augusta he preached regu- larly at Tinkling Spring. In 1784 he removed to a planta- tion near the present town of Gordonsville, where he spent the remainder of his life. While living there he became totally blind from cataract, but continued to preach in a rustic meeting-house, built by himself on his own land. His blindness was partially relieved by a surgical opera- tion. In the year 1794 the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the college at Car- lisle, Pennsylvania. His death occurred in 1805.
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CHAPER IV ORGANIZATION OF CHURCH WITH BRIEF HISTORY TO THE YEAR 1884
O N the 9th of May, 1804, Presbytery appointed the Rev. John Montgomery, of Rocky Spring, and the Rev. Benjamin Erwin, of Mossy Creek, to organize the church in Staunton. The church consisted originally of only fifteen or twenty members, and the first Ruling Elders elected and ordained were Joseph Bell, Joseph Cowan, Andrew Barry and Samuel Clarke. In 1805, the Rev. William Calhoun removed from Eastern Virginia to Staunton, and in August, 1806, at Brown's Meeting House (since Hebron) he was installed pastor of the united con- gregations of Brown's Meeting House and Staunton. Mr. Wilson, of Augusta Church, and Mr. McCue, of Tinkling Spring, were the committee of installation. The first church building was erected in 1818. The building was originally a very plain brick house, having neither portico nor steeple. The tower for the bell, at the north end of the church, was built some nineteen or twenty years after- wards. As is generally known, the house is now a part of the Mary Baldwin Seminary, though altered in ap- pearance.
The Rev. Dr. John H. Rice attended a meeting of the Synod in Staunton in October of that year, and in his diary says : "The Presbyterians have a large and very decent house of worship in the town in a state of considerable forwardness. If completed in the style in which it is begun it will do great credit to the public spirit of the . citizens."
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1513944 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
At a meeting of Presbytery, in Staunton, on Thurs- day, April 27, 1826, the pastoral relation of Mr. Calhoun with this church was dissolved, and he thereafter, for many years, devoted his whole time to Hebron congrega- tion. Under his ministry the number of church members in Staunton greatly increased.
The next pastor was the Rev. Joseph Smith (after- wards D. D.) who was installed April 29, 1826. While pastor of the church Mr. Smith also taught a classical school, being principal of the Staunton Academy. Mr. Smith resided in Staunton more than six years, and then resigned his charge, the relation being dissolved by Presbytery October 22, 1832.
The celebrated Dr. Nettleton spent the winter of 1828-'9 in Staunton, and his labors here were instrumental in much good. Many valuable members were added to the church, and the cause of religion generally was greatly promoted.
For nearly two years the pastorate remained vacant, the pulpit being occupied occasionally by various ministers.
The Rev. John Steele was elected pastor in 1834, and on the 20th of June was ordained and installed by Presby- tery. He remained here rather more than three years, the relation being dissolved August 4, 1837, and then emigrated to the State of Illinois.
The Rev. Paul E. Stevenson, of New York, succeeded Mr. Steele as pastor. He came to Staunton from Prince- ton Seminary, on invitation, in the fall of 1837, and was installed June 8, 1838. During Mr. Stevenson's pastorate the church and congregation made considerable progress in various respects. Amongst the outward improvements was the enlargement of the church grounds by the pur- chase and addition of the lot lying between the church and New street. This lot previously rugged and unsightly, was graded and neatly enclosed, and soon presented an attractive appearance. Augusta Female Seminary also
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
was founded during this period, by the Rev. Rufus W. Bailey, who came to Staunton to establish a school for girls. For many years a school of this kind had been maintained here by a succession of teachers, in more or less intimate connection with the church. Among the teachers successively were a Mr. Esterbrook, the Rev. Mr. Thatcher and Mr. R. L. Cooke. But no attempt had been made to erect buildings, and different private houses, rented by the teachers, had been occupied. Through Mr. Bailey's influence, however, the Presbyterians of the town and county were induced to take an interest in the matter as a denominational enterprise. Trustees were selected, an act of incorporation was obtained from the legislature (in 1845) and in a short time the centre build- ing of the seminary was erected by means of funds raised by general subscription. The principal room of this build- ing was designed, and was used for several years as a lecture-room in connection with the church. The Ruling Elders of this period were Samuel Clarke, John C. Sowers, Jacob Lease, Dr. A. Waddell, William H. Allen, Lyttle- ton Waddell and William A. Bell. Mr. Stevenson re- signed his pastoral office in 1844, the relation being dis- solved April 2d, and returned to New York. Mr. R. R. Howison occupied the pulpit about six months. The Rev. Benjamin M. Smith (afterwards Dr. Smith, long a pro- fessor in the Theological Seminary at Hampden-Sidney) was the next pastor. He was installed on Saturday, November 22, 1845. During his incumbency the manse in which the pastors of the church have since resided was erected, chiefly through the agency of Mr. Bailey. Large additions to the seminary were projected by Mr. Smith, and the first election of Deacons was made during his ministry here. He resigned his charge in 1854.
The Rev. Joseph R. Wilson, professor in Hampden- Sidney College, accepted a call from the congregation in December, 1854, and removed to Staunton the last week:
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
in March following. He was installed June 24, 1855. While he resided here the enlargement of the seminary as previously planned was accomplished, so as to provide a residence for the principal and his assistants and board- ing for a considerable number of pupils. The principal room of the centre building was then converted into a study hall, and the large basement apartment in the eastern wing was used as a congregational lecture-room. The church building was also enlarged and otherwise improved.
Mr. Wilson remained in Staunton a little more than two years. His pastoral relation was dissolved October 8, 1857, and he removed to Augusta, Georgia, to take charge of the Presbyterian Church in that city. He has since then been successively professor in the Theological Seminaries at Columbia, South Carolina, and Clarksville, Tennessee. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was long ago conferred upon him. He is the father of Dr. Wood- row Wilson, president of the Princeton University, who was born here.
His successor was the Rev. William E. Baker, who commenced his labors on the 1st of December, 1857, but was not installed until April 23, 1859. Since then the church and congregation have made marked progress. The number of church members has greatly increased ; the Seminary has grown to its present dimensions, being capable of accommodating within its walls two hundred and fifty pupils, besides officers and employes; and the size of the congregation demanding it, the work of erect- ing a larger and more commodious church edifice on another site was begun in the summer of 1870. The congre- gation worshiped in the old church for the last time on Sunday, June 25, 1871, and on the next day it was occu- pied by workmen to be fitted up as part of Augusta Female Seminary. Subsequently, by authority of an Act of the Legislature, the property was conveyed by the trustees of
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
the church to the trustees of the Seminary. The new church was not completed till 1872, but for some time pre- viously the congregation worshiped in the basement lecture room.
The following is from the Staunton Spectator of June 11, 1872:
DEDICATION OF THE NEW CHURCH
The services in the new Presbyterian Church of this place on last Sabbath were of an interesting character. In the morning the dedica- tion of that large and splendid church, in the afternoon the thanks- giving services in connection therewith, and in the evening the anni- versary celebration of the Sabbath School of that congregation.
Before the hour-11 o'clock a. m .- arrived for the beginning of the services attending the dedication, that very large church was filled to its capacity, both on the floor and in the gallery. The exercises were commenced by the rendition in admirable style by the choir of an anthem composed some twenty years since by Mr. J. W. Alby, of this place. Rev. Dr. Moses D. Hoge, of Richmond, then offered a brief prayer, after which the 137th Psalm, second part, was sung. After an earnest prayer by the Pastor-Rev. Wm. E. Baker-he stated that the Building Committee would report; whereupon the chairman of that committee, William Frazier, Esq., read the following:
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CHURCH, BY MAJ. THOS. H. WILLIAMSON, PROFESSOR OF ARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEER-
ING IN THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE, LEXINGTON
The new Presbyterian Church in Staunton is of the same style as that selected by Gen. R. E. Lee for the Chapel of Washington and Lee University. The style of both is the modernized Norman.
The Norman, the Saxon, and the Lombard are all of the same fam- ily, and had their origin among the early Christians. The first Chris- tian churches of Great Britain were Saxon, and the sturdy English and Scotch-Irish races first worshipped the only God in these massive, thick-walled temples with short, thick, round columns, the round- headed windows and deeply recessed and circular-headed doors. The Norman differs from the Saxon in the amplification of all its parts. The Normans were fond of stateliness and magnificence, and though they retained the other characteristics of the Saxon style, yet by the ampli- fication of dimensions and the elaboration of details, they made such a striking change and improvement as to entitle it to be characterized as a new order of architecture.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
No people ever exhibited an example of so rapid transition from the excess of pagan barbarism and of the worship of Odin, their idol god, to the Christian civilization, industry and refinement as did the Normans on the cession of Normandy to them by Charles the Simple, A. D. 912, and on the alliance of his daughter with their valorous leader, Roller, when they quickly became earnest converts to the Chris- tian faith.
The Normans were unquestionably the finest race of men that ever poured forth from the regions of the North. Amidst the bar- barism, the obscurity and the ignorance of the middle ages, they seem to rise up like a superior generation of beings to advance the cause of civilization and religion. By dint of their bravery they established themselves in France, founded a dynasty in Italy, wrested Sicily from the Saracens, and finally became the conquerors of Eng- land. They were warm-hearted and sincere to their friends, generous and humane to their vanqishued enemies, and, indeed, to them may be attributed many of the best and highest qualities which at present constitute the boast of the English and Virginian character.
It is pleasant, then, to see our churches built in a style which originated and prevailed with our noble and Christian forefathers, and that we are taught by the same Bible to worship the same God.
The Staunton Church, though in the modernized Norman style, in consequence of the many modern improvements, yet retains the round- headed windows and doors, the stately and magnificent tower, and in- stead of the open timber roof and ceiling of the middle ages has in- troduced the modern arched ceiling sunk in deep caissons or panels by moulded and otherwise ornamented ribs. The crown or key-stone rib has the modern movable ventilator inserted, quite unknown to our Norman ancestry. The styles and mouldings of the panel work are rendered in walnut and the sunken panel of yellow poplar, oiled and varnished on the natural grain. The gallery front and the ceiling un- der the gallery are made to correspond in style and finish, and the whole effect is most pleasing and presents a very rich appearance. The cornice, also, which surrounds this audience room is beautiful and in accord with the general style. The pulpit, platform, and desk are in solid black walnut, very richly treated and yet in perfect good taste. The walls are in course of being plastered in sand finish with a beautiful neutral tint of French gray. The stained glass windows have all been subscribed for, I understand, by individuals, even to the smallest ones in the two towers. The spire is now rapidly going up, which is another of the more modern inventions grafted on the old Nor- man, but has been accepted by all Christians as the finger of Christian-
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ity, ever pointing to the dwelling-place of the only true God, and direct- ing all mankind to His throne. T. H. W.
After reading the above, Mr. Frazier delivered the keys of the building to the pastor, who, on behalf of the congregation, expressed thanks to the committee for the efficient manner in which they had dis- charged the arduous and perplexing duties devolved upon them.
The 567th hymn was then sung, after which Rev. Dr. Hoge de- livered the dedicatory sermon. He took as his text the 22d verse of the 45th chapter of Isaiah :
"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else."
He prefaced his remarks by stating that he would not preach a sermon like those usually preached on similar occasions-that they were quite proper, but that on this occasion he would discuss a subject of more importance than those usually treated of on such occasions. The theme of his discourse was "Salvation," which, in a sermon of an hour's length, he discussed in an able and eloquent manner, and presented forcibly the different important ideas embraced in the text, which he analyzed clearly and illustrated graphically. At the con- clusion of his discourse, in a solemn and impressive manner, he dedi- cated the new church to the worship of God and the preaching of the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ.
THANKSGIVING SERVICE
The thanksgiving meeting in connection with the dedication of the church was held at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. In addition to the pastor of that church, the services were participated in by Rev. Geo. B. Tay- lor, pastor of the Baptist Church of Staunton; Rev. Jas. Murray, pas- tor of Bethel Church in this county ; Dr. Moses D. Hoge, of Rich- mond ; Rev. Daniel B. Ewing pastor of Hebron Church, in this county; Rev. D. M. Gilbert, pastor of the Lutheran Church of Staunton ; Rev. J. I. Miller, principal of the Staunton Female Seminary, and Rev. R. S. Walker, pastor of Union Church in this county.
The services were opened by a voluntary, "Lord of Hosts," by the choir, which was rendered in admirable style.
Then an appropriate prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Ewing, after which Rev. Mr. Gilbert read the 84th Psalm, third part, which was sung by the choir.
Rev. Mr. Baker then delivered a brief address of welcome to the ministers and members of other denominations who were present.
Rev. Geo. B. Taylor responded on behalf of the ministers of Staunton in a sensible and suitable manner, after which appropriate
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addresses of congratulation were delivered by Rev. Mr. Murray and Dr. Hoge, which were of an interesting character.
At the conclusion of the addresses, Rev. J. I. Miller offered an earnest prayer, after which Rev. Mr. Walker read the 122d Psalm, which was sung by the choir. The services closed with the singing of the doxology.
During Mr. Baker's pastorate, and shortly after the close of the war, in 1865, Mr. T. B. Coleman, a member of the Staunton Church, began to hold prayer-meetings in a neglected neighborhood, two miles east of town, on the Waynesboro road. This service grew into a Sunday school in a public school house, which the ladies of the Staunton Church helped to build. After a time it was thought de- sirable to have a separate house of worship, and finally Olivet Chapel was erected on ground donated by the Messrs. Doom. There Sunday school and other services have been held on Sabbath afternoons by members of the Staunton Church, the pastor and other ministers occas- ionally preaching. During several years various young ministers were employed from time to time to preach at that point. Of the people connected with the chapel more than thirty became church members. In 1898 Olivet was organized as a separate church, having a pastor of its own.
The General Assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church began its session in the First Presbyterian Church of Staunton on May 19, 1881. The Assembly was at that date composed of twelve Synods, sixty-seven Presbyteries, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight Churches, with one thousand and sixty ministers, and a membership of 120,028.
The opening sermon was preached by Rev. T. A. Hoyt, D. D., of Nashville, Tenn., from Galatains, 1st chapter and 6th and 7th verses. Dr. Wm. Brown, Perm- anent Clerk, called the roll, and Rev. R. P. Farris, D. D., of St. Louis, Mo., was elected Moderator, and Rev. G. A. Trenholm, of Bethel Presbytery, South Carolina, Reading Clerk.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
At that time the entire Missionary force, under the direction of the church, consisted of eighteen ordained missionaries, one missionary physician, twenty-six assis- tant missionaries from this country, thirteen ordained na- tive assistants, variously employed as teachers, colporters, and Bible readers, making ninety-three in all. The re- ceipts for the year were $59,215.39. Lectures on foreign missions were delivered by Rev. Dr. Palmer and Rev. Dr. T. A. Hoyt.
After a nine days' session the Assembly adjourned to meet in Atlanta, Ga., in May, 1882.
The Ruling Elders during Mr. Baker's incumbency, but not all at the same time, were Lyttleton Waddell, William A. Bell, John Wayt, John Trimble, James Gilke- son, John B. Tinsley, Alexander H. Taylor, Joseph A. Waddell, William J. Nelson, John K. Woods, John Paris, Dr. J. Alexander Waddell, Davis A. Kayser, T. B. Cole- man, Dr. George S. Walker, Charles Grattan, John Echols, Robt. D. Lilley, Henry L. Hoover, and Henry D. Peck.
Mr. Baker resigned his charge early in 1884, and was released by Presbytery on the 20th of February.
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CHAPTER V
REV. JOHN PHILIP STRIDER, D. D.
T HE Rev. John P. Strider having been elected pastor, was installed November 23, 1884. The committee of Presbytery officiating on that occasion were the Rev. Dr. C. R. Vaughan and the Rev. W. M. McElwee. During Mr. Strider's brief pastorate, the Rev. Dr. William Dinwiddie conducted services in the congregation for ten days or more, and as the result one hundred persons were received into the church, February 8, 1885, some six or eight being received afterwards.
Mr. Strider's health being seriously impaired, he found himself unable to perform the duties of pastor. He therefore resigned and accepted a professorship in Wash- ington and Lee University, which had recently conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He was re- leased by Presbytery September 24, 1885, and died in Staunton, in January, 1886. During his pastorate the fol- lowing Elders were elected and installed: John Murray, Dr. N. Wayt, and James N. McFarland.
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