A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 10

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Absent-Rev. Wm. Armstrong, St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling; Rev. James Chisholm, Norborne Parish, Hedges- ville; Rev. James Goodwin, Missionary, Point Pleasant; Rev. F. B. Nash, Coalsmouth, Kanawha; Rev. H. D. Ward, Kan- awha Parish, Kanawha.

Lay Delegates present :

James L. Ransom, Zion Church, Jefferson; Jacob Mor- gan, Trinity, Shepherdstown; Dr. M. P. Nelson, Christ Church, Berkeley.

No visitations reported.

The Diocesan Missionary Society reports a total appropria- tion of $1,837.50, of which, to Rev. W. H. Good, Mill Creek, Jefferson county, $275; of which, $50 special and $75 on last year; to Rev. Thos. Smith, Parkersburg, $215; to Rev. James B. Goodwin, Point Pleasant, Mason county, $112.50; to Rev. Joshua H. Harrison, Brooke county, $50; Rev. Mr. West, Kanawha, $112.50; Bishop Johns collected this; Bruce chapel, $4.00; Church at Point Pleasant, $9.18; Church at Parkersburg, $11.90.

There was also reported, By cash from Mrs. Ann Hender- son, St. Paul's Church, Alexandria, for Church at Parkers- burg, $10, and by cash from Trinity Church, Portsmouth, for same, $5; also, By cash, from two ladies at a distance for mis- sions in Western Virginia, $200. Contributions to the con-

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tingent fund, Trinity Church, Shepherdstown, $50.00; Christ Church, Norborne Parish, Berkeley, $20.00; Norborne Par- ish, $18.00; St. Andrew's Parish, Zion Church, $101.50; St. Matthew's, Wheeling, $75.00; Kanawha Parish, Kanawha county, $23.00.

Received from parishes reported delinquent at the last convention: Norborne Parish, $2.00. Delinquencies, 1844: Church at Parkersburg, $18; Weston Church, $6; Trinity Church, Shepherdstown, $19; Church at Clarksburg, Har- rison county $7; Norborne Parish, Berkeley county, $94; St. John's and St. Mark's Churches, Kanawha county, $32.

Delinquencies 1845: Norborne Parish, Berkeley, $67; Trin- ity Church, Wood county, $24; Rev. Thos. Smith, Clarks- burg, Missionary, $7; Weston, $5; St. Andrew's Parish, Trin- ity Church, Shepherdstown, $12.

Parishes which have made no report to this convention: Brooke, St. John's and Christ Churches; St. Mark's and St. John's, Kanawha; St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling.

Parochial Reports:

St. Andrew's Parish, Trinity Church, Shepherdstown-C. W. Andrews, Rector. Communicants 63; baptisms 19; candi- dates for confirmation 33; contributions for purposes out of the Parish, $425, of which $100 was for the sufferers by fire, in St. Andrew's Church, Pittsburg; for purposes within the Parish, $300; total, $725.

Norborne Parish, Berkeley County-Churches, Mt. Zion, Hedgesville: Trinity, Martinsburg; Calvary, Valley of Back Creek-James Chisholm, Rector. Communicants, 85; bap- tisms, 15.

Norborne Parish, Berkeley-Wm. H. Good. Rector. Com- municants, 13, 1 colored: baptisms 1; contributions to the convention on Bishop's fund, $20.00. The Church at Smith- field numbers 7 communicants.

Zion Church, St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson County-Alex. Jones, Rector. Communicants 105; baptisms, white 22: col- ored 17. Amount collected for different institutions of the church, $326.27.

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Trinity Parish, Wood County-Thomas Smith, Missionary. Communicants 24; baptisms 7. Clarksburg, communicants 7. Weston, communicants 5.

Convention of 1846. St. Paul's, Petersburg, May 20.

Bishop Meade presiding.

Two clergy present from West Virginia. New name among the elergy, Rev. Templeman Brown, Middleway.

Lay Delegates present: Step. D. Watkins, St. Andrew's Parish, Shepherdstown.

In his address Bishop Meade says:

"Il: September (1845) I set out on a visit to the congrega- tions in Western Virginia. I was prevented by indisposition from reaching Clarksburg, or Weston, in which places there are a few families attached to our Church, and where the Rev. Mr. Kinsolving has been officiating since September last. We met at Morgantown and held two services in that place. Thence I proceeded to Wheeling, where I spent several days, and where nine persons were confirmed. While there I vis- ited Wellsburg and St. John's in the vicinity; both of which places were destitute of a minister. Thence I went to Parkersburg where I spent several days, and confirmed nine persons; thence to Ravenswood, where one was confirmed: thence to Point Pleasant and Mercer's Bottom, at the last of which places three were confirmed. Thence to Coalsmouth, Charleston and the Salines, all of them in Kanawha county. At Charleston six persons were confirmed.

Bishop Johns, in his address, says: "July 26th. Preached at Bunker Hill. July 27th. Preached at Martinsburg and confirmed two persons. July 28th. Preached in the Church at Hedgesville in the morning, and at night addressed the congregation after a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Andrews. July 29th. Preached in the same church and confirmed six- teen persons. I cannot pass from the notice of my visit to this chapel, without recording the satisfaction which it af. forded me. Everything was plain, simple and solemn. the congregations were large and remarkably attentive and seri-

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ous, the entire service of the church was conducted with a fullness of response and manifestation of feeling, which made it more impressive to my mind than the most imposing cathedral service. The addition to the church too, furnished good evidence, that the word which had been preached to them proved profitable. If any one supposes that the peculiar arrangements of our church, are not adapted to all classes of society let him visit the church on Hedges mountain, or St. John's in Teays Valley, Kanawha, and his error will be cor- rected.

July 30th. Rode to Shepherdstown and lectured there at night. July 31st. Preached in the same church in the morn- ing and at night. August 1st. Preached in the same church in the morning and confirmed twenty-three persons. August 2nd. Preached in the church in Charlestown. August 3rd. Preached in the same church in the morning and confirmed four persons. In the afternoon addressed the congregation after a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Andrews. August 4th. On this day I had designed to intermit my services, but the in- terest manifest in the congregation induced me to open the church again and I preached in the evening. August 5th. [ preached at Smithfield.

Diocesan Missionary Committee Reports-Have contributed to 20 missionaries. Among them: Rev. W. H. Good, Middle- way, $100; Rev. James Goodwin, Mason county, $93.50, also $10 for Prayer Books; Rev. Thos. Smith, Wood county, $200, also $20 for Prayer Books. Rev. O. A. Kinsolving, Harrison county, $100; Rev. R. T. Brown, Jefferson county, $50.

In whole Diocese, 632 Prayer Books and 44,468 pages of tracts distributed.

Receipts for the year, $2,673.34. Disbursements, $2,250.84.

A glance at the destitution of the Western part of the State will show the necessity of exertion. There are 20 Episcopal clergymen west of the Blue Ridge, of which 13 are in the valley, leaving but seven west of the Allegheny, a part of the State containing forty-two counties and 260,000 souls.

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Here is a "field white already for the harvest", demanding the zeal and energy of youthful laborers, together with the ma- tured wisdom and prudence of riper years and rich experi- ence. The record of the past affords strong encouragement for the future. As we look back, we thank God and take courage. In 1839 our receipts were but $29.00. During the next three years the average number of missionaries was 5. In 1843, there were 10. In 1844 and '45, there were each year 13; and during the last year 20 have been assisted, and the receipts have been $2,673.34. Yet, how inconsiderable are those contributions, will appear from the facts that they do not exceed fifty cents for each communicant in the Dio- cese.

The great want, however, is not funds, (for the Diocese has never refused what was asked) but men, faithful, laborious, heavenly minded ambassadors for God. And we cannot but believe there is a great want of faithful men, on the part of parents as well as of ministers in this matter. Were a more careful attention bestowed upon the young, were they trained up for God, and consecrated from their infancy to His ser- vice, we cannot but think that more would choose the minis- try for their profession, and we should see fewer instances of misdirected talents, and energies wasted in the trifles and follies of the world.

Contributions from four churches in West Virginia, $116.12. . Contingent Fund-Five Parishes paid $152. Eight Parishes were delinquent $239. Four Churches make no re- port.

The Committee on the State of the Church, say that as our civil authorities never call upon us to observe a day of yearly thanksgiving, there is reason to fear that it is to gen- erally neglected by the clergy of the Diocese.

Parochial Reports:

Trinity, Martinsburg; Mt. Zion, Hedgesville, and Calvary in the Baek Creck Valley-James Chisholm, Rector. Communi- cants 93; baptisms 23; confirmations 18. Contributions $55.

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Clarksburg and Weston-O. A. Kinsolving, Missionary. Communicants, 6 and 3 respectively; 2 communicants at Mor- gantown.

Trinity Parish, Wood-Thomas Smith. Rector. Communi- cants 32; confirmed 9; baptisms 16.

The building of the church is progressing; but its erection will be according to funds in hand. It is hoped it will be ready for consecration at the next Episcopal visit.

A very flourishing congregation has been organized in the upper part of the Parish, and another in the lower part, awaits the action of the Rector, whose health has forced him to delay the necessary proceedings towards a similar result. A Parish, it is hoped, and, with western promises of success, will soon be organized in Tyler county. The Sunday school still exists, though it is not in a flourishing state for the want of suitably qualified teachers.

In Jackson county, adjoining Wood, a Parish called St. James, has been organized. 1 has been confirmed; 7 infants baptized; 2 communicants have removed.

Trinity Church, Shepherdstown-Charles W. Andrews, Rec- tor. Communicants, 61; baptisms, 3; confirmed 23; contribu- tions $366.

Convention of 1847. Winchester, May 16.

Bishop Meade presiding. Five clergy from West Virginia present.

Lay Delegates:

Bushrod C. Washington, Zion Church, Charlestown; Rich- ard Henry Lee, Trinity Church, Shepherdstown; Edmund P. Hunter, Norborne Parish, Berkeley; Wm. G. Morgan, Christ Church, Mill Creek, Berkeley.

In his address, Bishop Meade says: "I visited (November, 1846) the congregations in Jefferson and Berkeley, beginning at Smithfield, where one was confirmed. Spending a day at Leetown; then two at Charlestown, where four white and three colored persons were confirmed; then two days at Shepherdstown, where two were confirmed; two at Martins-

IN WEST VIRGINIA. 111

burg, where four were confirmed; two at Hedgesville, con- firming one at Back Creek; where a new church was conse- crated; one at Bunker Hill, where two were confirmed. This was the last of my appointments, and brought me to the winter season."

The Bishop also said: "In the death of Mr. Thomas Smith, of Parkersburg, we have lost a fellow laborer who from his first entrance on the ministry, has been spending and being spent, in the service of the church. In his disposition and manners, he was kind and charitable, and thereby as well as by his active zeal, secured to himself warm friends in the places where he exercised his ministry."

The Diocesan Missionary Committee reported one mission- ary in Western Virginia, Rev. R. T. Brown, Jefferson county, at $200 per annum. They say: "In Eastern Virginia, there are many sections which require missionary aid; and the whole of Western Virginia is almost an uncultivated field. In all the region West of the Blue Ridge, containing a popu- lation of more than 500,000 souls, our Church has now but fifteen ministers; of these ten were confined to the valley, leaving but five west of the Allegheny mountains."

To the Diocesan Missionary Fund, two parishes contrib- uted $15.88. To the Contingent Fund, six parishes contrib- uted $398.77, of which $11.77 was for arrears. Seven Churches delinquent, $192.50.

Parochial Reports:

St. John's, Kanawha Court House, and St Lukes, Salines- Henry Dana Ward, Rector. communicants 36; baptisms 25; No. of families 20; Sunday School scholars 50; donations to Domestic Missions $15; to Foreign Missions $10; Virginia Educational Society $27.

Norborne Parish, Berkeley-James Chisholm, Rector. Com- municants 100; baptisms 19; confirmed 5; contributions $100. A church consecrated. (See Bishop Meade's address).

Norborne Parish, Berkeley, Christ Church, Mill Creek-Rich- ard T. Brown, Rector. communicants 18, (2 colored); bap- tisms 3; confirmed 2.

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A convenient house with an excellent garden attached to it, has been purchased by the people as a parsonage.

I officiate for the colored people every other afternoon.

Also in regard to Lectown, Jefferson County. This may be considered as a new point of labor, no Episcopal minister having officiated there since the removal of the Rev. Benja- min Allen, deceased. I found a few communicants, who now number about 12; there are several families who are pre- pared to unite with us, as soon as a congregation is organ- ized. A flourishing Sunday school has been organized, num- bering about forty scholars. We are pleased to state that the Sunday school of Christ Church, Baltimore, has present- ed us with a library.

St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson County, Zion Church-Alex- ander Jones, Rector. Communicants 91; baptisms 28, (of which colored 5); confirmed 4; contributions $574.15.

HIe has nothing otherwise of special interest to notice, ex- cept it be, a liberal and energetic effort on the part of his peo- ple, to enlarge and much improve their present church edifice. For this enterprise nearly $3,000 are already subscribed. He may also mention as a matter worthy of notice, that he has regular appointments for the colored population of his par- ish, and has always large, attentive, and interesting congre- gations of this too much neglected class of our people

St. John's and Christ Churches, Brooke County-James D. Goodwin, Rector. Communicants 49; baptisms 1.

After resigning the parish at Point Pleasant, Mason coun- ty, in May last, and supplying five weeks in Parkersburg, in the absence of the Rector of that Church, I came to this par- ish the 25th of June. One third of my time has been be- stowed upon a very thriving congregation in East Liverpool, Ohio county, made up, in part, of families residing in the extremest and most destitute corner of Brooke county.

Trinity Church, Shepherdstown-C W. Andrews, Rector. Communicants 60; baptisms 7; confirmed 2; contributions $3,441.23, of which $190 was contributed to the relief of Ire-

REV. SAMUEL D. THOMPKINS, 1848.

REV. CHARLES MCK. CALLAWAY, 1851.

REV. WILLIAM L. HYLAND, D. D., 1850.

OLD TRINITY, PARKERSBURG; CONSECRATED 1851.

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land: $2,800 for the purchase of a Rectory. The remainder has been given to the Education, Missionary and Bible So- cieties, and to the institutions of the Diocese.

Convention of 1848. Christ Church, Norfolk, May 17.

Bishop Meade presiding.

Present from Western Virginia: Rev. C. W. Andrews, Trinity Church, Shepherdstown; Rev. Wm. Armstrong, St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling; Rev. R. T. Brown, Norborne Parish, Berkeley, Middleway; Rev. James Chisholm. Nor- borne Parish, Martinsburg; Rev. Alex. Jones, D. D., St. Andrew's Parish, Charlestown; Rev. E. T. Perkins, Mission- ary, Parkersburg; Rev. F. M. Whittle, Kanawha Parish. Kanawha C. H.

Absent: Rev. James Goodwin, St. John's and Christ Churches, Brooke county; Rev. F. B. Nash, St. Mark's, Coals- mouth, Kanawha county; Rev. S. D. Tompkins, Missionary, Weston; Rev. H. D. Ward, Kanawha Parish, Kanawha Court House.

Lay Delegates: Edmund P. Hunter, Norborne, Berkeley; Andrew P. Woods, St. Matthew's, Wheeling; Tazewell Tay- lor, Trinity Church, Shepherdstown; Edward Colston, Zion Church, Jefferson.

Bishop Johns, in his address, says: "Immediately after the adjournment of the convention in Winchester, I returned to Richmond to make necessary preparations for visiting the churches on the Ohio and Kanawha rivers.

June 7th. Proceeded by the way of Cumberland and Brownsville to Pittsburg and, descending the Ohio reached Wellsburg on the evening of the ninth. June 10th. Preached in Christ Church, Wellsburg, morning and night, and con- firmed three persons. June 11th. Preached in St. John's, Brooke county, and confirmed two. The same evening ac- companied by the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, I proceeded to Wheel- ing. June 12th. Preached in St. Matthew's, Wheeling. June 13th. Preached in the same church morning and night and confirmed nineteen persons.

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June 14th. The Rev. Mr. Armstrong and myself took a boat at 9 p. m., and reached Parkersburg the next morning by seven. The church in this place has been vacant for some months, but the fruit of the untiring labors of its lamented Rector was not lost. I found the appropriate building, for the erection of which he exerted himself so zealously, very nearly finished ; and a spirit on the part of the people, which promised its early completion, as a becoming expression of their interest in the good cause to which it is to be dedicated, and an affecting monument of their minister, whose mortal remains are entombed at its entrance, within its tower. The congregation, which he had been instrumental in gathering, was neither dispersed nor diminished by his removal. The training which they had enjoyed, had attached them intelli- gently, to the church of their own choice, and they continued in the same doctrine and fellowship, worshipping together in a room fitted up for the purpose, and availing themselves of a Lay Reader, as provided for by the Canons. June 15th. I preached for this congregation. June 16th. Again morning and night. June 17th. In the morning I baptized two adults. The Rev. Dr. Brooke, of Cincinnati, who kindly joined us here, preached and I confirmed nine persons. In the after- noon the Rev. Mr. Armstrong baptized twelve infants. The same night I preached. For these services the Methodist Church was courteously lent to us. The three days passed at Parkersburg deepened my impression of its importance as a radiating point for missionary operations, and as an eligi- ble location for an institution of learning similar to our High School near Alexandria. The two schemes might well be com- bined for the present, and if suitable men could be found for conducting the enterprise, I have the assurance that other means may be commanded. Since my visit the congregation has secured the services of the Rev. Mr. Perkins, of the last class of our Diocesan Seminary, and I will trust, by the bless- ing of God upon his ministrations, the way will be more fully prepared for the plan to which I have alluded.

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June 18th. Was occupied in passing to Point Pleasant, where we were met by the Rev. Mr. Nash. June 19th. I preached at Point Pleasant, and in the afternoon rode to the vicinity of the church at Mercer's Bottom. June 20th I preached in Bruce Chapel; returned the same after- noon .o Point Pleasant, and at night baptized two in- fants and preached.

These two missionary stations within 8 miles of each other, have for some time been without a minister. The peo- ple at both points expressed a solicitude to be supplied. We have not been able to gratify their desire. Could a faithful laborer be procured for this field, I doubt not he would find it susceptible of very encouraging improvement; meanwhile we must hope that the occasional services, which the minis- ters of Kanawha and Wood counties, may be able to render, will at least keep alive the interest, until a suitable mission- ary be obtained. June 21st. Accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Nash, I rode 21 miles up the East bank of the Kanawha to Buffalo, and preached there in the afternoon. Although the members of our church here are few, they hope not to be neg- lected, and think that in the community around them, there exists a favorable feeling in reference to our services, which should not be overlooked.

June 23rd. I preached in Teays Valley, and confirmed three persons. The building in which these services were con- ducted was once a still house. It is now answering a better purpose. The congregation assembled here have become so numerous as to be encouraged in undertaking to provide for themselves a commodious edifice. The beautiful site selected was pointed out to me, and I trust on the next Episcopal visitation, a church will be there ready for consecration.

June 24th. At Coalsmouth, I consecrated St. Mark's church. The sentence and service was read by the Rector, the Rev. Mr. Nash. I preached and confirmed two persons. The Rev. Mr. Armstrong, who, much to my gratification, accompanied me from Wheeling, was present, but was prevented by in- disposition from taking part in the Offices.

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St. Mark's Church is of brick, built after a good model, and is not only convenient for the services of religion, but attractive to the traveller's eye, in passing that portion of the rich and beautiful valley of the Kanawha.

June 25th. I preached in St. John's, Charleston. June 26th. I preached in St. Luke's, Salines. June 27th. In the morning, I preached in St. John's, Charleston, and confirmed eight; at night, I preached again in the same church.

This congregation and that at the Salines, are now vacant, by the resignation of their esteemed rector, the Rev. H. D. Ward. The Rev. Mr. Nash, under these circumstances, has kindly officiated for them in the services preparatory to con- firmation, and in this, and other ways, contributed much to promote the objects of my visit. These congregations, as stated in the official report, have since obtained the services of the Rev. Mr. Whittle, of the last class of our Diocesan Seminary, and the prospects of the church in that region were never more promising.

June 28th. I left Charleston at an early hour, in the stage, to cross the mountains to Staunton, the place of my next ap- pointment, and after riding with scarcely an interval, until 9 o'clock of the night of the next day, I reached the White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier county. The services in which I had been engaged, the heat of the previous day, and the . fatigue of the tedious ride, so affected my system, that I retired to my room with little hope of being able to reach Staunton in time to meet my appointments. The next day I was incapable of travelling, but by a second night's rest, I became sufficiently recruited to resume my journey.

August 1st. At the White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier county, the Bishop of Tennessee read prayers and I preached morning and night. August 8th. At the same place I read prayers and the Bishop of Tennessee preached.

August 15th. In the morning I preached at Union, Monroe county, in the Baptist church, which was kindly lent to us. At night I preached at the Salt Sulphur Springs. August

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16th. At the residence of Mr. Alexander, in Union, I confirm- ed one person and baptized an infant. August 22nd. I preach- ed at the Sweet Springs."

The Diocesan Missionary Committee reported two mis- sionaries. Rev. R. T. Brown, Jefferson county, $187.50, and Rev. E. T. Perkins, Parkersburg, $75. Five churches contrib- uted $130.15. To contingent fund, eleven churches contrib- uted $324.50. Three churches made no report. Three were delinquent.

Parochial Reports:

Christ Church, Norborne Parish, Berkeley-Richard T. Brown, Rector, and Missionary at Middleway and Leetown. Communicants 35; baptisms 18; number of families 22; con- tributed to diocesan missions $5; to the Theological Semi- nary, $38,33.

The new church at Leetown is under contract, and will be ready for consecration in October.

Vorborne Parish, Berkeley-JJanies Chisholm, Rector. Com- municants 90; baptisms 25 (of these colored 7). Con- tributions to foreign missions $65; Theological Seminary of Virginia $165.00.

St. John's Church, Charleston, and St. Luke's Salines, Ka- marha County-Francis M. Whittle, Rector. Communicants 44 (of which 1 is colored); baptisms 8; confirmed 8; number of families 36; adults 100; infants 50. Contributions $80.59.

St. Mark's Church, Coalsmouth-F. B. Nash, Rector. Fam- ilies 14; attendants on publie worship 100; communicants 20; baptisms, 9; confirmations 2.

St. John's Church, Teays' Valley-F. B. Nash, Rector. Fami- lies 6; attendants at public worship 61; communicants 9; baptisms 2; confirmed 3.

St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling-Wm. Armstrong, Rector. Baptisms 19; communicants 125.

Trinity Parish, Wood-E. T. Perkins, Rector. Communi cants 32; baptisms 21; confirmed 9; number of families 22; adults 62; infants 57. Contributions $30.

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I have also visited Clarksburg, and found there 6 com- municants; baptized 2 infants and collected $2.00 for the contingent fund. In visiting Weston, found 6 communicants and received $2.00 from Mrs. Tavenner, for the contingent fund, one of which pays the back dues of last year.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 10

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