A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 11

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Trinity Church, Shepherdstown-C. W. Andrews, Rector. Communicants 61; baptisms 2; number of families 38 contri- butions $300.

Zion Church, Jefferson-Alex. Jones, Rector. Communi- cants 84 (of which 4 colored); baptisms 17; number of fam- ilies 80. Amount collected for different institutions con- nected with the church $250; for the Seminary $720, which after the pressure of building a new church is relieved, will be increased, it is hoped to at least one thousand.

Trinity Church, Martinsburg, was admitted into union with the Convention.

Convention of 1849. Charlottesville, May 16.

Bishop Meade presided.

Four West Virginia clergy present. No lay delegate.

Bishop Meade in his address says: "In the month of Sep- tember I visited the Western part of Virginia, and on my way consecrated the new church at Charlestown, Jefferson county, where I confirmed two persons. In the providence of God, that excellent structure was soon after consumed by fire, though it is gratifying to know that it will be re- placed by another. At Wheeling. nine persons were con- firmed; at Parkersburg and the vicinity, eight. The new church at that place was not ready for consecration, but the Rev. Mr. Perkins was admitted to Priest's orders. On my way to Kanawha, I visited the congregation at Mer- cer's Bottom, on the Ohio river, and at Buffalo. In each of which, one was confirmed. I spent two days in the con- gregations at Coalsmouth and vicinity, and three at Charles- ton, and the Salines. At Charleston, six were confirmed, and the Rev. Mr. Whittle admitted to Priest's orders.

Bishop Johns in his address says: "July 29th. In the new

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church at Charlestown, though not yet sufficiently finished for consecration, I preached and confirmed three. The loss experienced by this congregation in the destruction of their beautiful building by fire, a short time after its dedication, is well known to the Diocese, and must have awakened that Christian sympathy which will express itself by liberal aid in the effort now making to erect another church.

July 30th. I preached in Trinity Church, Shepherdstown, and confirmed four. July 31st. In the morning I preached in Trinity Church, Martinsburg, and also at night, confirming three.

August 1st. I preached in Mt. Zion Church, Hedgesville. August 2nd. In Calvary Church, a very neat log building, at Back Creek, I preached and confirmed one, and the same evening crossed the North Mountain to the vicinity of my next appointment. August 3rd. I preached in the church at Bunker Hill and confirmed one. August 4th. I preached at Smithfield, thus completing my engagements in that section of the Diocese."

The convention of 1848, had determined to meet in St. Matthew's, Wheeling, in 1849, but the place of meeting was changed to Charlottesville. On Friday, May 18th, the third day of the present session. The Assistant Bishop laid before the convention resolutions of the vestry of St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling, expressive of the acquiescence of that body in the decision of the Bishop with respect of changing the place of meeting of the convention, and of its hope and confidence that the next session of the convention may be held in that city.

The Diocesan Missionary Society reports $250 appropria- ted to three missionaries in West Virginia, and $30 contrib- uted from two churches. To the contingent fund three churches paid $186.00. Four are reported $194, delinquent. Five churches failed to report.

Parochial Reports:

St. John's and St. Luke's Churches, Kanawha Parish,

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Kanawha County-F. M. Whittle, Rector. Communicants 41; baptisms 18 (of which colored S infants,) confirmed 4; num- ber of families 36; adults 100, infants 50; contribution $125.

In addition to my ministrations in the above churches, the Rev. Mr. Nash and myself have held services, the last Sunday in every month, in Mason county, in the morning at Bruce Chapel, Mercer's Bottom, and in the afternoon at Point Pleasant. These places are sadly in need of a missionary. At Bruce Chapel there has been 1 infant baptism; 1 confirma- tion, and 1 funeral; number of communicants 8. At Point Pleasant, communicants 3.

Norborne Parish, Mt. Zion und Calrary Churches, Berkeley County-James Chisholm, Rector. Communicants 60; bap- tisms 3; confirmed 1.

St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling-Wm. Armstrong, Rector. Communicants 127 (3 colored); baptisms 18

St. Mark's Church, Kanawha County-F. B. Nash, Rector. Communicants 20; baptisms 1; confirmed 2; number of fam- ilies 17; adults 75.

St. John's Church, Teays' Valley, Putnam County-F. B. Nash, Rector. Communicants 9; families 10.

At Buffalo and Red House, Putnam county, there are no regularly organized churches, but there are communicants at the two places, and there has been one confirmation.

Trinity Church, Wood County-E. T. Perkins, Rector. Com- municants 33; baptisms 8; confirmed 8; families 35; adults 73, infants 70; contributions $48.00.

Trinity Church, Martinsburg-James Chisholm Rector. Communicants 28; baptisms 6; confirmed 4; contributions $50.00.

Trinity Church, Shepherdstown-C. W. Andrews, Rector. Communicants 60; baptisms 8; contributions $300.00.

Zion Church, Charlestourn-Alex. JJones, Rector. Commu- nieants 74; baptisms 14; confirmed 3; families 70; contribu- tions $230.00.

Rev. Samuel D. Tompkins (missionary) Rector of Episco-

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pal congregations in Harrison and Lewis counties, reports: I have received by subscription about $900 to build a church in the town of Weston.

Convention of 1850. St. Paul's Church, Alexandria, May 15.

Bishop Meade presiding.

West Virginia clergy present: Rev. C. W. Andrews, Trin- ity Church. Shepherdstown; Rev. William Armstrong, St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling; Rev. R. T. Brown, Kanawha Parish, Charleston; Rev. W. L. Hyland, Christ Church, Wells- burg: Trinity Parish, Marshall county; Rev. Wm. N. Irish, St. Thomas', Frederick county; St. John's, Harpers Ferry.

West Virginia clergy absent: Rev. James Goodwin, St. John's Church, Wellsburg; Rev. John C. MeCabe, St. John's Church, Wheeling; Rev. F. B. Nash, St. Mark's, Coalsmouth; St. Paul's Parish, Putnam county; Rev. E. T. Perkins, Trinity Parish, Parkersburg: Rev. S. D. Tompkins, St. Paul's Church, Weston.

Lay Delegates: Mr. E. P. Hunter, Trinity Church, Mar- tinsburg; Mr. Chas. F. Butler, Trinity Church, Shepherds- town; Mr. Bushrod C. Washington, Zion Church, Charles- town; Mr. Joseph H. Russell, St. John's Church, Harper's Ferry.

Bishop Meade in his address says:

"November 5th. I confirmed two persons in Smithfield, where efforts are making to build a church. On the following day I consecrated at Leetown, a new and handsome church by the name of St. Bartholomew's, which was built almost en- tirely with funds furnished by the Rev. Dr. Balch, of New York, and contributed by himself and other generous friends of that place. From thence I proceeded to Shepherdstown, where three were confirmed. Thence to Harper's Ferry, where seven were confirmed. At that place a church is in the process of erection. At Martinsburg one was confirmed. At Hedges Chapel nine; at Back Creek one; Bunker's Hill, one. At this place preparations are making for a new church. Churches received into union with the Convention: St.

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John's Church, Harper's Ferry; Trinity Parish, Marshall county; St. Paul's Parish, Winfield, Putnam county; St. John's Parish, Wheeling.

The Diocesan Missionary Society reports the following missionaries: Rev. R. T. Brown $125; Rev. Jas. D. McCabe $150; Rev. E. T. Perkins, $150; Rev. S. D. Tompkins $100; Rev. F. B. Nash $100; Rev. W. L. Hyland $100.

Five churches contributed $54.73.

Total contingent fund, $4,619.17, of which seven West Vir- ginia churches paid $284. Eight churches delinquent $110. Three churches made no report.

Parochial Reports:

Trinity Church, Martinsburg-James Chisholm, Rector. Communicants 30; baptisms 4; confirmed 1; number of fam- ilies 20; adults 60, infants 41; $50 to foreign missions. Dur- ing the last year a commodious parsonage has been provided by the exertions of the ladies of the congregation, aided in an important degree by the liberality of a gentleman belong- ing to Mt. Zion Church.

Mt. Zion Church, Hedgesville-James Chisholm, Rector. Communicants 65; baptisms 10; confirmed 10; number of families 35; adults 100; infants 50; contributions $44.

Christ Church, Norborne Parish, and Leetown and Middle- way-Richard T. Brown, Rector. Communicants 35; bap- tisms 13; confirmed 3; number of families 22; adults 50; in- fants 48; contributions $38.

Christ Church, Parish, Wellsburg-Wm. L. Hyland, Deacon. When the undersigned took charge of this Parish in Oc- tober, 1849, he found 15 communicants, enrolled on the Reg- ister, left by Rev. J. H. Harrison. Present number 14. A resident minister is much needed in this parish.

Wickliffe Parish-The Rector, the Rev. Joshua Peterkin, reports that he extends his labors, whenever practicable, to Kabletown in Jefferson county, at which place he has a large and attentive congregation, though no church has yet been organized there.

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Zion Church, St. Andrew's Parish, Charlestown-Rectorship vacant. (Rev. D. A. Tyng has accepted a call to this church.) Communicants 75; baptisms 21; number of families 80; con- tributions $150.

Trinity Church, Shepherdstown-C. W. Andrews, Rector. Communicants 60; baptisms 5; confirmed 3; number of families 40; contributions about $250.

St. John's Church, Harper's Ferry-Wm. N. Irish, Rector. Communicants 12; baptisms 10; confirmed 7; contributions $17.03. This parish was organized in March, 1849, and sup- plied by the members of the convocation of the Valley of Vir- ginia, until the first of August last, at which time the pres- ent incumbent was called to the Rectorship. The founda- tion for a church has been laid, and arrangements are now in progress for the early completion of the building.

We have an interesting Sunday school of about fifty chil- dren, who are regularly catechised by the Rector, and under the instruction of a Superintendent and several teachers.

St. Mark's Church, Coalsmouth-F. B. Nash, Rector. Com- municants 14; baptisms 2; contributions $7 for the Episcopal fund.

St. Paul's Church, Weston-S. D. Tompkins, Rector. Com- municants 22; baptisms 1; number of families 16; adults 20; infants 50.

I have collected nothing, except about $350, to aid in the completion of our church here, and this amount was collected abroad.

I preached in Clarksburg, Harrison county, and in Buck- hannon in this county. Our church is finished except plaster- ing, pulpit and seats. We hope to have it ready for conse- cration during the summer.

Trinity Parish, Marshall County-Wm. L. Hyland, Deacon. This parish was duly organized on Easter Monday, 1850, and will apply to be received into union with the Diocese at this Convention. There are at present 10 communicants on the register; baptisms 2.

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St. Paul's Parish, Winfield, Putnam County-F. B. Nash, Rector. Communicants 11.

St. John's Church-Communicants 8; baptisms 1.

St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling-Wm. Armstrong, Rector. Since the last Convention, that portion of St. Matthew's Parish, south of Wheeling Creek, has been formed into a sep- arate parish, and will ask of this Convention to be so received and acknowledged. In this new parish a church building has been erected, and the services of an efficient pastor are now being enjoyed. In presenting this evidence to the convention, of the extension of our Zion in this portion of the Diocese, the rector of St. Matthew's cannot refrain from an expres- sion of thankfulness to Almighty God for what has thus been accomplished, and invoking His divine blessing upon this in- fant parish, and upon him to whose charge it has been com- mitted.

The parish of St. Matthew's has suffered no detriment by this arrangement. The seats vacated by individuals residing within the limits of the new parish have been occupied by others. The rector deems it incumbent upon him to say, that the secular affairs of the parish were never in so good a con- dition, and that no minister could desire better or more sat- isfactory evidence of the confidence and affection of his peo- ple, than that of which he himself has been, and still con- tinues to be the recipient.

Communicants transferred to St. John's, 35; present num- ber, white 86, colored 3, total 89; baptisms 15.

St. John's Charch, South Wheeling-James D. MeCabe, Rec- tor. Communicants 33; baptisms 3; number of families 19; adults 48; infants 40. Contributions: For Grove Creek Mis- sion $35.

Trinity Purish, Parkersburg-E. T. Perkins, Rector. Com- municants 36; baptisms 4: number of families 34; adults 66; infants 63; contributions $51.95. We have just completed a handsome church edifice in Parkersburg, and have another nearly completed, sixteen miles below this, on the Ohio river,

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where I occasionally preach, and we are commencing a third twenty miles above this, where I officiate once a month.

Convention of 1851. Staunton, May 21.

Bishop Meade presiding.

One hundred and eighteen clergy in Virginia, of which 12 in West Virginia, of these 5 present and 3 lay delegates.

New Names: Rev. G. McK. Callaway, Smithfield, Jefferson county; Rev. Horace Stringfellow, Jr., St. John's Church, Harper's Ferry; Rev. D. Francis Sprigg, Martinsburg; Rev. Dudley A. Tyng, Zion Church, Charlestown.

Bishop Johns, in his address says:

"August 4th. On my way to visit several places in the in- terior, west of the mountains, I preached, both morning and night in Trinity Church, Staunton. 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, I was oc- cupied in crossing the mountains to Lewis county. 9th near Buckhannon in an old building by the wayside, I preached and confirmed two. 10th. At Weston I preached in the morn- ing, and at night again addressed the congregation. 11th in the same place, I preached; united in the administration of the Communion, and confirmed seven. The new church in this place, although not sufficiently advanced for consecration, was furnished with temporary seats and accommodated a large congregation. Our services in this vicinity are, com- paratively, of recent introduction. Judging from what I have seen they seem to be favorably received. More has already been effected than was anticipated. Our worthy brother, who labors there at a distance from all clerical association, is entitled to aid in meeting the expenses incurred in erect- ing this building. Just at this time a little help will greatly lighten his work, and, under God's blessing secure the per- manent establishment of the church in one of the most inter- esting regions of Western Virginia.

12th. I rode twenty-three miles to Clarksburg, and preach- ed in the Methodist Church to a large congregation. 13th. This day was occupied in reaching Fairmont, where I preached at night in the Presbyterian church. In this vicin .

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ity I found several families attached to our church, and very solicitous to enjoy its stated services.

14th. After a rough ride of five and twenty miles, I reached Morgantown, where I remained several days, and preached on the 16th at night, and on the 18th, both morning and night, in the Methodist church, which was kindly loaned us for our services. Our members here are not numerous but they are firm and faithful. A single man suited to the place, able and willing to do diligently the work of an Evangelist, would be kindly received and cared for there, and would soon be in a suitable church of his own. At present our friends there are joint-owners with another denomination of a very good brick building, but as our partners had made their appoint- ments for the very day on which our services were to take place, we, as I have stated, were generously accommodated elsewhere. These ecclesiastical firms, wherever tried, have, by all parties been found inconvenient and I am gratified to know that as soon as our people in Morgantown can secure a minister for themselves, a different arrangement will be made.

I cannot leave the noble country through which for the last fortnight I have been itinerating, without claiming for it your special consideration as a field for missionary opera- tions. The unsurpassed grandeur of its mountains, the fer- tility of its beautiful valleys, its rich and inexhaustible min- eral treasures, its rapidly increasing and industrious occu- pants, indicate infallibly, its distinguished destiny. Those internal improvements now in progress, connecting it with our principle maritime cities, and opening to it an adequate market, must vastly augment its productions, and by dis- closing its peculiar advantages to the view of enterprising settlers, cover it with an active and prosperous population. These quickening influences are already strongly stirring there. They are seen and felt at every turn, even by the transient traveller. The accumulating results, like other mod- ern developments, will surprise the most sanguine. To the

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operations of such potent agencies we have not been accus- tomed. Our stereotyped habits have rendered us slow to conceive and court such advancement. But unless the signs of the times are strangely deceptive, our day for this progress is at hand-what other States have experienced, we are to see largely manifested in our Western region-and it is for us as an important branch of the Christian church, to dis- cern the dawn and prepare to do our responsible part in the eventful work of the opening day. As that interesting portion of this extensive commonwealth wakes into full ac- tivity, it is ours to see that due preparation be made to meet its spiritual wants. Before it teems with new population, our preachers should be there with all the plastic powers of revealed truth, and all the appointed appliances of divine grace, that the social system, as it organizes there, may take the form, attain the symmetry, and become instinct with the spirit of the Gospel. In aiding the accomplishment of this object, we shall best discharge our bounden duty, and most happily provide for our peace and prosperity.

On the adjournment of the General Convention (Cincin- nati) I proceeded to visit the churches on the Ohio. The low stage of water at the time, deprived us of the usual mode of conveyance, and we travelled by land through the interior of the State to Wheeling.

October 20th. In St. John's Church, South Wheeling, after a sermon by Bishop Burgess, I confirmed twenty-two, and at night, I preached in the same church. 22nd. At Moundsville, a missionary station, at which the Rev. Mr. Hyland officiates, I preached and confirmed eight. 23rd. Accompanied by the Rev. J. D. McCabe, I left Wheeling and descended the river to a missionary station at Cow Creek. 24th. I preached in a small log house on the river bank, and after the services we rode twenty six miles to Parkersburg. The constant rain during the next day interfered with our proposed services at Bellvue, another missionary station under the care of the Rev. Mr. Perkins, and where there is a church ready for con-

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secration. 27th. I consecrated Trinity Church, Parkersburg. The sentence of consecration was read by the Rector, and the service by the Rev. J. D. MeCabe; sermon by myself. The Church commenced by the late Rev. T. Smith, whose tomb is in the tower, is an appropriate monument of zeal and faith in the good cause, to which, and all he had were so honestly devoted. The building is Gothic, and furnished in good taste. I trust its completion will give a new impulse to the congre- gation and be followed by the adding to the church many `such as shall be saved. On this occasion I confirmed three persons.

28th and 29th, we were occupied in returning to Wheeling. 30th. I went to Wellsburg and preached there at night. 31st. 1 consecrated St. John's Church, Brooke county. The sen- tence of consecration and service were read by the Rev. Mr. Hyland. Sermon by myself. This neat brick church is a sub- stitute for a decayed frame building. The congregation, as well as the one at Wellsburg, are at present under the care of the Rev. Mr. Hyland, who also officiates at Moundsville, below Wheeling. November 1st. I consecrated St. John's Church, South Wheeling; the sentence of consecration was read by the Rector; morning service by the Rev. Mr. Arm- strong; sermon by myself. This church was to have been consecrated the week previous, on my first visit, but the scaffolding at the entrance for the purpose of finishing the tower, could not then be removed, and the service was post- poned. The congregation, of St. John's has been collected and organized and their church erected, within a few months. Appearances indicate that this is only an initiatory move- · ment and a temporary habitation, for although the building just completed is very creditable to the young congregation, its rapid growth has already led to the securing of another lot, with a view in due time to a larger and more permanent edifice. At night in the same church I confirmed eight, one of whom was from the missionary station at Cow Creek.

Brd. In St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling, I admitted the

REV. D. FRANCIS SPRIGG, D. D., 1850.

REV. WILLIAM D. HANSON, 1851 ..

REV. JAMES J. PAGE, 1853.

REV. DUDLEY A. TYNG, 1851.

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Rev. Wm. L. Hyland to Priest's orders. The service was read by the Rev. Mr. Tompkins, the candidate was presented by the Rev. J. D. McCabe; sermon by the Rev. Mr. Armstrong. At night, in the same church, I preached and confirmed forty- eight, one of whom was from St. John's. This large acces- sion to St. Matthew's was particularly gratifying to me, as an evidence of the continued blessing of God on the services of an early and devoted friend, with whom, at the commence- ment of our ministry, I had labored, side by side, in adja- cent parishes in the Diocese of Maryland, and whom, or this my third visit, I was glad to meet and greet in the midst of his unabated usefulness. Moreover, in the encouraging in- crease of St. Matthew's, it was highly satisfactory to find that its prosperity, instead of being arrested by the seces- sion necessary in the formation of a new congregation, is still on the advance; that the separation of the promising scion had but promoted the growth and fertility of the parent stock.

On application of a number of citizens of New Martinsville, Wetzel county, Wetzel Parish was admitted into union with the Convention, (bounded by the limits of the county).

The Diocesan Missionary Society reported 19 missionaries on its list at a cost of $2,254.17; of these 5 were in West Virginia.

Fourteen churches contributed $420 to contingent fund. Twelve churches reported delinquent $163.50.

Parochial Reports:

Trinity Church, Martinsburg- Rev. D. Francis Sprigg, Rec- tor. Communicants 39; baptisms 9; contributions $84.

This report as well as that from Norborne Parish (Hedges- ville) includes the official acts of my esteemed predecessor, Rev. James Chisholm. Not only so, but he labored for some eight years diligently and faithfully. I have only entered into his labors, and reaped what he had sown. May both of us re- joice together.

Vorbonne Parish, Mt. Zion Church-Rev. D. F. Sprigg. Rec-

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tor. Communicants 66; baptisms 18; contributions $68.60.

Christ Church, Norborne Parish and Lectown and Middleway, Jefferson County-Rev. C. McK. Callaway, Rector. Communi- cants 34; baptisms 2; contributions $38.00.

Christ Church, Wellsburg -- Rev. Wmn. L. Hyland, Rector. Communicants 14; baptisms 1; contributions $8.97.

St. John's Parish-Rev. W. L. Hyland, Rector. Communi- cants reported by Rev. J. H. Harrison in 1844, 35; present number 41; baptisms since 1844, 19; confirmations 7 (1850); contributions $7.223.

The neat and substantial church edifice (St. John's) recent- ly erected in this parish, was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God, at the last visitation of Bishop Johns. Oct. 31st, 1849). (A substitute for a decaved frame building).

It may be proper to remark, that the undersigned took charge of this parish by request of the convocation of North- western Virginia, and the vestry of the Parish, until the ser- vices of a Rector can be secured for the same, together with the Parish of Christ Church, Wellsburg. He earnestly hopes that such an arrangement may soon be made, as he feels con- fident that in no other way can the cause of Christ and His Church be so speedily and thoroughly promoted.

Wickliffe Parish, Cherry Hill P. O .- Rev. Joshua Peterkin, reports the missionary station at Kabletown, Jefferson coun- ty, as regularly supplied, with the assistance of Rev. William D. Hanson, on alternate Sundays.

Zion Church, Charlestown-Rev. Dudley A. Tyng, Rector. Communicants 92; baptisms 11; Sunday school teachers 12; scholars 87; contributions to Foreign Missions, $82.02; Do- mestic missions $27; Education Society $7; Bible Society $3.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 11

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