A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 14

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From Bishop Johns' address: "April 17th. I left home to visit the Western section of the Diocese. 20th. I consecrated Christ Church, Clarksburg. Sentence of consecration by the Rev. R. A. Castleman, morning service, by the Rev. Mr. Per- kins, sermon by myself. I preached also in the evening This handsome church has been erected by the indefatigable ef- forts of the rector, who has the satisfaction of knowing that

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it is held by the vestry without the slightest pecuniary en- barrassment.

21st. We proceeded in the face of a snow storm twenty- three miles to Weston, where I preached at night, and though the ground was covered several inches and the snow still fall- ing, I was met by a large congregation. Three persons were confirmed, one of whom had come thirty, and another, a lady, sixteen miles to enjoy this spiritual privilege. 22nd. In the morning I baptized an infant in Weston. 23d. I preached at Fairmont and confirmed two. 24th. At Wheeling I examined T. H. Smith, a candidate for Deacon's orders, in which exam- ination I was aided by the Rev. Messrs. Perkins and R. A. Castleman. 25th. I preached at Wellsburg. 26th. I preached at St. John's Brooke County, and in the evening baptized an infant at Wellsburg. Both of these congregations are suf- fering for want of a minister. The church at Wellsburg much reduced by removals and deaths, must, unless soon provided for, become extinct. 27th. In St. John's, Wheeling, I admit- ted Mr. T. H. Smith to Deacon's orders. Morning service by Rev. Geo. K. Warner, candidate presented by the Rev. Mr. Perkins, sermon by myself. It is expected that the Rev. Mr. Smith will settle in Weston, and relieve the Rev. R. A. Cas- tleman of a part of his too extended field of labor. At night I preached in St. Matthew's Church, and confirmed eighteen.

30th. I preached in Moundsville and confirmed eight. At night I preached in St. John's, Wheeling, and confirmed six. The Rev. Mr. Warner, acting as rector of the church, has been officiating there but a few weeks. 30th. I preached at Cow Creek. May 1st. I preached at Parkersburg and con- firmed one. May 2d. I preached at Ravenswood and confirm- ed four. 3d. I preached at Point Pleasant. 4th. At Bruce Chapel, Mercer's Bottom. 5th. I preached at Buffalo. The last three places are missionary stations, and greatly need the services of a faithful minister. At Charleston, Kanawha, and the vicinity, though suffering from a severe cold and sore throat, I was enabled to perform the following services:

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In St. John's Church, I preached on the 9th, at night. 10th. Morning and night. 11th. In the morning and confirmed nine. In the afternoon I rode to the Salines, preached and con- firmed four. This service was conducted in the Methodist church, kindly loaned us. our own having, during the last year, fallen down, in consequence of its defective foundation. With commendable promptness, another building has been commenced on another site; and judging from its appearance as far as it has progressed, it promises to be substantial and commodious. I very much regret that I was prevented by indisposition from visiting the church at Coalsmouth, still without a rector. The Rev. Messrs. Smith and Tompkins of- ficiated there for me, and from their report, as well as from conversation with one of the vestry, whom I saw in Charles- ton, I learned the deep concern of the people on account of their lamentable destitution, and their anxiety to be supplied. In this beautiful portion of the Valley of the Kanawha, there is no preaching of any kind. The condition of this con- gregation, and the fact that near to it are extensive mining establishments, with numerous operatives, and their fami- lies, who prefer the services of our church, and have often and earnestly applied for them, render this region one of peculiar interest, as a field for missionary enterprise.

May 12. Accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Tompkins I left Charleston at daybreak in the stage, and at 5 p. m., reached Guyandotte. Here I had no appointment, but I brought with me a letter to the only resident, presumed to be connected with our church, that if practicable we might have services there at night, but it was concluded that we had arrived too late to circulate the notice, and the design was abandoned. Our next object was to secure the first packet which should pass up the river. The gentleman at the wharfboat, who an- swered our enquiries, proved to be a communicant of the church, originally from Ohio, but for several years in business in Guyandotte, during all which time he had been deprived of the services he loved, except at long intervals when away

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from home. He had noticed the series of appointments along the Kanawha Valley, and proposed joining us there, but found it out of his power, and now, conjecturing who we were, he followed us with the inquiry. On learning that his conjecture was correct, and that we had wished to hold a service there that night, but that it had been deemed too late to give the necessary notice, he and a Methodist gentleman standing near, volunteered to make the experiment, and do all they could to collect a congregation. They, uniting with the friend to whom I had brought the letter of introduction, and being materially aided by a highly respectable and in- fluential gentleman, who with his family were attached to the church, the arrangements were soon made, and at the usual hour I had the satisfaction of preaching to a large au- dience, assembled in the Methodist church. The next morn- ing before breakfast I baptized an infant, Henry Livingston Webb, of the family already alluded to. While I was in Guy- andotte, I was brought into communication with a company of intelligent and enterprising gentlemen from the State of New York, who were about closing the purchase of a tract of twenty thousand acres of land in the vicinity, for the pur- pose of establishing a large agricultural settlement. With two exceptions they were Episcopalians, and all expressed great interest to have our services brought within their reach. I cannot but hope that this visit may soon lead to the establishment of a missionary in that part of Cabell county.

A tour of about 1,500 miles accomplished without hurt or serious hindrance, furnishes abundant cause for thankful- ness. The impression produced in this visitation. by all I saw and heard, served but to deepen my conviction of the greatness of the work to be done in that very interesting but comparatively, very destitute portion of the Diocese. and to he essaved speedily, if we would avail ourselves of the ad- vantages which now invite us to prompt and energetic action. I do not mean to intimate that it would be without trials and

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discouragements. These, more or less, are inseparable from the work, wherever commenced, and in our west, difficulties of a peculiar kind may be encountered at the outset. But, then, there are the people pleading for the presence and ser- vice of the Christian ministry, with an appeal as distinct and intelligible, as the call that fell on the ear of the Apostle at Troas. And who will go "over and help them?" The cry of AAfrica is heard, the distant call of China is heard, there is scarcely a heathen people, the recital of whose necessities does not find a sympathetic cord in the bosom of some of those who are commissioned to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, and this is as it should be. But shall our our own people be unheard or unheeded? Unheard they shall not be, for I am commissioned to state their wants, and urge their claims, and could I execute that commission with an ability at all equal to the interest I feel, or could I vivid- ly represent the scenes through which my recent visitation has carried me. I am persuaded some would be ready to re- spond. "here we are, send us." I know the demand for min- 'sterial service, and doubt not that the poverty of the supply is, in part, the cause of the continued destitution to which I allude, and so I have explained it to those who have com- plained to me, as if no one cared for their souls. yet I cannot but think that if the present state of the border, and some of the interior counties was rightly apprehended, they would command a larger proportion of our clerical force, than they have yet been privileged to receive.

Means for their reasonable suport will not be wanting. The people themselves are prepared to furnish part, and there is, I am confident, a heart in this Diocese to provide what may be further needed. What we need is the men humble, earnest, active men, who are ready to endure hard- ships for Christs sake, and the gospel's. For want of such the work stands. Let us then with increasing earnest- ness and importunity, pray that the Lord will "send forth more laborers into his harvest."

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The Dioocesan Missionary Society, reported out of a total appropriation of $1,914.10 that $550.00 was to three mission- aries in West Virginia. For this fund $20 from one church in West Virginia, (St. John's Wheeling). The treasurer re- ports 16 churches in West Virginia as paying to the contin- gent fund $419.01, of which $252.01 was for arrearages. For years 1854-55 and '56. 27 churches are delinquent or make no report.

Parochial Reports :

Norborne Parish, Mt. Zion Church-Rev. Richard T. Davis, Rector. Communicants 53; baptisms 2; confirmed 2; families 28. Contributions, Missions, domestic $2.75, foreign $7.58, general $28.13.

Vorborne Parish, Trinity Church-Rev. Richard T. Davis Rector. Communicants 44; baptisms 2; confirmed 2; fami- lies 22. Contributions, Missions, foreign $26.37, domestic $5.00, general $135.23.

Bethel Parish, Christ Church, Clarksburg-Rev. R. A. Cas- tleman, Rector. Communicants 18; baptisms 15; confirmed 2; Sunday Schools 2; teachers 15; scholars 90; families 25. Contributions, $380.00.

The above report embraces the number of communicants, baptisms, contributions &c., in Fairmont, which has not been formed into a regular parish. Number of communi- cants in Bethel Parish, Clarksburg 22.

Ravenswood Parish, Grace Church-Rev. Samuel D. Tomp- kins, Rector. Communicants 17; baptisms 3; confirmed 4; Sunday School teachers 7; scholars 30; families 9; Commun- ion alms $25; raised by subscriptions to build a church in Ripley, the county seat of Jackson, $700.

St. Andreu's Parish, Trinity Church Jefferson county-Rev. C. W. Andrews, Rector. Communicants 55; baptisms 12; Sunday School teachers 7; scholars 40; contributions $200.

Few parishes in the diocese have lost more by removals every year. Here, as in many other of our Virginia parishes, the results of our work. if truly reported, would appear in

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the reports of western parishes. A very finely constructed and beautiful stone church has been put under roof during the past year.

Grace Church, Smithfield, St. Bartholomew's Church, Leetown, Jefferson county and Christ Church, Berkeley county-Rev. Juli- us E. Grammer, Rector. Communicants 41; baptisms 1; con- firmed 3; Sunday School teachers 11; scholars 50; contribu- tions $41.50. This parish has been under my charge eight months.

St. Luke's Church, Malden-Rev. Thompson L. Smith, Rec- tor. Communicants 94; baptisms 11; confirmed 3. Contribu- tions $365.383.

Kanawha Parish, St. John's Church, Charleston, and St. Lukes Church, Malden-Rev. Thompson L. Smith, Rector. Communicants 48; baptisms 25; confirmed 13; Sunday School teachers 9; scholars 50; contributions for church purposes $284.52; for missions, domestic $15; foreign $53.00; dioce- san $40.00. Communion alms $38.15; total $430.70. (Of the communicants, 14 in St. Luke's.)

The Rector deems it proper to state that his services are still bestowed upon .the two congregations, in Charleston and in the Salines, besides a weekly service in North Charles- ton. At this place (N. Charleston) an eligible site for a church has been given, the title being vested in the trustees of St. John's Church, and a subscription is now being made for the erection of a house of worship. The work is in prog- ress, and we hope in a few months to have a building comple- ted. If it were possible the services of a Rector should be confined to Charleston; the Diocese providing a minister for the Salines and the adjacent neighborhood where there would be large aditions made to our church.

The Assistant Bishop, whose visitation in the Kanawha Valley and the West, has just closed, has witnessed our des- titution in regard to an adequate supply of laborers, and will: no doubt allude to it, in his report to the convention.

St. Paul's Church, Weston-Rev. R. A. Castleman, Rector.

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Communicants 20; baptisms 4; confirmed 3; Sunday School teachers 6; scholars 30; families 20.

This congregation is making an effort to build or purchase a Rectory. About $600 have already been subscribed to this object, and there is a prospect of speedy success in the under- taking.

St. Matthews Parish, St. Matthews Church, Wheeling-Rev. E. T. Perkins, Rector. Communicants 174; baptisms 31; con- firmed 18; Sunday School teachers 28; scholars 200; families 120; contributions, domestic missions $50; foreign $106.03; diocesan $128. Communion alms $164.12; general $1,202.23.

In amount of general contributions, is included about $800 raised by some of the ladies of the congregation, toward pay- ing for the parsonage recently purchased by them.

Report of Rev. J. H. Kepler:

Having no Parish in this diocese, I have but little to report. Baptized 3 and officiated at 2 funerals. In his absence 1 offi- ciate for my Rev. Bro. Dr. Andrews, and when not attending to my own appointments in Maryland I assist in the service at Shepherdstown.

Convention of 1857. Petersburg, Va , May 20.

Bishop Meade presiding.

Present from West Virginia, two clergy, one laymen.

From Bishop John's address: "August 1st. I preached at Union, Monroe county; 2nd in the same place both morning and night. After sermon by the Rev. W. N. Pendleton, I addressed the congregation. 3rd. In the morning I preached in the same place. On these occasions we were indebted to our Presbyterian brethren for the use of their church. I am happy to say that by the exertion of a young lady, aided by a few others residing in Monroe, a large part of the amount necessary to build a church of our own in Union, has been raised, and I doubt not, the entire sum will soon be collected. By request I preached at night at the Salt Sulphur Springs, to a large and attentive audience. During this mountain tour I received most acceptable aid from the Rev. W. N. Pen-

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dleton. who kindly engaged to visit the places where we had officiated, that the things which had been wrought might not be lost.

Contributions for the relief of disabled clergymen: Zion Church, Charlestown, $45.00; St. Matthews Church, Wheel- ing, $25.00; Trinity Church, Shepherdstown, $50.00; St. John's Church, Charleston, $22.50; Mt. Zion Church, Hedgesville, $15.75; Trinity Church, Martinsburg, $15.89.

The Parochial reports show 6,315 communicants in the dio- cese of which, in West Virginia 566-(12 churches not report- ing.)

Parochial Reports:

Trinity Church, Norborne Parish .- Rev. Richard T. Davis, Rector. Communicants 43; baptisms 5; contributions, mis- sions, foreign $29.75 ; domestic $5.00; building churches $5.00; disabled clergy $16.89; convention fund $38; Sunday Schools $10.00. Communion alms, $44.86. Total $149.50.

Mt. Zion Church, Norborne Parish-Rev. Richard T. Davis, Rector. Comunicants 64; baptisms 6; Sunday School teach- ers 8; scholars 40; Missions, foreign $8.61; domestic $1; dis- abled clergy $14.75; convention fund $32.50. Communion alms $5.00. Bible Society $6.00; total $67.86.

In connection with this Parish, Calvary Church has been considered, and some report of its conditions will therefore be expected. The number of communicants in this church was never over five or six, and by deaths and removals these were scattered, so that at my coming into the Parish, there was not left one communicant in regular standing. During the last summmer I officiated regularly in this church once a month, and the services were well attended.

Christ Church, Wellsburg-Rev. Edmund Christian, Rector. Communicants S; contributions, Missions, domestic $2.10.

"I came to this Parish last Angust, having been without a minister for some time, there was no organized congregation neither church nor vestry books. The building was in posses- sion of one of the principal donors in its erection, who were

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despairing of ever seeing a congregation of Episcopalians again in it. Some were dead, some had removed, and others had connected themselves with other denominations and un- der these circumstances it was in contemplation to sell the property, as some of the heirs to one of the donors were anx- ious to get their portion out of it. The church was rented to some Methodists, who would have purchased it if they could have done it safely. Portions of eight families were Episco- palians. From former mismanagement the Episcopal church here had got into disrepute among the inhabitants, and the property being considered private and liable to be sold at any time, some who have formerly been friends have hesitated to come forward. These latter objections, I think are being re- moved. A vestry has been formed and trustees were ap- pointed in April by the Circuit court. I have a hope that a congregation may be gathered, but it will be a work of time, there are so few amongst the remaining members who really are zealous in the work, but I am glad to say there are some. The services are morning and afternoon every alternate Sab- bath. I have received from them as salary thirty dollars."

St. John's Parish, St. John's Church-Rev. Edmund Christian Rector. Communicants 29; contributions, domestic missions $2.62

For St. John's Church, St. John's Parish, he reports:

"This church was taken over by me in August last. The congregation was much scattered, but they are fast gathering again. Service is held every alternate Sabbath at the re- quest of the vestry, only in the morning to an increasing and attentive congregation, and once a month an evening lecture in a private house some distance from the church, where there are generally more than can be accommodated in the house. A small debt has been on this church some years and owing to a state of apathy into which the treasurer and vestry had got, it was never made known to the members. They are now making an effort to liquidate it with every pros- pect of success. No Sabbath school has been commeneed owing to the winter and stormy weather and the location of

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the families so distant. From this congregation I have re- ceived as salary forty-two dollars."

Bethel Parish, Christ Church, Clarksburg-Rev. R. A. Castle- man, Rector. Communicants 10; Sunday School teachers 4; scholars 35. Contributions, Sunday Schools $15. Commun- ion alms $15; total $30.

Reports: during the past year the debt upon the new church in this Parish has been liquidated, and about $100 expended in the purchase of blinds and chancel carpeting. The church is entirely free from debt.

The church in Fairmont, Marion county is also entirely free from debt. In that place one adult has been added by baptism. The Sunday School is in a flourishing condition. The attendance on our services has been very encouraging, and there is a prospect of a regular and satisfactory growth for the church in the community.

Grace Church, Ravenswood Parish-Rev. Samuel D. Tomp- kins, Rector. Baptisms 5; communicants 20; Sunday School teachers 7; scholars 30; contributions, to convocation fund $20. Communion alms $29; total $49.

I have officiated occasionally during the year at Pt. Pleas- ant, Mercer's Bottom and Guyandotte. The prosepcts for building at the latter place are very encouraging. There are five or six communicants at each place, one candidate for confirmation at Guyandotte.

Trinity Church, St. Andrew's Parish-Rev. C. W. Andrews, Rector. Baptisms 6; communicants 54 ; Sunday school teach- ers 7; scholars 40; contributions, foreign missions $57.75; do- mestic missions $25; Evangelical Knowledge Society $34; Ed- ucation Society $37; disabled clergymen $50; convention fund $40; Sunday schools $29.18; Communion alms $20; Bible So- ciety $21; Colonization Society $14; American Tract Society $9; total $326.93.

St. Andrew's Parish, Zion Church-Rev. Charles E. Ambler, Rector. Baptisms 15; communicants 107; Sunday school teachers 15; scholars 90; contributions, foreign missions

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$100; domestic $95; building church $43.56; disabled clergy $45; convention fund $103; Communion alms $70.62}; Coloniz- ation Society $40; American Tract Society $70; American Sunday School Union $30. Total $608.48.

Kanawha Parish, St. John's Church, Charleston and St. Luke's Church, Salines-Rev. Thompson L. Smith, Rector. Baptisms 15; communicants 53; Sunday School teachers 7; scholars 65; contributions, Missions, foreign $28; domestic $35; disabled clergy $22.50; Communion alms $24.19; general convention $136.95. $246.74.

St. John's, communicants 41; St. Luke's, 12.

The Bishops of the diocese have usually visited this part of the state in the fall; if not then, in the spring, before the meetings of the convention; hence, as their visits are always more or less interesting to our Western Parishes, we are able to report an increase in confirmations and members. This report varies but little from the last.

The west is still destitute of laborers. In this county, alone, there is a wide field for missionary labor, and we think with the aid of the Missionary Society, two energetic, persevering missionaries could be employed and supported.

St. Paul's Parish, St. Paul's Church, Weston-Rev. Thom- as H. Smythe, Rector. Baptisms 10; communicants 17; Sun- day school teachers 4; scholars 25; contributions, convention fund $16; Communion alms, $5; total $21.

The congregation at Weston during the past year has purchased a melodeon, at a cost of $70, and the ladies of the Sewing Society have furnished about $60 for the purpose of enclosing the church.

The Rector holds a monthly service in Buckhannon, but the prospect is very discouraging in that quarter. The Holy Communion has not been celebrated there since he took charge of the parish, consequently he canot tell how many would communicate in that place.

St. Matthews Church, Wheeling-Rev. E. T. Perkins, Rec- tor. Baptisms 32; communicants 170; Sunday school teach-

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ers 30; scholars 175; contributions: Missions, foreign $136.30; domestic $68 diocesan $80; Evangelical Knowledge Society $144; repairing churches $550; disabled clergy $25; conven- tion fund $174; Sunday schools $56; Communion alms $156.08; Bible Society $39; parsonage $500; prayer Books Society $10. Total $1,993.38.

Those reported withdrawn (15) are persons ,whose names were hitherto found and kept on the register, with the expec- tation that they would return to the Communion; only a few of them have withdrawn since the last report; but are now all stricken off. There is a class awaiting confirmation, the Bishop not having been with us since the last report accounts for the small number added to the communion.

Thomas G. Black, senior warden, St. John's Parish, Wheel- ing, reports: This Parish has, since the 16th of March, last, been without a Rector. Baptisms 39; communicants 61; Sun- doy school teachers 16; scholars 115; contributions, Mis- sions, foreign, $13.75; domestic $16.25; Communion alms $181.10; general $287.81. Total $498.91.

Report of Rev. Henry J. Kershaw, as missionary in West- ern Virginia during six months ending, on or about the 18th of January, 1857; Parkersburg-Preached 6 times; baptized 1 infant ; buried one adult and 1 child; married 1.

Wirt Court House, preached one time.

Cow Creek, preached 3 times, baptized 1.

Belleville Bottom, preached 1 time.

Coalsmouth, preached 5 times, assisted Rev. T. L. Smith in the administration of the Lord's supper; communion alms $4.06.

Guyandotte, preached 2 times.

Cedar Grove (about 30 miles above Charleston on the Ka- nawha river) preached one time.

Field's Creek (mining district) preached one time.

Winfield, preached one time.

Buffalo, preached two times.

Pt. Pleasant, preached one time.

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Mercer's Bottom, preached one time.

I have also preached two or three times at other points; remaining only a short time at each of the points above indi- cated. I was unable to find out the exact number of commu- nicants &c., and would have obtained all such information on my second visit, but before that could take place, I was compelled to seek a more southern latitude on account of the weakness of my eyes. Western Virginia presents many ad- vantages as a field for missionary operations. The people are anxious to hear the word of life, and will come many miles to attend the services of the church.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 14

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