A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 18

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April 16. As soon as I received reliable intelligence, (in Halifax county) of the entire failure of the painful and pro- tracted struggle for the independence of the Confederate States, and the re-establishment of the Federal authority, I felt it incumbent upon me to prepare a brief circular, ad- dressed to the clergy and laity of the Diocese of Virginia, recognizing the duty of prompt and honest obedience to the existing government, and the obligation to pray for those in authoritv.'

On returning to Alexandria, I found that the buildings of the Theological Seminary and High School, and the residen- ces of the Professors were still held by the government for .

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

hospital purposes, but it was understood that they would be vacated and returned to us, in time to prepare for resuming the exercises of the Seminary, at about the usual period. July 27. In Trinity Church, Shepherdstown, after a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Dillon, of Maryland, I addressed the congregation; and on the 29th, I preached in the same church and confirm- ed seven.

July 30. In Martinsburg, I preached both morning and even- ing, and confirmed thirteen.

Among changes the Bishop notes that the Rev. W F. M. Jacobs has been elected Rector of the Church in Charleston, Kanawha. The total number of confirmations reported, 207 (of which 1 colored); communicants 3,261 (of which 16 are colored.)

The Committee on the state of the Church suggested that immediately after the appointment of the Standing Commit- tees, the Council resolve itself into a committee of the whole, the Bishop in the chair, when each member of the Council shall have opportunity to present such facts and suggestions, as may bear upon the subject committed to the Committee on the state of the Church, and which are to form the basis of their report.

Parochial Reports:

Trinity Church, Martinsburg-Rev. W. D. Hanson. Baptisms 35; (of which 6 colored); communicants 45; confirmed 13. Total contributions $299.00.

Wickliffe Church-Rev. W. T. Leavell. Baptisms 4; commu- nicants 24; confirmed 2. Total contributions $174.

Trinity Church, Shepherdstown-Rev. C. W. Andrews, D. D. Baptisms 25; (of which colored S); communicants 60; confirm- ed 19. Total contributions $8.00.

Zion Church, Charlestown-Rev. C. E. Ambler. Communi- cants 106. Total contributions $225.

Council of 1866. St. Paul's Church, Alexandria.

Bishop Johns presiding. Six clergy and two laymen from West Virginia. In his address, the Bishop says: "I had com-

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

municated to the brethren in the Western portion of the Dio- cese, my intention to be with them immediately after the ad- journment of the General Council, and now thoughi late in the season, and with necessarily short notice of my appoint- ments, I crossed the mountains to visit the Churches. I reached Parkersburg on Saturday morning, November 25, and at night after a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Tompkins of Ken- tucky, I addressed the congregation in Trinity Church.

November 26. In the morning, I preached in Trinity Church, Parkersburg, and at the request of the Rector, baptized nine infants. At night I preached in the same church and con- firmed five. November 28. At Ravenswood I preached in the Presbyterian Church, kindly loaned to us, as our own had been rendered unfit for use, by military occupation. No- vember 29 and 30, were passed in reaching Weston. At night after sermon by the Rev. Mr. Hyland, I addressed the congre- gation in St. Paul's Church. December 1. In the same Church, I preached in the morning and baptized two adults and three infants. At night I preached again, and confirmed twelve. December 2. Returned to Clarksburg, and the next morning preached in Christ Church, confirming seven.

I cannot refrain from expressing my great gratification at the very cordial reception uniformly extended to me, throughout this partial visitation, and my regret, that it could not then, include all the Churches in that section of the Diocese. December 10. I preached morning and night in Mt. Zion, Hedgesville, and confirmed nine.

December 17. In the Prayer Hall of the Theological Semi- nary, I admitted to Priest's orders the Rev. Josiah Curtis, of St. Paul's Church, Weston.

March 27. In St. Andrew's Church, Charlestown, I preached and confirmed thirty-two.

Clerical Changes :- At my request the Rev. T. B. Maury has taken charge of the missionary stations on the Ohio, Point Pleasant and Ravenswood, and I am happy to know that he meets with much encouragement. At Ravenswood the re- pairs of the Church are near completion. At Point Pleasant

REV. WILLIAM H. MEADE, D. D., 1867.

REV. ISAAC GIBSON, D. D., 1865.

REV. JOSHUA COWPLAND, 1867.

REV. HORACE EDWIN HAYDEN, 1868.

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

the good people are, very properly, exerting themselves to provide a parsonage, to secure permanent residence for their minister, and as they will need assistance, I commend the enterprise to the generous consideration of our good friends in Virginia and elsewhere, who are specially interested in the prosperity of the Church in that section of the Diocese. The Rev. Isaac Gibson and the Rev. T. M. Carson recently admitted to the Diaconate, are with my approval engaged, the first as an assistant in Zion Church, Charlestown, the other in missionary services at Smithfield, Leetown and Bun- ker Hill."

The Council adopted the following Resolution: Whereas the conditions which rendered necessary, the separate or- ganization of the Southern Diocese no longer exists, and that organization has ceased by the consent and action of the Dio- ceses concerned; and whereas the Diocese of Virginia, un- changed as are her principles, deems it most proper under ex- isting circumstances, to resume her interrupted relations to the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, there- fore,

Resolved, That this Diocese do accordingly, now resume its connection with the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, and that the Bishop be requested to send a copy of this preamble and resolution to the presiding Bishop, and one to the Secretary of the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies.

The vote was called for by ayes and noes and by orders, and resulted as follows: Affirmative, clergy 57, laity 36; neg- ative, clergy 9; laity 11.

Parochial Reports :

Communicants 6,066; confirmed 463; contributions $30,199. Statistics:

Com. C'fd. Cont.

Rev. W. D. Hanson, Mt. Zion, Hedgesville,

9 $32

Trinity, Martinsburg, .

1,090

Rev. W. T. Leavell, Wickliffe, Ripon

Rev. T. B. Maury, Grace, Ravenswood,

14 94

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Rev. C. W. Andrews, Trinity, Shepherdstown 58 . . 140

Rev. Chas. E. Ambler, Zion, Charlestown .. 120 32 323

Rev. W. F. M. Jacobs, St. John's, Charles

ton . 40

. . ·

Rev. J. F. Curtis, St. Paul's, Weston. 35

12 7

Rev. J. F. Woods, Trinity, Moundsville, .... 12

. .

Rev. Wm. L. Hyland, Trinity, Parkersburg 60 5 8,368

This report for five years.

Remarks :- Ravenswood. This congregation has enjoyed no ministerial culture for many years. Its church building was most shamefully desecrated by the United States sol- diery stationed there during the war. But through the Christian activity and kind generosity of friends of the Church, the funds necessary to repair its walls, and to paint and furnish it anew, are now in hand, and the renovation al- most complete.

Charleston. The present Rector took charge of the Church in 1865. He found the congregation very much disorganized, and the Church building desolated, it having been used as barracks, and subsequently as depository for quartermas- ter's stores. Every article of chancel furniture had been de- stroyed, the pews removed, the windows demolished, and the organ so abused, as to be almost entirely useless. By the ef- forts of parishioners, and friends abroad, we were enabled to put it in a condition for use during the winter. We still have some funds for further improvements. The absence of the Rector, for the previous six years, together with the demor- alizing influence of the war, render the spiritual condition of the Parish not as encouraging as desired. My report is somewhat incomplete, on account of my illness during the past two months.

Moundsville. One of the wardens removed, the other sus- pended.

Parkersburg. My report embraces the past five years. There are other communicants residing in this Parish, but they are not reported as communicants, of the same, in consequence

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of their having failed to place in my hands the usual certifi- cate required by the canon.

It is proper to remark that the above report is not entire- ly accurate, having been made out chiefly from memory, since my arrival in Alexandria. Some of the data which were nec- essary to entire accuracy, having been inadvertently left at home; but I believe it to be substantially correct.

Council of 1867. Trinity Church, Staunton.

Bishop Johns presiding: Present from West Virginia: 9 Clergy; 4 Laity.

From Bishop Johns' address: "June 1. I preached in the Church at Fairmont, Marion county, and as this church was without a minister, I officiated there again the next morning. Since my visit the congregation has, I am thankful to say, en- gaged part of the time of the Rev. J. F. Woods, of Mounds- ville. June 3. I officiated in Wheeling both morning and night. The congregation of St. Matthew's, had recently dis- posed of their building, with the view to the erection of a larger one, in a more convenient location, and, as the build- ing which had been occupied by St. John's congregation had also been sold, we were for the time without a house of wor- ship in the city of Wheeling. The corner stone of the new Church for St. Matthew's congregation has since been laid, and the work is so far advanced, that its consecration may be effected at an early day. For the services of the morning our Baptist friends, who had purchased St. Matthew's Church, kindly loaned it to us, and I preached there and con- firmed thirty-two persons.

It was not without a feeling of sadness that I officiated for the last time in that spacious and substantial church, which, some thirty years ago, was erected to accommodate the con- gregation, then rapidly increasing under the faithful labors of the Rev. Wm. Armstrong. In the first years of our minis- try, we had been pleasantly associated in Frederick county, Maryland, as Rectors of adjoining Parishes, and subsequently when we had both removed to this Diocese, I had again and

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again shared his joy, as the arrival of the confirmation, brought the fruits of his diligence and fidelity around the · chancel of that commodious church, to be sealed for the Mas- ter's service. Those sacred scenes had imparted a peculiar interest to the place, and however politic the disposal of it may prove, made it impossible for some to part with it, with- out a painful struggle. May God in His mercy, so fill the new house with His glory, that in comparison of it, the first house will be as nothing in our eyes, and may He continue to crown the ministrations of His servants, with such success that its capacity will be insufficient for the accommodation of the worshippers, and frequent colonization render neces- sary the erection of new edifices, till they beautify and bless every section of the city.

At night the Presbyterian Church was offered for our use, and I preached there to a large and serious congregation. June 4. I preached at Moundsville and confirmed twelve. June 5. Accompanied by the Rev. Messrs. Addison and Woods, I proceeded by way of Steubenville, where the Rev. Mr. Gillette joined us, to St. John's Church, Brooke county, and preached there. As the Church was without a minister, and the notice of my visit had been late in reaching them, there were no candidates for confirmation. The Rev. Mr. Webb, of Ohio, has engaged to officiate part of his time for this congregation. June 6. Was occupied in passing from Wheeling to Parkers- burg.

June 7. Accompanied by the Rev. W. L. Hyland, I rode some 1 wenty miles, to the Church at Cow Creek, where I preached, and returned the same evening to Parkersburg. June 8. I preached ín Trinity Church, Parkersburg, and confirmed ser- en. June 9. Accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Hyland, I proceed- ed to Point Pleasant. Here we have some earnest members, who are very anxious to be supplied with stated services. As yet we have no church of our own at the Point, but are kindly accommodated by our Methodist brethren. June 10. I preached at Point Pleasant in the morning and at night af- ter a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Hyland, I again addressed the

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congregation. June 12. Was occupied in reaching Charleston, Kanawha, where I preached at night. June 13. The Salines. Here our house of worship was destroyed during the war, and we were again indebted to our Methodist brethren, for the use of their church. I baptized six infants, and confirmed four persons. At night I preached in St. John's, Charleston, and confirmed eighteen. June 14. Coalsmonth. Here also, our Church building was entirely ruined during the war. The people assembled in a private house, where I preached and confirmed two. It was the residence of the late Col. Frank Thompson, then recently deceased, whose Christian life and labors had rendered him a noble example and eminent bless- ing to the community and Church, with which he was connect- ed, and which I found in much sorrow for their great bereave- ment. The congregation here and at the Salines might be advantageously served by one minister, and at both places they expressed great desire to be soon supplied, but with every effort, I have been unable to gratify their pious wish.

In the afternoon I returned to Charleston, and at night, in connection with services conducted by the Rev. Mr. Hy- land I baptized one adult and one infant. June 15. At 7 a. m. I held a special service in St. John's Church, and confirm- ed two persons.

The Rev. Mr. Jacobs, the Rector of St. John's, and the only resident minister of the Church, throughout the portion of the Diocese west and south of the Little Kanawha, was then detained in Alexandria by sickness, which has since led to his resignation of the Parish. In his absence the Rev. W. Thompson, of Gallipolis, kindly consented to visit the Churches in Kanawha county, and prepare them for such Episcopal services as might be desired. I take this opportu- nity to acknowledge his frequent, and useful ministrations, which were very acceptable to the congregations and highly appreciated by myself.

After the early service in St. John's. I took passage down the river to meet my next appointment, which was in the vi- cinity of Guyandotte, where at the Marshall Academy, the

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Rev. Mr. Tompkins of the Diocese of Kentucky, occasionally officiated. After a tedious trip, I was landed on the evening of the 16th, near the place of my destination.

June 17. The next morning (Sunday) to our great disap- pointment, a heavy rain, which commenced early and contin- ued the day through, prevented the attendance of many, who desired to be present. At the usual hour I preached and con- firmed two, one of whom, I had baptized in connection with a previous service. It was now necessary for me to avail my- self of the first boat that passed, or I might not be in time for my next appointment. Twelve tedious hours, in a small house on the bank of the Ohio, were passed in waiting for a boat. The next morning at half past 1 o'clock, the signal was heard, and in the dark, through rain and mud, we made our way to the landing, which I could not have reached, but for the arm and guidance of Dr. Buffington, whose kind and valuable, services are held in grateful remembrance. June 18. At night, and also the next morning, I read the service and preached at Ravenswood, on the first occasion I baptized two children, and on the second I confirmed one person. Since my visit in November last, the little band of church people here, had, much to their credit, repaired the damage which their building had sustained during the war, and we were now privileged again to worship in our own Church.

June 24. In the morning I preached at Smithfield and con- firmed five. After the morning service I accompanied the Rev. Dr. Andrews to Shepherdstown, where at night I con- firmed seven in Trinity Church.

The Rev. W. F. M. Jacobs, whose failing health rendered it necessary for him to resign the charge of the congrega- tion at Kanawha Court House, and who after several months rest, thought himself sufficiently recruited to recom- mence his labors in a smaller field, died in Alexandria a few weeks since, 'in the comfort of a reasonable religious and holy hope.' "

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

Diocesan Statistics:

Communicants 6,522; confirmed 631. Contributions $45,183. Expended for Diocesan Missions, $2,604.

Rev. F. M. Whittle of Louisville, Ky., was elected Assist- ant Bishop.

Parochial Reports .

Coms. Cn'fd Cont.

Rev. W. D. Hanson, Martinsburg

$ 71

Rev. W. D. Hanson, Hedgesville.

Rev. W. T. Leavell, Wickliffe

262

Rev. D. H. Greer, Clarksburg

. .

Rev. T. M. Carson, Smithfield, &c.

. .

391

Rev. C. W. Andrews, D. D., Shepherdstown

7 160

Rev. W. H. Meade, Charlestown,

120

431

Rev. J. F. Curtis, Weston

. .

Rev. Jno. F. Woods, Fairmont

. .

Rev. Jno. F. Woods, Moundsville,

Rev. T. G. Addison, St. Matt., Wheeling

340

506

Rev. W. L. Hyland, Parkersburg Remarks:

. . 1,052

. .

Clarksburg. The above is the report for nine months past. During that time there has been no visitation of the Bishop, although several persons are now ready for confirmation. There is an increase of zeal and interest in the Parish, and a prospect of better things still.

Smithfield and Leetown. I am pleased to report substan- tial progress in all the interests of the Church, within the Parish during the past year. Two of our church buildings have been repaired at considerable material cost. Congre- gations uniformly good, with an encouraging prospect and promise of addition to the number of communicants.

Fairmont. Since February 17th I have officiated at Fair- mont regularly on Sunday evening, in connection with Moundsville, which places are sixty-six miles apart. The congregations at both places have been good, and the work encouraging.

St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling. The congregation is build-

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ing a large and handsome Church. It will be ready for con- secration, at farthest, in November; $50,000 will have been expended on it before that time. This drain upon the means of the congregation accounts for the meagerness of their con- tributions to other objects.

St. John's Parish has commenced with much zeal the erec- tion of a new church edifice, They hope to occupy it be- fore winter.

The prospects of the Church in Wheeling are exceedingly encouraging.

Report of Rev. James H. McMechen: "My time is much taken up with my duties, (teaching); but I have preached some six or eight times for Mr. Addison, and spent one Sunday in Washington, Pa. I hold myself ready to visit any points, at a convenient distance, and expect during the summer vacation of eight weeks to go about a good deal. In the interval between the departure of Mr. Addison, and the coming of his successor, I expect to supply, in part at least, the vacancy in St. Matthew's.

Council of 1868. St. Paul's, Lynchburg.

List of Clergy in West Virginia:

Rev. C. E. Ambler, Charlestown; xRev. C. W. Andrews, Shepherdstown; Rev. C. George Currie, Wheeling; Rev. J. F. Curtis, Weston; xRev. D. H. Greer, Clarksburg; xRev. W. D. Hanson, Martinsburg; xRev. H. E. Hayden, Point Pleas- ant; xRev. W. L. Hyland, Parkersburg; xRev. W. T. Leavell, Kabletown; xRev. W. H. Meade, Charlestown; Rev. Jos. H. McMechen, Wheeling; Rev. W. B. Morrow, Wheeling; xRev. Joseph A. Nock, Charleston; Rev. Wmn. G. Stewart, Coals- mouth; xRev. J. F. Woods, Moundsville.

Those marked x in attendance.

Bishop Johns presiding. Bishop Johns' address: "Novem- ber 14. I left home on a visitation of the Churches in the Western Section of the Diocese. November 15. I reached Fairmont at 7 a. m., preached morning and night in Christ

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

Church, and confirmed ten, This church shares with the Church at Moundsville, the services of the Rev. J. F. Woods, and is evidently reviving under his faithful ministrations. November 16. I preached in Trinity Church, Moundsville, and confirmed two. November 17. I preached in the new Church erected by the congregation of St. Matthew's, Wheeling, and confirmed seven. Although the spacious and imposing building was not then completed, it was sufficiently advanced to be used for public worship. On this occasion it was filled to overflowing; happily ominous, I trust, of the size and char- acter of the assembly, which will love to frequent its sa- cred courts, and enjoy its salutary ordinances. The congre- gation, then without a Rector, was much indebted to the Rev. J. H. MeMechen for the services he readily rendered, The building has since been finished and the Rev. Mr. Currie has accepted the Rectorship.

At night I preached for the congregation of St. John's, then worshipping in a large npper room in the custom house. They also were engaged in erecting a new and commodious building, which is still in progress, with the prospects of early completion. It will be a large advance on the Church which they vacated, and occupied, I have no doubt, by a con- gregation correspondingly enlarged and strengthened.

November 18. Accompanied by the Rev. J. F. Woods, I crossed into Ohio, and took the railroad to Steubenville, where we procured a conveyance, and having re-crossed the river, proceeded to St. John's Church, Brooke county. Find- ing it closed, we drove to the house first of one, and then of another of the vestry, and discovered that the notice of my appointment had not been received. We endeavored to com- pensate for the failure, by visiting the friends of the Church, both there and at Wellsburg, and after passing the day in such intercourse, returned to Wheeling, where 4 baptized, in private, the infant of parents residing in Buckingham.

My next appointment was in Parkersburg, which I expected to reach by river; but the stage of water was so low that my friends advised me, not to venture by steamboat. I was

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

therefore obliged to return by railroad to Grafton, and come by the other branch of the road to Parkersburg.

November 20. I preached, morning and night, in Trinity Church, and confirmed eleven. November 21. No other con- veyance being available, the Rev. Mr. Hyland and myself, started from Parkersburg in a very small and inferior boat, for Ravenswood. Our progress was so retarded by the fog, and the lowness of the river, that we found we could not stop there, without risking the several ensuing appointments, and we therefore concluded to keep on to Point Pleasant, which we did not reach until the next afternoon. Novem- ber 22. I preached there at night, in the room which the congregation have fitted up for their services, and confirmed five.

November 24. Such was the density of the fog and lowness of the river, that we could not obtain a boat for Charleston. We succeeded however in procuring a buggy and though late in the morning, started on our journey, and after riding until it became too dark to see, we found shelter for the night in a small house of entertainment. Next morning, we were off as early as our hospitable landlord would allow, and we hoped to make the ride, about twenty three miles, in time to meet my appointment. But the intense density of the atmos- phere, and the condition of the road, made driving on the precipitous bank of the river slow and at times perilous. We did not arrive in Charleston until half past twelve o'clock, just as the congregation were returning from Church. Happi- ly, we were recognized by many. It soon became generally known, and at night, I preached in St. John's Church, to a large congregation, and confirmed eight. One of them from St. Mark's Church, Coalsmouth. November 25. In the Methodist church at Malden, I baptized several infants and preached. St. Luke's Church was destroyed during the war, and has not been rebuilt, the Rev. W. G. Stewart, who at my request, officiated for this congregation some months previous, is now acting as a missionary at other places to which he has been appointed, in connection with his princi-

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

ple station at Coalsmouth. At night in St. John's Church, Charleston, after a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Hyland, I con- firmed two persons.

November 26. I preached in St. Mark's Church, Coals- mouth, and confirmed ten. When I visited this Parish eigh- teen months before, the Church was in ruins, and the congre- gation so diminished, that I was tempted to despair of its recovery. In July last Rev. W. G. Stewart commenced ser- vices there. On this visit, I found the repair of the Church sufficiently advanced to allow of its use for public worship; an interesting class for confirmation, and as many people in attendance as the building could accommodate. Near the Church, a new Parsonage was nearly finished. I was much gratified to see all these improvements, and to leave minis- ter and congregation in the kindest relations, and diligently co-operating in the Gospel. The portion of his time previ- ously given to Malden, will now be divided between Winfield and Buffalo, in each of which there is a desire for the ser- vices of the Church. Immediately after the exercises at Coalsmouth, we resumed our ride, down the West side of the Kanawha, over patches of partially constructed roads, and intervening spaces where there was no road at all, till at last, after dark, we lost our route, and must have camped out, but for an intelligent boy, who heard our halloo! came to our rescue, and did not abandon us till he conducted us to a ferry where we crossed the Kanawha, and were glad to find any kind of shelter for the night. The next afternoon we reached Point Pleasant.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 18

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