A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 20

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USA > West Virginia > A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia > Part 20

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Rev. S. D. Tompkins reports, that he holds services at Sis- tersville twice a month. Bishop Johns confirmed four in October, 1869. Three candidates are awaiting confirmation. Number of communicants 12; no organization.

Rev. Jas. H. McMechen reports that as heretofore he has devoted himself to educational work, and with encouraging results; meantime preaching occasionally and taking part in services as opportunity offered.

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Council of 1871. Grace Church, Petersburg, Va.

Bishop Johns presiding. New names on the West Virginia list: Rev. C. M. Callaway, Charleston; Rev. Andrew Fisher, Weston; Rev. J. A. Latane, St. Matthew's, Wheeling; Rev. H. Suter, Wickliffe; Rev. Thos. O. Tongue (missionary) Wheel- ing.

Present from West Virginia: 10 clergy and 4 laymen.

Bishop Johns in his address says: "During the session of the last Council (Wheeling, 1870), I addressed the congrega- tion in St. Matthew's on Ascension Day, and after the Coun- cil had adjourned, I addressed a congregation on Sunday morning in St. Matthew's, and in the afternoon another in St. John's Church, on the subject of missions. November 16. In Wickliffe Church, I preached and confirmed four. No- vember 17. In Zion Church, Charlestown, I preached and confirmed seventeen. November 18. In Grace Church, Mid- dleway, I preached and confirmed two. November 19. I preached in St. Bartholomew's, Leetown. November 20. I preached in Christ Church, Bunker Hill. The same morning in Trinity, Shepherdstown, after a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Avirett, I addressed the congregation. November 21. In the same Church, I preached and confirmed six. November 22. In Trinity, Martinsburg, I preached and confirmed six. No- vember 23. In Mt. Zion Church, Hedgesville, I preached and confirmed eleven."

Bishop Whittle in his address says: "During the Council in Wheeling (1870) I made missionary addresses in both the Churches, and Sunday night, May 29, I preached the closing sermon in St. Matthew's Church. May 30. I preached in St. John's Church, Brooke county, and in Christ Church, Wells- burg, and confirmed two.

May 31. Preached in the Presbyterian Church, Sistersville. June 1. In the same Church, I preached and confirmed three. June 3. In St. John's, Pleasants county, preached and con- firmed one. June 5. Trinity. Parkersburg, preached morning and night and confirmed one. November 10. Preached in the

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Methodist Church, Morgantown. November 11. Preached in the same Church in the morning, and confirmed three, and after a ride of nineteen miles, preached at night in Christ Church, Fairmont. November 13. Preached morning and night in Christ Church, Clarksburg. November 14. Preached at night in St. Paul's, Weston. November 15. In the same Church made an address and confirmed three. November 16. Preached in Grace Church, Ravenswood, and after ser- vice, baptized an adult. November 17. In the same Church, baptized a child, made an address to the congregation and confirmed six. I had taken a severe cold in travelling from Clarksburg to Weston, and after struggling against it for several days, was so unwell at this point, that I was obliged to recall my remaining appointments and return home.

May 3. In Christ Church, Fairmont, preached and confirmed four. May 4th. Trinity, Moundsville, after sermon, confirmed three. May 5. Preached in St. Matthew's, Wheeling, and confirmed thirty-one. May 6. Preached in Christ Church, Wellsburg. May 7. In St. John's, Brooke county, in the morning, preached and confirmed one, and at night preached and confirmed six in Christ Church, Wellsburg.

May 9. In St. Matthew's, Wheeling, ordained Rev. Thomas O. Tongue, Presbyter, assisted by the Rev. J. F. Woods, and J. Cowpland. Sermon by myself. Mr. Tongue went to Wheeling in November as city missionary, but since Christmas had been acceptably and successfully supplying St. Matthew's, which was without a Rector. May 10. Preach- ed in St. John's, Pleasants county. May 11. In the morning preached in Emmanuel Church, Volcano, and in the after- noon, after sermon by the Rev. W. L. Hyland, addressed and confirmed five. This church is about twenty five miles from Parkersburg, surrounded by oil wells, and in the midst of a population of several hundred souls. Four months be- fore, the building had not been commenced; it was now fin- ished; a beautiful edifice, with seats for 160 persons, and having cost from $3,000 to $3,500.

Messrs. Hyland and Tompkins supply them with services,

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as far as they can, but the people seem resolved to have a pastor of their own. May 12. In Trinity, Parkersburg, I preached and confirmed two. May 13. Read prayers and preached in Grace Church, Ravenswood. May 14. Rode twelve miles to Ripley, where I read Morning Prayer and baptized one adult and four children, preached aud confirmed four, and returning to Ravenswood, read Evening Prayer, bap- tized an adult, and preached. The people in these two places are very anxious to procure the services of a minister, and pledge themselves to contribute $400 towards his support.

May 16. Preached morning and night in Point Pleasant and confirmed five. May 18. Preached in the Court House at Bar- boursville. May 19 and 20. Preached in St. Mark's, Coals- mouth and confirmed one. Here and at Huntington the ter- miinus of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, are good and constantly enlarging fields of labor for an earnest, Godly man, Oh! that Christians, everywhere, would unceasingly pray the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest.

May 21. In St. John's Church, Charleston, in the morning, at the request of the Rector, baptized six children, preached and confirmed five; and at night baptized an adult, preached and confirmed one."

Ali Saints' Parish, Monroe county, was received into union with the Council, the metes and bounds to be the same as those of the county.

Seventeen Churches report 943 communicants; 108 con- firmed and $21,362 contributed.

Rev. R. H. Mason reports services held with considerable regularity in Pocahontas county, with some encouragement, not only from the few members of the Church, so warm in their attachment, but from others also.

Rev. Mr. Hayden reports: Our Church building at Point Pleasant, is not yet ready for use, but we hope to enter it this summer.

Rev. W. H. Hyland reports that four of the children bap- tized in his Parish. were baptized by Mr. Tompkins at Volca-

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no, and five of the persons confirmed were presented by him at the same place. I desire here to record my high apprecia- tion of the services rendered by this Brother, at this and other points within my Parish, during the past year, and to express the hope that the people whom he has served with great acceptance may continue to enjoy the benefit of his ministrations."

The good people of Volcano have, with commendable zeal, erected within the past few months a handsome and commo- dious house of worship, at a cost of $3,500, which amount is included in my report, (the whole being $3,934). The Church is nearly finished, and was used for Divine service for the first time, on the occasion of Bishop Whittle's late visita- tion to the Western section of the Diocese. Application will be made by this congregation, at the approaching Council, to be set apart as a separate Parish, and I commend the same to their favorable consideration.

Report of Rev. J. H. McMechen: "About the first of Sep- tember, 1870, I accepted a professorship in the West Vir- ginia University, but owing to failing health, did not retain it longer than the end of the fall term, December 1, following. I found at Morgantown but one decidedly Episcopal family. Bishop Whittle confirmed three persons at his visitation last fall, two of whom were students. I found at the University some twelve or fifteen students, from different parts of the State, whose families were more or less inclined to the Epis- copal Church. I think that Morgantown should receive at least, a monthly missionary visit, and am pleased to learn, that the Rev. Mr. Woods proposes to give to that point one fourth of his time.

On my return to Wheeling I entered into an arrangement with the vestry of St. John's Parish, to supply their pulpit for an indefinite length of time. My services in that capaci- ty lasted from January first, to the first of May following, As I was not charged with the pastoral duties of the Parish, it does not devolve on me to report as to its condition, but I presume the Secretary of the Vestry will do so.

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I am now engaged, again, in Educational work, having as- sumed the charge of the Lindsley Institute, a classical school of this city. It seems that providence will hold me to this kind of work, however much I may have desired, to devote myself entirely to the work of the ministry. God's will, not mine, be done."

Report of Rev. Thomas O. Tongue: "I took charge of the mission work of this Parish about the first of last December. Owing to the resignation of the Rev. C. G. Currie, I have been in temporary charge of St. Matthew's since January 1st., but expect to resume missionary duty, as soon as the services of a Rector are obtained."

Nineteen Churches report $766, contributed to the Con- tingent Fund. Three Churches gave $21, to the Widows' and Orphans' Fund. Three Churches gave $60, to the Disabled Clergy Fund. The total contributions to Diocesan Missions was $591. Amount appropriated in West Virginia $920.

Council of 1872. Christ Church, Norfolk, Va.

Bishop Johns presiding. New names on clergy list of West Virginia: Rev. Geo. S. May, Hedgesville; Rev. C. B. Mee, Coalsmouth; Rev. W. L. Braddock, Union; Rev. Jno. W. Lea, Ripon. Present 12 (out of 19) clergy and 4 laymen.

Bishop Whittle in his address says: "August 17. In the Presbyterian Church, Pocahontas C. H., preached and con- firmed one, and after a ride of 48 miles preached the next night in Lewisburg. August 20. Preached morning and night in All Saints', Union, and confirmed five.

April 30. Preached and confirmed twelve in Zion, Charles- town. May 1. Preached in Grace, Middleway; the next day in Christ Church, Bunker Hill, and confirmed three; and the day following in St. Bartholomew's, Leetown. May 4. In Trin- ity, Shepherdstown, preached and confirmed three. A new Sunday school and Lecture Room had recently been erected here, of lime stone and black walnut, to correspond with the Church, and now the buildings of this Parish are surpassed

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by none in the Diocese, for durability, elegance and conven- ience. May 5. Preached morning and night in Trinity, Mar- tinsburg, and confirmed six. May 6. Preached and confirmed three in Mt. Zion Church, Hedgesville."

Emmanuel Parish was set apart, comprising Walker Town- . ship, Wood county, and Ritchie county.

Rev. Mr. Hyland, of Committee to revise the Parish List, reported as in West Virginia:

Berkeley county-Norborne Parish, Trinity, Martinsburg. Berkeley county-Norborne Parish, Mt. Zion, Hedgesville.

Berkeley county-Norborne Parish, Christ Church, Bun- ker Hill.

Brooke county-St. John's Parish, St. John's Church.

Brooke county-Christ Church Parish, Christ Church,

Wellsburg.

Cabell county-Cabell Parish.

Harrison county-Bethel Parish, Christ Church, Clarks- burg.

Jackson county-Ravenswood Parish, Grace, Ravenswood.

Jefferson county-St. Andrew's Parish, Zion, Charlestown.

Jefferson county-St. Andrew's Parish, Trinity, Shepherds- town.

Jefferson county-St. Andrew's Parish, Grace, Middleway.

Jefferson county-St. Andrew's Parish, St. Bartholomew's, Leetown.

Jefferson county-Wickliffe Parish, Wickliffe Church.

Kanawha county-Kanawha Parish, St. John's, Charleston.

Kanawha county-Bangor Parish, St. Mark's, Coals- mouth.

Lewis county-St. Paul's Parish, St. Paul's, Weston.

Marion county-Christ Church Parish, Christ Church, Fairmont.

Mason county-Pt. Pleasant Parish, Christ Church, Point Pleasant.

Mason county-Pt. Pleasant Parish, Bruce Chapel.

Monroe county-Monroe Parish, All Saints', Union.

Marshall county-Trinity Parish, Trinity, Moundsville.

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Ohio county-St. Matthew's Parish, St. Matthew's, Wheel- ing.

Ohio county-St. John's Parish, St. John's, Wheeling.

Pleasants county-St. John's Parish, St. John's, Willow Island.

Wood county-Trinity Parish, Trinity, Parkersburg.

Wood county-Emmanuel Parish, Emmanuel, Volcano.

Rev. Mr. Hayden reports: "During the past year I have held divine service frequently at Gallipolis, Ohio, a vacant Parish, and since January last, I have held services at Bruce Chapel, Mercer's Bottom, and also at West Columbia. At these two places, I will hereafter officiate regularly."

Rev. J. H. McMechen reports that during the early part of the past year he was doing missionary work in East Wheel- ing and on Wheeling Island.

Council of 1873. Christ Church, Winchester.

Bishop Johns presiding. Out of twenty-one clergy in West Virginia, fourteen present. Also five lay delegates.

New names among the clergy: Rev. David Barr, Coals- mouth; Rev. W. L. Braddock, Union; Rev. Edward V. Jones, Huntington.

Bishop Johns in his address says: "After the adjournment of the last Council, my first visitation was in the Western part of the Diocese. May 30. I took the 5 p. m., cars at Bal- timore, and the next morning reached Fairmont, where the same night J preached in Christ Church. June 2. In the morning I preached in St. John's, Wheeling, and confirmed fourteen. At night I preached in St. Matthew's and cofirni- ed twelve. June 3. I preached in St. John's, Brooke county, and confirmed four. At night I preached in Christ Church, Wellsburg, and confirmed two.

June 5. I preached in Trinity, Moundsville. This Church vacant since the resignation of Rev. Mr. Woods, has recently been favored with service, by the Rev. Thos. O. Tongue. June 7. I consecrated Emmanuel Church, Volcano, preached and confirmed eight, The site of Volcano is in a deep valley

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abounding in petroleum. The village seems to have sprung up in a day, in the midst of bush and thicket, which the set- tlers have not yet found time to remove. Happily they have found time both to finish and furnish this very neat build- ing, all completed, without begging abroad, and have secured and comfortably provided for a minister, without any aid from the Missionary Society; all very creditable to the good people themselves, and worthy of being reported as an ex- ample to others.

June 9. In Trinity Church, Parkersburg, I preached in the morning, and at night, after sermon by the Rev. Mr. Mee, I confirmed six.

June 10. I preached in Grace Church, Ravenswood. I am happy to say, that since my visit the Rev. C. R. Page, of the last graduating class of our Seminary, has commenced mis- sionary services in Jackson county, and is officiating at Ra- venswood and Ripley, with very encouraging prospects.

June 11. With the Rev. Mr. Hyland, who accompanied me on my visitation, and rendered me acceptable assistance, I proceeded to Point Pleasant, where I preached the next morning, and at night, after sermon by the Rev. Mr. Hyland, confirmed four.

The Rev. Mr. Hayden, who has for several years been offi- ciating very usefully at Pt. Pleasant, and places in the vicin- ity, has felt it his duty to accept a call from another Diocese. A successor has not yet been obtained. June 13. I proceeded to Coalsmouth, now called St. Albans, and confirmed two. St. Mark's, at this place, is again vacant, and to an earnest and energetic minister, offers a good prospect of usefulness. June 14. Went by rail to Huntington, the new town, which has arisen so rapidly on the banks of the Ohio, and with ad- vantages which justify the hope, of continued growth and of increasing prosperity. At night, in a large hall, after ser- vice by the Rev. Mr. Hyland, I addressed the Congregation, and the next morning in the chapel of Marshall College, I preached and confirmed four. We have as yet no Church edifice in Huntington, but the Parish is regularly organized,

REV. HENRY T. SHARP, 1870.

REV. JAMES A. LATAANE, 1871.

REV. EDWARD VALENTINE JONES, 1873.

REV. WILLIAM L. BRADDOCK 1873.

IN WEST VIRGINIA. 241

thirty communicants, and, with a vestry of zealous and en- terprising members. All I saw and heard impressed me so favorably, that in response to their earnest request, I prom- ised to send them a minister as early as practicable. This promise I have performed. The Rev. E. V. Jones, of the last graduated class of the Seminary, commenced his services there in September. He officiates one Sunday in the month at Barboursville. In his report to me dated November 6. 1872, after alluding to the happy influence of a visit from the Rev. Dr. Minnigerode, and the Rev. J. S. Lindsay, he writes, Mr. Lowe, President of the Chamber of Commerce, New York, was much interested in our services, and the progress we had been enabled to make. and the Lord put in into his heart to secure for the prospective Church edifice, two of the most desirable lots in the city, and to encourage us with the hope of still further assistance.' From Hunting- ton, I returned to St. Albans, and the same evening reached Charleston, Kanawha. June 16. I preached in St. John's Church, Charleston, and at night after sermon by the Rev. Mr. Hyland, I confirmed eight. The next day and night were passed on the steamboat, making our way to Parkersburg. which I reached on the morning of the 18th, and left the same evening, for Clarksburg. June 19. I preached in Christ Church, Clarksburg, and confirmed eight. My engagements at the Seminary required me to hasten home, and so deprived me of the pleasure of visiting the Church at Weston."

Statistics of the whole Diocese of Virginia: Baptisms, 1,429; confirmations 911; communicants 11,570. In Sunday schools, 9,697. Total contributions $146,581.30.

The Churches in West Virginia reported 1,012 communi- cants. 1200 in Sunday schools, and $15,508 contributed. Con- tributions by the West Virginia Churches; to Widows' and Orphans Fund. $40.24: Disabled Clergy, $103.84; Diocesan Missions. $615.71; Education Society, $394.23; Bishop's and Contingent Fund, $604.40.

Appropriations from Diocesan Missions for work in West Virginia. $994.50.

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Rev. R. H. Mason reports: "I have been officiating in Hunt- ersville, and on Knapp Creek, once in four weeks with much to encourage me. Communicants S. Three are candidates for confirmation. Since the last Council, Union, Monroe county, has been placed within the charge of the Rev. W. L. Brad- dock."

Rev. Edw. Valentine Jones reports of Huntington: The first parochial report of this new Parish dates from last Sep- tember; when I took charge.

The Rev. Horace E. Hayden, of Point Pleasant, reports: "This report extends to April 1, 1873, at which time I resign- ed the charge of this Parish to take charge of St. John's, West Brownsville, Pa. In the Foreign Missionary contribu- tions, is included the support of a Chinese boy, at the mis- sionary school, Wuchang.

During the past Diocesan year, I have done missionary work only within the limits of the Parish, Mason county, at five missionary points. I have held service and preached at Mason City, Clifton, and West Columbia, places of an aggre- gate population of near 4,000. Every fourth Sunday in each month, morning, noon and night, until April 1.st. Every fifth Sunday at Bruce Chapel, and occasionally at Buffalo, on the county line. There are three other missionary points in the Parish, which for want of time and strength. I have not visited for services. At these missionary stations the congregations are large and responses full. I always take with me a number of Prayer Books, and page out the service; I find the church is winning its way to the hearts of the people in this section, and in the upper part of the Parish, there is much promise of a good Church being organized at an early date. I have baptized five children at West Columbia, and our communicants in the three towns, West Columbia, Clifton, and Mason City, number sixteen. I earnestly pray that the Lord of the Har- vest will speedily send another laborer into this field now vacant. The Church building at Point Pleasant it is hoped will be ready for use by May 1.

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I would add, that in the three towns above mentioned, I have received no salary from the people, but I have secured the pledge of $100 for the coming year, with assurances of nearer $250, if the next missionary will divide his time be- tween these three places and Pt. Pleasant.'

Rev. Samuel D. Tompkins reports of Volcano: "I had held service in this place several years before, when I was engaged in missionary work. My first visit to the place was in Novem- ber, 1869. I preached in an old school house, and found five communicants. Here I held service occasionally for two years, until the Church was built, which was in the early part of 1871. There is no debt hanging over it. I continued to visit the place and hold service until the 24th of April, 1872, when, at the request of friends of the Church, I took np my residence in Volcano."

Council of 1874. Christ Church, Charlottesville, Va.

Bishop Johns presiding.

West Virginia clergy present : 15 (out of 18); also 10 laymen .. New names: Rev. Jonas B. Clark; Rev. T. H. Lacy; Rev. C. R. Page.

Bishop Johns, in his address, says: "May 27. In Zion. Church, Charlestown, I preached and confirmed thirty-five. May 28. I preached in Grace Church, Middleway. May 29. I preached in St. Bartholomew's, Leetown, and confirmed two. At night, in Trinity, Shepherdstown, after service by the . Rector, I addressed the congregation. May 30. In the same Church, I preached and confirmed thirteen. May 31. In Trin- ity, Martinsburg, I preached and confirmed six. June 1. In Mt. Zion, Hedgesville, I preached and confirmed six. Among the parochial clergy but one has been removed by death, the Rev. Andrew Fisher, late Rector of St. Paul's Church, Wes- ton. His unobtrusive, but earnest piety, endeared him to his brethren, and secured for him the respect and affection of the several congregations which had enjoyed his faithful services."

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Bishop Whittle reports services and confirmations as fol- lows: "July 25. Presbyterian Church, Pocahontas C. H., con- firmed two. July 29. All Saints', Union; confirmed one. July 30. All Saints'. October 14. St. Paul's, Weston. October 15. St. Paul's, Weston; confirmed five. Christ Church, Clarksburg. October 16. Christ Church, Clarksburg; Christ Church, Fairmont. October 17. In Trinity. Moundsville, which has long been without a Rector. October 19. St. John's, Brooke county; Christ Church, Wellsburg; confirmed three. Rev. Mr. Cowpland, the Rector, having been sick, for several weeks was unable to make any preparations for my visit, or to assist me in the services. October 20. St. Matthew's, Wheeling; confirmed nine. October 21. St. John's, Wheeling; confirmed four. October 23. St. John's, Pleasants county. I was unable to meet an appointment in Williamstown.

October 24. Trinity, Parkersburg. October 25. Emmanuel, Volcano. October 26. Emmanuel, Volcano; confirmed ser- en. October 27. Trinity, Parkersburg; confirmed five. Octo- ber 28. Grace, Ravenswood; confirmed four. October 29. In the Court House, Ripley; confirmed five. October 30. Christ Church, Point Pleasant. October 31. Bruce Chapel; con- firmed one. Christ Church, Pt. Pleasant; confirmed one. No- vember 2. Preached morning and night in Trinity, Hunting- ton, and on each occasion confirmed two. November 4. St. Mark's, St. Albans; confirmed two. November 3. St. John's, Charleston. Preached morning and night; confirmed eigh- teen (one being colored.)

November 6. Returned to Huntington, where two days were spent, in examining a candidate for Priest's orders.

November 9. In St. John's, Charleston, ordained Rev. C. R. Page, Presbyter; Rev. Messrs. Callaway, Latane, Hyland and Barr, assisting. At night, after sermon by Mr. Hyland, confirmed four."

Rev. John W. Lea says: "I have preached at Ripon regu- larly 1st and 3rd Sunday afternoons throughout the year,

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also at Kabletown on the 2nd and 4th, during spring and summer.

A most desirable lot has been given us for our prospective Church at Bipon, and if we succeed in raising $700 more, it will enable us to erect a neat stone Church at a cost of $2,500. The success of this enterprise will greatly strengthen Wick- liffe Parish and render it entirely self supporting."

Rev. David Barr (St. Albans) says: "It is my privilege to _ report. that this Parish has improved in several respects since I took charge of it, by God's blessing upon my labors, which began in June, 1873. The congregations are nearly al- ways of very respectable numbers and often large. Evening services have been particularly well attended. The Sunday school. though small, is diligent and well taught; generally, the majority of the children belong to families of working people in the town, people who generally speaking, belong to other denominations of Christians. There is also a Union Sunday school in the Parish, several miles in the country, in which several ladies of the Church are doing good work. The Church building is greatly in need of repairs, the roof being in a very leaky condition, and the plastering frequently falling, in greater or less quantities. The vestry now have strong hope however, of recovering a sufficient amount from the United States government, to thoroughly repair it. if not to build a new Church, if it is thought best to do so."

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 20

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