A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 21

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The Rev. Jno. F. Woods (Fairmont) says: "There is a good parsonage in this Parish almost paid for. I give one Sun- day a month to this Church, the best I can do."

The Rev. T. H. Lacy (Pt. Pleasant) says: "My report dates from October 1, 1873, when I took charge of the Parish. I found some earnest workers in the congregation, who had long been engaged in the effort of establishing the Church here. and they through the agency of their indefatigable Rector. my predecessor, who labored here for several years. had succeeded in building up a congregation, in the face of many difficulties, and largely through their own means, with help from without. they had almost completed a large and

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handsome Church building. There are three points above on the river, in connection with the place, as missionary sta- tions, which I have visited regularly on the 3rd Sunday in the month, with the apparent prospect of good. as the pop- ulation, (chiefly of miners) greatly need the gospel and seem to desire the services of the Church. Only a few communi- cants are found among them but they are very zealous. The , service is, for the most part. unfamiliar, and has to be 'paged ont,' vet the congregations are encouraging. Bruce Chapel, below, lias also been visited on the fifth Sunday. Four communicants are in the neighborhood, one of whom was reported above, among those recently confirmed. the re- maining three were not reported. The congregations are good, and the work promising."

St. Matthew's, Wheeling: Communicants about 200. The Parish Register having been lost or mislaid this report is informal and defective.

Rev. R. H. Mason reports of Pocahontas county: "Commu- nicants 9. The members of this congregation being scar- tered widely over the county, there is great difficulty in car- rying on a Sunday school. But family and pastoral instruc- tion of the young is diligently attend to."

Rev. Samuel D. Tompkins reports: "In addition to my par- ochial duties. I have preached several times in Sistersville, my former home. The prosperity here seems to be much bet- ter than formerly. I baptized two children. They talk of building a Church. I have visited St. John's. Pleasants county, as often as I could. I have preached several times at Eaton Station, Wood county, where we have four wor- thy communicants. Also at Cairo, Ritchie county, where we have some true friends, anxious to have regular services."

Grace Church (?) Pocahontas county, was received into union with the Council.

Council of 1875. St. Paul's Richmond, Va.

Bishop Johns presiding. Present from West Virginia, 8 (out of 14) clergy and 7 laymen. Bishop Johns reported. Rev.

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P. Brooke accepted and since resigned. St. Albans. Rev. R. H. Mason accepted All Saints', Union. Rev. J. G. Arm- strong accepted St. Matthew's, Wheeling. Rev. A. A. Mc- Donough accepted St. Paul's, Weston, (Sept., 1874).

Also as deposed from the ministry Rev. J. A. Latane and Rev. J. H. MeMechen, (they having seceded from the church). Bishop Whittle reported services as follows:

"July 31. After services by Rev. C. M. Callaway, preached in the Court House at Hinton, and confirmed 5. Aug. 2. St. John's. Charleston; confirmed eight; ing. 22. Mt. Zion, Hedgesville; Aug. 23. In the same church baptized a child of the Rector, and confirmed four; at night in Trinity, Mar- tinsburg; confirmed four; Aug. 24. Trinity, Shepherdstown, confirmed one; Aug. 25. St. Bartholomew's, Leetown; Aug. 26. Christ Church, Bunker Hill; baptized a child; Aug. 27. Grace, Middleway; confirmed one; Ang. 28. Zion. Charles- town; confirmed ten; Aug. 29.Wickliffe. confirmed three; April 7. St. John's, Charleston; baptized three children and confirmed ten; the Rev. C. M. Callaway. I was sorry to find, had resigned the Rectorship of this Church.

April 8. Preached in the morning in a hall at St. Albans, and at night in Huntington, and confirmed one. The Church building at St. Albans was so much injured during the war that it has become unsafe, and the people being unable to raise the means to repair, have been compelled to abandon it.

April 10. A. M., West Columbia; confirmed five: P. M., Mason City; confirmed six. April 11. Baptized a child of the Rector in Christ Church, Pt. Pleasant, and confirmed five. In the afternoon preached in Bruce Chapel. April 25. A. M. and P. M., Emmanuel, Volcano; confirmed two. April 26. St. Paul's, Weston; confirmed two. April 27. Christ Church, · Clarksburg; confirmed one. April 28. . Christ Church, Fair- mont; confirmed three. April 29. Trinity, Moundsville; con- firmed one. April 30. Christ Church, Wellsburg; confirmed three. May 1. St. John's, Brooke county; confirmed three. May 2. St. Matthew's, Wheeling; confirmed thirty-one; St. John's; confirmed nine. May 3. New Martinsville. May 4.

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Sistersville. confirmed one; May 5. St. John's, Pleasants county; confirmed one. P. M., preached in Williamstown. May 6. A. M .: Trinity, Parkersburg; baptized a child of the Rector; P. M., in the same church, preached and confirmed eight. May 7. Grace, Ravenswood. May S. In the Court House, Ripley; confirmed five. May 9. A. M. and P. M., Grace, Ravenswood and confirmed eleven."

Statistics of Diocese of West Virginia: Baptisms 1,38; confirmations 897; communicants 11,585. In Sunday schools 10,902. Total contribution, $128,187.07.

The Churches in West Virginia gave: Education Society, $465; Disabled Clergy $128; Widows and Orphans, $53.80. Di- ocesan Missions $232. Contingent Fund $776.50. Missionary appropriations to West Virginia, $550.

Rev. John W. Lea (Martinsburg) says: "I took charge of this parish, April 1, 1875. My report is chiefly a record of the official acts of Rev. W. D. Hanson, who resigned in Novem- ber, 1874. By connecting Wickliffe Church with Trinity and Mt. Zion, Churches from April to October 1875. a con- siderable sum is saved to the Missionary Societies, though my own support for the six months, is thereby but slightly increased. After October, my connection with Wickliffe and Ripon, and possibly Mt. Zion Church, ceases."

Trinity, Shepherdstown, reports: Rectorship made vacant by the death of Dr. Andrews, May 24, 1875.

Rev. James Grammer (Middleway) reports: "The result of the envelope system which has been in operation now twelve months, is that the pastor's salary is paid in full, but no mar- gin left for outside charities and missions."

Rev. Jno. W. Lea reports: "During the past year, as here- tofore, I have held services in the school house at Ripon, on the 1st and 3rd Sunday afternoons. A church has been con- tracted for, at $2,100, and is to be completed by October, 1875. There are about fifteen communicants here, and 5 candidates for confirmation."

St. John's, Kanawha C. H., reports: Five teachers and 35 scholars at the Mission Chapel, West Charleston, under

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the superintendence of E. L. Bill. $1,000 has been contribu- ted for the mission chapel in West Charleston.

St. Mark's, St. Albans, reports: Church vacant since res- ignation of Rev. Pendleton Brooke. Since the latter part of September last, the Church has been unfit for use.

The Rev. T. H. Lacy (Pt. Pleasant) reports: "There are con- nected with this Parish, two Mission Stations, Mason City and West Columbia, distant 16 and 12 miles. There seems a good prospect for the Church in these towns. Most of the inhabitants are miners and laboring people. There are sev- eral Episcopalians among them, and of the 16 confirmations reported 11 took place there. Though some know and love the service, for the bulk of the congregations it must be 'paged out'. There are a good many others, besides these who are connected with the Church in Ohio, but reside on this side of the river, who I suppose would join the Church in their midst, if it ever becomes regularly established. At Bruce Chapel, there are three communicants. They live in the vicinity of a regular Episcopal Church, but the neighbor- hood is so sparsely settled, that it hardly seems to justify frequent services. Their interest however seems abiding.

At Point Pleasant, we have been struggling on, and en- deavoring to pay off the Church debt. and making efforts to forward the building to completion. This whole Parish is strictly speaking, a missionary jurisdiction, but this is the strongest place in it, and through the earnest perseverence of the zealous workers here, may eventually become self-sup- porting and independent."

Rev. Jonas B. Clark, St. John's, Wheeling says: "Seven hundred dollars of our total contributions ($1,455.35) was given by an excellent lady of this Parish, to redeem certain bonds held against the Parish. The balance was subscribed by the bond-holders themselves, and other benevolent mem- bers of St. John's Parish. The sum of $55.35 was raised by a few estimable and efficient young ladies of the Parish for a Sunday school library."

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Rev. R. H. Mason reports five candidates for confirmation in Madison Parish, Pocahontas county.

Rev. Samuel D. Tompkins, (Volcano) reports that on ac- count of the difficulty in business many people have left Vol- cano, among others some of our communicants. I had a good number of candidates for confirmation one year ago, but they left a few months since. I hold regular services at St. John's, Pleasants county, and at Cairo. The prospects in each place are encouraging. Occasionally I hold services at Sis- tersville, at Eaton Station, Wood county, and at Petroleum. I use the Mission Prayer Book, and have good responses.

Rev. Mr. Rambo (Bellaire, O.) reports services at Mounds- ville twice a month; services for the convicts in the peniten- tiary monthly, also monthly visits to New Martinsville (Mon- day mornings). Number of communicants 8.

Council of 1876. St. Paul's, Alexandria, Va.

Bishop Whittle presiding. Out of 16 West Virginia cler- gy, 14 were present; also 9 laymen. New names among the clergy, Rev. Edmund Christian, Moundsville; Rev. R. A. Cobbs, Charleston; Rev. Geo. A. Gibbons, Fairmont ; Rev. Jno. P. Hubbard, Shepherdstown; Rev. F. A. Meade, Wick- liffe.

Bishop Whittle, in his address said: "It is under peculiar- ly sad and solemn circumstances that we are assembled in this 81st Council of our Church in Virginia. Our venerable and beloved Bishop Johns, said to us in his address twelve months ago, 'During the past year not one of the clergy, ca- nonically connected with this Diocese has been removed by death.' But how different the report which I must make to you today. We had hardly adjourned and while most of us were on our way to our homes, the Rev. Chas. W. An- drews, D. D., Rector of Trinity Church, Shepherdstown, who had been arrested by sickness in Fredericksburg, on his way to the Council, after a most faithful and useful ministry of forty-three years, on 24th day of May, 1875, ceased from his labors, and entered into the rest that remaineth for the peo-

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ple of God. No words of eulogy are needed from me. of one so well known, not only in our own Diocese, but throughout our entire Church, and wherever known so much admired, for his superior talents, and loved for his devout and earnest Christian spirit. It is enough to say of him that he fought a good fight. and finished his course and kept the faith;' and we doubt not has received the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, has laid up for all them that love His appearing.

"The Rev. Chas. E. Ambler was the next to follow. A pur- er and more lovable Christian character. it was never my privilege to know. I am not informed as to the day and month of his decease. He had been for many years in de- clining health, but 'while the outward man decayed, the im- mortal man was renewed day by day.' So that when his change came, we doubt not an abundant entrance was min- istered unto him into the Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour. Jesus Christ.

"But our greatest sorrow for the whole Diocese was yet to come. Our beloved Bishop, the Rt. Rev. John Johns, was stricken with sickness on the 13th of March. and after linger- ing with us, amidst our hopes and our fears until midnight of the 4th of April, he finished his course with joy, and the min- istry which he had received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. His end was not only peaceful but triumphant: God had given him for long and important service in His church. His ministry extended through a peri- od. of within one month. of fifty-seven years; the record of his abundant labors as Bishop and Assistant Bishop during nearly thirty-three of those years, being spread on the pages of your Journals. I can add nothing to what has been pub- lished by individuals, vestries, and other bodies in regard to the character, life and work of the dear departed. I will merely testify, that he ever treated me with the kindness and confidence of a father. The better I came to know him, during my intimate association with him, for nearly eight years, the more I admired him for his varied and great abil-

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ities, and loved him for his Christian virtues. But he has gone! The place amongst us which so long knew him shall know him no more forever. Surely his loss to me can never be repaired. May a double portion of his spirit rest on. his unworthy successor, and may God's strength be made per- fect in my weakness. May we my dear clerical brethren, be enabled by the Holy Spirit to preach Christ, as uniform- ly, as simply and as earnestly as he preached Him, and may we all, ministers and laymen, receive grace to follow Christ, as he followed Him. So, (and what more can we desire?) may we die the death of this eminent servant of God, and our last end shall be like his."

From Bishop Johns' Journal: "July 16. I preached in Wick- liffe Church, and confirmed five. July 18. Zion, Charlestown; confirmed fifteen. July 19. Grace, Middleway; confirmed three. July 20. St. Bartholomew's. Leetown. July 21. Trin- ity, Shepherdstown. July 22. Trinity, Martinsburg; confirm- ed eight. July 23. Christ Church, Bunker Hill; confirmed three. July 24. Mt. Zion, Hedgesville; confirmed five. Oc- tober 11. I left home to visit the Western section of the Dio- cese. October 12. Preached in Christ Church, Clarksburg. The next day was spent in reaching Wheeling. October 14. St. Matthew's, Wheeling; confirmed eight. I had no appoint- ment for St. John's congregation. The house which they had occupied, but which never belonged to them, had been recently sold to pay the debt contracted in its erection. Whether the good people, thus unhoused will provide them- selves with suitable accommodations elsewhere, or unite with St. Matthew's, I am not informed. I am, however, hap- py to know that the Rector of St. Matthew's proposes to enter at an early day upon the missionary work, for which North and South Wheeling seem to be prepared. Returning by Grafton and Clarksburg, I passed on to Parkersburg.

October 17. In the morning I preached in Trinity Church, and at night after a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Tompkins. I confirmed five. October 18. I preached in Grace Church, Ra- venswood. This and St. John's, Ripley, vacant by the res-

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ignation of the Rev. C. R. Page, have made arrangements for occasional services by the Rev. Mr. Lacy. October 20. At Point Pleasant I baptized an infant of the Rev. Il. E. Hayden, former Rector of the Parish, and preached in Christ Church. The next morning, the only boat going down the river that day passed without stopping, and so deprived me of the conveyance on which I depended, for reaching Hunt- ington in time for my appointment that night. But the en- terprise of my clerical brother was equal to the emergency. Carriages were quickly provided. We were soon ferried over the Ohio; and by a rapid ride to Gallipolis reached the wharf before the boat had finished taking on her freight. I was thus enabled. to fulfill my engagement in the evening, when I preached to a large and interesting congregation at Hunt- ington. The Churches here and at St. Albans are both va- vant. United they might furnish a support for a minister, and a faithful and persistent laborer, in these fields, will not have long to wait for precious fruit. October 22. At Charles- ton, Kanawha, I was happy to find the Rev. R. A. Cobbs, re- cently elected Rector, of St. John's Church, who had has- tened to the Parish. that he might be there during my visit. and assist me in the services. As he had reached Charles- ton but a few days before I did, there was no time to arrange for confirmation. At night I preached in St. John's, and next day at noon left for home by the Chesapeake and Ohio rail- road.

From Ravenswood to Charleston I was accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Lacy, whose services were very acceptable to the severai congregations."

Bishop Whittle's report: "August 14 and 15. Accompan- ied by the Rev. Dr. Meredith, visited Moorefield. where I preached twice in the Court House, made an address after sermon by Dr. Meredith and confirmed five. Here I found a smali. but very earnest band of Episcopalians, who are carry- ing quite a flourishing Sunday school and are making an of- fort to erect a Church. In this effort I trust they may be suc- cessful. and also in some how procuring the regular services

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of a minister. Entirely cut off by mountains and long dis- tances from all intercourse with members of their own Church, they deserve the sympathy and assistance of their more favored brethren. August 20. All Saints', Union; con- firmed two. August 22. Preached and confirmed eight in Christ Church, Warm Springs, four of whom were from Po- cahontas county. I have received the following communica- tion :

Resolutions of the Convocation of West Virginia:

At the 20th regular session of the Convocation of West Virginia, held in Christ Church, Wellsburg, commencing Wednesday, April 19, 1876, after a full and free discussion the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Res. 1. That in the judgment of this Convocation the in- terests of the Church in our State clearly demand a division of the Diocese of Virginia.

2. That while we would prefer a Diocesan organization, yet rather than the division should fail, we ask that West Virginia, or such part thereof, as may be designated by the Council of Virginia, be set apart as a missionary jurisdiction.

3. That we respectfully ask the Bishop and the ensuing Council to take the necessary action in the premises.

4. That in expressing our views as above, of the neces- sity of a division of the Diocese of Virginia, we would have it distinctly understood that we continue toward our Bishop, the same loyal affection and high esteem for his zeal and fidel- ity, which we have always felt. And also that for our belov- ed and much lamented Bishop, recently deceased, we have the most affectionate remembrance and highest veneration.

' W. L. Hyland, President.

T. H. Lacy, Secretary.

It does not appear from the above who were represented in the Convocation. I should be sorry to see any of our breth- ren cut off from us, against their will. But if it shall be made to appear, that the ministers and people of Trans-Allegheny West Virginia, desire their territory to be erected into a

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separate Diocese or Missionary District, I trust the Council will do whatever may be necessary to accomplish their wishes.

The trouble with regard to the Church in West Virginia, is not the want of Episcopal supervision. That portion of the Diocese as compared with some other portions, has re- ceived more than its share of the services of our late Bishop and his assistant. What is needed is settled ministers and money to support them. These are not to be had in West Virginia, and it is simply impossible for Virginia to supply them. There is no more reason, why our Diocesan Mission- ary Society should be expected, unaided. to build up the Church in that, than in any other adjoining, but separate and independent State. It belongs to the Board of Missions of the whole Church to do this work in West Virginia, as well as in Colorado and Utah, and more than in Northern Cali- fornia, and northern and western Texas. To the Board of Missions, therefore, in my judgment, it ought to be transfer- red. I commend this subject, of so much importance to the growth of our Church, on both sides of the mountains, to the serious consideration of the Council."

The application from Morgantown for admission as a Par- ish to be composed of Morgan, Grant and Union districts in the county of Monongalia, and to be called Trinity Parish, was granted.

The application from Hardy, to separate from Augusta Parish, and to establish a new Parish, having limits contin- uous with those of Hardy county, and to be called Emmanuel Parish, was granted.

Judge Sheffey, from the Committee to whom was referred the subject of West Virginia, presented the following re- port:

"The committee to whom was referred so much of the Bishop's address, as has reference to the formation of a new Diocese in West Virginia, and, if that cannot be accomplish- ed, the creation of a Missionary jurisdiction of that portion

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of the Diocese; the memorial of the Convocation of West Virginia, asking for the organization of a new Diocese within the limits of West Virginia, or such portion thereof as the Council may designate; and the memorial of the Convoca- tion of the Valley, embracing the parishes and congregations within the limits of Jefferson and Berkeley, West Virginia, protesting against any line of division, which would separate them from the Diocese of Virginia, and indicating the Alle- gheny mountains as a proper line for the new Diocese, should one be organized; have had the same under consideration and beg leave to report: That feeling deeply the need of increased Episcopal services in the portion of the Diocese re- ferred to; but, having before them no satisfactory or suffi- cient data or facts, to base a definite report upon, and deem- ing it proper that opportunity should be afforded to procure, and lay before the Council due information on the subject; and that the same should be procured under proper author- ity, It is therefore,

Resolved, That the Bishop be and is hereby, respectfully requested, to call a conference of the clergy and laity of the Parishes and congregations within the limits of West Vir- ginia; and that he request such conference, to furnish for the information of the Council at its next session, such facts as will enable the Council, to act understandingly on the sub- ject.

Resolved 2. That the matters referred to this Committee be postponed, for consideration at the next Council.

Respectfully, W. L. Hyland, Chairman."

Rev. James Grammer offered the following amendment: Amend the 1st resolution, by striking out the word "all," and adding at the close of the words "West Virginia" the words "exclusive of the Parishes in the counties of Jeffer- son and Berkeley."

Mr. A. L. Carter moved to lay the whole subject on the table. Lost.

The amendment proposed by Mr. Grammer was lost, and the report as offered by the committee was approved.

REV, THOMAS HUGO LACY, D. D., 1873.

REV. ANTHONY A. MCDONOUGH, 1874.

REV. ROBERT ADDISON COBBS, 1876.

REV. JOHN P. HUBBARD, D. D., 1876.

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Reports from fifteen Churches show 997 communicants and $7,570 contributions.

The Rev. Jno. W. Lea (Martinsburg); reports that the con- gregation is looking forward, we trust at no distant day, 10 improving and enlarging the Church.

The Rev. W. H. Meade (Charlestown), reports that the work among the colored people has such elements of hopeful- ness as to suggest the erection of a chapel for their use. A lot. and some $200 for building have been secured.

Rev. R. A. Cobbs (Charleston) dates his report from Octo. ber 23. 1875.

Rev. Geo. A. Gibbons says, that of the twenty-eight com- municants reported at Fairmont, five are at Morgantown, and one at Mannington.

Rev. T. H. Lacy (Pt. Pleasant) says: "There are connected with this Parish three regular Mission stations, Hartford, Mason and West Columbia and in these towns reside thirteen of the forty-six communicants, reported, besides several oth- ers, who hold their membership in the Church at Pomeroy, who would be more than likely to join the Church on this side of the river, if a Church building in their midst could be obtained. This end, so long and so earnestly desired, seems now more nearly attained than ever. There is a strong hope, that we may attain a building by purchase, which will answer every purpose, and be obtained much cheaper, than one could be built. Could this be done that portion of the Parish would doubtless soon, or at most before a long time, be self-sustaining, and have a remarkably fine promise of growth, being a central point, as the building we hope to purchase is, in the midst of six several towns, with a population in the aggregate probably. exceeding 4,000. These points have been visited regularly, as opportunity permitted. Sometimes on Sunday, and some- times on some day in the week. and great encouragement has been afforded."

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 21

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