A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 22

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Rev. R. H. Mason reports, that he has held service at the White Sulphur five times. and several times at Hinton.

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Rev. Samuel D. Tompkins reports, that the prospects at Volcano are not as encouraging as they once were.

Council of 1877. Trinity Church, Staunton, Va.

Bishop Whittle presiding. Clergy in West Virginia: Rev. J. G. Armstrong, St. Matthew's, Wheeling; Rev. R. A. Cobbs, St. John's, Charleston; Rev. Geo. A. Gibbons, Christ Church, Fairmont; Rev. James Grammer, Grace and Middleway ; Rev. Jno. P. Hubbard, Trinity, Shepherdstown; Rev. Wm. L. Hy- land, Trinity, Parkersburg; Rev. Robt. F. Jackson, Jr., Mis- sionary in Wheeling; Rev. T. H. Lacy, Christ Church, Point Pleasant; Rev. Jno. W. Lea, Trinity, Martinsburg; Rev. W. T. Leavell, Mt. Zion, Hedgesville; Rev. R. H. Mason, All Saints', Union; Rev. F. A. Meade, Wickliffe Church, Ripon; Rev. W. H. Meade Zion, Charlestown; Rev. Samuel D. Tomp- kins, Emmanuel, Volcano; Rev. Jno. F. Woods, Christ Church, Clarksburg. All present.

The following lay delegates were present: M. Page An- drews, Trinity, Shepherdstown; R. C. Berkeley, Trinity, Mor- gantown; Col. J. J. Grantham, Christ Church, Norborne Par- ish; James T. Lockridge, Madison Parish, Pocahontas coun- ty; James McNeer, All Saints', Union; Gen. John II. Oley, Trinity Parish, Cabell county; Dr. Spicer Patrick, St. John's, Kanawha C. H., Maj. Alexander T. Laidley, Maj. Thos. L. Broun, alternates; E. W. Staples, Emmanuel, Volcano; Judge Geo. W. Thompson, St. Matthew's, Wheeling; W. E. Watson, Christ Church, Fairmont; Nathan S. White, Zion Charlestown; J. Thornton Young, Trinity, Martinsburg.

Bishop Whittle, in his address reports: "September 3, (1876), consecrated All Saints', Union, Monroe county, preached morning and night, celebrated the Lord's Supper and confirmed six. Rev. R. H. Mason, Rector, and Rev. R. A. Cobbs, of Charleston, assisted in the services. The com- pletion of this building, simple and unpretending, but com- fortable and handsome, was the consummation of hopes long deferred, of many prayers and of persevering effort, on the part of a few zealous Episcopalians. May God ever abun-

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

dantly bless the labors of the devoted Rector and his faith- ful co-workers.

April 15. Preached morning and night in Christ Church, Clarksburg and confirmed six. April 16. Preached and con- firmed two in St. Paul's, Weston, which is now vacant, Rev. A. A. McDonough having resigned the Parish, and removed from the Diocese. The last Council Resolved that the Bishop be and is hereby respectfully requested to call a con- ference of the clergy and laity of the Parishes and congrega- tions within the limits of West Virginia; and that he request such conference to furnish for the information of the Coun- cil at its next session, such facts as will enable the Council to act understandingly on the subject'. In compliance with this resolution, on the first of March, I issued a call for such a conference. April 18. The conference met in one of the Presbyterian Churches in Parkersburg, kindly loaned us for- the occasion, our own, (Trinity), Church building having been condemned as unsafe for us to occupy. The conference was well attended, two sessions were held and the best feeling prevailed. Without coming to any practical conclusion the brethren adjourned to meet again in this place. That meet- ing, I was not able to attend, but the conference will no doubt report its action to the Council. April 19. Confirm- ed four in Emmanuel, Volcano. April 20. In Fairmont, as in Parkersburg, our building being regarded as unsafe, I preached in the Methodist Church and confirmed five. April 22. A. M. and P. M., preached in St. Matthew's. Wheeling, and confirmed twenty-one.

April 23. Accompanied by the Rev. J. G. Armstrong and R. F. Jackson, Jr., visited Christ Church, Wellsburg, preach- ed and confirmed seven, and the next day after sermon by Mr. Armstrong, in St. John's, Brooke county, confirmed one. These two churches, I regret to say, have been for sometime vacant. April 25. Trinity, Moundsville, preached and con- firmed three.

The Diocesan Missionary Committee, reports appropria- tions made to Rev. Geo. A. Gibbons. Fairmont; Rev. R. H.

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Mason, Union ; Rev. S. D. Tompkins, Volcano. Total appropri- ations, $250. Contributions of West Virginia Churches to various funds. Disabled Clergy, $97.54. Widows and Or- phans, $49.14; Diocesan Missions, $253.70; Contingent Fund, $824.

Parochial Reports:

Com. In S. S. Cont.

Rev. Jno. W. Lea, Martinsburg

427

Rev. James Grammer (three churches). .

226

Rev. W. Thos. Leavell, Hedgesville

Rev. F. A. Meade, Ripon

Rev. J. F. Woods, Clarksburg Moorefield

Rev. Jno. P. Hubbard, Shepherdstown

446

Rev. W. H. Meade, Charlestown

186

146

1,750

Rev. R. A. Cobbs, Kanawha C. H.

136

130

Rev. Geo. A. Gibbons, (2 churches,) Fair- mont .

1,126

Rev. T. H. Lacy, Pt. Pleasant

111

Rev. R. H. Mason, Union

122

Rev. Robt. F. Jackson, Jr.

Rev. Samuel D. Tompkins

1,033

943

$5,576

Remarks appended to reports. Rev. Jno. W. Lea-"Of the contributions $265, has been expended in improving the Church and recarpeting it, the result of the energy of the la- dies of the congregation."

Rev. Wm. Thos. Leavell. "My report dates from Aug. last when at the request of the valley convocation, and by their pecuniary aid, the Parish was supplied with service every other Sunday by the present Rector."

Rev. F. A. Meade. "Mission service has been held regularly at St. John's, Ripon, twice a month. This Church is com- pleted, paid for and ready for consecration."

Rev. R. A. Cobbs. "During the past year the ladies of the

1,013

Rev. J. F. Woods, Moundsville

Rev. J. G. Armstrong, Wheeling

21.8

. ..

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Parish have purchased a neat, roomy, comfortable, and con- veniently located Rectory. The cost was $1,980, one-fifth cash, and the remainder in three equal installments at nine, eighteen and twenty-four months, with six per cent. interest from Oct. 20, 1876. The first payment was promptly made, the second is provided for, and the others, will doubtless be forthcoming when due."

Rev. J. F. Woods, (writing of Moundsville) says: "After the death of the former Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Christian, the parish was vacant, until I took charge of it last December; since which time I have been able to give it a monthly ser- vice without fail."

Rev. R. H. Mason. "I have performed missionary duty once a month, either at Lewisburg neighborhood, where there are nine communicants, or at the White Sulphur where there are five."

General Diocesan Statistics:

Baptisms 1,448; confirmations 726; communicants 12,306; contributions $93,657.

The Rev. Dr. Gibson, from the Committee on the Division of the Diocese, reported that the proceedings of the confer- ence in West Virginia, being laid before them they unani- mously sustained its action, by recommending to the council that a Diocese be formed comprising the State of West Vir- ginia, i. e.,

Resolved, That in the judgment of the Committee, should that portion of the Diocese contained in the State of West Virginia, either with or without the counties of Jefferson and Berkeley, present to the Council a petition conformed to the constitutional requirements for the division of a Dio- cese, it will be expedient that such application should be granted.

The Rev. W. L. Hyland, from the conference of the clergy and laity of West Virginia, presented the following report:

The committee, to whom was referred the resolution, re-

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lating to the creation of a new Diocese within the State of West Virginia, by the boundary lines between the said State and the State of Virginia, having had the same under consideration, report the following as embodying the re- sults reached by the conference of clerical and lay delegates, convened by the Bishop in the city of Parkersburg, on the 18th of April, and concluded in Staunton on the 16th of May, and adopting the same as the judgment of your com- mittee.

The committee appointed by the conference, beg leave to report their unanimous concurrence in the following reso- lutions, and recommend their adoption by this conference as its final action in the premises:

1. Resolved, That in the judgment of this conference, the interests of the Church in our State clearly demand a di- vision of the Diocese of Virginia; and the dividing line be the boundaries between the States of Virginia and West Virginia.

We further report that we have ascertained that at least $2,200 and a residence, have been pledged, within the pro- posed Diocese, for the support of the Episcopate, and be- lieve that this sum can be materially increased; therefore

2. Resolved, That this conference requests, and earnest- ly urges, the Council now in session to set apart West Vir- ginia as a separate Diocese.

J. G. Armstrong,

W. P. Thompson, Secretary. Chairman.

Your committee offer the following resolution and ask its adoption by the Council:

Resolved, That the prayer contained in the resolutions tendered by the conference of the clergy and laity of West Virginia be granted, and that the Council doth hereby give its consent, to the erection of a new Diocese, to be formed out of so much of the territory of the Diocese of Virginia, as is contained within the limits of West Virginia.

Mr. M. Page Andrews offered the following amend- ment: Provided that no Parishes in the counties of Jeffer-

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

son and Berkeley, who have signified, or may signify, their desire to remain in the old Diocese, shall be embraced within the limits of the proposed Diocese of West Virginia.

Rev. John P. Hubbard offered as an amendment to the amendment: That the new Diocese be formed of so much of the territory of the Diocese of Virginia, as is contained within the State of West Virginia, as lies west of the boun- dary lines of Grant and Pendleton counties,

Mr. Hubbard's amendment was lost.

Mr. Andrews then offered as an amendment to his for- mer amendment: That the new Diocese consist of West Vir- ginia, except the counties of Jefferson and Berkeley.

It was lost.

Mr. Hyland's report, giving consent, &c., was then adopted. Clerical vote: Ayes 91; noes 4. Lay vote: Ayes 94; noes 10.

Bishop Whittle then gave his consent to the erection of the new Diocese.

Rev. John W. Lea offered the following:

Resolved, That the action of this Council in consenting to the erection of an independent Diocese of the State of West Virginia, which was passed with such unanimity, is not to be construed as disregarding the wishes of any Par- ishes of West Virginia, to remain with the old Diocese of Virginia, or as forcing them from us, but as the decided con- viction of this Council, after hearing all that was to be said for and against it, that the good of the Church demanded this action. Adopted.

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

CHAPTER VI. Digest of Annnal Councils of the Diocese of West Virginia, 1877- 1901, with Extracts from the Bishop's Addresses.

Proceedings of the General Convention, Boston, October, 1878, in giving consent to the formation of a new Diocese to be known as West Virginia.

"Boston, October 9.

The Rev. Dr. Hanckel, of Virginia. As a member of the Committee on the Admission of New Dioceses, to which was referred the memorial from the Convention of the Diocese of Virginia, I desire to present the following report:

The Committee on the admission of New Dioceses to whom was referred the memorial from the Convention of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church, in the Diocese of Virginia, asking the consent of the General Convention, to the creation of a new Diocese within the limits of the present Diocese of Virginia, respectfully report,-

Whereas, A request has been presented to the House of Deputies from the Diocese of Virginia, that a new Diocese be erected in the present Diocese of Virginia, "to consist of the territory of the State of West Virginia, according to the State lines thereof," and,

Whereas, It appears by official documents laid before this House, that the Bishop of Virginia has consented to the erection of the said Diocese, and that all the requirements of Article V. of the Constitution and of the Canons are ful- filled and,

Whereas, The protest of Trinity Church, Shepherdstown, fails to furnish evidence to invalidate these facts, when duly considered in connection with the official documents submit-

RT. REV. G. W. PETERKIN, D. D., L.L. D., 1878.

EPISCOPAL HALL.

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

ted to your committee, and the counter protest of G. W. Thompson, also submitted; therefore, be it

Resolred, the house of Bishops concurring, That the House of Deputies do hereby consent to the erection of the said new Diocese, "to consist of the territory of the State of West Virginia, according to the State lines thereof."

All of which is respectfully submitted, on behalf of the Committee.

J. S. Hanckel

Chairman.

The Rev. Dr. Hanckel, of Virginia. I will state that the action of the Committee, or of such as were present,-nine out of thirteen-was unanimous in regard to this report. I ask for the action of the House on the report.

The Rev. Mr. Hill, of California. I would like to ask of the chairman of the committee, from Virginia, whether they are satisfied that provision has been made for the new Bishop.

The President. The Secretary will again read the report, so that it may be heard by all, and that will answer your inquiry.

The report was again read.

The President. Under the rule, this report would lie upon the table for action under the calendar, but the Chairman of the Committee requests immediate action upon the res- olution. It has been customary to grant this request from the Chairman unless some special objection is made. If I hear of no objection I shall put the question on the adoption of the resolution. If objection be made, it will have to lie over as usual.

The Rev. Mr. Hill, of California. I do not object to the consideration of the resolution, but I would like to have my question answered. for that would determine my vote upon it.

The President. The report of the Committee states that all the requisites have been complied with; and the matter re ferred to by the Rev. Mr. Hill is one of the requisites.

The Rev. Mr. Hill, of California. That is satisfactory.

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The resolution was then unanimously adopted."

Preliminary Proceedings in Virginia and West Virginia.

A division of the Diocese of Virginia was agitated as early as 1821, but the first practical move made in the mat- ter was at a Convocation of the Clergy in Western Virginia, some seven in all, held in Charleston, Kanawha, in 1851. The Rev. James D. McCabe, of Wheeling, had prepared a memorial, looking to a division and it was presented, but Bishop Meade, who was present, opposed the move and the paper was withdrawn.

The next meeting looking in this direction was held in Clarksburg, August 24th, 1865, but as there was no guar- antee that a new Diocese could be supported, the effort came to naught.

The subject was, however, from this time continually agi- tated, and on November 15th, 1872, at a Convocation held in Charleston, Kanawha, Major A. T. Laidley was appointed to open correspondence with the Vestries and to report at a Convocation to be held in Volcano April 23, 1873. The response from the Vestries was so meagre and incomplete that although the meeting was held nothing could be done.

On January 19, 1874, at a meeting of the Vestry of St. John's, Charleston, another effort was made to get a full ex- pression of the people in behalf of the new Diocese, but the effort failed, it may be chiefly on account of the opposition in the eastern counties.

In the autumn of 1875, Bishop Johns expressed himself in favor of the division, provided the support of the Diocese could be secured, and on April 19th, 1876, at the twentieth annual session of the Convocation of West Virginia, held in Wellsburg, steps were taken to bring the matter formally before the Annual Council of Virginia, meeting in Alex- andria in May. That Council recommended the calling of a conference of the Clergy and Laity of the Parishes and Con- gregations within the limits of West Virginia, to furnish

267

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

such information as might enable the Council at its next session to act intelligently on the subject.

This Conference met in Parkersburg on April 18th, 1877. Two sessions were held; they were well attended and the best feeling prevailed. The Conference adjourned to meet in Staunton on May 16th. The result was the request to set apart West Virginia as a separate Diocese. The request was granted by the following vote: Ayes, clergy 91; laity, 94. Noes, clergy, 4; laity, 10.

Bishop Whittle having given his consent, the matter was brought up before the General Convention, meeting in Bos- ton in October, and by them ratified. Thus the Diocese of Virginia was divided and the new Diocese of West Virginia created.

The Primary Convention was held in Charleston, Deceni- ber 5th, 1877, resulting in the election as Bishop, of the Rev. J. H. Eccleston, D. D. He having declined, at the first an- nual Council held in Charlestown, February 27th. 1878, the Rev. George W. Peterkin, of Memorial Church, Baltimore, Md., was elected. He was consecrated in St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling, on Ascension Day, May 30th, 1878, by the Bishop of Ohio, assisted by the Bishop of Pittsburg. and Virginia, the assistant Bishop of Kentucky and the Bishop of Southern Ohio.

Primary Convention of 1877.

The Primary Convention met in St. John's Church, Charles- ton, on Wednesday, December 5th. Bishop Whittle presided; the Rev. J. G. Armstrong preached the sermon. There were present fourteen Clergymen and fourteen Laymen.

The Rev. James Grammer was elected President. and the Rev. T. H. Lacy Secretary of the Convention, and Mr. R. J. MeCandlish Treasurer of the Diocese.

On motion of Judge Geo. W. Thompson, the new Diocese was called the Diocese of West Virginia. The name "Coun- cil" was chosen for the annual meeting. Rev. James Gram- mer was elected President of the Council.

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Rev. W. L. Hyland, Mr. N. S. White and Judge Thomp- son were chosen a Committee on Constitution and Canons; they made a partial report and were continued.

On the sixth ballot the Rev. J. H. Eccleston, D. D., Rector of Trinity Church, Newark, N. J., was elected Bishop.

On motion of the Rev. T. H. Lacy, a committee was ap- pointed to confer with the Council of the Diocese of Virginia on the relations between us in regard to Church property, etc.

Mr. R. J. McCandlish was elected Treasurer of the Diocese.

Judge Thompson stated that $2,469 was pledged for the support of the Bishop, and that $300 additional could be de- pended upon from Churches that had made no pledges. Judge Thompson was appointed Trustee of this fund.

On motion of Rev. Mr. Hyland, the Diocese was, pending the consecration of Bishop, placed under the Episcopal charge of the Bishop of Virginia.

On motion of Rev. J. G. Armstrong, the salary of the Bishop was fixed for the present at $2,200; and it was also stated that Trinity Church, Parkersburg, had tendered an Episcopal residence in that city.

The ballots were as follows:

CLERICAL.

Whole number of votes cast 13. Necessary to a choice 7.

Rev. J. H. Eccleston, D. D., 2

2 1

Rev. R. H. McKim, D. D., .

5 5

Rev. John H. Elliott, D. D.,

Rev. W. H. Meade,

6 7

LAY VOTE.

Whole number of votes cast 15. Necessary to a choice S. To concur,

· 5

To non-concur,

· 10

The vote was taken again, as follows :

Rev. Geo. W. Peterkin, 1

1st. 2nd. 3rd. 4th. 1

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

CLERICAL.

Whole number of votes cast 13. Necessary to a choice 7.

1st. 2nd.

Rev. J. H. Eccleston, D. D., . 6

Rev. R. H. McKim, D. D.,

5 5

Rev. Geo. W. Peterkin, .

Whole number of votes cast 15; necessary to a choice, 8.

To concur,

To non-concur,

Members of the Council:

Rev. J. G. Armstrong, Wheeling; Rev. R. A. Cobbs, Charles- ton; Rev. Geo. A. Gibbons, Fairmont; Rev. James Grammer, Middleway; Rev. J. P. Hubbard, Shepherdstown; Rev. Emile J. Hall, Pocahontas county ; Rev. W. L. Hyland, Parkersburg; Rev. T. H. Lacy, Point Pleasant; Rev. Jno. W. Lea, Martins- burg; Rev. Wm. T. Leavell, Hedgesville; Rev. Richard H. Mason, Union; Rev. Wm. H. Meade, Charlestown; Rev. Sam- uel D. Tompkins, Volcano; Rev. John F. Woods, Clarksburg.

Mr. J. L. W. Baker, Martinsburg; Dr. C. P. Bryan, Poca- hontas county; Dr. John T. Cotton, Charleston; Col. Jno. S. Cunningham, Coalsmouth; Mr. Geo. T. Kreglow, Hedges- ville; Mr. E. I. Lee, Shepherdstown; Dr. James Logie, Lee- town; Mr. Jas. MacNeer, Union; Mr. R. J. MeCandlish, Par- kersburg; Gen'l. Jno. H. Oley, Huntington; Hon. Edmund Sehon, Point Pleasant; Judge Jos. Smith, Ravenswood; Hon. Geo. W. Thompson, Wheeling; Mr. N. S. White, Charlestown; Mr. W. E. Watson, Fairmont.

Council of 1878. Charles Town.

The First Annual Council met in Zion Church, Charlestown, on Wednesday, February 27. Bishop Whittle presided; the Rev. Mr. Cobbs preached the sermon. There were present fourteen Clergymen and seventeen Laymen.

Bishop Whittle having reported, that the Rev. Dr. Eccles-

1 1

Rev. J. H. Elliott, D. D., LAY.

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

ton had declined the Episcopate, to which he was elected at the Primary Convention of 1877, on the eleventh ballot the Rev. Geo. W. Peterkin, Rector of the Memorial Church, Bal- timore, was elected Bishop.

The ballots were as follows:

CLERICAL VOTE.

1st. 2nd. 3rd. 4th. 5th. 6th 7th. 8th. 9th. 10th.11th

Rev. W. H. Meade, 7 7 7 4 4 6 6 5 5

Rev. E. T. Perkins, D. D., 2 2 2 2 3.2 3 4

2 2

3 3 3 3 4 6 6 8.

Rev. J. S. Hanekel. D. D., -

1 - . -

Whole number of votes cast, 14; necessary to a choice, S.

The Council took a recess until the next day, Friday, March 1st, then was taken the Lay vote.

To concur,

To non-concur,

Whole number of votes cast, 17; necessary to a choice, 9.

On motion of Rev. Mr. Hyland, an assessment at the rate of twenty-five cents per communicant was made on the par- ishes for the contingent fund.

Special Council of 1878. Martinsburg.

A Special Council met in Trinity Church, Martinsburg, ou Wednesday, July 10th, to consider the report of the commit- tee appointed to confer with the Diocese of Virginia in ref- erence to Church property, etc. Bishop Peterkin presided. The Rev. Mr. Hyland preached the sermon. Present S Cler- gymen and 7 Laymen.

The Committee reported that, in regard to the Widows' and Orphans' Fund, the Disabled Clergy Fund, the Bruce Fund, the Episcopal residence and the Episcopal Fund, it was considered that West Virginia had forfeited and relin- quished all right to any part of this property. Nevertheless, the Diocese of Virginia agrees to pay to the Diocese of West Virginia, the sum of $5.000, and the acceptance thereof shall, ipso facto, operate of all property claims of the one Diocese against the other. This was accepted.

5 3

Rev. Jno. H. Elliott, D. D., 3 3 3 3

Rev. Geo. W. Peterkin, 2 2 2 4 4 2 3

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

The rights of the Diocese of West Virginia in the Theo- logical Seminary and High School, near Alexandria, were fully recognized and two Trustees given to it on the Board, as also on the Board of the Education Society.

The Virginia Brotherhood held that the division of the Diocese operated to forfeit the membership of all the West Virginia Clergy.

Council of 1879. Clarksburg.

The Second Annual Council met in Christ Church, Clarks- burg, on Wednesday, June 4th. The Bishop presided. The Rev. W. H. Meade preached the sermon. There were present 13 clergymen and 12 laymen.

Progress was made on the Canons. The Diocesan Missions Committee reported $805.36 disbursed during the year, also $800 received from the American Church Missionary Society, and $500 from the Board of Missions, all in aid of ten clergy- men. The Bishop recommended the formation of a Brother- hood like that in Virginia.

From the Bishop's address: The new Diocese.

"It cannot but be with a feeling of deep responsibility that. we enter upon our work in this new Diocese. Whatever dif- ficulties may have been in the way of its formation, yet the very general feeling was, that it could not longer be delayed without injury to the Church; and I have been happy to find in my visits during the past year everywhere a spirit of hope- ful interest. We must remember that the immediate result of our new and independent organization will be not to les- sen, but to increase the demands of work, and we must be content to lay the foundation for future success, by patient labor now, and to cast our bread upon the waters, though in some cases we do not find it until after many days. The sparseness of our population, and the fewness and smallness of our existing church organizations, with but few excep- tions, warn us not rashly to expect impossibilities, and then to be discouraged because they are not realized. Let us be content rather with a gradual and more healthy growth, as

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 22

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