A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 47

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USA > West Virginia > A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia > Part 47

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Caperton .- There is no Episcopal Church at Caperton. The

REV. ARTHUR M. LEWIS.

CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER, ANSTED.

REV. FRANCIS K. LEAVELL.

CALVARY, MONTGOMERY.

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

Rev. F. A. Meade holds service once a month in the Union Church, and there are only four communicants and no vestry. There is at Caperton a small Union Sunday-school. The Rev. Messrs. Marley, Turner, Thomas, Crook and Meade have preached there at different times.

Nuttallburg .- There is no church building at Nuttall, but services are held about once a month in the Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Mr. Cobbs, of Charleston, tried to establish a church organization here, but did not succeed. There have been occasional services for twenty-five years, sometimes once a month. The Rev. Messrs. Wager, Meade, Marley, Thomas and Crook have preached at different times.

Beury .- There is a Union Church at Beury, which was built in 1889, in which Messrs. Meade, Marley and Thomas have preached at different times.

The Bishops visit all three places regularly.

Dubree and Keeney's Mountain .- At these two points, which are perhaps four miles up from Nuttallburg, we have fifteen or twenty communicants, the most of them belonging to fam- ilies that have been identified with the Church of England. At Keeney's Mountain we use a school-house, and at Dubree the Presbyterian Church has been kindly loaned. Nothing but our inability to give this work the care it deserved has prevented us from gathering a large congregation. The Rev. Messrs. Meade, Thomas, Wager and Marley have labored among these people, as also Mr. Crook and Mr. Darst, Candi- dates for Orders. It is all distinctly encouraging, but we cannot yet attain unto it.

Fayetteville-Here we have occasional services, and at times a good prospect of building a chapel, but so far it has not been realized. The number of Church people has greatly varied-sometimes there have been five or six and sometimes none.

Glen Jean .- The first communicants of the Church at Glen Jean were Mrs. D. E. Llewellen, Mrs. J. J. Robinson and Mrs. Justus Collins. Before 1897 there was no house of worship

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

in Glen Jean of any denomination, but at that time it was decided to erect a building, which should be a Union Church, to be used by all orthodox denominations.

The Ladies' Aid Society, under the energetic leadership of Mrs. C. B. Lee, began the work, and in 1898 a neat building was finished, at a cost of $1,800, less $642, the final debt. The Ladies' Society then offered the church to any denomination which would assume the debt ($642.) After all others had refused, Bishop Peterkin offered to pay $500 if the church in Glen Jean would assume the rest. This was done, through the substantial intervention of Mr. Justus Collins.

Before regular services could be secured, the pulpit was filled from time to time by Bishop Peterkin and by the Rev. F. A. Meade, from Hinton. The Rev. Mr. Marley had charge for a time, and the Rev. H. B. Thomas, then a deacon, suc- ceeded him. The Rev. Guy H. Crook, a deacon, assumed charge June 30, 1901.

Gilmer.

Gilmer county was formed from parts of Lewis and Kanawha, in 1845, and was named for Thomas Walker Gilmer, Governor of Virginia, 1840. Square miles, 360. Population-1870, 4,338; 1880, 7,108; 1890, 9,674; 1900, 11,762.

Bishop Peterkin visited Glenville in November, 1887, and again in July, 1897, preaching on each occasion in the Pres- byterian Church. The Rectors at Weston have also visited this point, but we have never had more than two or three communicants, and no prospect as vet for a station.

Grant.

Grant county was formed from Hardy, in 1866, and was named for General Grant. Square miles, 520. Population- 1870, 4,467; 1880, 5,542; 1890, 6,270; 1900, 7,275.

Mission Work .- On September 1st, 1882, Bishop Peterkin preached in the Presbyterian Church in Petersburg. This was his first visit to Grant county. He found three communi- cants and baptized an infant.

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

In 1885 and 1886 the Rev. G. A. Gibbons preached in Peters- burg once or twice and visited a few people. No communi- cants were living there as far as he could ascertain, and, hav- ing his hands full of work elsewhere, he could not go to Petersburg.

The Rev. G. A. Gibbons reports, December 10, 1883, that he had in November, conducted service and preached at Fairfax Stone, Grant County, and baptized two or three children. This he believed to be the first service ever held by any clergyman in that wilderness.

Greenbrier.

Greenbrier county was formed from Montgomery and Botetourt, in 1777. Square miles, 1,000. Population-1870, 11.417; 1880, 15,060; 1890, 18,006; 1900, 20,682.

Greenbrier Parish-Rev. R. H. Mason from time to time held services in Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties, but in 1878, Rev. Emile J. Hall, Deacon, was sent by Bishop Whit- tle to take formal charge of the work in Pocahontas county, and to extend his ministrations to Greenbrier county. In the summer of 1878, Bishop. Peterkin found that he had mor- ed to Lewisburg and was dividing his time between Lewis- burg and Ronceverte, in Greenbrier county, and Hillsboro, Huntersville and Clover Lick, in Pocahontas county. He also visited Glencoe. In Lewisburg service was held in the court house or in a school house, and at Ronceverte in a Union church, which some of our members, notably Col. Clay and Mr. Hurxthal had been instrumental in building.

Mr. Hall was succeeded by Rev. Francis D. Lee, and he again by Rev. T. H. Lacy, D. D. Dr. Lacy's ministry was em- inently successful here, as elsewhere, and it has always been the dream of many of our warmest friends that could he have remained, the church in this extensive parish would have been much more speedily built up. Of course time was un- avoidably lost by vacancies, and by the delay occasioned, as new men were getting accustomed to the field.

Greenbrier Parish was organized and admitted to union

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

with the Diocese in 1883. It embraced in its territory the county of Greenbrier) exclusive of the White Sulphur Springs, which is placed under the control of the Bishop), the town of Alderson, in Monroe county, and four miles around. At the time of its organization, there were two churches in. the Parish. St. James', at Lewisburg, and The Church of The Incarnation, at Ronceverte, both nearly completed, also Epiphany, a private chapel at Glencoe, the residence of Mrs. MacFarland.

Rev. T. H. Lacy, D. D., was the first minister in charge of the Parish. He was succeeded by Rev. Curtis Grubb. June 9, 1888. Rev. Arthur P. Gray took charge of the Parish July 22nd, 1889.

Rev. G. P. Summerville became Rector of the Parish, April 24, and remained in charge until May 10, 1891. The records do not state when Rev. John Moncure was called to the Par- ish, but it is recorded that he gave up charge of it October 26, 1891, to accept a call to Philadelphia.

The Rev. Geo. W. Easter took charge of the churches at Lewisburg and Ronceverte, April 18, 1892. Ile was succeed- ed by the Rev. Lawrence R. Combs, who resided in Coving- ton, Virginia, and gave two Sundays a month to Lewisburg and Ronceverte. He resigned in 1897 and was succeeded by Rev. Isaac A. Canfield, who remained about three months. He was succeeded by Rev. M. T. Turner, who took charge of the work November 10, 1897. in connection with Madison Parish. Previous to the formation of the Parish, services were held by the following ministers: Revs. E. J. Hall, R. H. Mason and F. D. Lee.

The first vestry of the Parish was composed of the fol- lowing persons: Nathaniel A. Bailie, Senior Warden; Ben Hurxthal, Junior Warden; John W. Harris, Registrar; W. P. Rucker, Treasurer; Dr. A. S. Patrick. The names of oth- ers who have served are: H. H. Harrison, J. S. Withrow, Geo. C. Bloomer, D. L. Wetzel, Dr. Grove, D. Y. Huddleston,

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

Chas. W. Simms, Mr. Miles, Joel M. Harris and J. V. Sup- ple.

The rectory at Lewisburg was a gift to the Church by Mrs. Violet B. Bloomer, a lady prominent in good works. The Church of The Incarnation. Ronceverte, was given to the Parish by Mr. Ben Hurxthal, a resident of Ronceverte, and a faithful worker in the Master's cause. Various com- binations have from time to time been made looking to the better working of this part of the field, and with greater or less success, for the difficulties in the way of continuous administrations in our small congregations are very great.

In the summer of 1899, Rev. H. B. Thomas was sent by the Bishop to take charge of this work, but owing to the many vacancies in the New River and Kanawha Valleys, at this time the demands upon his time were too great for very successful administration. After a faithful and laborious service of more than a year, Mr. Thomas was succeeded by Rev. Guy H. Crook, also sent by the Bishop in July, 1900. Mr. Crook's charge comprised Lewisburg, Ronceverte. in Greenbrier county; in Pocahontas; Hillsboro, Huntersvilie and Clover Lick. He also goes to Glen Jean, and Raleigh. This, of course, is more than he can satisfactorily attend to, but we have neither the men nor the means for other ser- vice at present.

The Mission at Fort Spring-Sometimes called Holy Com- forter Mission. This Mission was begun by the Rev. T. H. Lacy, I think, but when, I do not know, and has been contin- ued under the Revs. F. A. Meade. John Moncure and Geo. W. Easter. The last named took charge April 18, 1892, and continues in charge at this date, December 28, 1900. Services were first held in a school room belonging to Mr. D. Y. Hud- dleston and afterwards in the Methodist Church; to the building of which our people contributed with the under- standing that they should have the use of it when needed by us and not otherwise in use. We have not a church build- ing of our own. The present number of families or parts

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

of families connected with the Mission is 4; present number of confirmed persons, 8; of baptized persons, 10; of commu- nicants, 7.

Services are held once a month on the second Sunday. The contributions last reported, June, 1900, were: Parochial, $25; Diocesan $31.64; Extra Diocesan, $4.19; total, $60.83. Fort . Spring is a small village on the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail- road in Greenbrier county. GEO. W. EASTER.

St. Thomas' Organized Mission, White Sulphur Springs-Ser- vices of the Episcopal Church have been held at the White Sulphur Springs by visiting clergy from time immemorial. When the place was first put in charge of a particular minis- ter the writer does not know, but believes the Rev. Richard H. Mason was the first regular minister. The present hand- some church in the grounds, seating 500 persons and cost- ing, with ground, about $10,000, was built while Mr. Mason was in charge. The ground was bought from the company for $1,000, and the sale was confirmed by decree of the Unit- ed States District Court, June 5, 1879. Services are sup plied during the Spring season by clergymen engaged by the Bishop of the Diocese, for that purpose and their expenses are paid from the contributions of the guests. The local congregation worships during the summer in the Parish Church and at other times in the public school house at Dry Creek, near by, the church being too large and having no means of heating and lighting.

Three miles away in another school house, known as Eak- les', another mission is conducted. It was begun, I believe, by the Rev. Richard H. Mason, and has been carried on for nearly nine years, by the present missionary in charge of the local White Sulphur congregation, the Rev. Geo. W. Eas- ter, (December, 1900).

In St. Thomas' Mission, with these two local congrega- tions, there are 20 families or parts of families, 32 confirmed

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persons, 63 baptized persons, 30 communicants and 2 Sun- day schools, numbering together 6 teachers and 87 pupils. The offerings as last reported, were: Parochial, $326.47; Dio- cesan, $33.28; Extra Parochial, $9.80; total, $369.59. The larger part of these contributions come, of course, from the summer guests of the Springs.

GEO W. EASTER.

Glencoe .- In 1879 at Glencoe, the home of Mrs. Wm. H. Macfarland, in the Lewisburg district, a cabin on the lawn was turned into a private chapel. The chapel of the Epiph- any, which, though never conscerated, has been used since that date by Mrs. Macfarland's family. The seats, chancel, and furniture were all prepared by willing hands on the grounds and all so appropriate and neat that it is a most pleasing little house of God.

The Bishop of West Virginia has, with only a few excep- tions, made annual visits to this chapel, and has baptized one child and confirmed two persons. The Rectors in charge of the Lewisburg, Union and Alderson districts, have made visits to the chapel of the Epiphany during the summer months when the family has been at Glencoe. For ten years a Sunday school was held during the summer months at this chapel, there being an average attendance of thirty- five mountaineers.

The clergy of the Diocese of West Virginia, who have of- ficiated at the chapel of the Epiphany are the Rev. Messrs. Hall, Lacy, Lee, Meade, Easter, Grubb, Cobbs, and Fenton. On one of the Bishop's visits he was accompanied by the late Rev. Kinlock Nelson, of the Virginia Theological Seminary.

Hampshire.

Hampshire .- Hamphire county is, by twenty-five years, the oldest county in the State. It was formed in 1754 out of Frederick and Augusta, to embrace the territory lying to the Westward of the ridge of mountains called Great North and Cape Capon mountains, and Warm Spring Mountains,

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

extending to the Potomac River. The Western boundary was not defined.

It is said that Lord Fairfax, observing a drove of very fine hogs, and learning that they were from the South Branch Valley, said, that when a new county should be formed to include that section, it should be called for Hampshire county, in England, so celebrated for its fat hogs. Square miles, 630. Population-1870, 7,643; 1880, 10,366; 1890, 11,- 444; 1900, 11,806.

Zion Church, Slanesville .- September 18, 1894, the Bishop, with the Rev. Mr. Gibbons and others, drove out from Rom- ney, seventeen miles to old Zion Church, at Slanesville. Some time before, Mr. Gibbons had discovered that there was such a church and that it belonged to us. It appears that it was built in 1818, and that the deed was made and recorded in 1830. So far as they could learn, no Episcopal clergyman had held service there for at least sixty years. They could not learn whether the Bishop of Virginia had ever visited the Church. The building is in good condition, most eligibly located, in a beautiful grove and very acces- sible, by reason of converging roads, to a large section of country, the building has been used indiscriminately by the various Christian bodies, who have representatives in the neighborhood, and has several times been repaired by the united contributions of the community.

The Bishop says: "For this we may be thankful, that during all these years when we could not or did not use the church, yet that others have read God's Word and preached, too, within these sacred walls, and we trust that to many earnest souls asking the way to Zion with their faces thith- erward, that this simple Zion Church (way off in the moun- tains, and for so long a time forgotten by those in whom the title stood) has been as the house of God and the gate of Heaven."

July 1, 1895, the Bishop and Mr. Gibbons again held ser- vice in Zion Church and placed a prayer book on the desk, to

REV. GEO. A. GIBBONS.

ST. STEPHENS, ROMNEY.

REV. J. DUDLEY FERGUSON.

EMMANUEL, MOOREFIELD.

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

remain in the church for use in such Episcopal services as may be held in the future, which bears the following inscrip- tion:

Zion Church, North Ricer, 1818 .- On Thursday, September 13, 1894, the first Episcopal service held in this church for perhaps sixty years, was conducted by Bishop George W. Peterkin and the Rev. G. A. Gibbons. On the occasion of their second visit, Monday, July 1, 1895, they have placed this Prayer Book in the church to remain on this desk for use in such Episcopal services as may be held here in the future, and for the use of others also, as they may wish to avail themselves of it from time to time at their discretion.

"Hold fast the form of sound words."-2 Tim. I. 13.

In 1771, the Rev. Mr. Ogilvie was ordained in England for Hampshire county, Va., (now West Virginia), and the next year (1772) the Revs. Messrs. Manning and Kenner were also ordained for Hampshire county, but Mr. Manning only, ever reached Hampshire. The Rev. Mr. Reynolds ministered in Hampshire in 1812 or 1813. Soon afterward the Rev. Nor- man Nash was ordained by Bishop Moore for work in this county, and his nephew, the Rev. Sylvester Nash (1824) suc- ceeded him and built a neat brick church in the old town of Romney, which was laid out by Lord Fairfax in 1762. Mr. Nash was succeeded in the work by Revs. Messrs. Hedges and Irish, successively. The Rev. Mr. Nash, who built the church in Romney, also built a log church near North River Mills, called Zion, and which is still in good repair as an Episcopal Church, Bishop Peterkin and Rev. Mr. Gibbons visiting it every year towards the close of the nineteenth century. The brick church in Romney was burned before the late war, and the lot was transferred to the Board of Education of Rom- ney for school purposes.

St. Stephen's Church, the present new church, will. we hope, with its fresliness and beauty, more than supply the place of the old one, and more fully be clothed with the gar- inents of praise and have a brighter crown on her head. The

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

first officers appointed by Bishop Peterkin for St. Stephen's were J. C. Covell, Warden; D. R. Williams, Registrar; G. W. Parsons, Treasurer.

Prior to the completion of St. Stephen's Church, services were held in other churches of Romney, and in the chapel of the Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. The Rev. J. Dudley Ferguson was received from the Diocese of Minnesota and held his first service in Romney on Advent Sunday, 1878, and in 'S1 he was transferred to the Diocese of Missouri He was succeeded in Romney by the Rev. J. T. Loftus in January of 1881, and on September 6th of 1881 Mr. Loftus was disabled by an accident on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, from the effects of which he eventually died in England in June, 1883. There were no regular services then until the Rev. Samuel II. Griffith was received and took charge of the work in May, 1884. He was transferred to Maryland the next year, May. 1885. Mr. Griffith was succeeded by the Rev. G. A. Gibbons, of the Diocese of West Virginia, July 1st, 1885; said Mr. Gib- bons is in charge of St. Stephen's Church, Romney, at this present time, July, 1901.

St. Stephen's Church, Romney .-- A contract was made in the fall of 'S4 for a comfortable, commodious and sightly church building, of brick, in Remney, to be finished within sixty days. The total cost to be $1,800.

August 12, 1885, the new Protestant Episcopal Church, of St. Stephen's, opposite the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institution, is complete and ready for worship. It is a very attractive building, and will seat 175 persons, and cost about $2,000. The organ was donated by Professor Charles Morris, of Baltimore. The erection of St. Stephen's is due to the indefatigable en- ergy and philanthropy of Major J. C. Covell, who donated the building site and also contributed largely to the cost of the edifice. The church was consecrated Sunday, November 13, 1888, by Bishop Peterkin; Rev. G. A. Gibbons, Rector.

The rectory at Romney is completed, (1891.) It is a com- fortable and commodious building and well located, and occu-

579

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

pied at this time, July, 1901, by the Rector, Rev. G. A. Gib- bons, and his family.

Capon Springs .- Services have been held from time to time in the chapel here during the summer, specially by Bishop Wilmer, of Alabama, who was accustomed to visit Capon year after year.

Epiphany Church, Okonoko .- In November, 1885. Bishop Peterkin, with the Rev. Mr. Gibbons, visited the McGills and Russells near Okonoko, and conducted service and preached in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, near the Cross Roads.

Mr. Gibbons repeated this service from time to time until the number of communicants grew to about twenty, and the beautiful Epiphany Church was built by the untiring efforts of the faithful few, and the kindness of Mr. William L. Davis. who generously donated his work. There is now a Sunday- school of about twenty-five, Mr. Henry McGill Russell, super- intendent. In addition to these services the Rev. Mr. Gib- bons has preached at different times and places in this coun- ty, especially at "The Rocks," where there are several Church members.

Par Parc, Morgan County .- Mr. Gibbons has given a service, one week night every month for several years, and the Bishop regularly visits the place. Up to this date three persons have been confirmed. There are now six or eight communicants there.

The Central Mission .- Rev. Mr. Gibbons was instrumental in starting the work in this section. An account of it is in- serted here:

I give an account of the prospects in what may be called the Central Mission. I have repeatedly visited points along the West Virginia Central Railroad, since 1890, but, up to this time, the way never has seemed clear to establish our Church in this rapidly developing section. On the occasion of my last visit, I could find only ten communicants in Min- eral, Grant, Tucker, Randolph and Barbour counties, a terri-

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

tory having about 50,000 population and at least 3,000 square miles. Under these circumstances, it did not seem expedient to start any work along the lines of this road. At times, Mr. Gibbons would pay a visit to these outlying regions of his jurisdiction, and near Bayard services have been main- tained through the energy and liberality of a good Christian woman, but no congregations were gathered and (save the one near Bavard) no chapels built in any of our growing towns. The following named places have the communicants indicated, although they are scattered along 100 miles of road: Keyser, 7 communicants; Shaw, 3 communicants; Bay- ard, 4 communicants; Parsons, 2 communicants; Davis, 10 communicants; Elkins, 10 communicants; Belington, 6 com- municants; Beverly, 1 communicant; Mingo, 7 communicants. This gives fifty communicants in these towns, which are all accessible by the West Virginia Central Railroad.

Not being able to do quite what we desire to do, and what the field demands, we fall back upon the plan that seems on many accounts the most feasible. We propose to put one man in the field at once, and let the work grow from centres he may reach. This is made possible by the active interest and liberal support of Mrs. W. J. Brown, near Bayard, of whom mention has been made. She has united with the Rev. John P. Hubbard, D. D., sometime Rector of Trinity, Shepherdstown, in giving us about an acre of land in the town of Bayard, upon which we hope to put a church, rectory and parish house, although we have not the funds for build- ing as yet.

By giving Bayard two Sundays each month and Davis and Elkins each one Sunday a month and also one week day when expedient, he can utilize the fifth Sunday and the spare time, if he has any, in looking after the other points named.

To carry on this work we need at once a rectory, chapel and parish house at Bayard, a chapel at Davis and a chapel at Elkins. *

This is the plain, unvarnished story of the Central Mission

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

so far as it may now be told. I may add that Mr. Gibbons expects to visit the field in July, and that I hope to follow him early in August, visiting Bayard, Davis, Parsons, Elkins and Belington. So, while thankful for the measures of suc- cess the good Lord has so far granted us, we want to be con- tinually reaching forth into the regions beyond.

Hancock.

Hancock county was formed in 1848, and named for John Hancock. Square miles, 100. Population-1870, 4.363: 1880, 4,882; 1890, 6,477; 1900, 6,693.

New Cumberland .- After several ineffectual attempts, Bishop Peterkin succeeded in holding a service in New Cum- berland. He preached in the Presbyterian Church, 'in the spring of 1897. On which occasion he was accompanied by the Rev. C. A. Chrisman, of Wellsburg. In the year 1898. the Rev. G. W. Hinkle, of St. Paul's Church, Steubenville. held a service at the residence of Mr. S. G. Gaillard. In the au- tumn of the same year, by appointment of the Northwestern Convocation, the Rev. N. S. Thomas, of St. Matthew's, Wheel- ing, accompanied by the Rev. W. K. Marshall, of Wellsburg, visited New Cumberland, but did not succeed in having a service. In the year following-i. e., 1899-the Rev. Thomas E. Swan held a service in the Methodist Protestant Church. Bishop W. L. Gravatt, in April, 1900, accompanied by the Rev. Thomas E. Swan, held a service in the court-house. By appointment of the Northwestern Convocation, the Rev. D. W. Howard. Rector of St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling, visit- ed the place, on September 25th, 1900, but did not succeed in holding a service. At a later meeting of the Convocation, the Rev. J. Brittingham, of St. Luke's Church, Wheeling, was appointed to hold a service, which he did on November 9th, 1900, at the residence of Mr. S. G. Gaillard. The above ap- pointments were all made on week days, which accounts in a great measure for the small attendance, or failure on some occasions. But it was for a long time the best possible that

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 47

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