A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 48

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USA > West Virginia > A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia > Part 48

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

could be done. The want of a Church is of course a great drawback. The first regular monthly Sunday services were begun in May, 1900, by the Rev. J. F. Woods. These are held on the third Sunday of the month at the residence of Mr. S. G. Gaillard, who cheerfully and kindly opens his house for them, the best place under present circum- stances. They consist of Communion in the morning and Service in the afternoon. The attendance has been very en- couraging, and the outlook for the Church, bright. There are five communicants and about fifteen baptized persons. A church building fund has recently been started.

Hardy.

Hardy county was formed from Hampshire in 1785, and named for Samuel Hardy, Isle of Wight county, Virginia. Square miles, 700. Population-1870, 5,518; 1880, 6,794; 1890, 7,610; 1900, 8,449.

Emmanuel Church .- The first service of the Episcopal Church in Hardy county was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Thrall, of Cumberland, February, 1875, in the Presbyterian Church, Moorefield. In April of '75 he preached again in the same church and place.

About this time (April, 1875) Josiah Dent, Esq., of George- town, D. C., transferred a large tract of mountain land in the county of Hardy to William M. Randolph, John W. Ins- keep and H. McS. Gamble, M. D., as trustees, for the Episco- pal Church, and for the purpose of building a church and parish school in Moorefield; and in August, 1876, work on the church (the present beautiful Emmanuel) was begun. A Sun- day school was organized in June, '75, and continued to the present day. In the spring of 1875, the Rev. Dr. Meredith, of Winchester, Va., preached in the court-house, Moorefield; and in August, '75, Dr. Meredith came to Moorefield again, with Bishop Whittle, of Virginia, who has the credit of hav- ing made the first Episcopal visitation to Hardy.

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After services at various times by different clergymen, in November, 1878, the Rev. J. Dudley Ferguson, of the Dio- cese of Minnesota, was elected and appointed to take charge of the Church work in Hardy and Hampshire. Bishop Peterkin made his first visitation to Moorefield July, 1878. Emmanuel Churen was now nearly completed, and in June, 1879, the Bishop visited the parish again, conducted service for the first time in the church, confirmed eight persons and admin- istered Holy Communion. The Rev. Mr. Ferguson remained in charge of this church for two and a half years, and it grew and prospered in his hand. Then came the Rev. J. T. Loftus and the Rev. Samuel H. Griffith as Rectors for about a year each; when the Rev. George A. Gibbons, of Fairmont, was elected Rector and took charge of Emmanuel Church, Moorefield, and the Church work in Hampshire and several other adjoining counties, July 1st. 1885, and he re- mains in charge to this present day, July, 1901.

In the spring of 1900 there was completed at a cost of $1,200 a tasteful and commodious parish house adjoining the church. It is nicely furnished with chairs to seat about 150 persons, and it is adorned with several memorial win- dows. A piano is also a valued and most useful part of its furniture. This building will be of great use in the conduct of the Sunday-school, and will serve for the more convenient meeting of the various Church Societies, whose activities it will foster. To put up such a complete building has been a great feat for so small a congregation. Those who are skilled in such matters have no doubt guessed the secret: It is due to the energy and liberality of a few good women.

Harrison.

Harrison county was formed from Monongalia in 1784, and was named for Benjamin Harrison, of Charles City county. Va .. and Governor 1781-1784. Square miles, 450. Popula- tion-1870. 16,714 ; 1880. 20,181 ; 1890, 21,768 ; 1900, 27,690.

Christ Church, Clarksburg .- Taking up the narrative where

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Bishop Meade leaves it, we note that Mr. Castleman helped to erect this building, of which Bishop Meade speaks, by the sweat of his brow and the labor of his willing hands, actually carrying the bricks. Since Mr. Castleman's pastorate, the fol- lowing clergymen have ministered to the spiritual needs of the people. Revs. James J. Page, J. F. Curtis, Robert W. Wolseley, David H. Greer (now Rector of St. Bartholomew's Church, New York City), Pendleton, Brooke, John F. Woods, George W. Dame, J. W. Ware, Jacob Brittingham, Rev. Dr. Forrest and the present Rector, Rev. Thomas W. Cooke. Soon after Mr. Ware's brief pastorate, in 1883, a rectory was bought on Mulberry street, and Rev. Mr. Brittingham took charge of Christ Church August 12, 1883, and devoted all his time to the work except the second and fourth Sundays of each month, which were given to the church in Grafton. By request of the vestry, the whole of his time was secured for the work here in Clarksburg, beginning August 12, 1888. Mr. Brittingham resigned to accept a call to be Rector of St. Luke's Church, Wheeling, on March 1st, 1889. The pulpit of this church was filled by an occasional supply until March 27, 1891, when the Rev. Douglas F. Forrest, D. D., who had, after a ministry of seven years at Calvary Church, Clifton, Cincinnati, resigned to accept a call to a parish in Washing- ton, consented, at the urgent request of Bishop Peterkin, to accept the call of the vestry of Christ Church. The Church, before the end of the year, declined the aid of the Missionary Committee of the Diocese, and became self-supporting. The old Rectory on Mulberry street, purchased during Mr. Brit- tingham's rectorate, was sold and a more convenient rectory, adjoining the church lot, was purchased, and extensive re- pairs and enlargement made of the church itself. After the resignation of Dr. Forrest, which took place in 1897, the Rev. Thomas W. Cooke, of Ascension Church, Washington, D. C., was called to be the Rector, and he accepted and commenced work June 1, 1898. In August, 1899, a new pipe organ was purchased, costing $2,000, and placed in position. with other

REV. THOMAS W. COOKE.

CHRIST CHURCH, CLARKSBURG.

REV. ARTHUR KIRKBY FENTON.

ST. THOMAS, CLARKSBURG.

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new chancel furniture to correspond. In the spring of 1900 a Mission Church was started at West View, St. Thomas' by name, and completed in the same year, costing $2,000. Here the work continues to grow, as well as in the mother Church. Preparations are also being made to remodel an old church at Wilsonsburg, the land and building having been given to the Rector of Christ Church as a foundation for the work in that field.

At Bridgeport a few Services have been held, and for a time (1900-1901) Rev. Mr. Fenton resided there, but our few church people there are enrolled at Clarksburg.

St. Thomas Church, North View .- The work at North View, Clarksburg, was practically started during the month of June, 1899, when a Sunday-school was convened in a small school-house a mile from town. The attendance on the first Sunday was seventy-three children and teachers, at which time some were baptized, numbering twenty-eight boys and girls. This encouraging beginning of the work led to a regu- lar established mission, where not only a Sunday-school was held regularly, but preaching on every Sunday afternoon. It was not long before a class was prepared for Confirmation, and on January, 1900, Bishop Gravatt visited the mission and confirmed seven persons. Thus having a constituency in this new field, and the school-house being inadequate to hold the crowds of people, work was commenced at once in the way of planning for a church building. The Rector secured two lots on which to build a chapel, work was started at once on the building, and in six months a brick church, costing $1,800, was completed, whereby the work could be pushed forward on a more extensive scale. Since starting this work, I have baptized forty-three in all, and presented thirty-three for confirmation (including the twenty-five presented last month.) In this work at present, which continues to grow, the Rector has been assisted by Colonel Henry Haymond, who is super- intendent of the Sunday-school (which numbers eighty-three children), and Rev. A. K. Fenton, who for some time acted

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as the assistant minister, or Missionary, to the Rev. Thomas W. Cooke, minister in charge.

Salem, West Union and Shinnston .- There is no church or- ganization at either Salem or West Union. Here the Church is unknown, save to a very few. At West Union a few ser- vices have been held, and one visitation made by the Bishop.

At Shinnston the Rev. Mr. Cooke made one visitation and preached in the Methodist Church, receiving a warm wel- come. Bishop Peterkin has also visited Salem.

Jackson.

Jackson county was formed from parts of Mason, Kanawha and Wood, in 1831, and was named for President Andrew Jackson. Square miles, 400. Population-1870, 10,300; 1880, 16,312; 1890, 18,982; 1900, 22,987.

Ravenswood Parish .- The First Article of Association reads: "This parish shall be called Ravenswood Parish, with the following metes and bounds, viz .: The legal limit of Jackson county, Virginia."

These Articles, ten in number, bear no date. The following names are appended : Henry Fitzhugh, Thos. Armstrong, Bur- dett Fitzhugh, D. M. Barre, W. S. Holmes, Thomas Atkin- son. Robert Park, J. L. Dickinson, Laura Dickinson, Fanny Thomas, Sarah Fitzhugh, Anne Fitzhugh, Henrietta S. Fitz- hugh Susan MeFarland, Elenor McFarland.

The first dated record is of a called meeting of the con- gregation. April 24th, 1855, to elect a vestry. Rev. S. D. Tompkins was chairman, and B. Fitzhugh, secretary, and the following were elected: Dr. J. Armstrong, Dr. J. Beatty, G. N. Fitzhugh, H. Harpold, J. Beckwith. B. Fitzhugh, D. Frost, Thomas Kirk. The salary promised Mr. Tompkins was $200 and a house, and $200 seems to have been secured for the missionary funds through Bishop Meade. This appears un- der date of May 5th, 1855.

May 3d, 1856, B. Fitzhugh was appointed a delegate to represent this Church in the next Diocesan Convention. He

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seems also to have been present at the Convention of 1853. (See Dashiell's Digest, Councils of Virginia, p. 377.)

Ten years later, or on May 6th, 1866, when the Rev. T. B. Maury was "Missionary Rector," as he signs himself, Theo- doric B. Fitzhugh, Dr. Hoyt, Thomas Kirk, D. McCoy and John Rudmon comprised the vestry.

During the rectorship of the Rev. Horace Ed. Hayden, which lasted only from the summer of 1867 to the end of the year, besides some of the names already given as vestrymen, are found those of David Fleming, George Hamilton, S. J. C. Davenport.

August 15th, 1872, Rev. Coupland R. Page was sent from the Seminary by Bishop Johns. He remained until the spring of 1875. when he accepted a call to Kentucky. On April 4th, 1873. the following named gentlemen qualified as vestrymen: Joseph Smith, R. P. Steed, G. T. Thompson, F. H. Green, A. J. Adams. Thomas Kirk; and a year or two later, added to or in the place of some of these, the names of R. S. Morgan, J. S. Conner. W. A. Holland, Philip Burwell, M. D., J. W. Rader and W. S. Proctor are found. A little farther on the name of Will Williamson appears in this connection.

Following Mr. Page's resignation, steps were taken toward securing the services of Rev. John Ambler, but nothing seems to have come of it. And on May 14th of the same year (1875) it was unanimously resolved to recall Mr. Page, at a salary of $800 per annum, payable quarterly, and board. This sum was to be made up from Ravenswood $400, Ripley $150, General Jackson $100, Missionary Funds $150. This also seems to have been of no avail, for during the summer efforts were being made to secure the services of Rev. Robert White and of Rev. Charles Holt, but without success. On October 19th, it was decided to ask Rev. T. H. Lacy for a service on a week-night once a month. There is no record to show that he complied, but in December. 1876, he was present at a meeting of the Vestry, on which occasion Rev. C. R. Page was again elected Rector of Grace Church. Mr. Page also did

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missionary work in the county, visiting Ripley, where, under his ministry, the Church was started; Liverpool (then known as Leroy), and Cottageville. He left about the time of the erection of the new Diocese of West Virginia. From July or August to November, 1878, Rev. William P. Hyland was put in charge by the Bishop. He soon afterwards moved to Mary- land.

During the summer of 1882, while Rev. Jacob Brittingham was Rector of the parish, the first steps were taken toward securing funds for the building of a rectory, upon lots which had been donated by members of the Fitzhugh family. It was a year or more later, however, before the building was actually begun, and in July, 1884, it was sufficiently com- pleted for occupancy. It cost about $700, and at the time of building Rev. K. J. Hammond was in charge of the parish, with Judge R. F. Fleming, N. C. Prickitt, G. W. Park, J. B. Sayre, L. M. Keeney and R. S. Morgan as vestrymen, the two last named being the "Building Committee." A little later George Crooks and C. P. Moore were added to the vestry. and also to the Building Committee. In the spring of 1893 this building was added to and remodeled and in every way im- proved, at a cost of about $600. Rev. Mr. Campbell moved into it in May.

In August, 1885, Rev. Henry T. Wirgman took charge, re- maining only a short time. He boarded with a family then occupying the rectory. He also had work at other points along the river, and visited Spencer once.

From September 1st, 1887, to October 1st. 1888, Rev. John Ambler held monthly services in Grace Church, when he was transferred to another field, and the work was assigned to Rev. C. C. Pearson, Rector of Christ's Church, Pt. Pleasant.

Mr. John M. Panetti, a student from the Seminary, held services throughout the parish during the summer of 1889, from July 6th to September Sth. And on January 1st, 1890, Rev. J. R. Taylor was sent by the Bishop to take charge. Mr. Taylor remained but a few months, and the parish was again

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vacant until May 1st, 1892, when the present Rector took charge. He had, however, at the request of the Bishop, made several visits both to Ravenswood and Ripley, in the fall of 1889. The number of communicants of Grace Church has never been large, ranging only from ten to twenty. In 1875, Mr. Page reports forty-five, but this includes other points in the parish. Fifteen were reported to the last Diocesan Council. The record shows 122 confirmed in the whole parish since its organization. The date of the first is that of the consecration of the Church, November 4th, 1851.

Since 1895 the Church has been very much beautified and improved, by the addition of a tower, the removal of the old gallery and the putting in of new windows, pews, chancel rail and carpet, together with the free use of paper and paint in the vestry-room. A very neat and tasty pattern in metal ceiling has been placed on the walls and overhead, and the building newly and thoroughly lighted. This work has been made possible by a legacy of the late Mrs. Henrietta Fitz- hugh Barre, whose childhood's bome was at Ravenswood, and to whom the church here was very dear. She was buried by the side of the church she loved so well, November 26th, 1893, having passed away in Charleston two days before. So one by one, the members of the Fitzhugh family are return- ing home, although it be only to be laid to rest in the church-yard, in full view of the old homestead. Nearly a half- century ago they built the church, and now, after many and distant wanderings, they are coming back to rest in her shadow.

Grace Church was built in 1851, and the expense of build- ing was almost entirely defrayed by Mr. Henry Fitzhugh. It was consecrated by Bishop Meade, November 4th, 1851, Rev. R. T. Brown, of Charleston, preaching the sermon, and Ravenswood Parish was admitted into union with the Coun- cil of the Diocese of Virginia the following year (1852). It is the first church building erected in Jackson county, and members of its congregation organized the first Sunday-

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school. Though its fortunes have been varied, and at no time has its list of communicants been large, for nearly fifty years it has stood as a witness for "the faith once delivered to the saints" and "the belief of our forefathers." May she never be silent.

On the night of Sunday, October 7th, 1900, a disastrous fire, thought to be the work of an incendiary, broke out in a near-by store-room, from which the church soon caught, and was totally consumed in a few minutes. By the unaided efforts of Mr. F. H. Green, a member of the vestry, the Com- munion Table, Alms Bason, Lectern, Bible and Font and the old Organ, which was in the vestry-room, were saved. The new organ, a memorial of Mr. George Crooks, presented by his sisters in Providence, R. I., and placed in the church the Christmas before, was too heavy for him to move, and was lost.

We were fortunate in carrying $1,000 insurance on the building and contents, which, with $360 secured by the sale of forty-five feet of the lot, gives a good start towards the new church, which has been commenced on part of the rec- tory lots, and is one of the best locations in the town. The framing is up, and nearly enclosed, and the roof, which is to be of slate, will soon be put on. The estimated cost of the building, finished and furnished, is about $2,400, and the con- gregation have in hand and in sight about $1,700, and hope to push it on to immediate completion, even if money has to be borrowed for the purpose. It will seat about 130 persons. The present vestry, who are also the Building Committee, are Messrs. J. L. Armstrong, F. H. Green and J. V. Arm- strong. The present vestry are: George Crooks, Warden; J. L. Armstrong, Registrar; F. H. Green, Treasurer; C. P. Moore and J. V. Armstrong.

From Bishop John's first visit, in November, 1843, to Bishop Peterkin's first visit, in August, 1878, there were twenty-one Episcopal visitations, six by Bishop Meade, eleven by Bishop

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Johns and four by Bishop Whittle. Bishop Johns' farewell visit was October 18th, 1875.

St. John's, Ripley .- Twelve miles from Ravenswood, back from the river, is Ripley, the county-seat. And here is St. John's, one of the neatest little churches in the Diocese. Most of the clergy who served at Ravenswood came here also, and for many years the court-house was used for ser- vices

In 1874, during Mr. Page's rectorship, a lot was purchased for $250, and not long after the corner-stone was laid, sev- eral visiting clergymen being present. At this time the ves- try were: Henry C. Flesher, Charles H. Progler, Ferdinand R. Hassler, James A. Park, Robert Mate, George B. Crow, Edward Maguire and Warren Miller.

For several years the building stood in an unfinished con- dition, and, though not entirely completed, was used for the first service by Rev. Jacob Brittingham, May 27th, 1883. On Thursday, April 21st, 1887. St. John's was consecrated by Bishop Peterkin. Revs. R. A. Gibson, of Parkersburg (now Bishop-Coadjutor of Virginia), and Jacob Brittingham, of Clarksburg, were also present, the latter preaching the ser- mon. The windows and furniture are those formerly used in Trinity Church, Parkersburg, the gift of that congregation; and are much appreciated. This congregation is the largest in the parish,-thirty-six communicants reported to the last Council. It receives the same services as Ravenswood,-all of one or part of two Sundays each month, and the prospect of growth is perhaps more flattering here than at any other point. It is to the earnest and self-denying labors of Mr. W. T. Greer, who has been the superintendent of the Sunday- school since its organization, and who for many years acted as sexton, and himself bore all the expense of keeping the building open for Divine service, that the Church is largely indebted for the measure of success with which it has been blessed. The present vestry are: W. T. Greer. Warden;

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George B. Crow, Registrar; H. S. Progler, Treasurer; C. W. Starcher, Dr. C. V. Petty, E. A. Cromley and Dan. P. Crow.

Whittle Chapel, Liverpool .- Rev. C. R. Page first visited this locality in the fall of 1874, and services were held for some time in Harmony school-house, about a quarter of a mile be- low the site of the present building. Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Green moved here in 1875, remaining eleven years. Largely through the efforts of the latter, a Sunday-school was started, and, though union in name, Church literature was used. On May 9th, 1875, several from this point were confirmed by Bishop Whittle in Grace Church, Ravenswood.

Rev. S. D. Tompkins came twice in 1875 or '76, but little can be learned of these visits. Rev. J. F. Woods made his first visit, with the Bishop, in 1879. He subsequently made three trips. Next to be in charge of the mission was Rev. Jacob Brittingham, Deacon, having been appointed by the Bishop in October, 1881. He resigned to become Rector of Christ's Church, Clarksburg, July, 1883. During his stay several were confirmed. Mr. Brittingham was immediately succeeded by Rev. Kensey J. Hammond, who remained two years, and did much efficient work. He resigned June 30th, 1885, to take charge of the work at Moundsville. One or two others visited the mission, but not at stated times, until Rev. John Ambler began coming, in the fall of 1887. He was very much interested in the people, and beloved by them in re- turn. And now the bell which calls them to Divine worship in the regular services of his church, is a memorial of him, presented by Bishop Peterkin.

The idea of erecting a chapel at this place was first con- ceived in 1878, when, upon the Bishop's visit, Harmony school- house could not be secured, and it was with some difficulty a place was found in which to hold the service, it being neces- sary, finally, to go to Stalnaker school-house, several miles distant. At this time, Mr. Irvin McPherson, one of the lead- ing members of the mission, was in possession of a fine wal- nut tree, which he determined to preserve to be worked into

REV. CHARLES M. CAMPBELL.

WHITTLE CHAPEL, LIVERPOOL.

GRACE CHURCH, RAVENSWOOD.

RECTORY, RAVENSWOOD.

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the church, should one ever be erected. Some material was placed on the ground, and the foundation laid in 18SS, and the same year the walnut log was cut into boards to be in readiness for use. But it was not until the summer of 1892 that the desire of the faithful owner of this log was gratified, when the Communion Table, Chancel Rail, Lectern and Desk were made from the boards of this long-cherished tree. This is but one incident of several that might be mentioned to illustrate the patience and self-denial, exercised by this faith- ful little band of six to nine communicants, in their efforts to build up the Church. The material used in the building was given and much of the work done by members of the mission, with considerable assistance from Mr. W. L. Davis. A gift of $200 from Miss Kate Green, in memory of her sister, Mrs. H. G. Lawrence, of Philadelphia, and a sister of Mr. F. H. Green, enabled them to contract for the raising and en- closing of the building, in 1891, and on Saturday night, De- cember 17th, 1892, it was first used for Divine service. The chapel was consecrated by Bishop Peterkin, on Sunday, July 29th, 1894.

Liverpool (former name Leroy) is seventeen miles south- east of Ravenswood, on the Ravenswood, Spencer and Glen- ville Railroad, just on the edge of Roane county, and only a mile or two from Wirt county. The line which separates the counties of Roane and Jackson divides the settlement, the railroad depot being in the former and the postoffice and chapel in the latter. The church lot was given by Mr. W. T. Greer, of Ripley. There are thirteen confirmed persons, with Irvin McPherson and John Hartley acting as church officers, though there is no regular organization.

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CHAPTER XI.

Records continued. Jefferson County. Churches in Charles- Town, Shepherdstown, Harper's Ferry, Lee Town, Middle- way, Summit Point, Ripon, &c.

Jefferson.

Jefferson county was formed from Berkeley in 1801, and named for President Jefferson. Square miles, 250. Popula- tion-1870, 13,219; 1880, 15,005; 1890, 15,455; 1900, 15,935.

St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson County, W. Va .- This parish, at the present time, embraces the following points of work: Zion Church, Charlestown; St. Philip's Mission, Charlestown; St. Andrew's Mission, Blue Ridge Mountains, Jefferson coun- ty, and Harewood Mission, three and one-half miles from Charlestown. The date of the organization of the parish is un- known, owing to the fact that, by some means, all the early records of the parish in general and of Zion Church in par- ticular were destroyed. For the few facts concerning the early history of the parish we are indebted to "The Memoir of the Rev. Benjamin Allen," by his brother, the Rev. Thomas G. Allen, and, also, to oral history, handed down from genera- tion to generation. The first Rector of St. Andrew's Parish was the Rev. Benjamin Allen, who, in 1814, came to Vir- ginia from the State of New York. He was ordained by Bishop Moore, in 1816, and served for some time many differ- ent points, including Shepherdstown, Martinsburg, Sharps- burg and Charlestown. It was during his rectorship that Zion Church, Charlestown, was built. This first church build- ing must have been completed in 1819, since we find Bishop

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 48

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