USA > West Virginia > A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
There were present 16 clergymen and 47 laymen. Rev. James Madison was elected President.
The State was divided into 24 districts for assembling the ministers annually in Presbytery for conference and visita- tion.
District No. 12 contained the Connties of Frederick. Berke- ley, Hampshire and Hardy.
District No. 14 contained what now comprise the counties of Botetonrt. Washington, Montgomery, JJefferson, Fayette,
42
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Lincoln, Nelson, Greenbrier and such others as were made during the last session of the Assembly.
District No. 18 contained the counties of Ohio. Monongalia and Harrison.
The Rev. David Griffith was elected Bishop by a vote of 32 out of 49.
Convention of 1787. Richmond, Va.
Present 15 clergy and 30 laymen.
Rev. David Griffith, President.
The convention urged the churches to attend to the duty of supporting their pastors with a moderate but adequate provision, also to raise the funds needed to pay the expenses incident to the consecration of a Bishop, and instructed the standing committee to apply without delay, to Bishops White and Provost, or to either of them, to admit the Rey. Dr. Griffith to consecration.
Convention of 1788. No Journal.
Convention of 1789. Richmond, Va.
Present 10 clergymen and 23 laymen.
Rev. John Bracken, President.
Rev. David Griffith relinquished the appointment of Bishop to which he had been elected in May, 1787.
Convention of 1790. Richmond, Va.
Present 27 clergymen and 29 laymen.
Rev. James Madison, D. D., President.
The Rev. Alexander Balmain, Frederick Parish, Frederick ('o., was appointed Visitor for District No. 12 including the counties of Frederick, Berkeley, Hampshire and Hardy.
This was done under Canon S, which is here given as of un- usual interest, showing how in early days the Church at- tempted to meet the lack of Episcopal supervision.
Canon 8. The clergy of several neighboring parishes, not less than three nor more than ten, shall assemble in pres- bytery annually. on the second Wednesday in April, at some convenient place in the district, to be appointed by a majority
43
IN WEST VIRGINIA.
of the ministers in the same district; one in each district shall be appointed to preside at their meetings with the title of Visitor, who shall annually visit each parish in his district, shall attend to and inspect the morals and conduct of the clergy, shall see that the Canons and rules of the Church are observed, and that no abuses are practiced, shall admonish and reprove privately those clergymen who are negligent, or act in an unbecoming manner, and shall report yearly to the Bishop, if there be one, or, if there be no Bishop, to the next Convention, the state of each parish in his district, noting down the offenders and their offenses.
The Rev. James Madison, D. D., was elected Bishop, and a sum not exceeding £200 voted to defray the expenses of his consecration.
Convention of 1791. Richmond, Va.
Present 23 clergymen and 24 laymen.
Bishop Madison presided, he having been consecrated Bishop at Lambeth on 19th of September, 1790, by the Arch- bishop of Canterbury and the Bishops of London and Roches- tur.
The districts formed in 1786 were rearranged : only one cov- cring any part of what is now West Virginia, viz: District No. 22, containing the parishes of Frederick. Norborne. Hamp- shire and Hardy. Rev. Alexander Balmain, Visitor.
Resolutions were adopted looking to the better prepara- tion and training of candidates for orders by the presby- teries; to the formation of a society for the relief of the widows and orphans of deceased clergy; to set apart New Year's day for divine worship: and also requiring the par- ishes to pay sixteen dollars each to enable the Bishop to make his visitation.
Convention of 1792. Richmond, Va.
Present 23 clergymen and 24 laymen.
Bishop Madison presided. He reported having visited 14 parishes and that in 5 of them upwards of 600 persons were confirmed.
44
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Convention of 1793. Richmond, Va.
Present 18 clergymen and 27 laymen.
Bishop Madison presided. The Bishop was allowed £100 salary and his traveling expenses, he being also Rector of James City Parish.
The deputies to the General Convention, were unanimously instructed to vote against the proposition to give the House of Bishops a full negative, upon the proceedings of the other Honse.
Canonical provisions as adopted substantially, in 1785. "Min- isters shall wear a surplice during the time of prayer at pub- lic worship in places where they are provided; shall wear gowns when they preach, where they conveniently can; and shall at all times wear apparel suitable to the gravity of their profession.
Bishops and Priests shall administer the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, at least four times in the year, at each Church or place of worship in their respective parishes.
Convention of 1794. Richmond, Va.
Present 12 clergymen and 18 laymen.
Bishop Madison presided.
Convention of 1795. No Journal.
Convention of 1796. Richmond, Va.
Present 26 clergymen and 34 laymen.
Bishop Madison presided.
For the first time, in the record of these Conventions, we note the presence of a clergyman from what is now West Vir- ginia. viz. Rev. John H. Reynolds, Hardy Parish.
Convention of 1797. Richmond, Va.
Present 21 clergymen and 40 laymen.
Bishop Madison presided.
The Convention was especially occupied in considering the questions arising from the efforts made to deprive the Church of its property, and protest was made against any interfer- ence of the Assembly, as a violation of the rights of pri-
45
IN WEST VIRGINIA.
vate property, and of one of the fundamental principles of the present government.
Convention of 1798. No Journal.
Convention of 1799. Richmond, Va.
Present 16 clergymen and 21 laymen.
Bishop Madison presided.
As the sole representative from West Virginia we note the name of John II. Reynolds, as lay deputy from Hampshire Parish. This seems inconsistent with the record of the Con- vention of 1796.
Conventions of 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803 and 1804.
The depressed condition of the Church led to great irreg- ularity in, if not discontinuance, of Conventional meetings during these years-indeed from this period up to 1812. It is known however that Conventions were held in 1803 and 1805 and that they were called for 1802, 6, 7, 9 and 11, although there are no Journals for those years.
Convention of 1805. Richmond, Va.
These Conventions seem to have been held uniformly in Richmond, and to have met in the Capitol building up to 1814: in 1815 and 1816 in Monumental Church. In 1817 the meeting was in Fredericksburg. After that the course was as follows: Winchester, 1818; Petersburg, 1819; Alexandria, 1820; Norfolk, 1821; Charlottesville, 1822; Leesburg, 1823; Staunton, 1824; Richmond, 1825; Lynchburg, 1826, &c., &c.
Present in 1805, 16 clergymen and 23 laymen.
Bishop Madison presided.
Canons were passed requiring parochial reports ; the reg- ular election of Vestries; also requiring ministers to attend Conventions except in case of sickness, or other good reason.
A resolution was passed to elect an assistant Bishop in view of Bishop Madison's declaration that he was unable to discharge the whole of the arduous duties of the office. The nomination was postponed to the Convention of 1806, of which we have no Journal.
46
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Convention of 1812. Richmond, Va.
Present 13 clergymen and 12 laymen.
Bishop Madison having died, March 6th, 1812, the Rev. John Bracken, D. D., of Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, was elected President. He was afterwards elected Bishop.
A resolution was adopted reaffirming the canon passed in 1805, concerning the system of itineracy for the vacant par- ishes.
Convention of 1813. Richmond, Va.
Present 9 clergymen and 9 laymen.
Bishop Meade says 7 clergymen, and it is this Convention he alludes to, when he says "Our deliberations were con- dneted in one of the committee rooms of the Capitol, sitting around a table. There was nothing to encourage us to meet again. I well remember, that having just read Scott's 'Lay of the Last Minstrel,' as I took my solitary way homeward on horseback, I found myself continually saying in relation to the Church in Virginia, in the words of the elfish page, Lost, lost, lost;' and never expected to cross the mountains again on such an errand."
The Rev. Dr. Bracken was chosen President. He after- wards resigned the office of Bishop to which he had been elected by the Convention of 1812.
Convention of 1814. Richmond, Va.
Present 7 clergymen and 17 laymen.
Rev. Wm. H. Wilmer, President.
The Rev. Richard Channing Moore, D. D., of New York, was elected Bishop, after being first elected Rector of the Monumental Church.
It being resolved that committees be appointed in different towns, to assist in raising funds to supply vacant parishes, for Martinsburg there were appointed Mr. Wm. Pendleton, Col. Elisha Boyd, Mr. Raleigh Colston.
Convention of 1815. Richmond, Va.
Present 14 clergymen and 28 laymen.
Bishop Moore presided.
47
IN WEST VIRGINIA.
Two of the laymen were from West Virginia, viz. William Pendleton, Norborne Parish, Berkeley county, and Benjamin Allen, Jr., St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson county.
The Committee on parochial reports say that the reports from the Parishes of Norborne and St. Andrews, and Hardy and Hampshire are favorable, though no statistics are given.
In the whole State about 600 communicants, 200 confirm- ations and 200 baptisms were reported.
Convention of 1816. Richmond, Va.
Present 16 clergymen and 27 laymen.
Bishop Moore presided.
Present from West Virginia, Benjamin AAllen, Jr., St. An- drew's Parish, Jefferson county, and William Page, Norborne Parish, Berkeley county.
The treasurer of the Diocese reported having received $15 from Norborne Parish and $15 from St. Andrew's.
From the committee on parochial reports:
St. Andreu's and Norborne-The reports from the Parishes of St. Andrew's and Norborne are highly favorable. A new Church has been finished at Shepherdstown. Two others, one at Bunker Hill, and one at Charles Town, will, it is ex- pected, be finished in the course of a few months. Another at Hedges Chapel is just commenced and is expected to be under roof this fall. Well grounded hopes are entertained that another will be shortly erected on Baek Creek in the Western part of the Parish of Norborne. The Rev. Thomas Horrell, of Maryland, has been elected Rector of this Parish. The number of catechumens in these parishes is about 300; baptisms, 85.
"Bishop Moore in his report says that in August, (1815) he preached at Harper's Ferry. The next object that attracted my attention was Shepherdstown, in which place I found a very large and respectable assembly, to whom I preached and administered the rite of confirmation to upwards of 50. From there I proceeded to Mr. Colston's and the next day preached to an interesting congregation at the edge of the
48
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
North Mountain. I then proceeded to Martinsburg where I officiated and confirmed upwards of 50.
Since my residence in Virginia three Churches in Jefferson county, and three in Berkeley have been furnished with reg- ular and stated worship by Mr. Benjamin Allen. Martins- burg has called a clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Horrell."
Convention of 1817. Fredericksburg, Va.
Present 16 clergymen and 24 laymen.
Bishop Moore presided.
From West Virginia, Revs. Benjamin Allen, St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson county; Rev. Thos. Horrell, Norborne Par- ish, Berkeley county; and Rev. Jno. L. Bryan, Christ Church, Bunker Hill, and Mr. Abram Shepherd. St. Andrew's Parish.
The treasurer of the Diocese reported $30 paid by St. An- drew's Parish.
The committee on parochial reports say:
There are two Churches in Norborne Parish, one in Mar- tinsburg, and the other in the gap of the mountain, eight miles distant. The number of communicants is small in the Church in town. The congregation belonging to the moun- tain Church is numerous. communicants from 30 to 40. The foundation of a church has lately been laid near the site of the old one, baptisms 29, marriages 1, communicants in the Parish at large 78.
Christ Church, Berkeley county. Thirty-one communicants, baptisms, 43, catechumens, 35. A neat and commodious Church has just been erected.
In St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson county, there are 100 communicants; baptisms 87. The new Church in Charles- town is nearly finished. The Church is in a progressive state.
Convention of 1818. Winchester, Va.
Present 17 clergymen and 26 laymen; 28 clergy reported in the Diocese, including the Bishop.
Bishop Moore presided.
From West Virginia, present, Rev. Thos. Horrell, Norborne
--
REV. BENJAMIN ALLEN, 1818.
REV. EDWARD R. LIPPITT, 1821.
RT. REV. B. B. SMITH, D. D., 1822.
REV. JOHN ARMSTRONG, 1823.
49
IN WEST VIRGINIA.
Parish; Rev. Jno. L. Bryan, Christ Church, Berkeley county; Rev. Benjamin Allen, St. Andrew's Parish.
Messrs. Abram Shepherd, St. Andrew's Parish; Joel Ward. Christ Church, Berkeley county; James Walker, Norborne Parish.
The treasurer reported $30 paid by St. Andrew's Parish. and $30 by Norborne Parish.
The committee on parochial reports says :
Since the last meeting of the Convention a neat and com- modious Church has been erected on the North Mountain in Norborne Parish. The congregation and communicants have increased; communicants 90; baptisms 10; funerals 5; mar- riages 3.
In Christ Church, Berkeley county, no change has taken place indicative of a revival since the last year's report. The regular attendance however of the members on the public worship of God and their orderly deportment while there, en- courage the hope that the diligent use of those means which God in his word has promised to bless and make effectual in bringing the people out of darkness into light, and from the bondage of sin and Satan into the glorious liberty of the children of God, will be at last successful.
Two members added at the last communion. Number of communicants 33; baptisms 50; catechumens 35; 1 marriage; 1 death.
Parish of St. Andrew's-Communicants 150; baptisms 153; funerals (not before reported) 12; marriages (not before re- ported) 13.
A religious library has been established in each of the principal congregations of the Parish, the benefits of which are extended to the catechumens and the poor. Baptisms 1 adult, 10 children, by the minister of this Parish in vacant Parishes where no register is kept.
Convention of 1819. Petersburg, Va.
Present 13 clergymen and 19 laymen.
Bishop Moore presided.
. 50
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Present from West Virginia:
Rev. Jno. L. Bryan, Christ Church, Berkeley county; Rev. Benjamin Allen, St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson county; Rev. Enoch M. Lowe, Norborne Parish, Berkeley county.
Messrs. Nathaniel Craighill, St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson county; Sylvester Nash, Christ Church, Berkeley county; Strother M. Helm, Norborne Parish, Berkeley county; Nor- man Nash, Hampshire county.
The treasurer reports $30 from St. Andrew's Parish; $15 from Christ Church; $30 from Norborne Parish, also $100 from St. Andrew's Parish on account of Fund for the support of the Episcopate.
Bishop Moore in his address, says: "After leaving the Con- vention in Winchester last May I repaired to the congrega- tion at Bunker's Hill at which place I consecrated a new stone Church to the service of Almighty God; preached to a devout and pious people and confirmed 35 persons.
I then visited Martinsburg at which place I preached twice on the Sabbath to a respectful and attentive auditory and confirmed 14.
North Mountain-I visited the North Mountain where I pro- claimed the truths of the Gospel to a large and attentive as- sembly consecrated a new and beautiful Church and confirm- ed 15.
Shepherdstown-From the North Mountain I went to Shep- herdstown, at which place I preached to a large auditory and confirmed 50.
Charles Town-From thence I went to Charles Town, in Jef- ferson county, opened a new and elegant church and con- firmed 25."
From the committee on parochial reports.
Hampshire-The Church in Hampshire County begins to ex- hibit some symptoms of revival. About ten congregations have been formed since July last. There are two Churches nearly completed, and preparations are making to repair an old one. The Rev. Messrs. Allen and Bryan have visited these
51
IN WEST VIRGINIA.
congregations and baptized 15. A vestry has been elected, and a number of persons are anxious to receive the sacra- ment of the Lord's Supper when an opportunity offers.
Christ Church, Norborne Parish, Berkeley County-Rev. Jno. L. Bryan, Rector. Communicants 50; baptisms 1; adult 18; white and 7 colored children; marriages 5; catechumens 35; funerals 4.
This Church has lately had times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Many appear to be truly penitent and are inquiring what they shall do to be saved, among whom are some of the young, who, according to the counsel of Solo- mon, remember their Creator in the days of their youth. A Sunday school has been established in this parish, which promises extensive usefulness to society.
Wickliffe-Wickliffe is a new Church lately erected; the con- gregation is just forming, and the prospects are flattering.
St. Andrews' Parish, Jefferson County-The report from this Parish states 200 communicants, 88 baptisms, 6 marriages, 15 funerals, and the collection made to the Episcopal Fund amounted to $100. Sunday schools have been established throughout the Parish and have proved extensively useful.
Norborne Parish, Berkeley County-The minister being only in Deacon's orders, and, consequently, not having authority to administer the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, has not been able to ascertain with any certainty the number of com- municants in his Parish. He believes, however, the number to be about 100. Marriages 2; baptisms 1; funerals 3.
The prospects of religious improvement in this Parish are encouraging. The Church is raising her drooping head, and the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour is rapidly advancing. The Vestry of this Parish has purchased for their clergyman a comfortable parsonage.
Convention of 1820. Alexandria, Va.
Present 19 clergymen and 26 laymen.
Bishop Moore presided.
Present from West Virginia:
52
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Revs. Jno. L. Bryan, Christ Church, Berkeley County; Ben- jamin Allen, St. Andrews' Parish, Jefferson County; Enoch M. Lowe, Norborne, Parish, Berkeley County.
From report of committee on parochial reports.
Christ Church, Berkeley County-Communicants 50; baptisms 2 adults, 7 infants; marriages 4; funerals 2. The Sunday school established last year is still progressing in usefulness.
Wickliffe Church-Communicants 6; baptisms 4; funerals 1.
Norborne Parish-Communicants 101; catechumens 45; mar- riages 6; baptisms 24; funerals 16.
Of the above number of communicants, 24 have been added since the last Convention; several are now in preparation for this holy ordinance. The prospects of the Church in this Parish are flattering in the highest degree. The people are spiritual and devotional, and manifest a growing attachment to the principles and liturgy of their Church.
St. Andrew's Parish-There has been an increase of com- municants. Sixty of those formerly registered in this Parish have been formed into a church in Maryland. Present num- ber of communicants 150; baptisms 75; marriages 9: burials 9. The Church in Shepherdstown has been increased in capac. ity. Contribution to Episcopal fund $50.
Convention of 1821. Norfolk, Va.
Present, 17 clergy and 24 laymen.
Bishop Moore presided.
Present from West Virginia:
Revs. Benjamin Allen, St. Andrews' Parish, Jefferson County; Edward R. Lippett, Norborne Parish, Berkeley coun- ty.
Mr. Abram Shepherd, St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson coun- ty.
From report of committee on parochial reports.
St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson County-Communicants 150; baptisms 45; funerals 27. This Parish within the last two years has contributed to the Episcopal fund more than enough to redeem its pledge of $50 per annum. The general
53
IN WEST VIRGINIA.
state of the Church is improving, though nothing worthy of special note exists.
Vorborne Parish, Berkeley County-Communicants 100; bap- tisms 46; marriages 3; burials 8.
Christ Church, Norborne Parish, Berkeley County-Communi- cants 50: baptisms 2; marriages 2.
The spiritual state of this Church has not undergone a material change since the last report. The people are seri- ous and attentive to the word of God, and are regular in their attendance on publie worship.
Convention of 1822. Charlottesville, Va.
Present. 21 clergy and 22 laymen.
Bishop Moore presided.
Present from West Virginia :
Revs. Edward R. Lippitt, Norborne Parish, Berkeley Coun- ty; Jno. J. Robinson, Grace Church, Norborne Parish; Benj. B. Smith, St. Andrews' Parish, Jefferson County.
Mr. Edward Colston, Norborne Parish, Berkeley County; Abraham Shepherd, St. Andrews' Parish, Jefferson County.
To treasurer paid by Norborne Parish, $30, and by St. An- drews' Parish. $30.
Also paid to fund for Theological school; Berkeley county, $150; Jefferson County, $515.33.
Total from the diocese, $10,268.33.
From committee on parochial reports.
St. Andrews Parish, Jefferson County-Baptisms 20; 3 of them black children; marriages 6; deaths 14; to the com- municants no additions.
Norborne Parish, Berkeley County-Communicants 100; bap- tisms 11: mariages 3; burials 5. There are at present in this Parish four places of stated preaching, at all of which there are respectable and attentive congregations. The prospects of the Church, in this Parish, are, upon the whole, encourag- ing.
Bishop Moore, in his address, after speaking of a visit to Leesburg says: "I then passed on to Charlestown. in JJeffer-
54
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
son county, at which place I also preached. Leaving Charles- town I hastened to Shepherdstown, in the same county and there I also officiated. From Shepherdstown I went to a chapel at the North Mountain, where I preached to a large congregation. From North Mountain I proceeded, in com- pany with the Rev. Mr. Lippitt, to Martinsburg, at which place I preached twice on the Sabbath to large and attentive con- gregations, and administered the rite of confirmation. I then passed on to the Church at Mill Creek, in which place, notwithstanding the weather was very rainy, I preached to a devout and respectable congregation.
The county of Hampshire formed the next object of my attention, in which district I preached in three different places. In Hampshire but two or three years since, we had not a single place of worship belonging to our Communion. Through the laborious efforts, however, of the Rev. Norman Nash there are two respectable churches."
Episcopal fund reported, $2,850; widows and orphans, fund reported, $4,783.67.
Convention of 1823. Leesburg, Va.
Present, 18 clergy and 23 laymen.
In the absence of the Bishop, the Rev. Wm. H. Wilmer, D. D., presided.
Present from West Virginia: Revs. John Armstrong, Wheeling; Chas. H. Page, Kanawha county; Messrs. Bush- rod C. Washington, St. Andrews' Parish, Jefferson county; Edward Colston, Norborne Parish, Berkeley county.
Treasurer reported as received from Zion Church, St. An- drews' Parish, $15.
Parochial reports:
Norborne Parish, Berkeley County-Communicants 97; bap- tisms 31; marriages 3; burials 3.
Christ Church, Berkeley County-This church being with- out a pastor, divine service is performed by a lay reader. The
55
IN WEST VIRGINIA.
congregations are attentive and zealously engaged in the great business of working out their salvation. It is hoped that the spirit of religion is increasing, and that in this part of our Zion, our God has regarded the day of small things.
Kanawha Parish-The congregation is increasing in num- ber and has about 10 communicants; baptism 3; marriages 1. At Coalmouth the congregation is in a very flourishing state, and many are earnestly seeking the pearl of great price. Com- municants 12; baptisms 15.
In Charlestown and in Mason it is expected that churches will be built, and there is one now building at the mouth of Coal. There are two Sunday schools in this Parish.
Wheeling Parish, Ohio County -- The Rev. John Armstrong has been engaged in this station for about two years, and signal success appears to have attended his ministry. In this region, which was but lately a howling wilderness, the seeds of spiritual life have been sown, and the dews of divine grace have fallen with prolific virtue. Under the care of the pres- ent pastor, an Episcopal Church has been built in the town of Wheeling, of brick, 60x45, containing 72 large and commo- dions pews, an organ and a bell. Ten miles from this place by the zealous influence of the same reverend gentleman and the blessing of God, another Episcopal church has been built. May heaven prosper the good work and make the hearts of His people to rejoice. Communicants 23; baptisms, 16 chil- dren and 6 adults; marriages 16.
Convention of 1824. Staunton, Va.
Present, 12 clergy and 16 laymen.
Bishop Moore presided.
Present from West Virginia:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.