A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 50

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ed, in 1822, by the Right Rev. B. B. Smith, afterwards Bishop of the Diocese of Kentucky, who continued about a year and a half. In 1825, the Rev. Alexander Jones, D. D., took charge of the Church, and continued his faithful ministrations for fifteen years, having charge, also, of the Church in Charles- town, where he resided. He reports seventy-five communi- cants in the two Churches, in 1825. The Rev. J. H. Morrison was called to the Church in 1840, being the first resident minister which the Church had had for more than forty years. He continued about two years. In the year 1842, the present church building was erected, the Church being yet without a minister. In the autumn of that year the present Rector, Rev. C. W. Andrews, commenced his ministry. There were then thirty-one communicants connected with the Church. There have since been added thirty-six. (1845.)

Reviewing now the history of this Church, and looking at its present state, we have but a melancholy account to give of the labors of twelve men, extending over a period of sixty years. In the last twenty-eight years the Church has been vacant but three years. Where are we to look for an ade- quate cause of the unfruitfulness of this half a century's labor? We are not prepared to say that any one of the labor- ers have failed in their duty. Certainly, from 1817 to 1842, all the ministers are known by living witnesses to have been faithful men. But one fact appears prominent upon the face of this history, which of itself is sufficient to account for the ill-success of this ministry. Until Mr. Morrison took charge of the congregation, there had not been a resident minister for more than fifty years, and it does not appear that there ever had been one at all. Up to this time, therefore, from the necessities of the case, there had been an almost entire destitution of the pastoral care, the influence of which is as indispensable to the prosperity of the Church as the public ministry. Added to this, up to the time the present Rector took charge of the Church, there had never been public wor- ship oftener than once in two weeks. Under these circum-

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stances, success was scarcely to be looked for. With the ex- ception of the brief ministry of Mr. Morrison, the sheep were without a shepherd. No wonder that the flock did neither thrive nor increase.

But, why was the Church without a resident ministry? Plainly for no other reason than that one could not be sup- ported. Those who ministered here were mainly dependent upon some other place for their support,-and there they had their residence. The connection between this fact and the decline of the Church is as clear as that between any cause and its natural effect. We have now further to ask, why has not a minister been supported? An aged member of the congregation informs us, that the time was, when, if a wealthy man gave ten dollars a year to the maintenance of religion, he was looked upon with a kind of admiration. This was probably the general rule. But there were noble excep- tions of a better spirit; and far be it from us to censure any who have gone before us. The true interests of a community, in reference to religion, were then comparatively little under- stood over a large part of our country, and we may hope, that "The times of this ignorance God winked at." But now, sure- ly, "He commandeth all men everywhere to repent." The "times" in this respect are certainly much changed already.

We are now brought to the application-PRESENT FACTS. Until the present year, this Church, with the par- tial aid from a neighboring parish, has not sustained itself. Whether it does now will depend upon what people under- stand by the technical term, "a support." The best definition we can give of it, as applicable to country parishes in Vir- ginia, is the expense of sustaining a family estimated at the ater- age of those composing the congregation in which the min- ister officiates. The present resources of the parish do not come up to that standard. When they do the Church may be regarded as established upon a firm foundation, with the means not only of existence, but of enlargement within itself.

REV. WILLIAM HUDE NEILSON, D. D.

TRINITY CHURCH, SHEPHERDSTOWN.

REV. LANDON R. MASON.

RECTORY, SHEPHERDSTOWN.

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Could a parsonage be obtained, this most desirable object would be accomplished.

Most of our country parishes are now so provided; and it is found not only a source of permanent income, but a means of assisting such parishes in obtaining the services of such ministers as they may desire, and of preventing those frequent changes by which many of our churches have been much injured.

We take up the history of Trinity Church where the Rev. Mr. Andrews leaves off, first stating that the date of the erection of the first building is 1769.

In November, 1842, the Rev. C. W. Andrews took charge of the Church and ministered to the congregation thirty- three years. The present beautiful stone church, with the chapel attached, is a monument to his zeal. The year 1855 saw the walls of the present church erected and the roof on. The building was consecrated by Bishop John Johns on April 5th, 1859. The Rector, Rev. C. W. Andrews, D. D., by per- sonal appeals outside the parish, raised the sum of $1.000 in order to purchase the old church edifice for the use of the colored people. This sum, together with about $300 raised by the colored people themselves, was paid to the vestry, and the Rector "caused said church to be made over for the use of the colored people." It is now (August, 1900,) occupied by a congregation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. "This Trinity Church, St. Andrew's Parish, has now a valua- ble rectory, handsome church and chapel and a congregation with sufficient ability to support the Gospel at home and con- tribute toward its extension abroad." The Rev. Dr. Andrews died in May, 1875, greatly mourned by his bereaved flock, by the Church in Virginia, and by Churchmen throughout the land. The Rev. John P. Hubbard became Rector in October, 1875. He says that "at the time of his taking charge. there were about eighty communicants. He finds abundant evi- dence of the blessing of God on the labors of his beloved friend and predecessor, Dr. Andrews." The Rev. Mr. Hub-

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bard "was an earnest evangelical preacher, a faithful spirit- ual guide to his flock, and a most tender, loving, sympathiz- ing friend to the afflicted, with an open hand to the destitute and poor. He kept the Church property in beautiful order, was generous and liberal in adorning and improving it in various ways." The Rev. Mr. Hubbard resigned the charge of the parish in December, 1880, and was succeeded, May 29th, 1881, by the Rev. Landon R. Mason. "For nine years the high privilege of the congregation was to sit under his pure, earnest gospel teachings. The interest of religion grew and prospered during his faithful, untiring ministration. Many were brought into the Church." During Rev. Mr. Ma- son's rectorship a commodious and attractive chapel, with a seating capacity for 152 persons, was erected at Duffields, five miles south of Shepherdstown, in which services were held from time to time. This edifice, free from all financial encumbrance, was placed in care of the rector and vestry of Trinity Church, and during the incumbency of Mr. Mason's successor (who continues to hold regular services there), was consecrated to the worship of Ahnighty God under the name of "The Chapel of the Good Shepherd," by the Right Rev. G. W. Peterkin, D. D., May 31st, 1892. The instrument of Dona- tion was read by Mr. John O. Aglionby, one of the trustees and the superintendent of the Sunday-school. The Sentence of Consecration was read by the Rector, the Rev. Dr. Neil- son. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Mason. This Chapel of the Good Shepherd is one of the fruits of Mr. Ma- son's earnest and faithful ministry, and the people were de- lighted to welcome back into their midst one who had labor- ed so acceptably among them.

The Rev. Mr. Mason resigned the rectorship of Trinity Church in September, 1890, and was succeeded September 20th, 1891, by the Rev. William Hude Neilson, D. D., of the Diocese of New Jersey. During the long interval, of one voar, the services were, to a great extent, maintained and the spiritual interests of the people cared for by the Junior

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Warden, the late beloved and lamented Edmund JJennings Lee. for a few weeks before his death in July, 1896, Senior Warden of the Parish.

The Rev. Dr. Neilson continues in charge of the parish at this date, August, 1900. In the second year of his rectorship the church was improved by a beautiful chancel window, the work of R. Geissler, of New York, and the gift of one of the vestrymen and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Muzzey, in mem- ory of Mrs. Muzzey's sister. Miss Florence Washington Schley. The number of communicants is now 174, many of whom are non-resident, including young people away at school or in business. Others spend only their summers in Shepherdstown, having winter homes elsewhere. A Sunday- school for colored people is maintained in the parish, having been started by the late D. D. Pendleton, and continued after his death by the late E. I. Lee.

The Church in Shepherdstown has, to all appearances, reached the limit of extension and cannot hope to do more than hold the ground until improved railroad facilities shall invite immigration and promote the growth of the town.

The following persons have served as Wardens and Vestry- men of the parish in 1855, and thereafter, until 1878: In 1855, 1856. 1857 and 1859, Wardens, E. J. Lee, Daniel Border and Charles T. Butler; Vestrymen. Isaac Chapline, Dr. R. P. Ma- gruder. J. H. McEndre, John M. Jewett, George W. Hall, A. R. Boteler, Joseph L. Shenton, Henry Shepherd, Dr. Logie, R. D. Shepherd, Jr., W. A. Morgan and D. H. Morgan. Edwin G. Lee served during 1860. There was no meeting of the vestry, and. presumably, no election. from April, 1861, to June 5th, 1865, the period of the Civil War. The elected ves- trymen on June 5th, 1865, were E. J. Lee, George W. Hall, Dr. R. P. Magruder, C. T. Butler. Lorenzo Etchison, Martin Billmyre and William A. Morgan. M. P. Andrews and J. L. Darnell were elected in 1866; Thomas Van Swearingen and B. F. Harrison, in 1868; E. J. Lee, Jr., D. S. Orndorff and Dr. Alexander Tinsley, in 1872; F. W. Muzzey and T. W. Latimer,

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in 1874 ; D. D. Pendleton, Lee H. Moler and Thomas Wysong, in 1875; John O. Aglionby, John Unseld, A. S. Dandridge, Robert E. Craighill and J. S. Bragonier, in 1880; W. M. Le- men and Dr. J. Gregg Gibson, in 1881; A. H. Myres, in 1883; H. W. Potts, in 1884; J. B. Lucas, in 1887; Ed. H. Spohn, in 1894; P. P. Marshall and C. W. Andrews, in 1896.

The present vestry (August, 1900,) consists of the following persons : Wardens, A. S. Dandridge and Lee H. Moler; Reg- istrar and Treasurer, J. S. Bragonier; Vestrymen, F. W. Muzzey, P. P. Marshall, John O. Aglionby and H. W. Potts.

St. John's Church, Rippon .- The Mission at Rippon was started by Rev. John W. Lea. There were then three communi- cants, the most active being Elizabeth B. Osburn, the wife of Dr. A. Osburn. In the fall of 1874, Mr. Lea appointed a Building Committee, with Dr. A. Osburn as chairman. They started a church that fall and the next year found the house completed, making glad the hearts of the faithful few, who had spent so much of their energy to make the building pos- sible.

The following clergymen had charge of the Mission in suc- cession: Rev. F. A. Meade, Rev. W. W. Walker, Rev. James Page, Rev. John McGill. Mr. McGill took charge of the work in 1887. He found only three communicants, who would not allow themselves to be discouraged, and when their church became unsafe, by reason of cracking walls, they took to the work manfully, under his direction; tore down the old build- ing and erected the present structure, a neat Gothic building, seating about two hundred. This work was completed in the fall of 1890. Mr. McGill's work seemed specially blessed. There was an increase of membership during his charge, the first noticeable stride since the organization. He left twenty- three communicants.

The next man in charge was the Rev. P. D. Thompson, who was followed by the Rev. Howard G. England. Whilst Mr. England had charge of the Mission a bell tower and

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choir-room and porch were built. This much improved the appearance of the building and added much to its com- fort.

The Rev. Robert U. Brooking took charge June 1st, 1900. During the fall of 1900, Dr. Howard Osburn placed a fine Mc- Shane bell in the tower, to the memory of his mother, Eliza- beth B. Osburn, who died in 1890. Mrs. Osburn was the first communicant in the community, and did more to organize and sustain the Mission during its early years than anyone else. We are glad to have this sweet-toned bell, calling us together, and reminding us of the saintly one gone before.

The ministers in charge have all been canonically residents of the Diocese of Virginia; this is something of a drawback to the work, but we hope that in the near future St. John's, Rippon, will own a rectory and can be joined to some point in the Diocese. This, we hope, will not be long in coming, for St. John's Church has now thirty communicants.

Christ Church, on the Mountain .- In the summer of 1SSS the Rev. John McGill had his attention called to the needs of the people on the mountain near the Wickliffe rectory. So he secured the help of Mr. W. D. Smith, now the Rector of St. George's Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia, who was then thinking of the ministry. and Mr. Robert R. Smith, both very earnest lay-workers, and, going near the site of a saw mill, they secured a quantity of slabs which they made into seats and a platform, under the shade of the trees. There they held Sunday-school and services, which became so popular that, before the summer was ended, their school numbered more than a hundred, and often several hundred would be at the service. These people were, for the most part, Methodists of the most emotional type, and the enthusiasm would often reach a high pitch. The next year (1889), Mr. McGill decided to have a chapel built. So Mrs. Boyd, the mother of the ac- tive, Vincent Boyd, gave the land, and Mr. William D. Smith, Sr., of Smithfield, Wickliffe Parish, Virginia, gave the lum- ber: Mr. John Sheeter gave the sawing. and Mr. Vincent Boyd

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and son assisted in the carpenter work. The two lay-workers from Wickliffe, the Messrs. Smith, did the painting, and so the chapel was built at a very small cost, in money, about three hundred dollars. This money was raised largely by the efforts of Mr. McGill, from various sources, a considerable amount coming from Wickliffe Parish, Virginia.

There never was a great influx of communicants, the num- ber not exceeding twelve. The Rector in charge of Wick- liffe Parish has always had this work under his care. The Rev. P. D. Thompson and wife did a most noble work, espec- ially Mrs. Thompson in her mothers' meetings. The work has lagged since Mr. Thompson and wife gave it up, so when the present minister took charge, he found only six mem- bers, and no Sunday-school. This work can only be pushed during the summer and fall, as the people will not come out in cold and wet weather. Many of the people who attended the services, have moved away, and now the average congre- gation does not exceed forty, and we feel that little good can be accomplished by one service a month. So we pray that the time will soon come when a man can be placed among these people, so that he will be able to touch their every-day lives. Then, and, from our earthly point of view, not till then, can we expect much good to be seen, as a result of the work.

St. John's Church, Harper's Ferry .- The town of Harper's Ferry, so beautiful that Thomas Jefferson said that a view from its heights was worth a trip across the Atlantic to see, is situated upon an elevation between the waters of the Po- tomac and Shenandoah Rivers, at their junction. Its com- mercial importance is centered in the large government arm- ory and arsenal which, for a number of years, were located here; its historical interest in being the scene of the John Brown raid, with its exciting and tragic events, and in being a strategic point and hotly contested battle ground during the Civil War.

The Church began with an organization of five communi- cants. The Rev. Dr. Andrews, Rector at Shepherdstown,

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held service twice a month-first in the old Temperance Hall and later in the armory pay-office. The Church, under the name of St. John's, was admitted into union with the Dio- cese in 1850. The work prospered so greatly that, in 1853, twenty-six persons were confirmed at one time by Bishop Meade. The old church, looking down upon the flowing waters, suggestive of immortality, like Zion of old, "beautiful for situation, was begun in 1851. The walls being condemned, were torn down, but the people had a mind to work," and so indefatigable were their labors that the church was re-built and furnished, in 1852. It was consecrated in 1853. Rev. Dr. Andrews was succeeded by the Rev. Horace Stringfellow, who served the Church about one year, after which the Rev. Mr. Wilcoxon took charge. The Rev. Charles Ambler, Rector of Zion Church, Charlestown, preached in St. John's, from time to time, and also the Rev. Richard Davis, Rector of Trin- ity. Martinsburg. During the war, which followed, the church building was so badly wrecked that only the walls and roof remained. The organization, itself, was so scattered and dis- banded that, for a considerable period. no regular services were maintained. To that honored veteran, the Rev. William T. Leavell, belongs the credit of gathering the fragments of this scattered congregation, and of again organizing the work. He also secured from the government the lot on which the reetory, built in 1899, now stands. The Church was after- wards served by the Rev. Landon R. Mason, of Shepherds- town, and the Rev. William H. Meade, D. D., the Rev. Dallas Tucker and the Rev. W. L. Gravatt, of Charlestown. While Mr. Tucker had charge of the work, he was assisted by Mr. Jeff. R. Taylor, then a lay-reader. On January 1st, 1889. the Rev. W. B. Everett. M. D., began to minister as assistant to the Rev. Landon R. Mason, and, upon the resignation of the latter, continued in charge until July 1st, 1895. The Church was then served by the Rev. W. L. Gravatt. of Charlestown, with the help of his assistants, the Rev. W. P. Chrisman and the Rev. C. E. Shaw. After the consecration of Mr. Gravatt.

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as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese, the work was left in the hands of the Rev. C. E. Shaw, who has continued in charge to this writing.

The old church was re-built in 1882, at a cost of $1,200, but, after a few years, it was made to appear that this building was uncomfortable, and inaccessible. Many of its communi- cants, also, removed to other parts of the town; consequent- ly, the Church did not prosper here. With the approval of the Bishop. it was decided to abandon the site and find a more suitable location. A desirable lot. on the principal street, in the western part of the town, and in close prox- imity to Bolivar, was secured, and a beautiful, modern church erected, at a cost of about $1,000. The old church was sold May, 1895, and the corner-stone of the new St. -John's Church was laid in November of the same year. On June 1st, 1896, the new church was first occupied, and was furnished with beautiful oak pews, in the spring of 1899. The consecration of St. John's Church was on March 19th, 1899. by the Bishop of the Diocese. The consecration sermon was preached by the Rev. George A. Gibbons, of Romney.

Though having undergone financial hardships, this heroic people at once projected a rectory, which was completed in November, 1899. This enterprise was entirely a matter of faith, and has resulted in earnest and zealous labors to cancel the debt. They hope soon to have an unencumbered home for the ministers who shall serve them. The present member- ship of this Church is composed largely of women, whose zeal, capability and fidelity can never receive excessive praise, and the Church, which, by their self-denying labors, they have built up, is destined to become a beacon light to guide many into the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Nelson Parish - Grace, Middleway; St. Bartholomew's, Ler- town, and Holy Spirit, Summit Point .- These churches were connected with Christ Church, Norbourne Parish, Berkeley, under one vestry until the separation of West Virginia into a Diocese.

REV. ANDREW J. WILLIS.

GRACE, MIDDLEWAY.

REV. JAMES H. W. BLAKE.

RECTORY, MIDDLEWAY.

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At the meeting of the Council, December 5th, 1877, when the new Diocese was organized, consent was given to the or- ganization of these two churches, under the names of Grace and St. Bartholomew's Churches, St. Andrew's Parish. De- cember 24th a meeting was held in the Rectory at Smithfield, and a vestry was elected. The Rev. James Grammer, who had been in charge of these churches since October 15, 1869, remained in charge until he resigned, November 4, 1878, to go to Ashland, Virginia. The Rev. James H. W. Blake, Deacon, succeeded him, remaining from 1879 until 1881. The Rev. John S. Gibson was then called from Bellaire, Ohio. He en- tered upon his duties March 1, 1882. September 24, 1885, Bishop Peterkin consecrated the Church of the Holy Spirit. Summit Point. On the petition of these churches, the Council held at Huntington, June, 1888, set apart the Churches of Grace. St. Bartholomew's and the Holy Spirit from St. An- drew's Parish and formed them into a separate parish called Nelson Parish, which was to embrace all that part of Jefferson county. known as Middleway Magisterial District and Kable- town District west of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad. The Rector of Nelson Parish, November 1, 1888, resigned the charge of Christ Church, Bunker Hill, the growth of Nelson Parish having made such division necessary. During Mr. Gib- son's residence, the rectory was greatly improved by the addi- tion of two large rooms and a porch. The lot was also very much enlarged.

September 30. 1890, the Rev. John S. Gibson resigned the charge of the parish, and the Rev. A. J. Willis accepted a call to it, entering upon his duties November 1, 1890.

Vestrymen who have served Norbourne and Nelson Parishes.

Christ Church. Mill Creek .- Morgan Morgan, William Mor- gan, Warden; Levi Henshaw, James Ijams, Charles Stuck- ey, George Lemmon, William Worth, Richard Seaman, Thos. C. Bryarly, Samuel L. Bryarly, John Swimley. Other Vestry- men-James Logie. M. P. Nelson, Elijah M. Bosley, William J. Macoughtry, John James Grantham, George W. Nelson.

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Richard H. Bryarly, A. M. Evans, William Swimley, Stephen Dandridge, Isaac Strider, Robert Helm, Dr. Thomas Turner, Robert Pendleton, Henry D. Johnson, Thomas M. Macough- try, R. K. Robinson, Meredith Helm, S. F. White, J. K. Cuu- ningham, W. H. Gilbert, Dr. Charles Stephen, J. G. Wyatt, P. S. Hinton, Dr. Border, I. Arnon Shirley, W. C. Frazier, G. C. Whiting, N. H. Willis, Dr. Thompson, C. E. Jones, Dr. Lu- cas, R. O. Allen and William Bates.

The construction of the Church of the "Holy Spirit" was begun in the year 1883, and consecrated in 1886. It's concep- tion was the result of a hint from Bishop Peterkin; and the work was initiated by Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Willson, and so earnest and untiring was Mrs. Willson in her desire for its early completion, that we shall always look upon this church as a monument to her labor of love, (for truly such it was.) Through her personal endeavor she secured fully one-third of the actual money-cost of the structure, whilst Mr. Willson donated the grounds.

This church is of modern architecture, built of native lime- stone rock, covered with slate, and the windows of cathedral glass, with pews and furniture of modern make. It is situ- ated on high grounds, upon a lot of three acres of ground, within the center of the village of Summit Point. Its early consecration, six months after the completion of the build- ing, was the result of a combined effort of a few most earnest workers.

Middleway, Jefferson County, W. Va., August, 1901.

DEAR BISHOP :- At the request of Mr. Willis, I send you the following contribution to your sketch of the churches in Nel- son Parish, Jefferson county:

I came to the county, October 15, 1869, in response to a call of the vestry, to take pastoral charge of the three churches, Grace, Smithfield, and St. Bartholomew, Leetown, in St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson county, and Christ Church, Bunker Hill, in Norborne Parish, Berkeley county. all com- bined at that time under one vestry.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 50

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