A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 53

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The Pulpit, by Mrs. P'idgie Shrewsbury.

The Lectern, by the young men of the parish, in memory of Mr. Alexander W. Quarrier.

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The Communion Table, in memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Clark- son, by her family.

The Brass Altar Cross, Brass Vases and Receiving Basin, by Mrs. A. A. Quarrier, of Louisville, Ky., Mrs. Broken- borough and Henry Fitzhugh, in memory of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fitzhugh.

A Brass Book Rest for Altar, by Dr. Spicer Patrick's fam- ily, in memory of him.

The handsome Stone Tower was completed by the gift of Mrs. Henrietta F. Barre.

The Stone Steps, Curbing and Walks were placed by Mrs. J. T. Waters, Sr., also the handsome tiling in the Chancel.

St. Matthew's and St. Luke's Missions .- The history of St. Matthew's and St. Luke's Missions is largely a result of the self-sacrificing exertions of a number of devoted laymen. Among others might be mentioned, Mr. Alexander Quarrier, Mr. William Adams, Mr. John Howe Peyton, Mr. J. D. Luca- doe and Professor Laidley. The zeal and energy of these lay- men, directed by the Rev. R. D. Roller, founded, and, for a number of years, carried on an efficient missionary work in and around Charleston. The method followed by these gen- tleman was first to begin a Sunday-school, and, through it, to instruct the people. And, then, wherever it was possible, to have lay services, conducted generally by members of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. In this way the work went on for several years. But it gradually became evident that the work was too large to be carried on in connection with the Parish church. The city of Charleston, comprising a popula- tion of about 15,000, was more than one priest could manage, without having the supervision of a large country district. The largeness of the field and the pressing need for a priest to give his sole time to missionary work, led to the formation of St. Matthew's and St. Luke's Missions, in the parish. This took place in the beginning of the year 1897. In February of 1897, the Rev. Gerald Card, B. A., of Grace Church To-

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ronto, Canada, was given temporary license by the Bishop to work in these Missions.

At the time of their separation from St. John's, Charles- ton, St. Matthew's and St. Luke's Missions were constituted two organized Missions, St. Matthew's then stretching from the boundaries of St. Alban's Parish to the village of Coal- burgh, and St. Luke's embracing West Charleston and all Clay county. St. Matthew's Mission, in February, 1897, con- sisted of about eighty baptized persons and thirty-one com- municants. The greater number of these lived in the neigh- borhood of St. Matthew's Church; a few lived at Kanawha City, a few at Hernshaw and a few others at St. Andrews, Davis Creek, preaching points in St. Matthew's Mission.

With reference to church buildings, there was, at this time, one church and one chapel., viz .: St. Matthew's Church and St. Andrew's Chapel; both built largely by the energy and at the expense of Mr. John Howe Peyton, Civil Engineer.

At the time of the division of the parish, St. Luke's Mis- sion numbered thirteen communicants and about twenty bap- tized persons. The property of the Mission consisted of four lots,-three where the church now stands, and the fourth, the old church site. The church is a frame building, capable of seating about 80 people, and on the lot next to the church is a small frame house, in a good state of repair. This build- ing has since been enlarged and a story added, and is now used as a rectory.

Since the separation of the Mission from St. John's, in February of 1897, there has been a rapid increase, both in the number of baptized persons, as well as in the number of com- municants. Thus showing that the Church can reach the hitherto neglected mountain population of this State New Sunday-schools and preaching points have been organized at Dry Branch, Black Band, Short Creek and Racine, .St. Matthew's Mission; and at Magazine Hollow, St. Luke's Mis- sion.

To the above the following independent narrative is added :

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St. Luke's, Elk .- April 18, 1873, Mr. James D. Lucadoe, with the help of another layman and some ladies, began a Sunday- school, with eighteen children, in an unfinished building, with only a board nailed up to keep the cows out. By the Christ- mas following, they had the present chapel (since removed to another lot), built and paid for, by the generous contri- butions of several members of the congregation,-Colonel T. B. Swan, Messrs. Laidley, Hogeman, Lewis Summers, Wil- liam Quarrier and many others. They kept up the Sunday- school, and when Bishop Whittle came they had seven can- didates for confirmation. Mr. Lucadoe, with untiring zeal, and with more or less help, has kept this Mission alive until it was turned over to "an independent organization."

This chapel was built by authority of the vestry, and first called "The House of Prayer," but the name was afterwards changed to St. Luke's.

Coal Valley Mission .- The Mission of the Episcopal Church at Coal Valley was begun by the Rev. John W. Lea, mission- ary of the "Kanawha Valley," Diocese of West Virginia, in November, 1878, giving one Sunday service per month, morn- ing or night, alternating, with the Mission at the "Old Vir- ginia Collieries," two miles up Morris Creek. This station was one of seven, forming the Kanawha Mission. At Coal- burgh (where the missionary lived), services were held morn- ing or night of the first Sunday in the month; (2) Paint Creek, or (3) Clifton, alternating with Coalburgh, (4) Coal Valley, second Sunday, morning or night, (5) Morris Creek, second Sunday, morning or night, (6) St. Albans, third Sunday, morn- ing or night, (7) Huntington, fourth Sunday, morning or night, (S) Milton was given a few services, as also (9) Quinni- mont on a few fifth Sundays.

In two years, August 1876 to August, 1880, sixty-seven were confirmed in the Mission. The rectory at St. Albans was en- larged and improved, at an expense of $1,319.85, mostly given by Churchmen outside of the Mission, in the North and else- where. During the second year, Calvary Church, Coal Val-

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ley, was built. The school-room was built in the fall of 1882. Miss Rose Pendleton, daughter of Rev. W. N. Pendleton, D. D., began teaching the Mission School about November, 1882, as teacher, organist and helper in many ways. Her work was most faithful and efficient. Her name and Mr. Leavell's are still often on the lips of the people, who knew and honored and loved them and no one has been able to fill the places of either since they left.

Mr. Leavell resigned August, 1886, to go to Baltimore, where he died in 1887.

The Rev. J. H. Birckhead, his successor, took charge Octo- ber 30, 1886. He held services also at Coalburg, Morris Creek, Powellton, Kanawha, Ansted. He was succeeded for a short time by Rev. G. P. Sommerville. There are records of two baptisms in 1889, three in 1890, by visiting clergymen and one in 1891, by Bishop Peterkin.

The Rev. Peter Wager took charge in 1891. His first record is that of a baptism, February 28, 1892, his last, that of a marriage, June 14, 1893.

The Rev. John R. Joyner took charge February 1st, 1894, residing at St. Albans and giving two Sundays a month to each place.

In the spring of 1900 the mission was called upon to en- dure a great affliction in the death, within a short time, of each other, of Mr. William Leavell and his sister, Mrs. Wm. R. Johnson. Both were most active in the work of the Church, and as might be expected, most interested in car- rying on the work of their Brother, Rev. Francis K. Lea- vell. In the summer of 1900 Rev. Mr. Joyner resigned the charge of Montgomery, and it was put in combination with St. David's mission, Powellton, under Rev. Luther W. Dog- gett, a more natural combination. Mr. Doggett was suc- «ceded in the fall of 1900, by Rev. Arthur Price, and upon his resignation early in 1901, the place was supplied by the Bishop sending Rev. AArthur M. Lewis, who was ordained

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in June. 1901, though the work was carried on through the summer by Mr. Thos. C. Darst.

History of Bangor Church.

The early history of Bangor Parish is most intimately as- sociated with two families, which found their way into the Kanawha valley while it was yet but a wilderness. To one of these families must be attributed the honor of inaugu- rating the work of the Episcopal church at Coalsmouth, while to the other we are indebted for that appellation which the parish has borne for half a century.

Philip R. Thompson, who, with great propriety, might be termed the founder of the Episcopal Church at Coalsmouth, left his early home in East Virginia, and, with bold and fear- less heart, penetrated the wild and sparsely settled country lying west of the Alleghanies, until he reached the blue waters of the Kanawha. There, with his family about him, he reared his future home and established the family home- stead, where the waters of the Coal mingle with the clear and sparkling streams of the "River of the Woods." This took place in the year 1816, and at that time the country in which he settled might be termed a wilderness. The prime- val forest there held full possession of hill and plain. The march of improvement had, as yet, not been heard along its green and mossy aisles. Within those secluded haunts naught was heard save the chorus of nature's songsters, the note of some wild animal, or the murmuring and the moan- ing of the forest trees as the brisk breezes of spring-tide or the fierce blasts of winter alternately swayed or lashed fiercely their swinging boughs.

Yet. even at that time, the country had not remained un- visited by the pioneers of civilization. Bold and hardy men from the East had pushed their way through its glades and brakes to join their fortunes with the adventurous Boone, in his wild and dangerous life within the borders of Ken- lucky. These were doubtless succeeded by those who found

REV. JOHN WILLIS LEA.

RECTORY, ST. ALBANS.

REV. JJ. B. FITZPATRICK.

ST. MARK'S, ST. ALBANS.

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game and adventure sufficient along the valleys of the New River and the Kanawha, the Elk, the Coal and the "Guyan," to detain them in those localities, and forbid the seeking fur- ther for that adventurous life they desired to lead. These were the early settlers of West Virginia. Doubtless, their camp-fires often illumined the darkness of the night in those heretofore unknown solitudes, trodden only by the mocca- sined foot of the red-man. Many a conflict, too, no doubt, there was to which the hills and vales could bear witness, between these same red-men and the white invaders of their ancestral homes, ere the latter could in safety and in peace convert the rough temple of the forest into the walls and roof-trees of the first white habitants of the "Mountain State."

The Thompson family migrated to West Virginia, after this first rough phase of its social life had passed away. Sparsely settled, indeed, was the whole country at that time, yet here and there, scattered through the valleys. might be found the log cabin of the early settlers, with some few faint indications of civilization about it. These were, mere- ly, however. the indications of that social and material pros- perity which, in after days, might crown the hill-tops of West Virginia. For, at the confluence of the Coal and the Kanawha. the first house was reared by Philip R. Thomp- son. and to him must be ascribed the lionor of "settling," in its truest sense, that portion of the State.

There was another family at that early day, which had penetrated into the Kanawha Valley, from a different local- ity. The Hudson family had come from Pennsylvania, and. some eight years before the Thompsons, had established their home on the Kanawha. They located, however, at a point above the Coal, and opposite to that side of the river chosen by the Thompson family for their plantation. A few years after the arrival of the latter, the Hudsons mnoved within the limits of Bangor Parish, gave it this name. and, hand in

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hand with the Thompsons, from that time to the present, have endeavored to support and forward its interests.

The little church known as Bangor Church, was built not a long time after the Thompsons came to Kanawha Valley. The land was donated by Morris Hudson, and the church was built by the united exertions of that family and the Thompsons and some few people who had followed them from Eastern Virginia into the Valley. This church contin- ned to be the place of worship of the Episcopal congregation at "Coal" until 1845, when it was destroyed by fire. In 1847 or 1848 a new church building was erected upon land given by Philip R. and Francis Thompson. This land amounted to ten acres, and on it was built a pleasant parsonage. The new church was called St. Mark's, and up to the time of the war was a country church of very considerable beauty. But, when the war desolated the fields of Kanawha Valley, the church escaped not the general destruction. It was to a great extent torn down and used during the war as a stable.

When peace revisited our land, the old church people again reassumed possession of their place of worship. Many repairs were made; the church was rendered tenable, al- though, through the impoverishment of the parish, none were able to do what they would. At present the church is in partial repair,-more repairs are sorely needed to bring it up to its condition of pristine beauty in the days before the war. That the former condition should be restored should be the prayer of all its children.

Rev. John W. Lea had charge of St. Mark's Church, St. Albans, from October, 1878, to May 15, 1884. He died May 15, 1884, at Shadwell, Va., and was buried in Teay's Ceme- tery, St. Albans, May 16, 1884. He left this statement in the parish register: "A plain parsonage was built by Rev. Mr. Stewart's exertions soon after the war. This was renewed and enlarged and improved into the present comfortable and roomy rectory,-one of the best in the State,-in 1880, by Rev. John W. Lea, at an expense of $1,354.85, over $1,000 of

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which was raised by his exertions among friends of his work in the church at large."

The Rev. F. B. Nash was in charge of Bangor Parish, living at Coalsmouth, from the spring of 1845 to February, 1852, and was instrumental in building St. Mark's Church. Mr. Nash was a man of irreproachable character and much be- loved by his people. He left a large family, who greatly re- vere his memory, and two of his sons are now in the minis- try of his church.

List of clergymen officiating in St. Mark's Church, Bangor Parish, St. Albans (Coalsmouth), Kanawha county. West Virginia, 1859-1901: Rev. A. J. M. Hudson, Rev. William G. Stewart, Rev. Joseph A. Nock, Rev. Horace E. Hayden, Rev. Charles B. Mee, Rev. David Barr, Rev. Pendleton Brooke, Rev. John W. Lea, Rev. J. B. Fitzpatrick, Rev. C. M. Campbell, Rev. Peter Wager, Rev. John R. Joyner.

So far as I can gather from the records of baptisms, mar- riages and burials, in the register, there seems to have been no regular pastor from the Rev. Francis B. Nash, 1848, to Rev. W. G. Stewart, 1867. Between those dates, I find two baptisms, 1849, one by Rev. James Craik and one by Bishop Meade; one baptism, 1858, by Rev. Samuel D. Tompkins; one baptism, 1859, by Rev. Francis B. Nash; one baptism. 1860, by Rev. Thompson L. Smith; two baptisms, 1865. by Rev. W. F. M. Jacobs. The next comes Rev. William G. Stewart, 1867, who seems to have remained only a few months.

Rev. A. J. M. Hudson took charge of St. Mark's Church, in May, 1859, and served acceptably till the breaking out of the war, when he removed, with his family, to Wisconsin. From that time till Mr. Stu- art's pastorate, in 1867, the church building was in ruins and the flock scattered. Among those in charge during the years that followed its partial restoration, were a number of good and faithful men,-men full of devotion to their work, who, under more propitious circumstances, might

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have proved pillars of strength to the Church. But the bad condition of financial affairs and the strained social rela- tions at that time existing, offered little encouragement to stay, and their rectorships were, for the most part, of short duration. Ill health, caused by the dampness of the Valley climate, was a frequent cause of change.

Rev. J. W. Lea, for nearly six years rector of St. Mark's, deserves more than a passing notice. He was full of zeal in the Master's work, and was greatly beloved, not only among his own people, but by all who came in contact with him. The Church prospered and grew under his ministry, but a career so full of promise was cut short by death. He sleeps in Teay's Hill Cemetery, near St. Albans, of which he once said, "What a glorious spot to rise from!" Rev. Pendleton Brooke has also gone to his reward.

During the period before the Diocese of West Virginia was formed, Bishop Meade visited at intervals Bangor Par- ish, and some still recall his venerable figure as he minister- ed at the altar or laid his hands in blessing on their heads. Bishop Johns and Bishop Whittle also came, at intervals, making long stage journeys across the Alleghanies, and their majestic forms as they stood in the high pulpit towering above the people make memory pictures well worth the keeping. On such occasions, old St. Mark's was always well filled with interested hearers.

Commodore Whittle, a brother of the Bishop, was, during the ministry of his son-in-law, Rev. David Barr, a much- valued member of the congregation. So noble was his ap- pearance that he might well have stood for a picture of "The grand old man," and his influence was ever of the best. He made many warm friends, who mourned when they learned of his death.

When St. Mark's was without a pastor, the church at Charleston did what it could to supply the needs of the par- ish. By deaths among the older people and many removals,

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(meaning the complete extinction of several prominent Church families,) the number of communicants has in later years been very much reduced. In St. Mark's least prosper- ous days, the Sunday-school, that "Cradle of the Church," has been faithfully kept up, and we can only pray that the seed sown by many devoted servants of Christ may vet spring np and bear fruit.

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CHAPTER XIII.

Records continued. Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDowell, Mercer Counties. Churches in Weston, Fairmont, Mannington, Moundsville, Cresaps, Pt. Pleasant, Mercer's Bottom, Mason City, Eckman, Welch, Princeton, Bramwell, Bluefield, &c.

Lewis county was formed from Harrison in 1816, and was named for Colonel Charles Lewis, killed at the Battle of Point Pleasant, 1774. Square miles, 400. Population-1870, 10,175; 1880, 13,269; 1890, 14,800; 1900, 16,980.

St. Paul's Church, Weston .- St. Paul's Church, Weston, was formally organized under the ministry of the Rev. Sam- uel D. Tompkins (a most modest and faithful man) in Octo- ber, 1848, as the record shows. Major Thomas Bland pre- sided over that meeting, which was held in a school-house, and Mr. E. M. Tunstill, of blessed memory, was the secretary.

In a report sent, subsequently, to Council,-when Mr. Tompkins visited the parish, under the prosperous rector- ship of the Rev. W. H. H. Powers,-he writes, that he is de- lighted to find things in such vigorous health and such bright contrast to the times when he organized the Church, with "two members." Who these two members were is not posi- tively known. Despite the fewness of the members, the Church must have been favorably received in the community, as Mr. Tompkins, in this same letter, refers to the fact that within two years a church was built and consecrated, by Bishop Meade. This would give 1850 as the date of the first building, which has since been replaced by a new and beau- tiful structure.

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Mrs. Minerva Edmiston, of Weston, still remembers how. at different times, Mr. Tompkins would be on the street at church time, verily followed by his little flock as a shepherd is followed by his sheep.

Before Mr. Tompkins' ministry in Weston, the Rev. Ovid A. Kinsolving, then of Christ Church, Clarksburg, used to minister there. Mr. Kinsolving was afterwards, for many years, Rector of the church in Halifax Court-House, and was the father of the Bishop of Texas, and the Bishop in Brazil and the Rev. A. B. Kinsolving. of Brooklyn, N. Y.

Bishop Meade, in his book, referring to the zeal and energy of the Rev. Thomas Smith, founder of Trinity Church, Park- ersburg, narrates the fact that he rode eighty-five miles on horse-back to minister to the "Little Flock,"-as it then was,-in Clarksburg, organized the Church and had a vestry elected. Bishop Meade then goes on to say: "The Rev. Mr. Kinsolving was the next settled minister. He officiated regu- larly at Clarksburg and Weston and occasionally at Mor- gantown. He remained about a year, and was not only ac- ceptable to his own people, but popular with all classes. The Rev. Mr. Tompkins succeeded him in Weston and preached occasionally in Clarksburg, perhaps once a month, as well as at other places."

To this he adds: "In the year 1852, the Rev. Robert A. Castleman went to Clarksburg, and was soon after joined by the Rev. James Page, and, between them, they supplied Clarksburg, Weston, Fairmont, Morgantown and Buckhan- non for one year, when the former confined his services to Clarksburg and Fairmont, and the latter to Weston and Buckhannon. During the residence of Mr. Tompkins in Wes- ton, and, chiefly by his exertions, an Episcopal Church was built there. During Mr. Castleman's ministry, one has been built in Clarksburg, and one purchased and repaired at Fair- mont."

Mr. Robert J. McCandlish, a devout and holy layman, who

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moved to Weston from Norfolk, about 1852, and lived there twenty years, did much for Christ and the Church.

After the faithful ministry of the Rev. Mr. Page, the par- ish was served for a time by the Rev. Mr. Curtis, of whose ministry little is known. Rev. T. H. Smythe ministered in Weston for several years preceding the war, and it was under his ministry that the rectory was built, and. as the record shows, many were added to the Church.

The Rev. Henry T. Sharp came in 1869, and remained about one year. During his ministry, the spire of the church was built. He took great pains to put the records of the Church in proper shape and ministered faithfully to the people. That saintly, holy man, the Rev. Andrew Fisher, succeeded him and remained about three years, closing his earthly min- istry there, and entering Paradise from St. Paul's rectory, February, 1874, having done more good than will ever be known during the present Dispensation.

The Rev. A. A. McDonough came next, and remained dur- ing several years of faithful ministry. He was a most eru- dite and scholarly man, and faithful minister of the Gospel. He married, while in charge of the Church, Miss Florence Brannon, daughter of Judge Brannon.

The Rev. W. H. H. Powers came next, in 1880, and remain- ed about three years. Under his ministry, a recess Chancel was added to the Church, extensive repairs and improve- ments made to the rectory, and a large number added to the Church, and the charitable and other contributions largely increased. The Rev. J. W. Keeble succeeded Mr. Powers, in 1883, and remained a little over three years. He was warmly beloved, and a large number confessed Christ under his min- istry and were confirmed. The Rev. T. H. Lacy succeeded him, taking charge of the Church May 22, 1886, and remain- ing more than seven years, a longer pastorate than any of his predecessors so far as the records show. Under his min- istry it was decided to build a new church. This was first proposed by the Hon. W. G. Bennett, now the distinguished

REV. ANDREW GLASSELL GRINNAN.

ST. PAUL'S, WESTON.

REV. W. H. POWERS.

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RECTORY, WESTON.

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Judge on the Bench of the Circuit Court, who has ever since been a generous contributor to this worthy enterprise. A fund of several thousand dollars was raised for the purpose of building a new St. Paul's. The contributions largely in- creased and rose to more than $2,000 per annum, and when Dr. Lacy left, in 1893, about $5,000 had been raised.

During the ministry of the Rev. Messrs. Powers, Keeble and Lacy services were occasionally held in Jacksonville and Burnsville. The removal of the few members we had at these points, and their incorporation into other churches, has re- sulted in the discontinuance of the services.

One hundred persons were confirmed during Dr. Lacy's pastorate in Weston and in the neighboring counties served by him, of whom seventy-five were confirmed in Weston. He ministered regularly in Buckhannon, Upshur county, and at Spruce Run, about six miles from Buckhannon, and occa- sionally in Pocahontas, Braxton and Randolph counties.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 53

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