A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 55

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USA > West Virginia > A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia > Part 55

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Vestrymen of Trinity Parish: First Vestry-Colonel John Thompson, Isaac Hoge, E. H. Caldwell, Wiley H. Oldham, Dr. G. W. Bruce, George D. Curtis, Joseph W. Gallaher. Robert I. Curtis, A. J. Martin, Joseph Burley, J. B. Alex-

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ander, C. R. Oldham. Present Vestry-V. A. Weaver, B. F. Hodgman, Friend Cox, John T. Gallaher, W. S. Brady. J. W. Martin and S. W. Mathews.

There is located at Moundsville the State Penitentiary, with 753 prisoners, and to these Archdeacon Spurr and his wife minister constantly, the latter having entire spiritual charge of the women therein confined. The men are visited each day or so by Mr. Spurr as chaplain, who supplies them each week with from 500 to 600 magazines and papers. Cell to cell visitations is a great help to these men, and they are thus given an opportunity to tell the burden of their sin or the worry that perplexes and annoys. Every first Sunday in the month, from eighty to ninety-five receive the sacrament, whilst each year sees from seventy to one hundred baptized. If the Church cannot help these needy ones, the outlook for them is terrible, indeed. At each of the executions which have so far occurred in the prison, Archdeacon Spurr has had charge of the condemned men till the bolt was sprung. Convicts leaving the prison, and desiring employment, have it found for them, and are sent with new hope to begin anew to establish citizenship. Very often, when men come to prison, they leave a wife and a number of children in desti- tute condition, and, when the necessary information can be obtained, a box of garments and shoes are sent to these inno- cent sufferers.

Very often, when men are discharged from prison. they are physical wrecks, and these are taken to The Home, in Glendale, and kept until they are either strong again or pass out into "The Larger Life."

In this parish there is considerable attention given to Magdalene Work; among these poor waifs of human weak- ness, some are sent here from Wheeling and Parkersburg.

The Reynold's Memorial Hospital .- This most modern and thoroughly equipped hospital is the outcome of "The God's Providence Home," an old country brick mansion and six acres and a half of land, situated two miles from Mounds-

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ville, at Glendale, a very beautiful suburb of that city. It is on the banks of the Ohio River, and within a short dis- tance of three railways and an electric road. The first build- ing was purchased and equipped at the expense of Arch- deacon Spurr and wife, and run most successfully for over one year, when Mrs. Emily Van Buren Reynolds and her daughter, Miss Josephine, gave the necessary means to build the new hospital, which, with the building, out-buildings, fine conservatory and unexcelled equipment, is valued at $65,000. This institution is finished in quartered oak, tiled operating and bath-rooms, furniture all aseptic, as far as possible, the remaining furniture of golden oak. Every surgical and medi- cal device useful to save life, has been procured, and its ac- commodation for seventy patients, is absolutely complete. The poorest may come here without money and without price, whilst the regular fees of from $S to $25 per week are charged, according to choice of room or ward, by the paying patient. Any person sent, with or without pay, by a clergy- man of the Church, will be promptly and properly taken care of. This hospital has its own electric light plant and water works from Cool Springs, and thorough sewage and ventilating system. During the first year of its existence, it has cared for 353 cases, and lost but nine by death. It is controlled by Archdeacon Spurr, and has, also, in connection with the hospital, a training-school for nurses, which was erected last year, at a cost of $10,000. Here young women are given a proper clinical and practical knowledge of the duties of a skilled nurse.

Cresap's Valley Mission, Grace Church .- Occasional services were first held in Calvary Methodist Church, on Fish Creek, two and one-half miles distant from the present church building, by the Rev. J. F. Woods, in the year 1867. After an intermission of these services, for several years. they were renewed, in 1881, by the same Reverend Brother, in Cresap's Valley, in a log Cabin, belonging to Mr. Quincy Cresap, where a Sunday-school was established. Iu Decem-

REV. B. M. SPURR.

REYNOLDS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

THE

CHURCH AND RECTORY, MOUNDSVILLE.

PARISH HOUSE, MOUNDSVILLE.

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ber of this year, Bishop G. W. Peterkin, D. D., made his first visit, and the following year, on application, the preaching point was constituted a mission, under the name of Cresap's Valley Mission. The first confirmation held was by Bishop Peterkin, April 10th, 1882, when five were confirmed. About this time, steps were taken for the erection of a church building, which was completed sufficiently for holding ser- vices early in 1884. It was consecrated by Bishop Peterkin, under the name of Grace Church, 1887. There were present on this occasion, Right Rev. G. W. Peterkin, D. D., Revs. R. R. Swope, D. D., K. J. Hammond, C. M. Campbell and J. F. Woods, minister in charge. From the year 1895, two Sundays a month have been given to this church, which is the first of any kind ever erected in Cresap's Valley. Removals have greatly cut down the additions to this mission.

Franklin .- For several years, I have been having an occa- sional service in a school-house at this point, where we have but one communicant, but good congregations, and hearty responses, in the services. The people, especially the young, are becoming more and more accustomed to the Liturgy and take a real interest therein.

J. F. WOODS.

Mason.

Mason was formed from Kanawha, in 1804, and named for George Mason, of Virginia. Square miles, 360. Population- 1870, 15,978; 1880, 22,293; 1890, 22,849; 1900, 24,142.

Point Pleasant Parish .- In 1856, there was occasional ser- vice by Rev. Thompson L. Smith, Rector of the Church in Charleston. 1857-Service held in the Methodist Church (South), by Rev. George Sturgis, who divided his time be- tween this place and Gallipolis. He left in 1862, going to Ohio. 1866-During the winter, Rev. Thompson L. Maury took charge, dividing his time with Ravenswood. At the meeting of the Council in May, in a stirring speech, he strongly advocated a division between the Church, North and South. For this reason, and for the feeling it created,

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he never returned here. While here he held services in the Presbyterian Church. 1866-June to June, 1867, occasional service by missionaries. 1867-In the summer, Rev. H. E. Hayden took charge of the parish. Services were held in Beale Hall, corner of Main and Kanawha streets. Hereto- fore the Episcopal and Southern Methodists had a union Sunday school. Mr. Hayden separated his flock from them and had a very flourishing Sunday school in Beale Hall.

According to the action of the vestry, November, 1867, the bounds of this parish were recognized as that of Lewis District, Mason county, West Virginia.

In 1869 he began the erection of Christ Church. a sub- stantial brick building which in the end cost about $6,000. Mr. Hayden also held services at Bruce Chapel (ten miles below Point Pleasant, in Mason county), Buffalo and Coals- mouth, (now St. Albans).

In March, 1873, he left for Brownsville, Pennsylvania.

1873-In August of this year, Rev. T. H. Lacy (then Dea- con in Dinwiddie county, Virginia), took charge, and it was under him that the Church building was completed. He held services also at Bruce Chapel, Buffalo, Hartford, Mason and West Columbia.

In July, 1880, he left for Manchester, Virginia.

1881-In April, 1881, Rev. Joshua Cowpland, of Concord, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, became Rector. On the 17th day of June, 1882, at the opening services of the Council, Christ Church was consecrated. Rev. T. H. Lacy preached the sermon and commended the earnest labors of the Rec- tor who preceded him, the Rev. H. E. Hayden, under whom the church building was commenced, and the no less faithful services of the present Rector, Rev. Joshua Cowpland, under whom all debt was liquidated. The present Rectory was purchased in 1883. In 1884, February, the town was visited by the highest flood ever known. The water was about two feet in the rectory and church. Mr. Cowpland continued the services at Bruce Chapel.

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1885 -- In the spring, Rev. C. C. Pearson became Rector, preaching also at Bruce Chapel and occasionally at Hart- ford. He remained six years.

1892-In April, Rev. Robert Upshur Brooking took charge. During his stay Bruce Chapel underwent extensive improve- ments. It was ceiled inside with Georgia pine and made one of the prettiest chapels in the Diocese. The work was done mostly by Mr. Wm. L. Davis. Mr. Brooking preached also at Bruce Chapel, Spillman, Buffalo, and Poca. In the spring of 1895 he accepted a call to New Martinsville and Sistersville, West Virginia.

1895-Rev. Andrew G. Grinnan became Rector. The next spring a much needed addition was made to the Rectory at the cost of $300 and in 1898 an iron fence was put in front of the Church property.

In 1896, for the first time in its history, evening services were held in Bruce Chapel. From April to December, ser- vice is held there on Saturday nights preceding Sunday ap- pointments, and the attendance is very good. Sunday morn- ing, October 15th, 1899, twenty-six children were baptized there, our beloved Bishop being present.

In February, 1897, a Chapel formerly owned by the Sev- enth Day Adventists was purchased in Mason City. It is a neat brick building, and will seat 125 people. Besides Pt. Pleasant, the Rector holds services at Bruce Chapel, Spill- man and Mason, with occasional service at Poca, Buffalo, Morgan's School House, Hartford and West Columbia. Mr. Grinnan having removed to Weston, the Rev. J. Howard Gibbons took charge of the Parish in April, 1901.

Gifts to Christ's Church.

1868-A handsome Bible was presented by Mr. Thomas H. Powers, of Philadelphia. A beautiful silver communion ser- vice was presented by Mrs. H. B. Stephens, of Baltimore. The font was presented by Rev. H. E. Hayden and Rev. T. H. Lacy, as a memorial to Mr. Hayden's eldest child.

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Vestrymen who have served the Parish: W. W. Minturn, Wm. French, P. C. Eastham, C. P. T. Moore, J. P. R. B. Smith, H. R. Howard, Jas. H. Hooff, Taliaferro Stribling, J. W. English, Dr. C. T. B. Moore, F. W. Blade, Dr. Sam. G. Shaw, A. Lewis Sehon, A. C. Waggener, D. W. Polsley, Ed- ward Sehon, D. H. Willard, W. L. Ruffner, Dr. W. E. Carr, M. M. Laidley, J. S. Spencer, G. W. Tippett, Rankin Wiley, J. W. Heslop, Lewis Pomeroy, Columbus Sehon, J. A. Arm- strong.

McDowell.

McDowell county was formed from Tazewell in 1858, and named for Governor James McDowell, of Virginia, (1841). Square miles, S60. Population, 1870, 1,952; 1880, 3,074: 1890, 7,269; 1900, 18,747.

Bishop Peterkin and Rev. Dr. Lacy visited this county in October, 1882, holding, it is believed, the first services of the Church in its bounds. They spent a night with Mr. Moses Cartwright on Tug River, and held service in the Court House at Peeryville. The travel was mostly by bridle path.

Our work in this county is mainly in its many mining towns.

Eckman, Grace Church. The first service of the Church ever held here was on May 9th, 1894, and was held by Rev. John S. Lightbourne. In 1895 Bishop Peterkin confirmed one at Eckman. This is probably the first confirmation ever held in McDowell county. September 3rd, 1896, he confirm- ed two. On September 3rd, 1898, Mr. Marshall baptized one; and on the 4th, one, in the new Grace Church. On the 7th of September, the Bishop opened the church and con- firmed four. The Church was completed, save the furniture which was added in 1899. Mr. Samuel Fisher Morris (a grand- son of the financier of the Revolution) and Mrs. Mattie Fitz- hugh Morris (his wife), Mr. and Mrs. William D. Ord, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Long, Dr. and Mrs. P. H. Killey and Mrs. Ran- dall Hutchinson were chiefly instrumental in erecting this

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house of prayer. The Killeys are from Giles county, Vir- ginia. Dr. Killey came to America from England many years ago, and Grace Church is the first Episcopal Church near which he has ever lived in this country, and yet the whole family has grown up to be good church people. Grace Church was built during Mr. Marshall's incumbency. Bishop Gravatt was here for the first time May 22nd, 1900, and Bish- op Peterkin on October 10th, 1900.

Elkhorn. The Rev. W. H. Burkhardt began to hold month- ly services here in May, 1893. The Bishop visited this sta- tion for the first time on Friday, May 5th, 1893. For a time there were strong hopes of erecting a church here, but ow- ing to removals and local circumstances the hope was abandoned in the years 1895 and 1896. Owing to these cir- cumstances and also to the fact that the whole field was clearly more than Mr. Burkhardt could manage, regular ser- vices were abandoned in the spring of 1899. Two persons from here were confirmed at Bramwell November 11th, 1894, and the first confirmation ever held here was on September 3rd, 1896, when two persons received the laying on of Apos- tolic Hands.

Welch. This is the county seat of McDowell county. It is at the junction of the Elkhorn and Tug Rivers. It is also a lumber center and will receive a great impetus when the Tug River mines above here are opened. Mr. Marshall began holding occasional services here in 1894. The Bishop speaks of visiting an old Mr. Peter Cartwright on Tug River years ago. One person was confirmed here in the Methodist Episcopal Church, September 7th, 1898. Regular monthly services were begun here in 1899 and kept up since that time. The Coadjutor Bishop, Rt. Rev. Wm. Loyall Gravatt, visited this point May 1st, 1900. Bishop Peterkin was here again October Sth, 1900. A lot is promised here and plans may be undertaken in 1901 to try to erect a church. Owing to the small following here, only four communicants, the effort may be delayed 'till the debts at Bramwell and Eck-

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man are sufficiently reduced to justify some strenuous ef- forts from those places. If some pious person would send Mr. Marshall $1,000.00, a nice memorial chapel could be built, treasure laid up in Heaven, and the chapel would be well cared for by the people at Welch.

Besides the places named above, Bishop Gravatt visited Algoma, and preached at Maybeury in McDowell county, in 1900, Bishop Peterkin visited Thacker, Iaeger, Algoma and Maybeury in 1900, making at all McDowell points close per- sonal calls, thus greatly fostering Mr. Marshall's work dur- ing his convalescence from a protracted sickness. The Home Missionary would not begrudge the thought of the Church for foreign fields, particularly during this year of heathen persecution in China, but the over-labored Mission- ary in the Flat-Top Coal Field knows of promising fields here that ought to be cared for.

N. F. MARSHALL.

Mercer.

Mercer was formed from parts of Giles and Tazewell in 1837 and named for General Hugh Mercer, who fell at Prince- ton. Square miles, 400. Population-1870, 7,064; 1880, 7,- 467; 1890, 15,988; 1900, 23,023.

Princeton. The Church of The Heavenly Rest .- The begin- ning of our Church in Mercer county took place before the war between the States when Mr. Herbert B. Barber. an Englishman, came here October 15th, 1851. He married in October. 1859, Miss Francis Churchill Grigsby. She was confirmed in 1892. In 1868 they settled on the farm "Stoney Lonesome", near Concord Church, now Athens, and the site of a thriving State Normal School. Dr. Isaiah Bee, "Seventh Day Adventist", came July 4th, 1865, with Mary, his wife. She is a veteran Episcopalian and one of the most marked characters in this section. This home has always been the hospitable recipient of our ministers. The Doctor and Mrs. Bee signed a deed to the lot on July 26th, 1895, in the presence of Wirt A. French, a Notary Public. Though

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not a churchman, this widely useful physician has always been a friend of the Church. Mr. John Barbarie and Julia, his wife, came in 1878; another English family. They came from Wytheville, Virginia, and settled on the farm "Tangle- wood."

The Bishop of West Virginia visited Princeton first in 1881, and confirmed five, of whom one was colored, He was received at Tanglewood. Rev. T. H. Lacy was the first and the Rev. F. A. Meade second minister. On September 7th, 1SS5, the Bishop preached in the Methodist Church in Prince- ton. No steps had yet been taken to build a church, but the Missionary, Rev. F. A. Meade, who made a monthly visit from Hinton, was much encouraged by the outlook.

One may imagine that this encouragement must have been caused, in part at least, by the arrival about this time of Mrs. W. A. French, whose cheerful mind and helpful spirit assisted greatly in the establishment of the church. Gone now to Beckley, Raleigh county, she is operating in the same spirit towards another pioneer church.

The Bishop's report, made in 1888 says: "Baptized two children at Princeton, November 5th, 1887." The next morn- ing the Holy Communion was administered, and at night two were confirmed. These services were in the Presbyterian Church. During these years prior to the coming of Rev. W. H. Burkhardt, the first minister settled here, the work at Princeton, like all our points, was nurtured and encour- aged by Revs. Benjamin Denis, Chas. Gauss, and S. O. South- all, from Virginia. The first report made to the Council, so far as I know, was in 1889. It was under the heading "Mercer County Mission." It included Princeton, Bramwell and Bluefield, under Rev. Chas. Gauss. Took Charge Sep- tember, 1888, resigned June, 1889. The Bishop's note to this report gives Princeton thirteen (13) communicants. He also stated that they had some money for a church, in ad- dition to the lot. Bluefield is credited with fourteen (14) communicants, a lot worth $525.00 and $303.00 in money;

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and Bramwell, with eleven (11) communicants and a lot. He makes remark about Mr. Gauss' "successful work." Mr. Gauss' intense earnestness was felt all through this section. During his administration at Princeton, he was visited by a young man who said he wanted to study for the ministry. On being asked why he desired to do so, he said: "I hear that an Episcopal minister goes into good society and does not have to work much and thought I would like it."

That finished the record of the transaction.

The next report is that made by Rev. S. O. Southall in 1890. He reports for Bluefield three Sunday services and eight others, with thirty-three (33) communicants; for Princeton two Sunday services and eight others, with fourteen (14) communicants. Sunday -school scholars, sixty-five (65), teachers, two; for Oakvale, two services week days, with fourteen (14) communicants, Sunday school scholars 143 with twelve (12) teachers. He says "Mr. William Queale, Lay Reader, is doing good work at this point."

Mr. William L. Davis, a Lay Reader, and also a practical carpenter, seems to have succeeded the Rev. Mr. Southall. He was the constructor of the buildings at Princeton and Blue- field. He is now our minister at Dundee, N. Y. He seems to have been here up to Rev. Mr. Burkhardt's arrival in 1891; or 'till later. The Church of the Heavenly Rest, Princeton, was opened July 26th, 1893, the Rev. Mr. Burkhardt and the Bishop being present. It was consecrated at Morning Prayer, August 16th, 1896, the Rev. T. H. Lacy preaching the sermon. That evening he preached again. On the 15th Rev. F. A. Meade preached in the evening. He and Mr. Mar- shall assisted in the consecration services. The music at this memorable service was conducted by the full choir from Bramwell. The Bishop and Mr. Marshall went to Bluefield for the evening service.

The Church in Princeton has never been able to command

REV. NORMAN FITZHUGH MARSHALL.

GRACE, ECKMAN.

HOLY TRINITY, BRAMWELL.

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the service needed for its development. But it is a mistake to suppose its mission to be in vain. Certainly I could not think so, when I went into the little church unexpectedly, a year or two ago, and there, sitting in a pew, was the ven- erable pioneer of us all. He was in a position of reverent devotion, reading the Te Deum aloud, as an act of worship to The Great Presence. Never amidst the most ornate ren- dering of Cathedral Choir was that grand Hymn more im- pressive. Not an auditor but what was solemnized. No won- der that venerable patriarch has seen the last of his many sons and daughters enter this branch of the ancient Church of England which he loves.

Bluefield, Christ Church .- Prior to Mr. Gauss' report to Council in June, 1889, the Bishop had said in the Church News (May 15th) "Here a desirable lot has been secured." More than half the money needed had been secured. and he expressed the hope of using the church in that year. But it seems not to have been completed until September. 1890, when the congregation still owed $1200.00. "The Church of 'The Incarnation', now known as Christ Church, at Bluefield, was opened by the Bishop, Sunday, November 23rd, 1890."

Rev. William H. Burkhardt held his first service in Bluefield at three P. M., February 15th, 1891. The first en- try in the register there of a baptism is August 2nd, 1891; first of a confirmation is July 23rd, 1891. Mr. G. A. Shirey, for years the Treasurer of the Church, was in this class.

Mr. Burkhart's ministry made a profound impression on this entire section. He was loved in the homes far and near. His administration was simple, direct, earnest, self- denying, and efficient. What Dr. Lacy and Mr. Meade were in the early inchoate state here, he was in the period of orderly rise. One summer lie was assisted by the Seminar- ian, W. P. Chrisman, who is most kindly remembered. Mr. Burkhardt was followed in February, 1894, by the Rev. John S. Lightbourne, an English Bermudan. His energetic work,

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greatly assisted by his ability as a musician, was cut short by his removal in May to go to the Bermudas.

When in June, 1894, Rev. Norman F. Marshall took charge of Bluefield, Mr. Lightbourne had reported the church as "Christ Church." Thus disappear the name of Incarnation, used at the time of the Bishop's opening, and Transfigura- tion, used by Mr. Burkhardt. All subsequent reports give the name "Christ Church." From 1894 to 1897 the list of communicants runs thus: 36, 42, 53, and 54. The number hovers about 50 ever since. The figures are interesting as showing the steady tendency upwards despite the constant drain due to a migratory population. For instance, in 1896, the Sunday school lost all of its staff of officers by the mid- dle of February. From 1894 to 1898 $600.00 was paid on the Rectory debt, which is now $400.00. The chancel was im- proved, the vestry room rebuilt and enlarged, the entire property fenced on three sides and otherwise improved. Mr. Marshall was aided in the whole field during the years 1894 to 1900 by Mr. C. E. A. Marshall, the Rev. A. K. Fenton, Rev. C. A. Chrisman, Mr. William B. Sams, Rev. M. T. Tur- ner, (since deceased), Rev. Wm. H. Bean, and Mr. Robt. Nel- son Meade. In the summer of 1900 Mr. Meade filled all of Mr. Marshall's appointments for him during his protracted sickness at Bramwell and in the coal field, keeping the work well in hand by wise measures. Mr. Marshall is indebted to all these gentlemen for valuable relief in the arduous duties of an immense field. Although canonically non-res- ident, Mr. C. E. A. Marshall left the practice of Law in Blue- field to go to the Seminary. Mr. Thos. C. Darst, now of the middle class at the Seminary, became a postulant under Bishop Peterkin, from Bluefield.

In 1899 to 1900 Tazewell was connected with our West Virginia work by Bishop Randolph's consent. Thus we re- turn their early fostering care. In June, 1900, Mr. Marshall resigned Bluefield and Princeton to the Bishop of West Vir-

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ginia so that with Tazewell Court House and Graham, in the Diocese of Southern Virginia, an independent work could be started. It offers a Rectory at Bluefield and $800, but no one has accepted. Pocahontas, Virginia, is associated under this plan with Bramwell.

Bramwell, The Church of the Holy Trinity .- The Flat Top coal field opened in 1882. This town corporation, including Cooper, Bramwell, Simmons and Spicers, with a total popula- tion of 1,200 (now) followed after. Bramwell itself, named after one of its earliest settlers, Mr. J. H. Bramwell, is sit- uate in and around a horseshoe formed by the twisting Blue- stone River. The prettiest and best equipped Church of all this region stands on a picturesque knoll on the northeast shoulder of the horseshoe, facing west and overlooking the river and the town: The Church of the Holy Trinity.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 55

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