A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 56

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > West Virginia > A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia > Part 56

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).

Tuesday, November Sth, 1887, the Bishop came here. In the early part of 1890, the Guild was organized, consist- ing mainly of Mrs. T. L. Henritze, Miss Sarah Fairchild, Mrs. W. C. Brooke, Mrs. John D. Hewitt, and Mrs. F. L. Pad- dock. Rev. Messrs. Dennis, Gauss and Southall, as above, and Dr. T. H. Lacy ministered in these early days. The ser- vices were generally held in what is now the Presbyterian church. The work of building the church was all done prac- tically during Mr. Burkhardt's days. The Missions Commit- tee was organized in 1891, with W. C. Brooke, warden; F. L. Paddock, John D. Hewitt, Treasurer, H. T. Mercer, T. 1. Lineaweaver and Walter McMinn, as members. The cor- ner stone was laid September, 1892, and the Church opened October 15th, 1893. The Holy Bible was given by the chil- dren; the Communion set by Mrs. Clarissa Baldy; the font was given by Mrs. F. L. Paddock, in memory of a child; she and Mr. A. R. Paddock gave the colored hangings. Subse- quently the organ came by subscription. At Easter, 1897, the Church received the following gifts: Prayer Book and Hymnal from Mercy Baldy Keller (Mrs. B. F.) Altar Book

684

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

from Sophia Keller Hall (Mrs. Hall the Rectory, Wilmington, Delaware); the Altar Desk, Cross and Vases from "The Girls of Holy Trinity;" the Brass rails, Alms Basin, and Choir-stalls from the Guild. The debts having been paid, the church was consecrated September 5th, 1897, by Bishop Peterkin, the Revs. Wm. R. Savage and Norman F. Mar- shall assisting him in the service.

The instrument of donation was read by Mr. Henderson M. Bell, the warden.

When the church was consecrated the frame of a new rectory was rearing ou an adjacent lot, which was given by Capt. F. L. Paddock. This eleven roomed house with fur- nace, electric lights, water and considerable furniture, pro- vided by the congregation, was entered by Mr. Marshall's family as a residence on March 28th, 1898. Thus was mark- ed one of the transition periods in the work of our church in this region.

Wisely providing themselves before hand with an annual subscription list of $350.00 the Committee of the Mission has at the end of 1900 reduced the debt to $1,500.00. The heaviest individual contributors to this $4,000.00 house are the Guild, Mr. B. F. Keller, Mrs. C. Baldy, John D. Hewitt, F. L. Paddock, and A. R. Paddock. The efficient Treasurer during this time is Mr. W. D. Tyler,. This year, too, is marked by an additional furnace being placed in the church and by the gift of a handsome vocalion organ "In Memoriam, J. Herbert Bramwell," from his Brother and Sisters.

The work in Bramwell has been marked by the hearty co- operation of the Guild and of the committee. And all these years since 1894 our worship has been dignified and elevated by the splendid work of the choir under the leadership of Mr. Benjamin F. Keller with Mr. Albert R. Paddock as or- ganist.

The present number of communicants is 34.

Since Mr. Burkhardt's day the Sunday school numbering

685

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

about sixty scholars, and five or six teachers, has been super- intended efficiently by Mr. Henderson M. Bell, the warden.

May 6, 1900, Bishop Gravatt visited Bramwell in the morn- ing and Bluefield in the evening. lle went to Princeton on the 7th, and Athens on the Sth. Here one was baptized by Mr. Marshall and three were confirmed. This is thought to be the first confirmation at Athens. Bishop Peterkin visited Bramwell on October 7th, and 14th, also Bluefield in the evenings.

686

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

CHAPTER XIV.

Records continued. Mineral, Mingo, Monongalia, Monroe, Mor- gan, Nicholas, Ohio counties. Churches in Morgantown, Union, Berkeley Springs, Wheeling, Elm Grove, &c.

Mineral.

Mineral county was formed from Hampshire, in 1866. Square miles 300. Population-1870, 6,332; 1880, 8,630; 1890, 11,987; 1900, 12,883.

Shaw .- Bishop Peterkin visited Shaw, Friday, December 11th, 1885, and preached in a school house. Here he found a faithful family who had come from Fairmont, some years ago, and had been keeping up a Sunday school. They had been encouraged and helped by visits from Rev. Mr. Gib- bons, and the Rev. Mr. Pearson. The Rev. Mr. Humphrey, of Westernport, Maryland, was with the Bishop, and bap -. tized several children. He promises some care over these few people. The Rev. Mr. Gibbons, of Moorefield, and Rom- ney, had charge of church work at this time in Shaw and all of Mineral county, and continues in charge at the present. Bishop Peterkin again visited Shaw Monday, August 30th, 1886, and confirmed three, and again on Thursday, August 4th, 1887, when he confirmed one; again Tuesday, November 20, 1888, confirming one; again Tuesday, December 17, 1889.

Owing to the opening of new mines and abandoning of old, this community has so materially lessened and changed, it now hardly seems expedient to continue the effort to build a church.

Piedmont .- The church people in Piedmont, having become identified with the Church in Westernport. Maryland before

687

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

the Diocese of West Virginia was formed, have retained their connection with that Parish, and so though resident in our borders, are not counted in our numbers.

Keyser .- The Bishop has made repeated visits to Keyser, and on Ash Wednesday, 1893, confirmed two persons, and altogether has confirmed eight persons there. Once or twice we thought we were on the eve of having a church building, but owing to a variety of causes, we have been disappointed. The outlook at present is not encouraging. Rev. Mr. Gib- bons has ministered to the few Church people at Keyser for ten or twelve years, much of the time, giving them ser- vices one Sunday every month, and then on one week night every month.

Mingo.

Mingo county was formed from Logan, in 1894, and nam- ed for the Mingo Tribe. Square miles, 407. Population- 1900, 11,359.

Williamson-Bishop Peterkin visited Williamson, the coun- ty seat of the new county of Mingo, in October, 1899, and again in February, 1900, on the latter occasion preaching in the Presbyterian church. This point has since been placed under the care of Rev. Mr. Gibson, of Huntington. We have, perhaps, five or six communicants, and steps are being taken to build a chapel and secure regular services. The town of Williamson has come into some prominence not only as the county seat, but as the headquarters of one of the Railroad divisions.

Monongalia.

Monongalia county was formed out of the District of West Augusta, in 1776, and embraces the territory lying north of Augusta, west of the meridian of the fountain of the Poto- mac, southward of Yohogania, and eastward of Ohio. The county received its name from the river Monongahela, i. e., River of caving or crumbling banks. Square miles, 360. Pop- ulation-1870, 13,547; 1880, 14,985; 1890, 15,429; 1900, 19,049.

688

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Morgantown, Trinity Church .- The earliest records of the "Guy Allen Parish" that this writer (Mrs. St. George T. Brooke), has been able to find, are in an old book now in the possession of Mr. George Rogers, of Morgantown. This is so interesting that notwithstanding our very limited space we will copy an extract, which is as follows: "We, the sub- scribers, being desirous to promote the harmony and wel- fare of the inhabitants of Monongalia county by establish- ing a permanent and comfortable place of divine worship in Morgantown on equal and just principles (finding nothing of the late plans to which many of us have subscribed are likely to succeed,) do hereby constitute and appoint Thomas Wilson, John Stealy, Samuel Hanaway, Nimrod Ev- ans, Augustus Wernenger, John Rogers, Matthew Gay, Mich- ael Kern, Jr., and Ralph Berkshire, and do hereby vest them with full power to build, or cause to be built a Stone or Brick Building for divine Worship on the Sepulchre lot on High street, No. - in such form as they may in their wis- dom judge best for our interest, which House shall be the property of the Presbyterian and Protestant Episcopal So- cieties jointly and their successors forever." Then follow other provisions closing with a power to take subscriptions and an exceedingly interesting list of about 110 subscrib- ' ers. This must have been in the latter part of 1818 or the very early part of 1819, because the next record is as fol- lows: "At a meeting of Trustees of the Presbyterian and Protestant Episcopal Church, of Morgantown, held on the fourth day of February, 1819, Present Thomas Wilson, Au- gustus Werninger, Nimrod Evans, Matthew Gay, Ralph Berkshire. John Stealy and John Rogers, it was resolved that the said Presbyterian and Protestant Episcopal Churches, of Morgantown shall be located on the Sepulchre lot described in the Articles of subscription, and the dimen- sions to be forty-five feet by fifty-five." The last of these meetings of the joint church that this book shows was "Jan. uary 5th, 1861, Presbyterian and Episcopal meeting, John

REV. JOHN TILTON MARLEY.

TRINITY, MORGANTOWN.

REV. JAMES SHEERIN.

REV. THOMAS E. WINECOFF.

689

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

Rogers, elected Chairman, L. S. Hough, Secretary. Bishops Meade and Johns came to the parish annually to confirm, and in the early days Mr. Castleman held services followed by Mr. Page, from Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and Mr. Tomp- kins from the southern part of the State. Up to 1861, at any rate in that year, Episcopal services were held in the Church every 5th Sunday of a month, and every Monday evening. Rev. David J. Lee, of Fairmont, was the rector at this date; but having written an article for the "South- ern Churchman," (Richmond, Virginia,) which his Morgan- town parishioners considered an unjust reflection upon them- selves, a correspondence ensued, and Mr. Lee's connection with the Morgantown church came to an end in the late fall of 1861. No Episcopal service seems to have been held from 1861 to 1874, when the church was re-organized chiefly by the late Mr. Thomas Rogers and Professor R. C. Berkeley. Services were held once a month in the Academy building by the Rev. Mr. Gibbons, rector of the church at Fairmont.

It appears that an attempt to organize a parish in Mor- gantown was made in October, 1860, by Rev. I. S. Kepler, missionary at large in what was then the Diocese of Virginia.

After giving notice, Mr. Kepler called a meeting of the members and friends of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Morgantown. Said meeting was held October 12th, 1860, at the house of a Mr. Swearingen. At that meeting, and several subsequent ones, a vestry of seven members was elected, and organized, and steps were taken to have regular services. The records further show, as detailed above, that the Presbyterians and Episcopalians had joint ownership of a church and lot, and arrangements were made by committees from each congregation by which services were to be held at such times, as that one would not conflict with the other.

In January, 1861, the last meeting of the vestry, before the civil war, was held of which there is any record.

No further steps were taken in this direction until Febru- ary. 1876. It appears from the above mentioned records

690

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

that a petition was sent to the Convention in Alexandria in 1861 for the admission of the parish into the Diocese. A subsequent examination of the Journals of the Convention for 1861 and 1862, shows, however, that no action was taken on the subject.

On the 12th of February, 1876, another effort was made to organize a parish in Morgantown. Rev. G. A. Gibbons, who was then rector of the Church in Fairmont, was the mover in this effort, and presided at a meeting called for the pur- pose. A vestry was elected, and a petition for admission was sent to the Council which met in Alexandria in May, 1876. This petition was acted upon and the parish was admit- ted as Guy Allen Parish, its bounds coterminous with the county. (See Journal for 1876 p. 75). At this time the con- gregations in Fairmont and Morgantown were united, and Rev. G. A. Gibbons held service once a month in Morgan- town. This arrangement was continued by Mr. Gibbons and his successors until 1893. At this time Morgantown and Grafton were united. Rev. G. A. Gibbons moved from Fairmont in 1885, and was succeeded by Rev. Howard Me- Queary. In the same year a lot was bought for a church. In 1886 a small wooden church was built capable of seating 150 persons. This church was consecrated Thursday, June 12th, 1890. In 1893 the church was enlarged to twice its original size.

In 1886 Rev. H. McQueary was succeeded in the rector- ship by Rev. John Ambler, who continued in connection with the parish until his death in 1891. Rev. G. P. Som- merville succeeded him and remained one year. He was followed by Rev. C. C. Pearson, in 1892, who continued three years. Rev. James Sheerin succeeded Mr. Pearson, and remained three years. He was followed by Rey. Thos. E. Winecoff. From the time of Mr. Sheerin the Rector of the parish was also warden of the Episcopal Hall.

In the fall of 1899 Rev. Mr. Winecoff was succeeded by Rev. Gilbert C. Hannah, and he having removed to the west,

691

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

was succeeded in the fall of 1900 by Rev. John Tilton Mar- ley. During the summer of 1900 the church building was moved to a more desirable location, near the Hall, the old lot being sold for $4,000, and the new one bought for $3,000.

The Church Hall at Morgantown.

In fulfillment of a plan which has been in contemplation for several years, a Church Hall has been established in connection with the State University at Morgantown. This idea of "church halls" or dormitories at State universities has of late created unusual interest because of a number of magazine articles and addresses by Prof. Richard T. Ely, Ph. D., and other earnest advocates of the plan.

The idea has its origin in a condition of things which may be stated thus: All the States-except a few of the older ones in the East already provided otherwise-have estab- lished State universities, which are munificently equipped for the highest training in every department of education- al life. Many people, however, object to these universities on account of the fact that they do not or cannot exercise a care over the students in their home life, and because of what is supposed to be an insufficient moral or religious influence. This is due to the absence of dormitories, and of ability on the part of the State to provide a religious influ- ence which would entirely satisfy each denomination.

There are two ways of getting rid of this objection: (1) By building separate church colleges; (2) By building church dormitories, called "church halls," for the accommodation of students at the State universities.

To build a separate church college, with an equipment equal of that of the State University, is impossible for the Church in any State; and, even if it were possible. it might not be wise, for experience has shown that students ordi- narily prefer the more general institution, where extraor- dinary privileges are offered them free of charge. It is here that the Church Hall comes in to relieve the Church of the burden of building and endowing a large university

692

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

for a few students, and to supplement whatever may be lacking in either a home or religious way in the State in- stitution. The Church Hall can provide all that the separate college could. It supplies the home, with its dormitory, under the care of a church clergyman, or oth- er fit person, and it may, if desired, have its separate chapel services or family prayers, its special studies of a religious or voluntary character, and, in addition to all these, every- thing that the great university can give in either an intel- lectual or social way. It keeps the student under the in- fluence of the Church, and it does it without depriving him of the inestimable advantages provided for him by the State. In fact, it seems an easy and sensible solution of the difficult question as to the proper relations of the Church and State in the field of higher education. It makes the one uphold and supplement the efforts of the other.

The Church Hall at Morgantown has not yet reached the ideal, of course, but it can offer a home for our own Church students at the State University, surpassed by none. The rules of the Hall are very simple, and require, in substance, but two things,-obedience to the requirements of the uni- versity authorities, and conduct becoming a young gentleman living in a Christian home.

January 18, 1896, the Hall was formally opened by the Bishop of the Diocese of West Virginia, and a public recep- tion held. A new addition had been recently finished, al- though the hall had been occupied since the preceding Sep- tember. The Wardens of the Hall have been: Rev. James Sheerin, Rev. Thomas E. Winecoff, Rev. C. Gilbert Hannah and Rev. John Tilton Marley.

In the fall of 1899 a change was made in the administration of the Hali by the appointment of a Proctor, who should have full charge of the Boarding Department and of the premises. This position has since, been most acceptably filled by Cap- tain William C. Marshall, and the Hall has better prospects than ever before.

693

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

Monroe.

Monroe county was formed from Greenbrier, in 1799, and was named for President Monroe. Square miles, 460. Popu- lation -- 1870, 11,124; 1880, 11,501; 1890, 12,363; 1900, 13,130.

All Saints' Church, Union .- I have no knowledge or means of knowing when or by whom the first service was held here. Bishops Meade, Johns and Whittle officiated from time to time before any clergyman was settled. The Rev. Richard H. Mason began coming from Warm Springs, Virginia, as missionary to this and several other points prior to 1868. The parish was organized in 1871, and the Rev. W. L. Braddock was the first clergyman regularly in charge. I believe he was then in Deacon's Orders. According to the record in his own hand, the first in the Parish Register, his ministry began August 1st, 1872, and ended October 1st, 1874. There was then no church building or rectory. Services were held in the court-house and in the old Presbyterian Church, kindly loaned for that purpose. During Mr. Braddock's ministry the church building was begun. In 1875, the Rev. Richard H. Mason re- moved to Union from the Warm Springs, Bath county, Vir- ginia, and took charge of the Episcopal congregation, to- gether with several other points in Monroe and Greenbrier counties. During his ministry of fifteen years, ending with his resignation in 1889, the present neat church was com- pleted and consecrated by Bishop Whittle, in 1878, and the small, but convenient rectory, purchased.

Mr. Mason was succeeded in 1890 by the Rev. F. A. Meade, whose ministry lasted about eight months, and was termi- nated by his resignation and removal to the Diocese of Vir- ginia. Mr. Meade was followed in 1891 by the Rev. John Mon- cure, who also remained but a short time, resigning and re- moving the same year. Mr. Moncure was succeeded by the present incumbent, Rev. George W. Easter, who took charge of this parish and of missionary work at Alderson, Monroe county, and Fort Spring, Ronceverte, Lewisburg, White Sul- phur Springs and Glencoe. in Greenbrier county, April 18,

694

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

1892. I gave up the charge of Ronceverte and Lewisburg about October 1st, 1893, continuing in charge of Alderson until July 12, 1896, when I gave up that part of my work to the Rev. F. A. Meade. I retain at present, December 28th, 1900, the charge of All Saints', Union, and missions at Fort Spring and two points near the White Sulphur Springs, where I hold services in school-houses, viz., at Dry Creek and Eakle's school-house. During my incumbency, considerable miner improvements have been made to the rectory, and we have recently purchased lumber and let the contract for ceil- ing and wainscoting the church and enlarging the vestry- room, at the cost of $40 for the lumber and $134 for the work.

GEORGE W. EASTER, Rector.

December 28, 1900.

There are at the present time forty actual communicants in All Saints' Church and nine or ten confirmed non- communicants, seventeen families and fifteen persons not thus included, and the number of baptized persons is about ninety. In the Sunday-school there are four teachers and thirty-one scholars. The contributions last year were: Paro- chial, $SS8.71; Diocesan, $465.17; extra Diocesan, 87.82. Total, $1,441.70.

The church property consists of a frame church, seating 180 to 200 persons, valued at $2,500, and insured, with fur- niture, for $1,350; a rectory, brick and frame, valued at $1,200; other property, $250. Total value of church property, $3.950.

Alderson, the Church of the Messiah .- The Bishop's first visit to Alderson was made on August 16, 1878, about three months after his consecration. This was perhaps the first Episcopal service held in the place. He was accompanied on this visit by the Rev. Mr. Cobbs and the Rev. Mr. Gibson. Up to the time of the consecration of the Church, which took place May 14, 1894, the Bishop had made twenty-one visits to Alderson and confirmed twenty-five persons. The little band of workers, never exceeding twenty communicants, and be-

695

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

ginning with a smaller number, succeeded, by zeal and ac- tivity, in erecting a convenient and pretty church upon a lot, costing $140.

The following ministers have had charge of the work, in the order named: Rev. Francis D. Lee, July, 1880, to June, 1881; Rev. T. H. Lacy, August, 1881, to March, 1886; Rev. Curtis Grubb, October, 1886, to April, 1888; Rev. F. A. Meade, May, 1888, to December, 1890; Rev. John Moncure, June, 1891, 10 November, 1891; Rev. George W. Easter took charge March, 1892.

It was during Dr. Lacy's earnest and untiring ministry that the congregation and Sunday-school were organized, the cor- ner-stone of the church laid, and active preparations inaugu- rated for the erection of the building. Under Mr. Grubb's ministry the work prospered, so that when Mr. Meade took charge the church was ready for occupancy, and the latter held the first service therein on the morning of May 13, 1888. In the evening Bishop. Peterkin came over from Union and preached and confirmed one person. The corner-stone was laid April 24, 18$4, the Rev. R. H. Mason acting for the Bishop, who could not be present. The building was finished with the exception of the pews, by May, 1888. During a part of Mr. Meade's ministry, the congregation sat upon rude and unsteady benches, which sometimes upset or gave way, with little regard to the proprieties of time or place, but they were replaced by comfortable pews, and before its consecration the building was repaired, re-carpeted, the chancel enlarged and greatly improved, so that it is complete and thoroughly equipped for devout and edifying worship.

In 1897, in a readjustment of the field, Rev. Mr. Meade, of linton, was put in charge of Alderson, giving the church one Sunday each month. We have lost many by removal, and, owing to the fact that with the exception of the year 1888, when Mr. Meade lived here, we have never had a resident min- ister, and so could never give to the community the pastoral care it needed, our church has not seemed to prosper greatly.

696

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Morgan.

Morgan county was formed in 1820, from parts of Hamp- shire and Berkeley, and named for General Daniel Morgan. Square miles, 300. Population-1870, 4,315; 1880, 5,777; 1890, 6 622; 1900, 7,294.

Berkeley Springs .- In 1878, Bishop Peterkin visited Berke- iey Springs and held services in the ball-room of the hotel. He stated that he considered that a good point for establish- ing a mission, and that he would make arrangements for a regular service every two weeks, to be held in the ball-room, (Mr. T. T. Trego having kindly offered it for the purpose) until a suitable building could be secured. There were then only six resident communicants, the number being increased in the summer by visitors at the Springs. The Rev. W. T. Leavell, of Charlestown, consented to take charge of the mission and to hold alternate services at Hedgesville and Berkeley Springs on alternate Sundays during the summer season. For years Mr. Leavell devoted himself with great faithfulness and success to this work, and it grew steadily under his hands. The offerings after defraying his expenses, were to be de- voted to a fund for a church building. As services continued for years, the funds, through offerings and subscriptions given by those interested, increased until, in the summer of 1881, The fund amounted to $900. The Bishop then advised that a 10t be secured and a committee was appointed. A lot, well located and costing $500, was bought and presented to the church by Mr. Moro Phillips, of Philadelphia. A design for a church, to cost about $1,500, was presented by Mr. Jay Cooke, which was afterwards changed for one costing $5,500. In September, 1881, the corner-stone of the building was laid by the Bishop, assisted by other clergy, the address being deliv- ered by the Rev. Canon Dixon, of Guelph, Canada, and on Au- gust 26, 1886, he consecrated the building to the service of Almighty God. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Beverly ''ucker, of Virginia, by invitation of the Rector and Bishop. A few years after, a lot was secured on which to build a rec-

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.

A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 56

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: