A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 58

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USA > West Virginia > A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia > Part 58

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*Frank J. Hearne 17

Spaulding Wallace 3

Gibson Lamb

W. H. Hennegan 5

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Names.

Years Ves- Years tryman. Warden.

J. R. McCourtney

*Robert Browne 11

* Allen Brock 11

*Hullihen Quarrier 10

*Joseph Speidel

*Nathan B. Scott

*B. Walker Peterson 4

*Dr. G. A. Aschman 4

*J. J. Holloway 3

*Cyrus P. Flick 1

"The Island Parish." St. Luke's Church, Wheeling .- When Wheeling was incorporated as a city in 1836, the plot of the Island was known as the town of Columbia. The city itself had a population at that time, not much larger than the pres- ent population of the Island, and the town of Columbia was one in name only.

Situated in the midst of the Ohio River, it was for many years almost uninhabited, and was covered largely with for- est trees, with here and there a corn field, or an orchard, or a meadow. There are about 375 acres in the whole tract of land, which is one and three-quarter miles long and three- quarters of a mile wide.

As late as 1848 but five houses had been erected upon it. At the present time (1900), the population numbers 5,135, and the Island, known as the Seventh Ward, is almost entirely a residence portion of Wheeling.

Two splendid bridges connect the Island with the city, and two with the Ohio side. And so the "Garden Spot," as it is popularly known, is easily accessible by the electric car and otherwise, to Virginia and Ohio.

Such, briefly, is a description of the Island at the close of the nineteenth century; and now as the writer turns to the

* Those so marked, the present vestry of St. Matthews.

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

main purpose of this sketch, he desires to state, that the earliest and only account of any effort made to establish the Episcopal church in this portion of Wheeling, is found on the fy-leaf of an old Sunday school record book, which reads as follows:

"The Island Mission Sunday school was organized on the morning of the 5th Sunday after Trinity (June 27th, 1869), with Mr. R. B. McLain as superintendent. There were twenty- two girls and five boys in the school divided into classes. Not over a dozen communicants on the Island at that time."

Thus, thirty-one years ago, the work began to grow, and like the Church herself, it started in a little "upper room," on a street which is now called "South Huron." Here for about four years, the work for children was faithfully main- tained by a zealous band of teachers, under the leadership of Mr. Melain. Who the teachers were, at this first meeting does not appear in the record, but there is a number of lists given in reports made from September, 1870, to April 27th, 1873, and we gladly transcribe them in the order in which they appear:

Mr. J. H. Laishly, Miss Lillie Ingersoll, Mr. Wm. Harrison, Misses Mary Laishly, Annie Mclain, Lncy Cecil, Mr. T. B. McLain, Miss Eliza Jane Cecil, Mrs. Lucy Atkinson, Misses Mary Harrison, Rose Berger, Tillie Ingersoll, Annie Miller, Belle Chambers, Julia MeLure, Dr. J. B. Elder, Misses Lizzie Seamon, Mary Cilles, Annie Kyle, Mr. Brewster, Mrs. Mag- gie Griffeth, Mr. Vardy. Mr. Chas. Brady.

It is gratifying to note the persistent faithfulness of these teachers to duty, and yet, a feeling of sadness comes over us, at the thought, that but one of this number is with us today, in the active work of St. Luke's-on-the-Island.

"Some have gone to lands far distant. And with strangers make their home, Some upon the world of waters All their lives are forced to roam.

Some are gone from ns forever, Longer here they might not stay. They have reached the fairer region Far away, far away."

ST. LUKE'S, WHEELING.

REV. JACOB BRITTINGHAM.

ST. LUKE'S, WHEELING.

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In 1873 a plain frame chapel was built on South Broadway. to which the Sunday school was transferred, and where oc- casional services were conducted by the various Rectors of St. Matthew's Church, who were actively interested in the welfare of the work on the Island.

Soon after this change, Judge Jas P. Rogers became the superintendent, and continued its devoted leader for twenty- five years. He was succeeded by Mr. Lawrence E. Sands, the present superintendent, whose faithfulness to this duty is as marked as to that of the treasurership of the parish, which he has held for a number of years.

It was but a natural result, that in due course of time, the church people of the Island should ask for a separate or- ganization, and so when that time did come. those who re- garded the prosperity of the Episcopal Church in this com- munity, above that of a mere sentiment or social status, took the first step, and they did well, as time and events have shown.

On the 29th of March, 1880, after securing the consent of the Bishop of the Diocese, the Rector and vestry of St. Matthew's Parish, the Island was canonically set apart as "St. Luke's Mission." and the Reverend C. N. Spalding, D. D .. was appointed missionary in charge, with a committee composed of, Jas. P. Rogers, warden; Sam'l P. Hildreth, treasurer; Gibson Lamb, secretary.

On the 2d day of June, 1881, St. Luke's Parish was duly organized, and admitted into union, with the Diocese as an independent and self-supporting Parish.

The following gentlemen were elected by the congrega- tion as the first vestry of this parish: Jas. P. Rogers, sen- ior warden : Sam'l P. Hildreth, junior warden and treasurer; Gibson Lamb, registrar; John McLure, Judge Jno. J. Jacobs. The congregation was wise and fortunate in their selection of these gentlemen, for they were devotedly attached to the Church, and being men of affairs, they promptly set about

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to establish the work, on a sure and firm foundation. "They builded better than they thought."

They gave of their time and substance, and now all this vestry save one, and most of their original helpers rest from their labors, and their works do follow them. It is pleasant, however, to recall the indefatigable zeal, and hearty loyalty of Mr. Hildreth, who loved so well the church on the Is- land, and was ever ready to collect for, and give to its sup- port; the calm, judicious counsel of Mr. Lamb and Mr. Jacobs, who were no less prompt to lend a helping hand; and the unflagging interest of Capt. McClure, who gave to the church the ground on which the building is now located.

We rejoice, that we still have with us our Senior Warden, Judge Rogers, of whose great liberality and faithfulness the people of St. Luke's know so well.

This vestry elected the Rev. C. N. Spalding, as first Rector of St. Luke's, but he declined the call in a letter which shows that a cordial relationship existed between the pastor and his people. He resigned on July 4th, 1881, and was succeed- ed by the Rev. Chas. C. Pearson, who took charge of the new parish on the first day of April, 1882. Seconded and sustained by such faithful men and women, as then com- posed the young and growing parish, the new Rector was enabled to build, pay for and have consecrated, within twelve months, the beautiful Gothic Church, which now adorns the corner of South Penn and Ohio streets.

Mr. Pearson saw the consummation of a cherished hope in the erection of a commodious and attractive house of worship, and within two years after its consecration, he ex- perienced with the rest of the Island people, and the whole Ohio Valley, the highest and most destructive flood in the memory of the oldest inhabitant.

Eighteen hundred and eighty-four will ever be remembered as the great flood year, it having reached the unprecedented height of fifty-four feet. It was a common calamity however,

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but true, brave hearts at home, and liberal friends abroad. made it possible to soon repair the loss.

The church was speedily made as beautiful as ever, and the whole Island was actually benefitted by the severe and trying experience. All had literally passed through deep waters, but not a life was lost, and within a few weeks after the waters receded, the homes and premises of the people were as bright and attractive as before.

Mr. Pearson resigned January 1st, 1885, and was followed by the Rev. J. Gibson Gantt, who took charge of the Parish June 28th, of the same year. In spite of ill health, person- ally, and frequent sickness in his family, Mr. Gantt, was ac- tive and faithful in every good word and work. After his resignation on the 1st day of October, 1888, the Rev. Henry Hobart Morrell, D. D., came like a heavenly benediction to this parish. He was its Rector only three short months, but they were full of sweetness and love to all. He preached and ministered to this people, as if his days were few; so they were, for, on the 2d day of January, 1889, he was found in his room cold and still in death. He fell in the harness.

At the time of his departure to be with Christ, he was preparing a Wednesday evening lecture from the text: "And they called His Name Jesus."

On the 3rd of March, 1889, the Rev. Jacob Brittingham took charge of this parish, and he has been naturally gratified to note, that despite cares and distractions, trials and sorrows, losses and separations, the work has moved steadily on, and he can but feel, that he has been entering into other men's labors. During the years that have come and gone, since the time of our humble beginning in the little upper room, the communicant list has grown from twelve persons to three hundred and sixty, and in spite of losses by removal and death, and otherwise, there is at the present time an enrollment of 253 communicants.

The parish is entirely out of debt, and the valuation of property has grown to $26.000. A very comfortable rectory

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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

has been built, and also a beautiful Parish house, memorial of Florence V. (Shearer) Brittingham, "a sweet and gra- cious life, whose presence in the well remembered days gone by, was a benediction in our midst."

And can those, who are still in life's hard struggle, help feeling a solemn awe, a solemn hope, when they meditate upon the mighty past, and the no less great future?

And as we are swept forward upon the stream of time, how natural it is as we bend to the oar, to catch among the ripples some whisper of former things, and to gaze with wistful eyes to see the wonders of the widening shore, ever conscious that hour by hour, and year by year, we are draw- ing nearer and nearer to our eternal home.

" The golden evening brightens in the west ; Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest, Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest." ALLELUIA.

The following gentlemen have served as vestrymen of St. Luke's. Those now serving have a star affixed to their names:

*Jas. P. Rogers, 18 years. Senior Warden and Registrar 18 years.

Samuel P. Hildreth, 6 years. Junior Warden and Treas- urer 6 years.

Gibson Lamb, 4 years. Registrar 4 years.

John McLare, 8 years.

John J. Jacobs, 4 years.

* Lawrence E. Sands, 16 years. Junior Warden and Treas- urer 16 years.

Wm. E. Williams, 8 years.

Wm. D. McCoy, 3 years.

Geo. T. Digby, 1 year.

Allen Brock, 2 years.

* Edward B. Bowie 13 years.

Frank P. Jones, 3 years.

"Win. A. Wilsen, 9 years. Present Registrar. Lucius Hoge, Sr., 8 years.

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Wylie Irwin, & years.

Edward L. Rose, 1 year.

* Joshua Buckley, 9 years.

*Archibald A. Taylor, 8 years.

*Chas. H. Copp, 7 years.

Orlando H. Dorsey, 2 years.

Rufus B. Battelle, 3 years.

Murray L. Springer, 4 years.

Wm. C. Gardner, 3 years.

* Matthew R. Wolff, 2 years.

*Thomas Johns, 2 years.

St. John's Church, Wheeling .- On Palm Sunday, 1856, the Rev. Geo. K. Warner took charge of the parish at a salary of $1,000 and a parsonage. February 17, 1857, he resigned. and Bishop Johns was asked to choose a Rector at $800 and a parsonage, but afterwards the vestry decided to recall Dr. MeCabe. He was offered $1,200 and parsonage, but de- clined. The Rev. Jos. Hicks, of Newark, New Jersey, was called then at $1,000 and parsonage, and took charge August 4. 1857. He resigned March 4, 1859.

September 10, 1859, the Rev. Jas. Moore, of Princess Ann, Maryland, accepted a call to the Parish. There is no record of his resignation, but June 12, 1861, we read that "The Rector having abandoned his parochial charge, the Rector- ship was vacant, and Mr. Henry Tallant was appointed Lay Reader, to officiate Sunday mornings in the absence of a clergyman."

December 16, 1861, Bishop Bedell being applied to, allowed the Rev. Geo. H. Jenks, Deacon, at a salary of $500, to offi- ciate until the Bishops of Virginia could be heard from. Mr. Jenks took charge May 1, 1862, was ordained Presbyter Eas- ter, 1862, and accepted the Rectorship of the Parish April 14th. August 9th, he resigned to take a chaplainey in the army. The Rev. J. T. Smythe took temporary charge until July 1, 1863. He was then Rector until December 26, 1863,

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when he resigned. His salary had been whatever could be raised, and a parsonage.

About this time the trustees were authorized to sell the church building and lot for the sum of $2,000, and to in- vest the same in a new church lot on Market street. March 7, 1867, the architect, Mr. Kemple, was authorized to get up drawings for a building to cost not more than $10,000. June 16, 1867, the Rev. Wm. Morrow entered upon his duties as the seventh Rector. Until the completion of the new build- ing, services were held in the United States court room in the Custom House Building. August 22, 1867, the corner stone of the new church was laid with appropriate ceremonies.

In 1868, the trustees of St. John's parish having been em- powered by act of the Legislature to borrow money, bonds were issued by them to the amount of $10,000, bearing a rate of interest not to exceed 7 3-10 per cent. The payment was to be secured by deed of trust on the church, lot, organ &c. June 29, 1869, it was reported that the financial con- dition of the church was most unsatisfactory. The church had cost more than the original estimate, the congregation had not grown as had been expected, and now there was a considerable debt and a revenue insufficient to meet the in- terest on it and to defray the necessary expenses.

September 15, 1869, the Rev. Mr. Morrow resigned and in February, 1870, the effort was made to have the parish work- ed by an assistant at St. Matthew's, but failed. The Rev. Mr. Benton, of Kentucky, was then called by St. John's, and took charge of the parish March 10, 1870, as the eighth Rec- tor. He resigned December 30th, and the Rev. Jas. H. Mc- Mechen conducted services Sunday mornings until Septem- ber 1, 1871, when the Rev. Thos. O. Tongue took charge as ninth Rector at a salary of $1,000 ..

In the treasurer's report January 14, 1871, he states that March 15, 1869, the trustees had caused to be executed 100 bonds of $100 each, bearing interest at 7 per cent. per an- num, and payable in five years, secured by deed of trust on

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church building, lot and organ. He also states that the building, including organ and chancel furniture, had cost $23,758.SS. To this had been applied funds from old church lot, $2,000; old parsonage property sold, $5,142.68; bonds sold, $9,500. Subscriptions, &c., to make the total amount raised, $24,695.54. Out of this, during 1867 and 1868, the sum of $936.66 was appropriated to pay the deficiency in the Rector's salary, and other expenses, so that the amount actually expended was $23,758.8S. The debt at this date is audited at $10,029.69.

During the year 1870, a subscription list was taken for the Rector's salary, and incidental expenses, &c. St. John's parishioners subscribed $1,410. St. Matthew's parishioners and others subscribed $360. June 6, 1873, the Rev. Mr. Tongue resigned, and the Rev. J. B. Clark, of East Windsor, Connecticut, was invited to officiate as "Priest of this par- ish," for four months, from September 1, 1873, at a salary at the rate of $1,000 per annum. It was stated that the temporary nature of the call was made necessary by reason of possible financial complications as the bonds represent- ing the financial indebtedness of the church were then be- coming due. December 29, 1873, the Vestry called the Rev. Mr. Clark to assume the permanent Rectorship of the Par- ish, which call was accepted. May 4, 1875, at a meeting of the Vestry it was formally stated that B. M. Eoff, with the sanction of the other bond-holders, liad that day made a legal demand for the payment of his bonds. The Rector and Vestry recognizing the legal justness of such claims, and regretting their inability to liquidate the bonds, expressed their willingness to leave the premises whenever the bond. holders should request them to do so. But they reserved the right to remove all "moveables" that might be justly claimed as property of St. John's Parish.

Resolutions were passed to rent a hall, remove furniture, &c., to it and to perpetuate the name of St. John's Parish, but there is no further record after that, but the Trustees'

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sale of the property. This sale took place July 14, 1875, and the deed for the church was admitted September 2, for $10,- 000.00.

St. Paul's, Elm Grore .- In the carly part of the year 1889, the mission started at Elm Grove, six miles East of Wheel- ing, by Dr. R. R. Swope, assumed a more definite shape, the Rev. JJohn Woods holding services twice a month in the Town Hall, with an average attendance of 25. Mr. Woods con- tinned for some months when Dr. Swope undertook the work himself.

In the spring of 1900, a lot was purchased for $400.00 in the centre of the town and a chapel erected at a cost of $2,000, $800 of which was raised and a mortgage placed on the property for the balance. Services were continued by Dr. Swope until February 5th, 1895, when Rev. Lee H. Young was called to take charge of this mission in conjunction with St. Andrew's Mission, in South Wheeling. The salary of the Rector being raised by St. Paul's Mission, St. An- drew's Mission, St. Matthew's Church and the King's Daugh- ters Missionary Society of St. Matthew's Church.

During the pastorate of Mr. Young, who accepted a call to Chadron, Nebraska, in June, 1898, the $1,200 debt was removed from the church, 48 persons, were baptized, 13 con- firmed, 1 marriage and 4 deaths. A Sunday school was con- ducted with an average attendance of 75 pupils and 9 teach- ers. Upon the departure of Mr. Young, the Rev. Luther Doggett was called to the Missions of St. Paul's and St. An- drew's and continued in the work until March, 1900. Dur- ing his rectorship at St. Paul's, 3 were baptized, none con- firmed, 2 marriages and 5 deaths.

The total number of communicants at St. Paul's is 34, com- municating but not entered to membership 15, removed from Elm Grove 15. Since the departure of Mr. Doggett, services have been discontinued, but the Sunday school has been con- ducted by Mrs. B. C. Ryan, with an average attendance of 30 pupils and 5 teachers. It is a matter of regret to the

REV. NATHANIEL SEYMOUR THOMAS.

REV. RODNEY RUSH SWOPE, D. D.

REV. JAMES G. ARMSTRONG, D. D.

REV. T. J. OLIVER CURRAN.

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few church people still in the neighborhood that some ar- rangement cannot be made to hold Sunday services at this point, as the property is free from debt, and, although it would never develop into a church of much strength, with the proper interest and financial assistance from the Dio- cese and some of our stronger churches, much good could be done here.

S. P. NORTON, (Former Warden. ).

St. Andrew's Mission, South Wheeling .- Sunday evening, March 18, 1883, Bishop Peterkin, with Dr. Swope, held ser- vices in Westwood Hall, South Wheeling. It was hoped that a mission might be sustained in that part of the town. In March, 1894, the Rev. Dr. Swope, and Mr. Lawrence E. Sands secured a large building on Jacob street, near 42d, themselves becoming responsible for the purchase money, $3,060. This is a frame building, 45x110 feet, with a hall and large room adjoining. As marking the zeal and earnest- ness of the chapters of the Brotherhood connected with the two parishes in Wheeling, and the aid it was hoped they would render in carrying on the work, it is to be known as St. Andrew's Mission. Soon after an open meeting was held in the hall, there being present Dr. Swope, Drs. Aschman and Pratt, Mr. L. E. Sands and Mr. Robt. H. Devine. Dr. Swope placed Messrs. Sands and Devine in charge of the Sunday school, but no services were to be held regularly. In June of the same year, Dr. Swope appointed Mr. Richard Whitehouse, of New York, to conduct regular services and do what he could as layman for the mission. In November, 1894, the Rev. Dr. Barrett held a successful mission of ten days. Mr. Whitehouse Jeft in December, when the work was taken up by the Brotherhood men of St. Matthew's and St. Luke's, until the Rev. Lee H. Young was appointed Feb- ruary 3, 1895. Mr. Young stayed until August, 1898. In September of that year the Rev. Luther W. Doggett took charge and remained until March, 1900.

The Bishop then placed the work in charge of the Rector

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of St. Matthew's Church, and a little later the vestry with commendable zeal, assumed the debt. The Rev. Thos. J. Oliver Curran was called. He undertook the work of the mission October 1, 1900. A Sunday School of one hun- dred children has been gathered together, there are fifty communicants, and at present the prospects of success in this work are encouraging.

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CHAPTER XV.

Records continued. Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Summers, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur Counties. Churches in St. Mary's, Waverly, Willow Island, Clover Lick, Scary, Beckley, Elkins, Hinton, Grafton, Davis, Sistersville, Buckhannon, &c.

Pendleton.

Pendleton county was formed from Augusta, Hardy and Rockingham in 1787, and was named for Edmund Pendleton, of Caroline county, Virginia. Square miles, 650. Popula- tion-1870, 6,455; 1880, 8,022; 1890, 8,596; 1900, 9,167.

The Bishop visited Franklin Thursday, August 31. 1882. He found no Episcopalians, though some persons who had been such in time past and had from necessity, as they thought, connected themselves with other churches.

Pleasants.

Pleasants county was formed from Wood, Tyler and Ritch- ie, in 1851, and named for James Pleasants, Governor of Virginia, 1822. Square miles, 150. Population-1870, 3,012; 1880, 6,256; 1890, 7,414; 1900, 9,345.

Grace Church, St. Mary's Mission .- Rev. Wmn. L. Hyland, of Parkersburg was the first Episcopal minister who held ser- vices in St. Mary's, Pleasants county. This was about the year 1859, and these services were held in the Methodist Protestant Church, kindly offered for the purpose. Mr. Hy- land was succeeded by the Rev. S. D. Tompkins, in this work. After the latter gave it up, there was an intermission of some years without an Episcopal service, until a monthly service

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was established by the Rev. J. F. Woods in November, 1885. The successors of Mr. Woods were the Rev. J. R. Taylor, who heid a few services when he accepted a call to Mounds- ville; the Rev. Grant Sommerville, who was in charge sev- eral years; the Rev. W. L Davis, in charge but a short time, and the Rev. W. K. Marshall, now of Wellsburg. There were also a few services held by the Rev. John Ambler. In 1896, the Rev. J. F. Woods took charge of the work for the sec- ond time, and established a monthly service. The great drawback to the mission has been the want of a church home. Borrowing churches from the respective denomina- tions of the place, proved very unsatisfactory, and our peo- ple were finally driven to the conclusion that if services were to be kept up in St. Mary's with any regularity or ef- fectiveness, an Episcopal church must be built. Steps were taken to this end and the first dollar earned for the lot, on which to build the church was on the 4th of July, 1895. At this time, July, 1898, the ladies alone have raised $1,600, the church is plastered and it is expected that services will soon be held in it. When completed the building, will be one of the most substantial and beautiful churches in the Diocese at a cost of not more than $3,500. The persons more particularly identified with this work are Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Browse and family; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Holdren, Mr. Geo. Kelsall, Miss Rachel Rymer, Mrs. Dr. Steeres, Mrs. Ella Staley, Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Pemberton and Mr. Jos. E. No- land.

July, 1898.

Since the above was written, the work in St. Mary's has gone steadily on. Rev. J. A. Hiatt was put in charge of the work while he was still a candidate for orders. There was steady effort made to reduce the debt, especially in the summer of 1901, and the expectation is cherished that by the end of the year it will be entirely paid.

In July, 1901, St. Mary's was put into one charge with Williamstown and Waverly. Under the stimulating influence

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of Archdeacon Spurr, a salary of $400 was promised, thereby securing the residence of Mr. Geo. C. Shaw, a candidate for orders, whom the Bishop placed in charge.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 58

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