A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 6

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Revs. Sylvester Nash, Hampshire Parish; Chas. H. Page, Kanawha Parish.

Messrs. George Sharpe, Hampshire Parish; Strother Jones, Kanawha Parish.

Amounts received from West Virginia churches: Hamp-

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

shire Parish, $15.00; Kanawha Parish, $18.00; Christ Church, Berkeley county, $11.00.

Parochial reports:

The Church in Hampshire County has suffered much for want of regular ministrations heretofore; to secure which its present scattered and enfeebled condition renders every ef- fort necessary. Those efforts, however, they appear willing to exert, and are endeavoring to the extent of their ability to render the administration of the word both permanent and frequent. Seven places of worship, all regularly attend- ed, five of them once or twice a month on Sundays, and other places occasionally on Wednesdays. Baptisms 32 (3 adults); marriages 3; funerals 6.

Kanawha-In Kanawha Parish no material change has tak- en place during the last year. In the congregation at the mouth of Coal and also that of Charlestown there are about 12 communicants. The minister has once visited Cabell Coun- ty, and several times Mason County, where he found the people favorably disposed to the Church, and a very wide field for ministerial labors. Baptisms 35 (12 colored chil- dren); deaths 60 (35 children); marriages 12.

Convention of 1825. Richmond, Va.

Present, 23 clergy and 26 laymen.

Bishop Moore presided.

Present from West Virginia :

Revs. Chas. H. Page, Kanawha Parish; Alex. Jones, St. Andrews' Parish, Jefferson County; Sylvester Nash, Hamp- shire Parish.

Messrs. Edward Colston, Norborne Parish, Martinsburg; Bushrod C. Washington, St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson coun- ty; Francis Nelson, Hampshire Parish.

The trustees report 21 students and 2 professors at the seminary.

Treasurer reported $18 received from St. Andrews' Parish. Parochial reports:

Hampshire-This Parish has undergone very little change

REV. FREDERICK D. GOODWIN, 1831.

REV JOHN T. BROOKE, D. D., 1826.

REV. CHARLES C. TALLIAFERRO, 1837.

REV. WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, 1837.

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

since the last report. Its prospects, however, are growing brighter. Much zeal and devotion to the interests of the Church are displayed by the few who have there rallied around her standard. They have evinced the sincerity of their attachment in the zealous efforts made by them for the erec- tion of a house of worship. An edifice of respectable dimen- sions has been commenced. Communicants 34; baptisms 5; funerals 1.

Kmucha Parish-There are signs of considerable improve- ment in this Parish. The Gospel has exerted a favorable influence on the morals of the people.

Wheeling-28 communicants; baptisms, 13 children and 2 adults; marriages 20.

Convention of 1826. Lynchburg, Va.

Present, 21 clergy and 16 laymen.

Bishop Moore presided.

Present from West Virginia:

Revs. Chas. H. Page, Kanawha Parish; Jno. T. Brooke, Norborne Parish; Mr. Edmund Berkeley, Kanawha Parish.

There was reported $3,900 invested towards a permanent Episcopal fund. The contingent fund amounted to $493.25, of which Kanawha and Cabell Parishes paid $13.00 and Nor- borne Parish $15.

Parochial reports:

Kanawha and Cabell Parishes-The minister reports that he has been regularly preaching at the mouth of Coal and at Charlestown in the county of Kanawha, and at Barbours- ville and Guyandotte, in Cabell County, at which places the congregations have varied from 100 to 150. Serious and anx- ious attention has been paid to the services of the sanctuary, and some few have opened their hearts to receive the truth as it is in Jesus. Baptisms 24; deaths 13; marriages 2.

At the mouth of Coal, an edifice has been erected for divine worship. chiefly through the liberality of one family. It is called Bangor Church. Mr. F. T. Thompson says this was the family of Davis Hudson.

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Mill Creek-Rev. Mr. Jackson, of Winchester, on one Sun- day in each month officiates to a very attentive country con- gregation, at Mill Creek, on the borders of Berkeley county. In the effort to raise $500 for the Bishop's fund, assessments were made on West Virginia churches as follows: St. An- drews' Parish, $15; Norborne Parish, $15; Kanawha County, $10; Romney, $5; Wheeling, $10.

Convention of 1827. Fredericksburg, Va.

Bishop Moore presided.

Present from West Virginia:

Revs. Jno. T. Brooke, Norborne Parish; Alex Jones, St. An- drews' Parish; John Armstrong, Wheeling; Mr. Wm. M. Blackford, Norborne Parish.

Reported from Christ Church, Berkeley County, for con- tingent fund, $5.25; for assistant Bishop, $5.00; St. Andrews' Parish, $15 for contingent fund, and Norborne Parish, $12 for assistant Bishop.

St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson County-The Rev. Alex. Jones reports: "The churches under my care are in much the same condition as when last reported. If there is any circum- stance which indicates an improvement, and affords any en- couragement, it is the increase of the congregations. They now are large and generally as full as can be conveniently ac- commodated; they are also attentive to the preaching of the word of God; and occasionally one or two persons have been added to the Church, of such as we hope may be saved. Three of those who have taken up the Cross of Christ and professed to the world that they are His disciples, by obeying His word, and uniting themselves to His church, are young men of sin- rere piety and much promise, who are anxious to preach the Gospel, and are now preparing with zeal and diligence to en- ter the seminary at Alexandria; one will probably be entered at the commencement of the next session, and the other two a year from that period. It is, however, a subject of lamenta- tion and sorrow with the pastor, and with the pious under his charge that there is a great and general indifference preva-

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

lent in this parish to the truths of the Gospel, and that but few are turned from the error of their ways. An auxiliary Ed- ucation society is still existing. Baptisms 20; marriages 7; addition to the communicants 8; whole number of communi- cants, 110.

Norborne Parish-Rev. Jno. T. Brooke reports 10 baptisms; added to the communicants.

The Female Education Society has not diminished in num- bers or in zeal, and the Union Sunday school with which the Parish is connected has re-commenced its operations. The spiritual improvement of the congregation during the past year is encouraging, and the zeal of some members of the communion is worthy of remark and calls for gratitude to God.

Wellsburg aud Brooke County-Rev. John Armstrong re- ports: In March, 1825, the rector took charge of St. John's Church, Brooke County, 25 miles from Wheeling. St. John's Church had stood in an unfinished state for 25 years; the congregation had been very much neglected. In the fall of the year 1825 the Church was finished, and it is a source of gratification to know that the congregation is very large, and a work of grace seems to be going on among the people. Communicants 34.

I preach part of my time in the town of Wellsburg, 16 miles from Wheeling, in Brooke County. The congregation is large and very attentive. We have no church in Wellsburg, but I hope it will not be long before we shall have one.

Assessments for the Episcopal fund: St. Andrews' Parish, $10; Norborne, $10; Romney, $5; Wheeling, $10; Kanawha, $10.

The committee on parochial reports, remonstrate against the length and irrelevancy of some of the reports, and re- gret that they should have to strike out portions as not tending to throw light upon the state of the parishes.

Convention of 1828. Petersburg, Va.

Bishop Moore presided.

Present from West Virginia:

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Rev. John T. Brooke, Norborne Parish.

Messrs. Thos. Nelson, Norborne Parish, Martinsburg; Lewis Berkeley, Norborne Parish, Berkeley County.

From Christ Church, Norborne Parish, was reported for contingent fund, $5; for support of an assistant Bishop, $2.12.

Norborne Parish-Rev. Jno. T. Brooke reports: Communi- cant 80; baptisms 7. The Rector humbly trusts that the spiritual state of his communion has improved during the past year, but is unable to report any who have come out for the first time with the important inquiry "What must we do to be saved?" The Union Sunday school which is connected with one of the congregations has increased in numbers and in zeal.

The trustees of the Seminary report purchase of property near Alexandria for $5,000; also that the sum of $75 is suf- ficient for the board of each student during a session of nine months.

Convention of 1829. Charlottesville, Va.

Rev. Dr. Win. Meade presided in Bishop Moore's absence. Present from West Virginia:

Mr. JJohn L. Thomas, Christ Church, Berkeley County.

Reported from Christ Church, Berkeley County, for the contingent fund, $5.00.

The Rev. Wm. Meade, D. D., was elected assistant Bishop. No reports from West Virginia churches.

Convention of 1830. Winchester, Va.

Bishop Meade presided in Bishop Moore's absence.

Present from West Virginia:

Rev. Alexander Jones, St. Andrews' Parish; Messrs. Thom- as Greggs, St. Andrews' Parish; Francis Silver, Christ Church Berkeley county; George Sharpe, Hampshire Parish.

Bishop Meade, in his report says: "About the second week in November I made a visit to Berkeley county, preaching three times in Martinsburg and twice in Hedge's Chapel, also once at Bunker Hill, in the church which is under the care of

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

the .Rev. Mr. Jackson, of Winchester. While in this county I administered the Lord's Supper and the ordinance of bap- tism at Hedge's Chapel. The Rev. Mr. JJas. Tyng, from the diocese of New England, has accepted a call from this Parish which has now for some time been destitute, and it is hoped by the blessing of God will be an instrument of good to it.

And again on Easter Monday I set out for a visit to some of the parishes in Maryland, bordering on the Potomac, which I had been requested to attend to by Bishop Moore, who had been invited to take them under his Episcopal charge.

In the evening I reached Charles Town, where I preached. % After having concluded the duties required of me in Maryland. I returned homeward by the way of Romney, which I reached on Saturday AApril 23. preaching there that evening and twice the following day. The Rev. Mr. Holiday Johns, of Maryland, was so good as to accompany me to that płace and assist in the performance of divine service, as also to preach once on the Sabbath. On Tuesday I preached in Zion Church, about 17 miles from Romney, and on the same evening Mr. Johns officiated at Bethell. Our members in this Parish are few, but very firm and decided, and in two of the congregations, meet on the Sabbath when the service and a sermon are read by a layman, who was appointed to this duty some years since."

Contributions to the contingent fund: Hampshire Parish $3.00; Zion Church, St. Andrew's Parish, $15.00; Christ Church, Mill Creek, Norborne Parish, $7.00.

Norborne Parish-The Church in Norborne Parish under his care (Christ Church) is well attended but he has to lament the smallness of accessions to the communion. The Church has been lately thoroughly repaired by the parish at a con- siderable expense, and it is now a very comfortable place of worship. J. E. Jackson.

St. Andrew's Parish-The Rev. Alex. Jones reports that though the Churches under his care exhibit no striking evi- dences of improvement, they are still in such a state as to call forth his gratitude, and give some encouragement to his ex-

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ertions. The people of his charge are generally punctual and regular in their attendance at the house of God. Those who have professed to be followers of Christ are. for the most part consistent and without reproach. The Rector has indeed. for a short time past entertained some hope from the increased zeal of the pions, the religious sensibility of an unusual num- her of his people. the late hopeful conversion of six youths, and the evident seriousness of several others, that there was approaching one of those seasons of "refreshing from the Lord" so much to be desired and for which we should earn- estly pray. There are two useful associations, one in connec- tion with the general Domestic and Foreign Missionary So- ciety, and the other with the Education of the Poor and Pious Youth for the ministry. The American Bible. Tract and Colonization Societies also receive a cordial and liberal support. Communicants 75.

St. Matthew's Church. Wheeling-Rev. J. Thos. Wheat re- ports: "Nine years ago that most laborions and successful clergymen. the late Rev. John Armsthong came to this place. Full of the spirit of his office he immediately set about the collecting of a congregation that should worship God agree- ably to the forms of our Church. There was scarcely any thing to encourage the making of an effort or to sus- tain it when begun. Such a zeal as his, needed no other ex- citement than the fact that there were in the town some fam- ilies, who not belonging to any other Church, might by judi- cious attention be induced to join ours.

During six years he persevered with varying success amidst the greatest discouragements, such as are known only to a zealous missionary occupying a new station remote from the great body of the Church. and peculiar local hindrances which would have disheartened and turned back a less holy and devoted servant of God. The work of the Lord prospered in his hands. Assisted by a few pions and other generous in- dividuals, he succeeded in procuring the erection of a hand- some and commodious Church. and in establishing a Parish. embracing within its limits about forty families, among the

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

most respectable and intelligent in the place. At the time of his much lamented death. there were about 30 communicant.s. and a large and flourishing Sabbath School was accomplish- ing inuch good.

But the praise of our late Rector is in other Churches be- sides this. By judiciously and industriously economizing his time and labor. he collected large congregations in several other neighboring places. and built and repaired three other churches in this State and Ohio.

This scarcely less than Apostolic missionary success. is an exemplification of what a holy zeal. united with a general disinterestedness and good practical sense. mar accomplish. when animated by the high considerations to which "the called of God" only are accessible.

St. Matthew's Church was without a pastor for a year after Mr. Armstrong's death. I commenced my ministry here in August. 1828. I found the Sunday School flourishing: it continues to be so. Fifteen families and 14 communicants here have been added since. making the present number of families about 60 and of communicants 30. Baptisms 2 adults. 12 children: marriages. 18: funerals. 7

The Bible class and catechumens preparing for confirma- tion are in regular attendance upon stated appropriate ex- ercises.

Of God's abounding grace through Christ. we are at this moment rejoicing at the cheering indications of a revival and diffusion of experimental practical piety. To several of those who have been for some time regular in their attendance upon the ordinances of the Lord's house. the Spirit of all gra- cious affections has shown their ruined state as sinners. and has led to that faith in Christ which justifies and sanctities. whereby we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Convention of 1831. Norfolk. Va.

Bishop Moore presided.

Number of organized Episcopal Churches in the Dioce- 100. The clergy less than half that number.

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Present from West Virginia:

Mr. John W. Page, Hampshire Parish; Mr. Archibald Ma- gill, Christ Church, Berkeley county.

Reported as from Christ Church, Berkeley county. $5.00, for the contingent fund, and $5.00 towards the support of the Bishop.

Bishop Meade in his address says: "After the convention in Winchester in May, 1830, he visited Charlestown, where he preached and confirmed two persons. On August 16th I set out to visit our few scattered congregations on the banks of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers. After leaving Staunton, I reached Charlestown in six days. In this place and the neighborhood I spent two Sabbaths, and the intervening days in the performance of ministerial and Episcopal duties. Dur- ing its period I preached ten times, consecrated one Church, baptized one adult and nineteen children, confirmed sixteen and administered the Lord's Supper twice. I was truly grat- ified by my visit to this Parish. It has been now destitute for some years of the ministrations of our Church, but there are a goodly number of pious persons, who are strongly at- tached to our communion, and who are firmly resolved to pro- cure the services of some faithful minister, whose temporal wants will, I am confident, be well provided for. I trust that it will please the great Shepherd soon to send them a pastor after his own heart. From Kanawha I directed my course toward Wheeling, which I reached in six days. It was my in- tention to call at Parkersburg but circumstances prevented. While in Marietta, on the opposite side of the river, and some miles above, I learned that there were a number of persons about Parkersburg, who were desirous to obtain the services of an Episcopal minister, and that if a suitable one could be obtained, a union would be probably formed between Parkersburg and Marietta, which might offer a sufficient field of usefulness to a pious man and insure him a moderate sup- port. I reached Wheeling on Saturday evening and spent the three following days there, preaching four times, On Wednesday I went to Wellsburg and preached to a large

REV. ALEXANDER JONES, D. D., 1825.

REV. JAMES CHISHOLM, 18444.

REV. JAMES CRAIK, D. D., L.L. D., 1840.

OLD ST. JOHN'S, CHARLESTON, CONSECRATED 1837.

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

congregation that night. On Thursday I preached at St. John's Church about eight miles from Wellsburg, and in the evening in Steubenville, Ohio. I preached again at St. John's Church Friday morning, when I confirmed 19, and on Satur- day morning I preached again at Wellsburg, confirming 9. At this time a regular Church was organized at Wellsburg and a Vestry appointed. I feel much interested for this new church and for the congregation at St. John's. The Rev. Mr. Morse, of the Diocese of Ohio, has kindly nursed them for some years; but he informs me that they want more attention than he can spare from his other charges. Some pious minis- ter whose chief desire is to save souls for his hire, might labor among them very usefully and though he might not abound, he would not I think suffer want. He would have comfort in the society of some sincere, humble and pious souls, and might be the instrument of salvation to many sinners. After having concluded my labors in Wellsburg and the neighbor- hood, I returned to Wheeling and spent another sabbath in that place where I admitted seven persons to the rite of con- firmation. The Rector of the congregation in Wheeling, ap- pears to be earnestly engaged in the duties of the ministry, and will I trust receive the blessing of his divine Master. It was my intention to have returned by way of Morgantown, Clarksburg and Moorefield; but being unable to make ap- pointments in due time, I took a different route and reached home after an absence of six weeks. In the month of October I paid a visit to the Churches in Berkeley county, and also to that in Shepherdstown. In the county of Berkeley I preached repeatedly, admitted 26 to the rite of confirmation, and ad- ministered the Holy Communion. Most of the persons con- firmed were quite young, but in the judgment of those most competent to form a correct opinion, truly engaged in seek- ing the salvation of their souls, and well worthy to be ad- mitted to a full participation in all the privileges of God's House. In Shepherdstown I preached twice and con- firmed 6."

St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling-Rev. J. Thomas Wheat. re-

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ports: "Having obtained help of God, we continue unto this day progressing steadily if not rapidly. The visit of our be- loved Bishop was a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The fallen were raised up, the weak hearted were helped and comforted, all were strengthened. The Lord has added a few to the Church of such as we trust, shall be saved. They have given additional body and weight to the body of communicants, thirty-two in number, in whose confessions of Christ, humility, love, and devotion, the Rec- tor has abundant cause of rejoicing and hope."

The Sunday School is flourishing. Teachers 9; scholars 100.

The two congregations in Brooke county, so long and faith- fully served by Rev. Mr. Morse, of Steubenville, Ohio, still continue to prosper under his care. The number of communi- cants in both, is I believe about 50.

Convention of 1832. Alexandria, Va.

Bishop Meade presided in Bishop Moore's absence .. Present from West Virginia :

Rev. Alex. Jones, St. Andrew's Parish, Jefferson county ; Rev. Frederick D. Goodwin, Kanawha county; Messrs. James Brown, St. Andrew's Parish; John Wilson, Christ Church, Berkeley county; Isaac Chapline, Trinity Church, Shepherds- town; Edward Colston, Norborne Parish.

Bishop Meade in his address, says: "From Staunton I proceeded to Kanawha, reaching Charlestown on the follow- ing Saturday. In that place and the neighborhood I spent five days, preaching seven times, administering the com- munion twice, and baptizing six children. During the last fall the members and friends of our Church in that region obtained the services of the Rev. Frederick Goodwin, who is now with us to render a more specific account of the condi- tion of that portion of our Zion.

On the 12th April, I set out to visit according to appoint- ment, one of the churches in Hampshire, but in consequence of the sickness of my horse, was unable to reach the place of appointment. I was obliged to retrace my steps, in order to fulfill an engagement at Mill Creek on Saturday, 14th.

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

This I was enabled to do as well as to reach Martinsburg and preach there the same evening. On the following morn- ing I preached again in Martinsburg, baptized a child. con- firmed 2 and administered the Communion. At night I preached to a large congregation in the country, at Mt. Zion Church, and the next day I preached again, baptized one adult, confirmed 2 and administered the Communion. 1 am happy to inform the convention that the Rev. Mr. Johnson has been chosen Rector of this Parish, and will enter inne- diately on his duties.

On the following day I proceeded to Shepherdstown, where I preached in the evening and also the next morning. From there I went to Charlestown, where I also preached twice and on the second occasion confirmed nine young and in- teresting disciples of our Lord."

Contribution for contingent fund: St. Andrew's Parish $15; Christ Church, Berkeley county. $8; Norborne Parish $10 (Mt. Zion Church, Norborne Parish) also $5, for Episcopal Fund.

St. John's Parish, Brooke County-In this Parish there are two congregations, one at Wellsburg, the other in the coun- try about eight miles distant. The Rev. Mr. Morse, or Ohio, has for several years rendered most acceptable and efficient services, though necessarily, only occasionally, to both con- gregations. Since my resignation of the Parish of Wheeling this spring. I have taken charge of that of Wellsburg. Mr. Morse now officiates for the country congregation more fre- quently. Communicants 45. A Sunday school has just been organized. The prospects of the parish generally are en- couraging. Four communicants have been added to the num- ber at Wheeling this year, making 35 in all. The Rey. Wm. Armstrong of Maryland has been invited to the rectorship of this Parish. He has accepted it upon the condition of a short delay in removing, and will probably soon be here.

Rev. John Thomas Wheat.

Mill Creek-The Rev. J. E. Jackson reports: The Church continues to be well attended and the congregations appear

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

to be more concerned on the subject of religion than at any former period. Four added to the communicants. Present number 39.

St. Andrew's Parish, JJefferson County-Rev. Alex. Jones re- ports, that though he perceives many causes for humiliation when considering the state of his parish, he nevertheless, is also reminded of some for encouragement and thankfulness. A goodly number of those who were careless and impenitent, especiallly among the young, have recently joined the Com- munion. Bible classes and Sunday Schools are attached to both the churches forming this parish, so also are Mission- ary and Education societies. Communicants, 115; burials 6. Contributions to benevolent objects $153.

Kanawha Parish-Rev. Frederick D. Goodwin reports: This Parish previous to October last had been without a minister for about six years. In Charlestown we have no house of worship, but on my arrival the Methodist Church was kindly offered for our accommodation. In the country there is a small brick edifice, called Bangor Church. When I came to this place there were 24 communicants; Present number, 30; marriages 2; funerals 3; baptisms, 1 adult and 6 infants.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 6

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