A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 60

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the Church was built. It is a neat frame building, costing about $1,400, and, being most eligibly located, is ample for all present purposes. This was consecrated Sunday, September 9, 1888. The Rev. Dr. Powers preached the sermon. The Church has about one hundred and fifty sittings, is heated and lighted by gas and the property is now (1901) worth $5,000. There is no indebtedness on it. Chiefly through the earnest efforts of the women, a house and lot were bought at a cost of $1,500 for a rectory. The property is now worth $3,500 and has only about $50 indebtedness on it. There are now thirty communicants, representing fourteen families. Many changes have been made in the membership, owing to the people being largely employed by the railroad. Offices in the congregation have been held by Dr. A. H. Thayer, Mr. Thomas G. Steel, Mr. Charles Steel and Mr. William Queale. At present Dr. Thayer is Warden and Mr. Charles Steel Treasurer. On August 13th, 1901, the Rev. Lewis R. Lever- ing took charge of the two congregations of Grafton and Buckhannon, with residence at the former place. Services are held at Grafton on the first and third Sundays in the month, the Sunday-school meets every Sunday, and service is held every Wednesday evening. The ladies of the congre- gation are organized into two guilds, which render efficient help in caring for the church property and raising necessary funds.

The following are the names of the ministers who have been regularly in charge of the work: The Rev. W. H. H. Powers, the Rev. J. W. Ware, the Rev. Jacob Brittingham, the Rev. John Ambler, August, 1898, 10 June, 1899; the Rev. R. A. Rodrick, the Rev. J. T. Foster, the Rev. Charles C. Pear- son, the Rev. J. S. Lightbourn, from November. 1896, to March, 1898; the Rev. James L. Fish, from July, 1899, to 1901; the Rev. Lewis R. Levering, from August, 1901.

Tucker

Tucker county was formed from Randolph county in 1857,

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and named for St. George Tucker. Square miles, 340. Popu- lation-1870, 1,907; 1880, 3,151; 1890, 6,444; 1900, 13,433.

Tucker County, West Virginia .- The Rev. G. A. Gibbons, of Moorfield and Romney, first commenced Church work in Tucker county, going to Davis and to parts near St. George, even before the railroad was completed. Beginning in 1886, he preached in Davis once a month for several years, and on one occasion baptized a family of children near St. George. JJe would ride across the Alleghanies, on the western slope, for twelve or fifteen miles, to administer the Holy Sacrament. Services were held in different places, as opportunity offered, and necessity called for. The Lutherans and Methodists of Davis kindly offered, and Mr. Gibbons frequently used, their churches. In the summer of 1SS6, Bishop Peterkin, accom- panied by Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Pearson, visited Davis and preached, the service being held in a large engine-house. which is still pointed out when the Bishop's first visit is mentioned. Services were afterward held in the Firemen's Hall, which was kindly loaned for purposes of worship, free of charge. Ex-Senator H. G. Davis gave a lot, and the few Episcopalians in Davis began at once to collect funds for a building. The work was handed over to Rev. John R. Joyner, who for a year or so held services at Davis and Elkins.

Bishop Peterkin made no visit to Davis from 1886 until August, 1894, when he went with Rev. John S. Lightbourne, who had recently taken charge of the work, in connection with Bayard and Elkins. On Monday, August 6th, 1894, Bishop Peterkin visited Bayard, and confirmed three persons, and on Tuesday, August 7th, visited Davis, and confirmed two, and Wednesday, August Sth, visited Belington. The Bishop's next visit to Tucker county was made in February, 1896; on Monday, the 24th, he held services at Davis, and at Bayard on Tuesday, the 25th. He again visited Davis on Monday, September 28, 1897, and Bayard on Tuesday, Septem- ber 29th. About this time Mr. Lightbourne transferred his residence to Grafton, though retaining work as already

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stated. The Bishop's next visit to Bayard was made on Mon- day, August 2d, 1898, when he confirmed one, the candidate being presented by Rev. John P. Hubbard, D. D. Davis was visited on Tuesday, August 3d, 1898, at which service a child was baptized. On August 26th, 1898, Rev. John C. Ambler, Missionary from Japan, took charge of the work, Mr. Light- bourne having transferred to Pennsylvania. Mr. Ambler re- sided at Grafton, and visited Elkins and Davis monthly, and as a result of his energetic efforts, the idea of a church build- ing began to take a more definite shape in the minds of the few Episcopalians, who at that time used the Firemen's Hall as a place of worship. In company with Mr. Ambler, the Bishop visited Davis on March 5th, 1899, and confirmed one. About the middle of June, the same year, Mr. Ambler left Grafton, preparatory to returning to Japan, which he eventu- ally did in the following fall. On July 9th, 1899, Mr. James L. Fish took charge of the work, living in the rectory at Graf- ton, as his predecessor had done, and visiting Davis, Elkins, Parsons and Belington always once and sometimes twice in the month. Between the Bishop's visit, on March 5th, and December 10th, 1899, a neat church had been built at Davis. Services were held morning and evening, the Bishop preach- ing both times. The cost of the church, exclusive of equip- ment, was about $800, which was fully met before any furni- ture was purchased, chairs being rented for the opening ser- vices. The building has since been well and beautifully fur- nished. The work since then, has gone uninterruptedly on, and has now the greater promise, since Mr. Fish has removed to Elkins and can visit Davis more frequently. A few Church- people living at Coketon and Thomas are enrolled at Davis.

Tyler.

Tyler county was formed from Ohio in 1814 and was named for John Tyler, of James City county, Va., the father of Presi- dent Tyler. Square miles, 300. Population -- 1870, 7,832; 1880, 11,073; 1890, 12,072; 1900, 18,252.

St. Paul's, Sisterstille .- We find in the Virginia Council

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Journal of 1869, the following note about the Mission at Sis- tersville, West Virginia :

"The Rev. S. D. Tompkins came from Kentucky and enter- ed upon the work at Sistersville early in the year 1867. He used the church buildings of the various denominations. He found eight communicants. During his rectorship a lot was given by Mr. Stocking to be used for Church purposes. Octo- ber, 1869, Bishop Johns visited the Mission and confirmed four persons. May, 1870, Bishop Whittle paid a visit and held confirmation."

Mr. Tompkins resigned the work in 1872. This congrega- tion and work grew mainly, it seems, out of the services held at Long Reach, a few miles down the river, in Tyler county. These services were held by the Rev. J. Rambo, who visited Long Reach once a month from October, 1877, to December, 1878, and once every other month from January, 1879, to August of that year.

From Bishop Peterkin's report to the Council of West Vir- ginia, in the year 1879, we find that he "visited and preached at Middlebourn, Sistersville and Long Reach, all in Tyler county." Wednesday, March 10th, 1880, our Bishop paid an- other visit. It is not known who had charge at this time. Ere the next visit, March 28th, 1881, the Rev. A. Buchanan took charge, holding services on the fourth Sunday in each month. He presented a class of eight persons to the Bishop and reports at the annual meeting of the Council "twelve bap- tisms and seventeen communicants; also, that four hundred dollars had been pledged towards erecting a church build- ing."

On October 16th, 1881, the Rev. J. Brittingham took charge of the work. He writes: "By the appointment of the Bishop of West Virginia, I took charge as missionary of the work at Sistersville, Tyler county. Tradition says that the Rev. Thomas Smith, of Trinity Church, Parkersburg, was the first to hold Episcopal Service in this place. No official organiza- tion seems to have existed till January 25th, 1882, when the

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congregation made application to the Bishop of the Diocese, to be organized and constituted as 'Tyler Mission,' which, be- ing granted, the following committee was appointed to man- age the secular affairs of the said Mission: Dr. J. C. Gilles- pie, Mr. J. Russell, and Mrs. A. Thistle, Treasurer."

Services were held for a while twice a month; then, in the latter part of 1882, they were again held monthly. Inter- rupted navigation prevented these during three months. In July, 1883, the Rev. Mr. Brittingham took leave of this con- gregation, having accepted a call to Christ Church, Clarks- burg. The Rev. K. J. Hammond having entered upon the field vacated by Mr. Brittingham, "visited St. Paul's Tyler Mission on the second Sunday in August, 1883."

In May, 1885, a congregational meeting was held to provide for the erection of an Episcopal Church; another was held in June, and another in August, when out-line plans were sub- mitted and accepted It was resolved to begin the erection immediately. Ground was broken for the foundation Au- gust 20th, 1885. The building was under roof early in De- cember. On March 13th, 1886 (the first known), Lenten Ser- vice was held in the town, and that in St. Paul's, the new church, it being ready and open for the first time. The church building is of Gothic style, neat and plain. In 1888 an organ was gotten. Sunday, May 18th, 1888, the last service was . held by Mr. Hammond, who was succeeded by the Rev. John Ambler, who officiated till his death, in 1891. The Rev. G. P. Sommerville took charge August, 1891, holding a service once a month. Under his care a fine-toned bell was placed in the tower. Mr. Sommerville resigned during the summer of 1894. The Rev. B. M. Spurr (now Archdeacon), of Moundsville, gave an occasional week-day service during the interregnum, and affected a combine with St. Anne's, New Martinsville. The Rev. Robert U. Brooking was called to take charge, February 1st, 1895.

Services are held regularly on the second and fourth Sun- days of each month, with an occasional week-day service. The

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people show considerable interest in the work. The first year of Mr. Brooking's rectorship, the church building was given a coat of paint inside and out, a new carpet was bought, new cathedral glass windows were put in, a Bishop's Chair and Clergy Stall were presented, and St. Paul's congregation gave three hundred and twenty-five dollars towards the building of St. Anne's rectory, New Martinsville. In the fall of 1896 Mr. S. L. Angle became a permanent resident of the town, and was appointed lay-reader by the Bishop, since which time the Church has been open every Sunday. Mr. Angle's ser vices are most acceptable, and much of the improvement can be traced to his energetic and enthusiastic work.

In June, 1898, the church building was overhauled, tran- septs and recess chancel were added, which enlarges the chancel, gives a place for the choir and a robing-room. New carpet was gotten for the chancel, and the whole building much beautified with fresh paint and new paper. Two sets of chancel hangings, a memorial prayer desk and hymn board add much to the beauty and convenience of the chancel. The stove has also been put in the cellar and converted into a hot- air heater. This, with electric light, completes the improve- ment, at a cost of nearly one thousand dollars.

We must not neglect to speak of the "Young Woman's Guild," who have been most faithful workers, making nearly eight hundred dollars, by their untiring energy, and using it in the above-named improvement. The parish is absolutely free from debt. Number of communicants last reported, thirty-seven. Respectfully,

ROBERT U. BROOKING, Rector.

March 1st, 1899.

Present Vestry-George W. Stocking and JJames Pine, Wardens; Stephen L. Angle, Registrar and Treasurer; Ed- ward Roome, Art Sutherland, Joshua Russell, W. Atwood; Stephen L. Angle, Lay-Reader.

Long Reach .- Eight miles lower down the river, near Long Reach, is a Union Church, built in 1876, in which the Episco-

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pal Church has held, since its erection, a fourth interest, and the right to use it one Sunday in the month. This work was done largely through the active interest of Miss Rachel Wells. Here the Rev. Mr. Rambo, from Bellaire, Ohio, held monthly services from October, 1877, to December, 1878, and once every other month from January to August, 1879, visiting on the corresponding Sunday in the remaining months, New Martinsville. Occasional services only have since been held here.

The first service in the church was the funeral of Nicholas Wells. March 2d, 1879, the Rev. Mr. Hyland officiating.

Upshur.

Upshur county was formed from Randolph, Barbour and Lewis in 1851, and named for Abel P. Upshur. Square miles, 350. Population-1870, 8,023; 1880, 10,249; 1890, 11.884; 1900, 14,696.

Buckhannon .- The Church at Buckhannon (a town of about 3,000) is called "The Transfiguration." The name was given it by the Rev. Dr. Lacy, under whose ministry it became the property of the Church in West Virginia. The building be- longed formerly to the Southern Methodists. It was badly used during the war, and, after being used very little for some years, was bought by our struggling congregation and trans- formed and rebuilt, at a cost of about $1,700.

The history of the Buckhannon Mission, on the one hand, is one of disconragement, and, on the other, of great encour- agement,-discouragement because of its weakness and geo- graphical position. The sapplying it with anything like regu- lar services has been impossible,-and of encouragement, be- cause of the deep loyalty of its band of communicants.

In 1893. I took charge of the station, in connection with the parish of St. Paul's, Weston, the mission at Sutton and other points. I found a Church without debt and about six- teen communicants. But, do the best I could, I was able only to give them one Sunday every second month and a week- night service the intervening month. Still, we held together

TRANSFIGURATION, BUCKHANNON.

ST. JOHN'S, SUTTON.

REV. J. W. KEEBLE.

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and made some progress. In 1897, the Bishop connected the missions at Buckhannon and Sutton.

In company with the Rev. B. M. Spurr, I made a canvass of the two congregations, and the salary for a missionary was subscribed. I secured the services of the Rev. Thomas E. Swan, Deacon, who remained about one year. The con- gregation again without a pastor, I supplied them from Wes- ton. A year intervened and the Bishop secured the services of the Rev. R. C. Caswall. Mr. Caswall stayed less than a year, and again the Church was without a leader.

The supplying of Buckhannon and such towns throughout the Diocese is one of the important pressing problems the Bishops and the Council are trying to solve.

Buckhannon is a school town, having a large Methodist Seminary, with perhaps 375 pupils. Our Church-people are deeply loyal. At present there are about nineteen communi- cants.

W. H. BURKHARDT.

P. S .- In July, 1901, Buckhannon was joined with Grafton in one charge, under the Rev. Lewis R. Levering, with resi- dence in Grafton. A few services were held in Pickens, in Randolph county, by Mr. Caswell, the Bishop making a visita- tion on Monday, September 3d, 1900.

The History of Spruce Run Mission .- The first time that a minister of the Episcopal Church is known to have visited Spruce Run was in 1848, when the Rev. S. D. Tomkins preach- ed in a log school-house in the neighborhood of the present church. Then about the year 1889, Dr. T. H. Lacy, Rector of Old St. Paul's Church, Weston, at the suggestion of Mrs. T. A. Hopkins, and at the invitation of Mr. M. Thomas Higgin- botham, began to hold services in the near-by school-house, coming for a time during the summer once a month. In Au- gust, 1891, the Rt. Rev. G. W. Peterkin, the first Bishop of the Diocese of West Virginia, paid his first visit, when Mrs. L. L. Dowell was confirmed, and her four children baptized by Dr. Lacy. At the time that the idea of building a church at this point was suggested by Mrs. T. A. Hopkins, there seemed hu-

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manly speaking, very little probability of success, and now we see, as the result of her faith, the present church building and a mission organized. Two acres of land, with the necessary timber, were donated by Mr. Higginbotham, a saw-mill was set down, and the lumber was cut by the neighbors, who gladly entered into the work, giving their help in haul- ing logs and the lumber as needed. In 1892 the work was commenced, and, at the request of the Bishop, Mr. W. L. Davis took charge of the work and remained till September of that year. In 1894 the floor was laid, and in 1895 rough benches, which soon were removed for more comfortable seats, were placed in the church and regular services com- menced. In the summer of 1894, Mr. LeMosy, from the Alex- andria Seminary, took charge as lay-reader. In 1895 the Rev. A. K. Fenton was placed in charge, and in July, 1897, Spruce Chapel was consecrated. In the same year a "mission" was conducted by Rev. J. Brittingham, and in September of the following year the Mission was organized, with the following officers: William Loudin, Warden; John McDowell, Treas- urer; George W. Spalding, Registrar.

This Mission sent its first Delegate, W. Loudin, to the Spec- ial Council held in Clarksburg in 1899, for the election of a Coadjutor-Bishop. At this present time fifteen communicants attend the chapel, and there are twenty-eight baptized per- sons, who look to the Church for ministrations. A small rec- tory was built on the church land in 1897.

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CHAPTER XVI.

Records continued. Wayne, Webster, Wetzel, Wirt, Wood, Wyo- ming counties. Churches in Kenova, New Martinsville, Par- kersburg, Williamstown, &c.

Wayne.

Wayne county was formed from Cabell, in 1842, and named for General Anthony Wayne. Square miles, 440. Popula- tion-1870, 7,852; 1880, 14,739; 1890, 18,607; 1900, 23,619.

The Church in Wayne .- Wayne county was formed from the territory of Cabell, in 1842, and called after General Anthony Wayne, the "Mad Anthony," of the Revolutionary War. There seems to have been no Churchmen among the early settlers, and the first service of the Episcopal Church, of which there is any present knowledge, was not held until the spring of 1890, when Bishop Peterkin and Rev. N. F. Marshall, then Rector at Huntington, visited Ceredo and held service in the Congregational Church. This service was a great delight to several families of Episcopalians, who had just come to Ceredo and the adjoining town of Kenova, with the Ohio ex- tension of the Norfolk and Western railroad. From this time services were continned regularly, being held twice a month in the Congregational Church at Ceredo, kindly loaned for the purpose. In the autumn of 1890, a meeting of the Episcopal- jans of the vicinity of Ceredo and Kenova was held at the residence of Mr. W. A. Doane, in Ceredo, and a Mission for- mally organized, and named "Grace Church." The first ofli- cers were: William A. Doane, Warden; Charles Cleveland Coe, Treasurer; L. Tenney Peck, Registrar. Rev. N. F. Mar- shall was the first minister and served until his removal from West Virginia to Ohio, in 1892. He was succeeded by Rev.

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Jhon S. Gibson, who took charge October 1st, 1892, and is still (January, 1901,) at his post.

The services were transferred to Kenova in 1893, and held in Assembly Hall, a building erected by the Kenova Land Association for public meetings of all kinds. Rent was paid for the use of this building, on the first and third Sunday afternoons of each month and on fifth Sundays.

In 1894 the Land Association gave the Church two lots, 25x 100 feet each, and the Court appointed Messrs. L. T. Peck, C. C. Coe and L. D. Baugh trustees to hold the title. On these lots was begun at once the erection of a church. To stimu- late the people to this undertaking, Bishop Peterkin had given the church building at Volcano, a deserted oil town, in Wood county, and had it taken down and shipped by rail to Kenova. The congregation of Grace Mission, small but en- thusiastic, entered with spirit upon the re-erection of the building, and in October, 1895, it was opened for Divine Ser- vice, many of the Churchmen of Huntington being present on the glad occasion.

In rebuilding, the original plan was not adhered to, but out of the old material, as far as it could be utilized, a new church, with nave, apsidal chancel, vestry-room and vesti- bule was built. The total cost was $1,300, not including the carpet, bell, heater, organ, &c., which were the gifts, at vari- ous times, of the efficient "Woman's Guild." The American Church Building Fund donated $200, and the remaining $600 necessary to pay all bills was kindly loaned by a member. At Easter, 1899, the borrowed money, with interest, had all been paid, and on June 11th, 1899, being Sunday, the church was consecrated by Bishop Peterkin. Mr. L. Tenney Peck read the "Instrument of Donation," and Rev. John S. Gibson, the "Sentence of Consecration," Rev. N. F. Marshall preaching the sermon on "The Spirit Giveth Life." There were present of the clergy Revs. S. S. Moore, D. D., W. H. Neilson, D. D., F. A. Meade, W. L. Gravatt and C. M. Campbell, and a large congregation.

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The shifting character of the population of the town makes the work uncertain, but, with the growth of the community, it is hoped it will be of a permanent character. The founda- tion has been well laid at least.

Kenova is situated at the confluence of the Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers, and takes its name from the States of Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia, thus: Ken. O. Va.

The following have served as members of the Mission's Committee: William A. Doane, L. Tenney Peck, Charles C. Coe, John W. Dashiell, R. Ney Williams and J. Shufflebarger.

Webster.

Webster county was formed from Nicholas, Braxton and Randolph, in 1860, and named for Daniel Webster. Square miles, 450. Population-1870, 1,730; 1880, 3,207; 1890, 4,783; 1900, 8,862.

Bishop Peterkin visited Addison, the county seat, in Au- gust, 1880, in company with the Rev. Mr. Powers and the Rev. George W. Dame. It was one of their preaching points on a long circuit from Clarksburg, by Weston, Sutton, Addison, Mingo, Clover Lick, Huntersville, Dunmore, Greenbank, Hills- boro, Beverly, Buckhannon. Since that time both Bishop Peterkin and Bishop Gravatt have visited Addison, and others of the clergy, notably the Rectors at Weston, under whose charge it is supposed to be, but we have not as yet even the beginning of a mission. The Rev. Dr. Roller officiated at Ad- dison August 15th and 22d, 1886.

Wetzel.

Wetzel county was formed in 1846, and named for Lewis Wetzel. Square miles, 440. Population-1870, 8,595; 1880, 13,896; 1890, 16,351; 1900, 22,880.

St. Anne's Church, New Martinstillc .- The first effort in the direction of Church organization in New Martinsville was made on the 15th of June, 1851, by the Rev. J. D. McCabe, D. D., who held a service in the court-house; and the same day a parish was organized under the constitution and canons.

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of the Virginia Church, to be known as "Wetzel Parish." A subscription list was opened for the purpose of erecting a church, a vestry was elected, articles of association were adopted, to which the following signatures were attached: Sampson Thistle, Friend Cox, Jonathan N. Coulter, William McDonnelle, Presly M. Martin, B. F. Martin, Leonard S. Hall, F. S. Springer, Robert W. Cox, R. W. Lanck, Jonathan Mc- Cullogh, Jacob Young and Robert Kyle. Towards the close of the month a Building Committee was appointed, a church plan and specifications reported upon, the treasurer empow- ered to receive and collect subscriptions for the church.

On a visit in March, Dr. McCabe baptized fifteen persons, preparing the adults for confirmation.

In October of the same year the parish united with the Northwestern Convocation, and at the same meeting of the Convocation, the name of St. Paul's was adopted for the Church, steps having been taken to erect a building. On the Sth of November, 1851, Bishop Meade visited the parish and confirmed six persons. In 1853 Dr. McCabe was elected Rec- tor of the parish, which position he accepted, giving a service on the first Tuesday evening in each month. In 1854 a church building was erected. For several years there were intermit- tent services,-the work finally declining, coming to a stand- still, died out, to be revived in 1874. In this year the half- dozen communicants secured the services of Rev. Jacob Ram- bo, of Bellaire, Ohio, who gave them a monthly service for six months. In the intervals between Mr. Rambo's visits Mr. George D. Curtis acter as lay-reader. In 1875 Bishop Whittle paid a visit. No regular service was held this year, but the Rev. John F. Woods paid occasional visits. From 1876 to 1878, Mr. Rambo again took charge, making occasional visits. In November, 1879, the Rev. A. Buchanan was appointed by the Convocation, under the direction of Bishop Peterkin, to take charge of the work. Bishop Peterkin paid a visit in 1880, and confirmed five persons.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 60

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