The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-06-21
For THE CESrRAL PRESBYTERIAN
Manchester Church

4 Sketch Of he Congregation from is Origin. to
DE Laying Of the Corner Stone Of the Church
BablRQ.
Deposited il the Corner Stone, June 8, 1871.
The church, whose privilege it Is to deposit to-
day this sketch in the corner stone Of It's church
building, bad its origin in what was known as the
'' Presbyterian Aid Society Of Manchester The
FIRST steps in the direction Of an organization were
3, Sea about the first Of March, 1869.
A private conference had previously been held
by a few jealous women in regard to establishing
Sunday School The inevitable need of money
however met them as an obstacle upon the very
threshold, and threatened for tine to hinder all
effort. A later and more general conference among
the Presbyterians Of the town pointed to the So
cety as an instrument for supplying this necessity.
On the Sd day Of March, 1862 meeting was
called at the house Of Mrs Margaret Allen for the
purpose Of organizing. Mrs Z jane Baird was
chosen President Mrs Mary q. Burnett Vice.
President; Mr. Vim. p Buell., Secretary; and
Mrs. Margaret Allen, Treasurer
Arrangements were at once set in motion for
commencing the proposed Sunday School 1t was
opened on the following Sunday, and Mr. We. P.
Buell. was elected Superintendent He was for
some time its only officer
Plans we're next laid 60 defrsy the expenses Of
the Sunday School a iair 70 be conducted by
the ladies', was proposed and held from the 18th
to the 22d OF May 1869. During this week Of the
fair they issued that little daily, The Macedonian
Cry, edited by Some Of their number, that at
tracted favorable notice. and vas source Of some
profit
The success Of this FIRST effort was much beyond
the expectation Of even the mos, hopeful A net
profit Of four hundred dollars in the treasury at its
close, gave new life to the Zee 5 Of those en-
gagged in it. Before. vague ions Of a church
within the limits Of their own town, at some day
in the uncertain future, had occupied the minds Of
few Of the hopeful ones. Bat now cLurch-a
church, was the desire aud the hope of all.
A portion OF the money raised was appropriated
to the use Of the Sunday School, and the balance
deposited in bank. Promises Of aid from abroad
further encouraged them to 20 forward. Through
Rev. f. T. Baird. d. D. and Messrs. w. 2. Buell.,
Henry Fitzgerald, Jr., and James d. Craig, act
ing as a committee, a lot was purchased These
gentlemen were also empowered, as building CON-
mittee, TO contract for the erection Of plain IN
expensive church building
The work, however, was not pushed forward at
osee, many Of the members Of the Aid Society,
being unwilling to incur debt, which they might
not be able to meet. No system of contributions
had been adopted, beyond the payment Of a small
monthly fee into the funds of the Society, its mem
bers all holding their church membership in Rich
mond, and paying their tithes to the churches
there.
fair and concert were given, IN conjunction
with the Manchester Baptist church, in Novem-
Der, 1862 The Presbyterians realized as their
share the sun Of Sl5l About this time dona-
ton Of bricks for the construction Of the church,
was made by Sir. Gilmore. of Scotland, formerly
Of Richmond Another fair was held in the fol-
loving May, aud the treasury increased by the
amount then raised.
TO BIZ CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.
Mr. Editor Last week laid before your read.
ers a sketch Of the early history OF Presbyterianism
in Manchester, written By one Of those women who
have labOred 80 diligently to start a church here.
The above sketch, which, like the former, was pre-
pared to deposit in the cornerstone, Is from the
pen Of another OF these cody women. give il
to the public that it may be seen that these people
do not appeal TO Others for aid tin they have put
forth jealous efforts themselves. Yet in our great
need we must still keep up the Macedonian cry,
Come over and help us
Iaeknowledge the following contributions sine,
last week
Isaac Davenport, IT., Richmond, S2'
Wm. Gibson,
Liberal additions have been made to our sub
scription paper IN Manchester but only those from
without the town will be acknowledged publicly
w. A. CAMPBELL.