Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-01-14

| ter, w. IL HoTsytne, " III. Vt. Oro"n, alt
VIM B. Morris, on behalf of themselves. ant
the Church North, sued A. D. Trotter, Z. NJ
| Gushing, A. M. Simpson, r. Turk and G. W
Campbell Of Church South, for the property
| The church is roomy and accommodates com
| fortably 1000 people.
The Board of Stewards area. M. Simp
son, George Harlan, @. w. Hunter, David E
Strasburg, P. N. Powell. B. T. Bagby, Johr
M Carroll; and j. w. Newton, Secretary anc
Treasurer.
The old Wesleyan Female Institute building
on Main street, was built, by the Conference
in 1853. The first teacher was Rev. James A
McCauley, for two years. He is now President
Of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. Rev Jno
Wilson next taught for two years, and Rev.
Mr.. Arbogast followed him for one year. The
Rev. Mr. Baird took charge in 1861, and car
ried On. the school during the war; under many
trials, and for one year afterwards. He was
succeeded by Rev. W. A. Harris, the present
principal, who came to its head from Martha
Washington College, Abingdon, with high
reputation, which his course here has greatly
added to. The school, under his judieious con-
troll, increased so largely that in 1870, the Trus-
tees determined to purchase Moffett Cochran S
fine residence, situated on the most command
ing point in the city, and having a view of for
ty miles Of the Blue Ridge and great Valley,
for $25, 900, the most Of which has been paid
The school now numbers 125 pupils, from all
parts Of the South, and turns off numbers each
year, A wing has been added TO the building
and all modern improvements made, but it will
be necessary to build again in the Spring, to
accommodate the yearly Increasing numbers
The Rev. Mr. Harris is the right man iu the
right place and has proved himself one of the
most successful principals of Female Schools in
the South, and in the future will add to his
justly earned fame. The Trustees are: Revs.
FL. Il Kennedy and J. H. Waugh; j. j. En-
gle, Col. Jacob Mohler, and A. j. Hamilton of
Rockbridge, Thornton Berry, Moses Walton,
A. d. Trotter, n. B. Hendry and Philander
Herring, and the schoo! is under their control
and that Of Conference, and is supported main
" By the Church throughout the South and
Virginia.
st. Peters Catholic Church.
Though there were Catholics in the Valley
from its first settlement, they we're few aud far
between, and it was not until 1882 that DR.. D.
Downey, the first Catholic Missionary, came
here. His labors extended all over the Valley
and mountains West, and about this time many
Of our most worthy Catholic citizens emigrated
here, generally poor, but hardy and industrious
laboreTs, at various trades, and on the Valley
pike and other roads. Many of them and
their descendants are still among Us. all we'll
to do and some wealthy. and no class more
respected in ali the walks Of life. Michael
Qoinand so we'll remembered, was among the
class we mention, and By honest industry and
trugaiity, at his trade, tailor, made and left
large fortune to his heirs. On July 10. 1S49,
for one dollar, ne conveyed to RI. Rev. r. Y.
Whelan, Bishop Of Richmond, the lot now
owned by the church, on condition church
was built in three years. DR. Downey and his
people worked hard and built ST. Peters in
1885, which has been greatly improved since,
and large school house added, to supply the
growing wants of the church.
DR.. Downey oficiated till 1857, and in 1858
Rev. Father, L. O. Al. Sears took charge
till 1859. From 1859 10 1861 the church was
supplied from Richmond. La Sept. 1861, Rev.
Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, the G. & 0. r.
r., and Orange, till Oct. '66, when he was Or
dered to California. Father Farrau (sinee
dead) of Lynchburg, supplied the church for a
few mouths, and then Rev. Father J. Amber
Weed came in 1867, but left in Dec. 20, and
died March II, regretted by all who knew him.
In Jan. 1871, Rev. Father John McVerry, the
present devoted pastor, came, and is now In
charge, attending also to Harrisonburg, Char
lottesville and the members along .. & 0. x.
e.
The church now numbers 600 aud was never
SO fiourishing and is surpassed by none in the
devotion Of its members and the extent OF its
charities, public and private. 1t numbers
among it's members some OF cur wealtalest,
most Intelligent and energetic citizens, and is
growing rapidly. The Sunday School, under
Supt. w. Ell. German, has 125 scholars and IA
teachers.
The church will accommodate 500 persoos,
is lit with gas, and the grounds are improving
every year. Value Of property 5000, and
preachers salary $500. Debt small.
The Evangelical lutheran Church
was organized 10 StauntoD, Nov. 10th, 1852.
Rev. J. B. Davis was first pastor, Col. George
Baylor and David Cook first Elders. and John
G. Houseman and E. Lswton first Deacons.-
The first communion was held in the old Bell
Tavern. on the first Sunday in May, 1S53-11
communicsnts present-and services were con-
tinued there, from time to time, until the 1st
of May 1854, when the congregation worship
ped for the first time in the basement of the
present church, and had 19 members.
On the first of May, 1852, George Shuey
and Elizabeth his wife, for the sum of one dol
lar" conveyed to Geo. Shuey, Robt. II. Hol-
land, James Points, John Brandeburg, Geo.
Baylor and Absalom Koiuer, Trustees, forever,
the lot upon which the church now stands. -
The first dirt was dug In the Spring of 1858,
and the church was finished and dedicated, in
Nov. 1856, with 81 members. 1t was built by
general subscription and cost $4,000, the city
contributing $50. and the county $50 towards
the clock that has since pealed forth the hours,
with variations, to our people.
The Rev. Mr.. Davis oficiated successfully
till 1859, and left the church with about sixty
members and great general improvement IN Its
prospects. The present Pastor, the Rev. D.
NJ. Gilbert, was called on Oct 18th, 1859, and
continued in charge till 1882 when he went to
Savannah, Ga.
In 1856, the great freshet damaged the
church to the amount Of $3.50, and the tower
was looked upon as dangerous for long time,
though strengthened and proved solid by time.
The church was vacant from 1862 till Rev.
J. I. Miller was called in February, 1866. and
he continued as Pastor till July lst, 1870, when
Mr.. Gilbert was re-called in 1871. Mr.. Gil
bert has ofHciated ever since, and on first Sun
day in January, 1873, confirmed Members
The church now numbers SO members, and l3
Joined in 1872. No. of Sunday school scholars
on roll, 100; average attendance, 65; number
of teachers, II; average attendance, 9.
The church has recently built handsome
parsonage, on Fayette street, at cost OF $4,000.
The value of church property, including 1t, is
$40, 900, and of school property, $l4 0O0.-
Pastor salary, $780, and house furnished
No debt on the church. Until recently this
church received aid from the Mission Fund,
but, under Mr.. Gilbert, it has become self-sup-