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

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boarders. The trustees propose to add another
wing and al observatory in the Spring, and to
greatly improve and adorn the grounds, so as
to give the school capacity commensurate
With its growing importance, Lot only to Its
own church, but as one of the great schools
that make Staunton so justly famous Ia the line
of Female Education. In Mr.. Miller the
Trustees have gentleman in every way quail
| fed for the great work before him, both as 8
thoroughly practical business man and teacher
and as Christian gentleman and finished
scholar. With proper support from his church
there is no limit to the influence his school pos
sesses for good, and we know it is too intelli-
gent not to give him that.
The baptist Church OF Staunten.
1t is a little remarkable that, while it is only
recently that the Baptists have made any pro-
gress in the Valley of Virginia, some of their
first churches in Virginia were in that region.
In like manner, while the Baptist Church in
Stannton is of very recent origin, attempts to
plant Baptist church here were put forth at
q much earlier period In 1884, Staunton
was mentioned in the Annual Report of the
Baptist General Association Of Virginia as
point that must be occupied, and Rev. James
B. Taylor, (the father of the present pastor)
cure suitable man. Two years later, Rev.
Aenas freeman, who was Northern man, was
sent by the Association, as Baptist missionary,
to Staunton and vicinity. Elder Freeman did
good work, aud left a fragrant memory In
WayGesboro; but, after preaching a few times
in the Presbyterian aud Methodist Churches in
Staunton, reported that under existing circum-
stances and without house of worship, moth
ing could then be accomplished in Staunton.-
He soon after, owing to falling health, left the
county. AT that time, and for years afterwards,
there was probably not white Baptist in or
near St&unton. There was, however, colored
man, devotedly pious aud an ardent Baptist,
whose earnest prayer was that he might see a
Baptist Chulch here before he died His nsme
was Anderson, and he was for many years the
slave of Simpson &. Taylor Anderson lived
to see his prayer answered.
La lS49, Rev. L. W. Roberts was sent as
missionary to Nelson and Augusta counties.-
lie was soon after instrumental In organizing
the Laurel Hill Baptist church, seven miles
from Staunton. Meantime, quite number of
coiored persons and q few white persons had
either removed to Staunton, already Baptist, or
had become such IN connection with the service
at Laurel Hill. In 1853 the Goshen Assccia-
ton, district association then conducting mis-
slOnary operations independently, and very ef-
fcientiy, sent Dr. s. B. Rice here as q mission
aTy and on the 10Th day of October, 1853, in
the Town Hall, a Baptist church, consisting of
about twenty members vas constituted. DR..
Rice was elected pastor, and preached occasion
ally IL the Town Hall; but most of his time
was spent in travelling over the State collecting
funds to erect house of worship; while one of
the female members (Mr5. w. FL. Peyton)
piled her busy, skilful needle for the same OBJ
ject at home. La June, 1855, the corner stone
OF the church odifce was laid, Dr.. j. l. Bar
rows delivering az address on the occasion il
the Episcopal church. The work dragged
heavily, possibly from want Of funds. But at
last the basement was ready for occupancy; and
about this time, A. p. Abel, Esq.,, famous
Sunday School man, removed to Staunton, and
soon gathered fourishing Sunday School. Mr..
Abel iabors really gave an impulse to the
Sunday School work at large in Staunton.
In 1857, DR.. Rice, having raised most Of the
funds necessary for the meeting house, resign
ed his case of the Church, aud the present IL
cumbent, Rev. Geo B. Taylor, previously pas
tor Of the Franklin Square Church Baltimore,
succeeded him. On the second Sunday in
December, 1857, Mr.. Taylor preached the dedi-
cation sermon In the main audience room, being
that day for the first time opened for service
The membership of the church was then small
er than at its organization. and the congrega-
tion was yet to be gathered. The pastor in @
few years succeeded IL paying the debt remain
ing upon the house. Fer several successive
years interesting seasons OF revival were enjoyed
by which the church and congregation steadily
grew.
In 1850 the Baptist General Association met
in Staunton-thst being its first session West
Of the Blue Ridge. During that year, the pas
tor spent several months Ia al agency for Ale
ghany College Up to the war; the Church
had been aided by the Goshen Association
The church nov became seifsustaining, the
pastor, however, teaching school. He vas
for few months Chaplain in Jackson Corps,
and afterwards for about three years and till
the close of the war, one of the Chaplains of the
post, performing also his pastoral duties. After
the war. most Of the colored members were dis
missed, and formed the Colored Baptist church
In October, 1869, Mr.. Taylor, having been
appointed Chaplain to the University OF Vir-
ginia, Rev. w. Harrison Williams became pas
tor, and continued SO for two years. This period
was marked by growth in the Sunday School.
by the removal of some valuable members to
Staun.on, the establishment of Mr. Hart's In-
stitute here. and by very successful meeting
conducted by Rev. A. B. Earle, the distinguish
ed evangelist.
In July, 1871, Mr. Williams, having resign
ed, Mr.. Taylor was recalled, and has since
been pastor, but is now upon the eve Of leaving
for few months to labor fer the memorial en-
terprlZe which was originated at the meeting
of the general association held here last June.
Last year, the church paid it's pastor 81, 200,
and raised for Incidental expenses aa9 various
benevolent and missionary purposes some $500
moro. It numbers about 2S7 actual members,
OF whom SO were added last year. Sunday school
scholars on rolls 250, average attendance IT'S,
teachers %, average attendance II. The church
property is worth $l2, 900 and no debt.
Deacons-R Summerson, John Hart, P. 3.
Hoge, w. D. Gambler, w. NJ. Turner, e. W.
Harman, VIM. Fl. Peyton, and c. z. Mason.
Clerk-P. B. Hoge.
Treasurer. s. Gillian.
Trustees-R. Summerson, VIM II. Peyton,
W. D. Gambler, P. B. Hoge, E. W. Harman.
The Baptist Female School was started here,
in the old Wesleyan Building 10 1871. by Prof.
John Hart, of Albemarle, bringing with him
bis school from Charlottesville. His success has
been equal to the hopes Of his friendS, and
church, and he now has Al scholars and fine
prospect iOr torture, success and usefulness,
when his great merits as teacher and model
character as man become moro generally
known throughout the South. The building
is handsomely and comfortably furnished aud
specially arranged for school purposes. We
predict for Prof Hart and his school, the full
measure OF success they SO richly deserve.
Our task is done, and we leave our readers
to say ''how we'll" 1t will be seen that in q
white population OF about 5000, Staunton has
1882 church members, a number largely over
q IL