The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-05-04
ITS HISTORY, ITS PASTORS, ITS PEOPLE.

! IIS HISTORY, LID IaSIOhS, LID LILO
| In the history of this ancient and revered
church there are many peculiarly interesting
incidents. Built nearly a century and half
| ago, and being the Oldest church in the Valley
of Virginia, it has been aptly styled the ven
cradle mother of Presbytcrianism in this State.
In it worshipped the Scotch-Irfsh ancestry OF
many of the present congregation. 1t has
served in the double capacity of church and
fort; at once the house Of God and place of
refuge from the cunning savage. 1t is sltua-
ted about miles west of Stanton. In one OF
the most beautiful parts of the Valley, on a
slight eminence, Immediately on the turn
pike in the midst of a beautiful grove of splen-
| did oaks, and commanding fine view OF the
Valley r. R. and the surrounding country.
The particular locality having been selected
doubtless, with a view of preventing surprise
by sudden attack from the Indians, who at
| that early day were so numerous IN this coun-
| try.
| In the latter part of 1899. seven years after
the first settlement in the Valley, John Craig
was sent by Donegal Presbytery of Pennsyl-
vania, as probationer to the Valley, or as it
was then called the ssback parts of Virginia, y
and at once formed the congregation known
as the Triple-Forks of the Shenandoah, en-
bracing the congregations of Messy Creek,
Stone Church and Talking Spring, and the
next year 1740, when the Stone church was
built, became its pastor and was the first reg
ularly installed pastor i'll Virginia. conformity
with Thinking Spring. just before he was
sent to Virginia he received call from West
the erection of the present church the con-
gregation worshipped in a log house, which
was situated on the grounds of the old grave
yard. The walls of the church are construct
ed of limestone rock hauled thither on sledges
from the immediate neighborhood. In these
rude days there was not q wheeled vehicle in
the settlement. According to legends, the
sand for the mortar was brought on pack
horses by the women from the banks of the
middle branch of the Shenandoah, now known
as Middle River, which is two OF three miles
| distant. The nails and glass were brought on
horses from Williamsburg. a distance OF two
hundred miles, at that time the great centre
| mond had no existence at that day. The APP
pearance of the church is substantially what it
| was originally, though the interior has been
| to some extent remodeed and medernized.
The arrangement of the pews and aisles is
entirely different, being placed now at right
angles to their former position. There are
| now two asles instead of one, and the en-
ic frop tba inc Of
| south.
| So strong is the attachment OF the older
| members of the congregation for the old
church, that any inroatls upon its antique ap-
| pearance, have always been viewed suspicious
| ly and streEuously opposed, though under the
guidance of its present efficient and active
pastor, many Improvements have been effect
| ed, both within and about it. The pulpit has
| been greatly beautified. There are now no
| traces of its former box appearance. The
walls have been painted and adorned with
| handsome lamps. In the centre hangs (but
recently q chandelier, the need Of which has
been so long felt. Very lately a belfry has
| been erected, attached to the session house,
! and in it placed 81 sweet toned bell which can
| be distinctly heard or miles. The grounds
have been neatly enclosed with a plank fence.
| The grove, though it suffered considerably by
the late war, owing to its great beauty, attracts
almost as much attention as the church. The
| trees, principally black oak, are unconmonly
| large, and stand so thick upon the ground that
the shade is almost continuous, making it one
of the most inviting summer retreats. Picnics
| and festivals are frequently held here. where
the congregation cain resort with impunity in the
hottest weather and pass day Of pleasant re-
creation thoroughly protected from the burning
rays Of a midsummer sun by this foliage roof Of
| nature.
| In 1855, during the French and Indian war
when Braddock's signal defeat cast a gloom
over the country, and the terror stricken set
tiers were flying for their lives, Rev. john
Craig was earnestly entreated to fly also, but
true to his Irish instincts, he resolved to re-
main and fortify the church and persuaded his
| flock to stay also. A deep floss was cut ruA-
ming parallel with the walls, and about 20 feet
| from them and on its banks g stockade
| fertilization was erected. Enough Of it re-
mains to mark the exact locality, though in
the main, Of course, they have been leveled
down and the ground nicely sodded over.
The stands of the sentinels which were at dag
onally opposite corners, the eastern and
western, so that two could watch all sides Of
the fort, can be distinctly seen. There was
within the walls OF the fertilization a kitchen
to serve the purposes of the settlers Wien at
tackled and forced to take refuge here, or in
times of great danger when forced to leave
the women here for protection, while they
titled the field, armed to the teeth. 70 see
the people now quietly assembling here ev-
cry Sunday morning, forms strange contrast
with the horrors of 135 years ago, when the
honored pastor and his congregation assem-
bled armed with their rifles. both men and
women, to praise God, and. if need be, protect
themselves against the hostile attacks Of the
savages. The old grave yard is a few hun
bred yards to the south east. In it sleep the
forefathers OF many persons now living in the
same vicinity, and Of others scattered over
the county. In it there is great deal Of
work for an ssOld Mortality for some of the
| inscriptions are so nearly oDliterated by the
| finger of time and the elements that they can
only be deeiphered with great difficulty.
Some of them bearing date long anterior to