The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-16
OLD AFRICAN II z CHURCH. !,
an Historic Building Numbered
among the Things that Were.


an Historic Building Numbered
among the Things that Were.
A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE OLD CHURCH AND
8 rrs PASTORS AND 4 PEEP INTo 1Ts EARLY
8 tHIsTORY-sOME INTERESTING 'REMINfs-
! sCENCEs lOF NOTED MEN OF VIRGINIA.
POLITICAL INSTRUMENTATION AND
PERsoNAL-ANECDOTE AND PLEASANT
INCIDENTs-A NEW CHURCH TO OCCUPY
THE LOT ON WHICH THE OLD EDIFICE
sTooD-TTs CONSTRUCTION AND APPEAR
ANCE, &C, &C.
.Workmen hlve commenced tearing down
the old African church, and upon its site
will shortly be erected a building Of greater
dimensions and comelier proportions. The
old church has been for many years land.
mark, and in the minds of our people is as
socated with happy memories Of by-gone
days, and Of customs that have been swept
away by the tide of years and results OF the
war. When its foundation was dug and its
cornerstone laid Richmond was bl1ta coun.
try town. Its streets were poorly graded,
and only in few instances paved. Where
now is the fashionable and brilliant West
End was then a forest. =. s.,,..,., ..-.......r
Main street in the neighborhood OF the
Old Market monopolized muclfpf the bust
ness OF the place, while the upper part OF
the street and Broad street were Just begin
ming to claim some attention by stores be-
ing erected here and there upon them.
The Baptists, now denomination OF im-
mcnsc. number in the State, were then few
and by no means possessed OF the influence
they now enjoy. The old church soon be-
came too small for; their needs, and was
passed into the hands OF trustees for the
benefit of the co'ored people OF that
denomination. In slave times. the con-
gregations were always large. or the
happy and peaceful looking flocks that
gathered there in those days; of the
content that sat upon their countenances !;
and Of their comfortable appearanceand re-
Spectful demeanor, the writer of Virginia
history will have occasion to speak In the
old church worshipped congregations OF
immense size, and their sacred songs were
ever m attraction, while their fervid piety
and earnest exhibition of religious feeling
were marked with all the characteristics OF
the race. e.. o.
In the scarcity Of public halls the church
was often used for public meetings. Dem.
Gratis and Wings held conventions and had
rallies there. The old walls now soon tc
mingle with the dust have echoed the elo-
quence OF some Of the foremost orators thai
Virginia ever produced. #"r." nai'.ri~ -
In the last days of the Coniederaey, when
starvation and battle were weakening Lees
army; when the smoke from the enemy's
guns was daily waited into the city; and
when despair was seizing the people, q
an oolIoH nt fIn A fri
can church, and the voices OF Jefferson Da-
Wis, Judah 2. Benjamin, and other orators
aroused new zeal and inspired fresh hope in
the struggle, and helped to postpone for q
time the inevitable hour OF surrender.
With its wealth OF associations and all its
grand history it is too much to expect us tC
allow the old building to disappear without
saving :'good-bye" " and recalling some fact
connected with it. That is sufficient apol
ogy, or rather introduction, for the sketch
we now offer, gathered from the meagre
data at our command.
EARLY HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
The early history of the old African
church is not uninteresting. Indeed, with
it is intimately associated the history Of the
First Baptist church Of this city" In the
year 17S0-the First Baptist church was or
eanized.. Richmond was then but small
village, numbering some eighteen hundred
inhabitants. The only church building in
town was st. Johns Episcopal church, in
which services were ordinarily held but
three times q year-C Christmas, Easter, and
Whitsuntide. The First Baptist church was
organized in the residence Of Mr.. Frank
lin, OH Union Hill, and subsequently small
frame church was built at the northeast cor
ner OF Second and Cary streets. During
the pastorate of Elder Courtney a new
house of worship was erected on the lot at
the corner OF Broad and College streets
the present old African church.
This much of the history OF the First
Baptist church has been given in order to
preserve the link between that church and
the First African Baptist church, and to
make that portion OF the sketch complete.
ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST AFRICAN CHURCH
In the year 1S41 the present First Baptist
church was built, and the old building was
given to the colored people, who were set
apart as separate church, and whose pas
tor was Rev. DR.. Ryland, president OF
Richmond College. When the church was
divided-for the white and colored people
up to 1871 had been worshiping together
3S7 white members removed to the new
editice, and the colored members Of the
First African church numbered 1,670. Since
that time there has been a steady increase
in the membership. until now, when there
are three thousand seven hundred COM
municauts. DR.. Ryland, the first pastor, full
filled q faithful, effective, and successful
ministry among the colored people for more
than twenty years. His. eminent services
in the cause Of education in the State made
him quite noted. His fostering care OF the
interests OF the Baptist denomination; his
ministerial care of the African race; his
simplicity of manner, kindness of heart, and
beneyolence: his total lack Of ostentatious
pride, will cause him long to be remen-
bered.
HIS RECENT LIFE.
After the war was over DR.. Ryland was IN
reduced circumstances, and had large and
dependent family. He for months gathered
his sustenance principally by keeping 4
dairy, and selling the milk himself from a
carryall, which he drove around early each
morning. He is now the principal OF fe-
male seminary near Lexington, Ky. DR..
Ryland was very well known in Richmond,
and was beloved by large circle Of friends.
This little depression is made in order that
kindly word may be said OF most worthy
gentleman. .. aa.....on. .,. .,.,
CONSTRUCTION OF THE OLD BUILDING.
The original building, a parallelogram
about SO by 60 feet, with sharply-ridgedl
roof, fronting with its longer side Broad
street, was erected between the years 1880
and 1900. In the year 1903 it was enlarged
by an addition ut right angles OF q by 81
feet front, facing the stem to the presens.
form of the letter T, the apex OF the roo1
fronting Broad street. Again, In tne year