The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-27
EsDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER p, 1877.

/.
lowers Of John Wesley met for public wor.
ship in frame house on the corner Of what
Is now Perry and Tenth streets. This
building became the afterwards famous
cold Slab church, The records OF the
church up to 1928 are not accessible, or have
been destroyed. None OF those who were
then attached to the congregation now sur.
yive, and even the traditions OF the church
are faint and indistinct. In 1923 the men,
bership was twenty-eight, mostly females.
Rev. Lewis Skidinore was presiding elder
for this district, and Manchester station,
then on Chesterfield circuit, was alternately
supplied by Revs. Sanlel D. Tompkins and
George Anderson.
In 1929, Rev. John Early, afterwards
bishop, was presiding elder, and the circuit
riders were Rev. Messrs. Bennett MaXey
and Samuel T.. Moormau. From 1885 to
1910 the presiding elders were Reys. John
Early and Hezekiah G. Lee, and the station
was supplied by the following ministers !:
Rev. Messrs. John Kerr, Jesse Powers, An
thony Dibrell, Frank Stanley, William B.
Rowzie, B. Maxey, J. l.. Nicholson, Albert
G. Burton, K. j. Carson, George A. Balm,
and Stephen W. Jones. The membership
in 1910 had increased to some $50, and very
many had died. In 1910 Rev. Lewis Skid
more was again appointed presiding elder,
and Rev. John w. Chiles supplied the sta
ton. He was succeeded by Rev. Martin A.
Dunn. About 1S43 efforts begun to be made
to build suitable place OF worship. The
congregation had now grown to about $50,
and "the Old Slab church" " was totally in
adequate fer. the increasing wants. Of the
congregation. The Conference had pro-
missed il suitable editice was erected and
il the congregation would pledge itself to
be self-sustaining that Manchester should be
taken off the circuit, made separate sta
ton, and have Il minister Of its own.
The jealous efforts OF the congregation
met with such success that early in 1915 the
erection OF the present Methodist church
was commenced. In August, 1s45, the
basement was so far completed as to admit
of services being held therein. In the
spring Of 1916 the entire structure was COM
pleted, and the building was dedicated to
the worship of God by Rev. DR.. Leroy NJ.
Lee. The pastor at this time was Rev.
Thomas w. Jones. After this gentleman
came the following in the order in which they
are placed: Rev. Messrs. Edward Murrell,
Staunton Field, Francis J. Boggs, w. g..
Williams, E. NJ. Peterson, Joseph A. Proc
tor, William G. Cross, Oscar Littleton, Will
seph II. Afniss. OF the above, Messrs.
Boggs and Williams were sent back after
having remained away some years.
Rev. Mr. Amiss was stationed in Man.
chester when the war broke out. His patri-
otto sermon to the Elliott Grays the Sunday
before their departure for Norfolk still has
-, -, kIn IL, a Ill ,t,o
heard him and who loved 1.-The gray" Mr..
Amiss afterwards met the company when
stationed at the Naval Hospital, and was
unremitting in his kindnesses to them.
At the meeting of the Conference in No
vember, 1861, Rev. Mr.. Amiss was succeeded
by Rev. Thomas II. Haynes. This gentleman
supplied the station until November, 1865,
remaining all during the war. The church
membership had now largely increased
The four years Of the war furnish nothing
Of special interest here to be related. The
church and Sabbath school was kept up
and the cause of independence aided in
every way that it could be by both pastor
and congregation.
The first pastor after the war was Rev
William E. Edwards, who came in Novem'
ber, 1865. Since that time the church he:
been supplied by the following ministers
Rev. Messrs. G. G. Pearson, J. Powell Gar.
land, William II. Christian, William G.
Lumpkin, William MCGEE, and George G.
FanderSlice. or the above all remained
two years save Rev. Messrs. Pearson anG
McGee. All Of them were desevedly pop
ular with all classes OF our people, and theil
| names and memories are held in the mos
atfectionate regard. The congregation now
numbers nearly 500 Since the establish
ment OF the church fully 1000 member!
have responded to the final call, and many
have moved to other fields.
? The church is now in q prosperous con
dition, and has flourishing Sabbath schoo
(W. W. Pool, superintendent. Or ths
church OF 1882 only Mrs. Zachariah Hale
and Justice James NJ. Perdue survive. MAY
they long be the last. From but handful
they have seen the church grow in grac,
and increase In strength until it is now
power for good. They await in contidenc,
the Masters call.
A new Methodist church is now in cours
Of erection on Fourth street near Maury
1t will start out with good membership.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
There have always been faithful and zeal
GUS Baptists in Manchester, and there hav
been occasional sermons preached for tn
last fifty years. The number Of goot
churches in Richmond, and the short dis
tance to be travelled to reach them, pre-
vented any organized effort to build
church or to gather together congregation
before about the year 1850 or 1851. TIL
pioneers in this movement were the lat
Mrs. John B. Clopton, George j. Sumner
William L. Holt, and others.
l,nlI 81 4, Il
sonic Hall. Afterwards the congregation
moved to the "Old Slab church, referred
to above. After worshipping here for SOM
years preparations were made to erect
church. The present church was com
menced in 1867, when Rev. Gilbert Masol
was pastor, but it was not until November
1860, that it was fully completed and dedi
Gated by Rev. Drs. Jeter and Burrows.
The pastor who succeeded Mr.. Masol
was Rev. Il. Jeter George. This beloved
and lamented young divine died April, 1858
at the residence Of William L. Holt, Esq.
on Hull street below Fifth, after pastora
charge OF only three months. Mr.. Georg
was succeeded by Rev. (now Dr. William
E. Hatcher June 13, 1858. This gentleman
had charge OF the church during the wa
and for several years after. No congrega
ton ever had an ADLER, more lovable, O
more faithful pastor. His retirement from
his pastoral charge was universally regret
ted, and his loss to his flock almost ire pa
rable. After Mr.. Hatcher left the pulpi
was for time irregularly supplied. Final
Rev. William Ii. Durfey accepted call. Fl
remained but short time, and was sue
ceeded by Rev. James F. Deans.
Mr.. Deans remained some years, and wo
golden opinions for his piety, zeal, and al
fectionate disposition. He has seyeru
times visited his old parishioners, and a
| rars meets with q warm welcome.