Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-03
ST. JAMES CHURCH.
Celebration OF rho corncr-stone Lay-
ting.

church. and it's members, who have al
ways been known for good acts, have
dwelt together in unity, and their works
and lives have been blessed of God.
Fifty years ago yesterday the corner
stone of the church was laid by Rich
mond Lodge, No. 10, A. +. and A. Nj.
AT that time there were only two Epis-
copal churches in the cty-St. Johns and
the Monumental-and st. James may be
called the child of the latter. The adj
dress on the occasion was delivered by
Rev. Adam Empie, the first pastor Of
the church. DIR. Empie came here from
Schenectady, n. Y. In Wilmington.
n. c., where he was at one time pastor,
he married Miss Wright, who was fifteen
years OF age at the time.
DIR. EMPIE.
or the man il can be said that he WAS
one of the simplest and purest and an
exemplary divine. When he first came
here he taught school for some time, be-
cause his salary from the church in the
beginning was barely sufficient to sup
port himself and family. lie conscien-
tiously punished the boys when they did
not behave themselves, and suffered as
much or more than they did perhaps.
His time for settling accounts was Fri
day evening. Just before the chastise-
ment WAS administered he went out, his
boys used TO think, to say his prayers,
because he seemed 80 much at peace
during the war which followed. But the
bows loved him, and some of the
leading men of Richmond were num-
bered among DR.. Empie's scholars.
Among them were John l.. Williams,
Alfred Williams, Of the Baltimore
american Charles Scott son Of Ro-
bert G.. Scott), United States senator
from California, now Minister to some
foreign country; Rev. Patrick Robert.
Of ST. Louis Judge William II. Lyons,
the gallant Captain William Worth,
William W. Valentine, DIR. Garfield,
and Mann s. Valentine
The Doctor remained pastor for twelve
years, and on account OF i'll health re-
signed. He was succeeded by Rev. DIR.
Cummings, who was quite an orator and
drew large audiences DIR. Cummings
had been a Methodist and after a minis
try OF eighteen months he left 81. James
and became a bishop in the Reformed
Episcopal Church. The third pastor was
Dr. Joshua Peterkin, the present rector
who is beloved by all.
TIE FIRST vEsTRY.
The first vestry was Or. James Beale,
John Williams, q. Pcrsico, and John c.
McCabe.
THE CELEBRATION.
Last night the semi-centennial OF the
cornerstone laying was celebrated with
service in the church, conducted by Rev
DR.. Peterkin, Rev. Preston Nash CHS
assistant), and Rev. Witt Williams.
After the usual prayers, lessons, and
singing, the rector made brief address,
outlining the history OF the church and
referring to the apostle James, for whom
the church was named. He besought his
congregation to sustain the good namelt
had won and deserved. Many nowpres-
ent, ne said, will have passed away by
the next semi-centennial. He hoped
God would bless them one and all.
The service then concluded with
benediction. after which one Of those de-
pleasant informal receptions
for which the st. James people are noted
was held in the lecture-room, where the
young ladies Of the church, in white
muslin caps, served chocolate, coffee,
and light supper. and the venerable DIR.
Peterkin received the good wishes OF his
parishioners.
When the reception was over some vo-
cal and instrumental music was had IN
the church.
DIR. ElPTE's GREAT-GRANDCHILD.
Quite aDrop0s OF the occasion, Just
before the service began last night
Alexander y. Gmgon, Jr., the youngest
preat-grandchild Of DR.. Emple, was
baptized. Young Master Guigon Was
born the 18th Of November, 1887, and
is therefore still babe in arms, and the
old colored nurse who had him in charge
is about ninety years Of age. She was
the nurse Of the child's grandmother
and has attended all the children of the
Empie family. She would never marry
nor accept her freedom because, she
said she loved de chillun too much.
THE ONLY ONE LEFT.
In the congregation last evening was
Mr.. W. ". Winqo seycnty-three years
of age. who plastered the church when
il was first built. The bill was dated
MAY D., 1S3S, and amounted to $l.376.38
for plastering Sl00 for the centre piece
on the ceiling, and go for the tvo caps.
Mr.. Wingo was a vidower at that time.
now he has ms third wife. Mr.. Wineo
saws he is the onlymechanic who worked
on the church now living
st. James church is the mother OF
two healthy chldren-st. Marx s (key
Dr. Daslicll,) and Moore-alemorial
,Rev. DIR. Sprige).
Dr. Pctcrk'ns son, Bishop Peterkin, Of
| West Virginia, was at one time assistant
pastor OK the church.
A very woll-known man ct the time
when the church was first started was
/ Thomas August On one occasion he
was twitted about being pillar in the
church, when he wit.ily answered that
he WIS not q pillar, but sleeper.
THE BEGINNERS.
Among those who were contributors
TO and members OF the church when first
built were hichard Anderson, president
Of branch OF the United states Bank at
one time Beverly Blair, commission
merchant William II. Nacfarlsni prosi-
dent of the Farmers Bank and a lawyer
Robert G.. Scott, lawyer John VII
liams. father of Mr.. John l.. Williams
John H. Strobil, Rauger William vii
liams, book-keeper many years at the
Gallego Mills; T.. r. HGxall, of the
Haxall-Crenshaw Mills G. Persico,
Frenchmau, who taught school
here for number OF years
William P. Shepherd, connected
with the city government; b. ". Lee,
lawyer James Lyons. lawyer, grand
father of Mr.. James Lyons, lawyer, of
this city; James Smell, dry goods mer-
chant down town, the grandfather Of
Mrs. Fitchett, Of this city Francis
Wicker, grocer on the Basin bank
james Il. Gardner, shoe dealer; Hilary
Baker, notary public Cornelius Crew,
a tallow chandler near the Old market !;
Neal McCurdy, grocer Thomas Sam
son, of Burr & Samson. foundrymen
John A. Chevelie, father OF Peter A,