Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-08-08
Methodist Centennial at the Old Stone
Church at LGGSDurg.
From the Leesburg (Va.) Washingtonian
July %.

One hundred years ago last Thursday,
the Old Stone Church, Leesburg, was set
apart and cOnsecrated to divine worship,
and has been so used ever since, and 1t
was very meet and proper that Its centen-
NAL should have been celebrated, its his
done, be presented to the descendants OF
those who dedicated it to its holy and
sacred mission. If it's history could be
written, which would record the sermons
the prayers, the petitions, the joys, the
griefs, the hopes and aspirations of those
who have worshiped there, it would be a
record of the experience of the old
churches of ALI christian lands. The
same motives and desires which moved the
hearts of those who,
each on his narrow cell for ever plays
around that venerable temple, have main
ly guided the christian experience OF the
world, and in coming time the same sa-
experience will make up the lives OF those
who will come after us.
Many of the most noted divines of the
NJ. E. Church in this country, have
preached in this church. The venerable
Rev. Mr.. Hersey, who is still remembered
by few Of the older members of our COM
munlty, preached here many years ago, the
RozzellS, John A. Collins and others who
have noted records in the Church have
preached here.
There are many interesting incidents
connected with the early history of the
Church in Virginia. Benefits history
Of Methodism in Virginia, informs us that.
the first Methodist Conference ever held
in Virginia, met at this town May 10th,
177S and eighteen out of the twenty-nine
minister present were sent into the Virginia
field, the large proportion sent to this
State, showed the importance of the work
in this direction. None Of the English
preachers were present at this conference.
The storm of the Revolution had driven
them all from the land, except ASbury,
and he lay in concealment at Judge
Whites in Delaware. William Walters
the Oldest American preacher, acted as
President Catch mentions in his men,
oirs that he reported the Fluvanna Circuit
to the Leesburg Conference, with a MEM
bership of two hundred and fifty. Isham
Tatum, who was for eight years labo-
rious pioneer in the new. and hard fields
of Virginia, deSiSted from travelling in
1881, and at the time of his death, was the |
oldest Methodist preacher in the United
States, if not in the world.
In 1856 Richard Owens and John Fedler
were appointed to the Loudoun circuit
second conference was held here presided |
over by Bishop Asbury.
Mr.. James S. Harris and MI. B. r. Att |
we'll, two Of our Oldest and highly respect
ed citizens, are the Oldest members of the
Methodist Church in Leesburg, Rev. DIR.
Nelson Head, distinguished and leading
member of the M. E. Church, South, join
membership date back to that time are now
living, but have gone to reap their reward
The record of the church shows, that |
among the noble band of christian work
ers hundred years ago in the church here
were James Hamilton and his wife, Emo
ry and his niece, Lydia Nelson, who be-
Littleiohn, Moneby Littlejohn,. Samuel
Murrey, Mrs. FL. Binns, Thos. Edwards,
Fanny Edwards, Mr.. Towner, Fatey Tow
ner. Mary Elliott, Joseph Smyth, S. DOnO-
hoo, j. Donohoo, 7. Edwards, John Wrenn,
S. Donaldson, }. Rose and wife, Jane
McCabe, the sister of James Hamilton,
and Isaac Harris.
lydia Nelson came from South Carolina |
and married Geo. Head. They were the |
grand parents of Rev. DR.. Nelson Head.
The Rev. DIR. Chapman preached in the /
Old Church on Wednesday evening to |
large audience.
On Thursday, the Centennial morning,
the audience assembled in the church to |
hear the centennial sermon from Dr.. Chap
man, whose distinction as an orator is
widely known in his church. Way back
before the war he was the minister in
charge at this church, when he had here |
MANY friends and admirers, most of them
have passed over the river, and many have
gone to other fields for business and pur
suits, and a few yet remain who were glad
to meet him.
'The church presented a beautiful ap-
pearance, The old building for the time
seemed to have forgotten the honors Of her
age, as her decorations present
ed her in the glow and beauty of her youth,
ready to start anew on her holy mission for
another hundred years,
The first service was held at IL O'Clock
M The old temple was vas decorated fIa with
and around the gallery posts, together
with boquets of flowers upon the pulpit
desk. and noted flowers banked within |
the cchancel rails. Upon the walls of the
pulpit recess were the figures in evergreens
i790-199O. Rev. W., ID. Chapman, who |
had been pastor OF hisehqrch 81 years ago,
from the epistle of Jude, ord versesstH e |
should earnestly contend for the faith
once delivered to the saints After which,
the communion was administered, num-
Der of other clergy were present, among
them Rev A. j, Porter, Presiding Elder,
and Rev. D. q. Hedriek, both former pas.
Alexandria. Rev. Samuel Ball and Rev.
MI. Hammersly Among those OF other
churches were Dir. Head Dr.. R. I. Davis
and Dr., Dinwiddie. The choir was COM
posed Of members from the choirs of the
Episcopal, Presbyterian, NJ. p. Church,
South, and Baptist Churches OF this town.
The afternoon service was held at
o'clock, with large audience present.
Rev. W. II. Chapman read from the re.
cords historical review of the Church and
some of it's pastors and members, and was
followed briefly by Rev. DR.. Nelson Head
and Rev. A. j. Porter. The interesting
exercises of the day were then brought to-
a close by singing the long metre doxology
and with the benediction.
Before closing vote of thanks was
given those who had decorated the church,
the choir, DR.. Chapman and all who had
rendered assistance.
And the Cat Disappeared.