The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-05-04
An ANCIENT CONGREGATION
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
At ALEXANDRIA.

Interesting History of the structure Life
Of the sturdy scosch-Irish People of
Century md More Ago In Virginia
Scene In "a Crave-yard.
ALEXANDRIA,, VA, May Especial. f.
Although the old Presbyterian Church al
Alexandra is not so widely known or so
much appreciated from historical point OF
view as the old Episcopal Christi Church,
there is considerable interest manifested in
It's history and work, which covers about
the same period.
Prcsbytcrianism in that section of the
State began round about Belle Haven, as
Alexandria was called in the middle Of The
last century, for many Scotch, English and
Irish protcstants inhabited that locality.
They worshppcd together sometime prior
10 asking the Governors council for a char
ter under the federation act. They got the
charter in 100. and for some years worship |
ned I'm the town hail, a little building IN the
market-placc, which is mentioned IN many
ofthc biographies Of the Father OF ms conn
try. This little building was built by ana 81
n lottery, and was used for many purposes
REV. DAVID THORN.
Rev. David Thorn, a ScOichman, led ana
preached 20 these people many years; ana
when the Episcopaiians began 10 'aiA .,
erecting house Of worship they followed
nattern and before John Carlyle finished the
Episcopal church the Presbyterian meet
ing house" was under contract. Dr.
Thorn's son, " lillian. was prepared Tor the
pastoraie Of the new church, and was
formally installed by the synod Of Philadci-
phia. meeting at Carlisle IN l.i2. lie was
curator Of the property. which consisted o.
four building lots running through from
Fairfax 10 ROYAL streets near Wolfe. one-
half on the west was set aside for parson-
age for the EpiscOpalians had rectofy
and The church.a little square brick building
with conical roof surmounted by cupoid
or belfry. was placed near Fairfax s'Ice'
i'm the middle of lot 10 be- used as Il bury
ing ground II faced the south, and was,
jt's said. built Of the same brick a. used by
the Tpiscopalians and John Mason in build
Ing Gunston Hall. They are little square
bats partly glazed; some hold that they were
imported from Holland.
SUCCESSIVE PASTORS.
MIR Thorn died. and was succeeded 10y
Parson Keith. who came from New jersey
in l-SO. Rev. James Muir, a Scotchman,
whose father WAS a cO-wOrker of the famous
DIR. WithCrspOen. succeeded MT. helth IN
17sg. lie was man of scholarly attain
ments, and became very popular rs
townsmau being one of the leading lights
of the Masonic fraternity in this section.
IL was during his pastorate that there was
some dissatisfaction among the congrega-
fiOn. and i'm 1917 the second church was
formed. with siXty-thrce members, under
Rev. Wells Andrews, Of the Virginia
synod.
Rev. Elias Harrison. of East Orange. y.
j.. from the Princeton Seminary, came 10
assist DR.. Muir. and in 1870 succeeded L.
the pastorate Dr. Harrison labOred until
his death. i'm 1853. the pastorate of these two
men running through nearly three-quariers
of a century an instance almost without "a
parallel.
DESTROYED BY FIRE.
During the pastorate Of DR.. Harrison the
old church was DESTROYED by fire, and the
present edifice erected on the lot the year
following IL was in July, lSj1, says an
old inhabiilnt. on a sunday afternoon, amer
three DAYS of the hottest weather ever
known. II was struck by a thunderbolt ana
bred. No body could get To i until the storm
abated. and then with darkened skies over
head crowds gathered in the open space
around IT, and pOWerless. watched for the
flame. to burst out from the roof. W hcn lhc
flames burst out near the top aud began 10
lick around the belfry, the intens" suspense
was broken by some enc. who eNcldim; the
bell, the bell! the bell',, and then strong
men became weak. and women wrling theii
hands. and children cried. for. speaking oil
il in iis issue Of Tuesday. following, (JulN.
~ lSlj the Gazette saws: "NOi In" least
mart of the loss sustained by the
fSwn i'm this melancholy disaster, was
that Of the bell. Its mourniu and
lingering notes were familiar 10 all
our Inhabitants, and there was sadness
ard a sweetness in its sound which every
child would recognize as the sound Of the
church going bell. - strong was the leel-
ing aroused by this appendage OF the veneer
able building that We understand thal
while the fire WAC ravaging 1t. save the bell.
save the bellv was the universal cry Of
those who from their childhood were wont
fD hail its notes a. the summons 10 divine
worship. II was not the mere loss OF bell.
but such bell. that was so generally de-
plOred: its simple sounds, perhaps, asso-
ciated themselves IN the-ln the-eaiheNl
cherished rccollectiOns."
since the war the church has not been
very prosperous il adhering TO the Northern
Assembly. Messrs. ANtell. MacGtee,
O'Brien, Green following DR.. Harrison, a.
pastors. and in 1874 a split occurred IN The
second church and DIR. I'D. Bullock brought
his friend, down 20 the first meeting under
the name Of IT Mon and connecting itself
with the Maryland Presbytery. DIR. Bul-
locks pastOrate expired in 1850. and IN iNN6
Rev. Jas. VI. NOurse. now of Elizabeth.
Nj. was called as regular pastor. He re-
signed last wear. The second congregation
having wOrshipped here several months dur
;ng the rebuilding Of their house bringing
the denomination together for the first time IN
about fhree-scOre years. II was concluded 10
close up the old church down town for
while and worship with them.
rnR OLD CHURCH CLOSED.
This proposition has been fruitful. The
old church j. now closed up. II Il brick
huildine Of about lO0X1j feet, Two stories,
-nitb a tower and belfry back, a burllng-
Ground. with old tOmb-stOnes running back
Ia the other seventies, l. on either
side. and large granite portico eN-
tends i'm front, and on each side ihere
il "A heavy iron fence. 1t Is a s0id'
substantial old building, and merits more
dine than il gets. The interior seats about
,hree hundred and fifty. 1t has spacious
yestibuleand upstairs galleries run around
each side The large organ Is behind the
,ulnit The pews are of mahogany, sub
stantial and comfortable, and IN the walls
,rc memorials Ia Drs. Harrison and Muir.
and 10 Mr. Robert Bell, for flty-odd years a
promineuf member and officer OF the con-
rregatOn. 10 has no peer as chufch I'D
The fNMn. i'Aih'i i'''NtN' ~
down there TO recall bygOne days. They no
longer get within, but 20 and slt on the
,ombs. now fast crumbling and falling pros
trate under shadow OF the great willow lhat
stands a sentinel over the whole.
am told an incident by youth who lived
adjoining this place. one hot afternoon
during the summer he saw an old lady III
the graveyard near the corner OF the beliry
scratching around a. ifendeayOring TO trace
something. lie finally went TO offer any as
sistance he might be able 70 give. She was
rather a robust woman with white hair lali-
ing in curls upon her shoulders ana her lace
be saws. was the handsOmest his eyes ever
met. When be advanced she Strengthened
herself up and smiled.
perhaps may be able 10 assist YOU,
said he, "lQu are very good, she salu' 40
M, think YOU can. / am trying 10 find
trace of my mothers grave. But one grave
has been dug there in the last seyenty-hNe
wears" Thought he,l reckon SO too. 81 was
hut mere bit Of a child when my mother
-. .atI after "a pallSg. t+llt |