Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-03-12
BUENA VISTA.
OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
ITS ORIGIN AND RAPID GRowTH-oTHER
cHURCHEs-sTEADY AND INCREASING DEvEL
OPMENT.


oPMENT.
Correspondence of the SPECTATOR
BUENA VISTA, March 10th, 1890.
We have had cold weather for the last week.
Our tall, Gothic peaks, standing out from the
main Blue Ridge mountains on the eastern
sides of the valleys of the North and South
Rivers are still white on their sides and tops
with glistening snow. The clear sunshine OF
yesterday threw its rays across them and over
the wide plains where Bueua Vista. the repre-
sentative of great material development, is
rapidly rising into the busy scenes that come
with stirring industries and m owing COM
merce. The day was set apart for the inter-
esting occasion of dedicating the new and
handsome Presbyterian church which has been
erected there within comparatively short
while. and the large congregation present
seemed to enjoy the winterish atmosphere as
they assembled from every part of the fast
growing town, from up and down the valleys
and the western hills of the valleys.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
Shortly after the Buena Vista Company was
organized, few Presbyi erians of the vicinity
and of the Lexington church. thinking a
church might be coming organization, pre-
pared the way for chapel and to present the
matter to the ensuing session of Presbytery at
the meeting last May. Mr.. A. T. Barclay, the
President of the Buena Vista Company. sec
onded the movement and went farther in his
views, and proposed church, subscribing one
hundred dollars on his own account, and do
mating on the part of the Company hand
some lot for the purpose The matter came
before Presbytery and the church organization
was sanctioned committee was appointed
of Pastor OF
Mt Carmel Church, Rev. 7. L. Preston d. D..
of the Lexington Church, and Elder F. Off,
of Timber Ridge congregation. The committee
was subsequently enlarged by adding Rev.
H. A. White D. D.. OF Washington Lee Uni
versity, and Mr.. A. P Moore, of Buena Vista.
Mr. Hamilton and Mr.. Moore were very active
In raising funds, and DIR. White took special
charge of the congregation, holding services
regularly, and was occasionally assisted by
other ministers. The funds were soon obtain
ed for q two-thousand-dollar building, and the
contract given in October for its erection to
Messrs. Seay & Wilson. builders, of Buena Wis
ta and in eight months after the effort as
sumed good shape, the money was raised and
a handsome and comfortable wooden build
ing with stone foundation and tin roof and
seating comfortably Gncluding an
end gallery over four hundred persons, at a
net cost of Sl,9Si, all of which has been paid
and the deed to the property aud the key to
the building formally turned over to the Trus-
tees This money was all raised previously.
No collection of any Kind was taken up at
the dedication. The pulpit was furnished and
lamps, &C., supplied by the Ladies' Aid Socie-
ty and all in place before the dedication. Mr..
John T. Mckee. formerly of Falling Spring
Church, sterling citizen and member of
the Legislature from Rock bridge 1Ss7-SS, is
President of the Board of Trustees.
THE DEDICATION.
Participating in the preliminary proceedings
and taking part in the constitution of the
Church under usual forms the previous day.
were Rev. A. 81. Hamilton and Revs. Drs. ii.
White and ]. A. Quar,es, the latter also of
and Lee University, and Elder
william White, of Lexington Church.-all
three OF the ministers participating in the ser
vices before the congregation on the Sabbath
Mr.. Hamilton delivered the sermon from 100
was glad when they said unto me,
Let US go into the house of the Lord" 1t was
an interesting, practical discourse. illumined
in the opening with q sketch of the character
Of the children of Israel when captives In
Babylon. and the fervency and many ex-
pressions of their piety and love for their
Temple, and all it's holy associations. Follow
ing, he came to consider what constitutes the
peace and prosperity of the Church and the
work before the Church now planted at Buena
Vista. The large congregation were truly
gratified and instructed with the discourse
which makes another link in the chain which
binds those people to Mr.. Hamilton as they
think of the leading and quickly successful
work he has been the leader in accomplishing
or them; SO too are their affections warmly
expressed towards DIR. White, who has watched
over and been a pastor and shepherd for the
people and the young congregation as it was
growing into Church organization.
THE MEMBERSHIP.
There are a number of Presby terians at
Buena Vista whose membership has not been
withdra from the Churches as yet at the
places of their former residence, but will be
for the purpose of uniting with the Church
here soon as 1t Is practicable for them to do
so. There were thirty two enrolled members
announced, few Of whom we're upon COMES
sion of faith. Some of the Churches from
which mem hers came were announced as fol-
lows: =
Richmond Stanton, Falling Springs, Beth
soda, Mt, Carmel Timber Ridge, Oxford
-
Ben Salem. Fairfield, Lexipgton-all these in
Virginia, and some from Pennsylvania and
other States.
The congregation agreed to the suggestion
made by Mr.. Hamilton, that. in view of the
increased membership which will soon come
in by transfers, they would now only elect
two Elders and two Deacons. Mr.. ]. P. Trib-
bett, of Rive. side, adjoining Buena Vista. and
Mr.. A. P. Moore, Of Buena Vista. we're made
the Elders. and Messrs. Jno. 7. Mckee and w.
FL. Wolfe, of Buena Vista, were elected the
Deacons. Mr.. Moore much to the regret of the
congregation, said he could not conveniently
serve, and then Mr., c. w. Rubbish was elected
in his stead.
Mr.. Hamilton announced the places giving
the leading smounts to the building fund
Buena Vista was first with over S7G0-then fol.
lowed Lexington. Staunton, Churches of the
Presbytery, Riverside, Lynchourg. &c.
OTHER CHURCHES.
The members of the M. E, Church South
were the first at Buena Vista with completed
edif1ce. 1t is a really handsome chapel. two or
three blocks south of the Presby terian Church.
1t was dedicated some weeks since. The
Methodists there will rapidly grow into full
Church. and it will doubtless soon become
station.
There is considerable fund in hand for
building an Episcopal Church. Mrs. Captain
]. W. Talley, the wife of the excellent mana
ger of the Hotel Buena Vista, is leading the
way in that good work. Colonel E. /. JONES'
OF stanton, who is at Buena Vista managing
large building interests, and winning esteem and
friendship there such as he SO largely enjoys
in Staunton, is assisting Mrs. Talley and 9th er
ladies who have commended the design.
The Baptists, Catholics, and Lutherans are
also feeling their way for Churches.
The Buena Vista Company donates hand
some sites for all Churches and educational
purposes.
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL
The progress in all departments of develop
ment continue to move forward at Buena
Vista. The two building companies organized
in Staunton, along with others, are moving on
well and rapidly. The great furnace and
mammoth paper-mill are approaching com
pletion The WapOn.WOrks and other indus