Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-07
The Church to Celebrate Its Sesqui-
Centennial on Wednesday.
THE OLD HENRICO PARISH.
Interesting Facts About Its Formation
and Early History,
EXERCISES OF THE DAY.
Impressive Morning and Evening Ser
vices-The Colonial Congregation
and Some OF Their Rectors.

most historic IA well as most ancient
houses of worship In our land, will cele-
brats It's sesQui-centennial on Wednesday
next.
There will be services at II A. NJ. and
Pm, both in keeping with the impor-
lance of the occasion in honor of which
they are held.
A handsome programme is being gotten
up with a new cut Of the church printed
on the first page. This is intended as
souvenir Of the anniversary.
Bishop White will preside over the ex-
ercises In the morning. The bishops and
other clergy and the yestries Of all the
churches in Henrico parish and Manches-
ter will enter in procession as at the con-
secration of churches. the clergy all being
IA their surplices and the bishops in their
robes There will be morning prayer,
with special psalms and prayers appropri-
etc 90 the occasion.
Bishop Randolph will preach sermon
reviewing the parochial history of Hem
rico, and particularly the history Of st.
Johns church.
II has been determined by the vestry TO
have an offertory at both services. the pro-
ceeds of which will be devoted TO the mis-
sion work in Weddell- Memorial chapel,
which is the youngest daughter OF old 81.
Johns in the large family of Henrico
parish.
hon, ". W. HENRY TO DELIVER AN ADDRESS.
In the evening after brief religious exer-
cises, Hon. w. w. Henry will deliver an
address in which he viii particularly deal
with the connection of St. Johns church
with the civil history Of our country
through the Virginia Convention that was
held there in 1875.
AS Bishop Randolph has ancestors
through many generations in tho history
OF 81, Johu's, and as Mr.. Henry is a grand
son Of Patrick Henry. who helped to make
the church famous by his speech, Give
me liberty or give me DEATH" both these
speakers will be especially interested in
this occasion in n personal way.
The music will be simple, the tunes for
both chants and hymns will be OLD and
familiar. The service will be printed in
full. SO that the whole congregation may
take part.
THE BRASS ANGEL-LLCTERN.
The brass angel-lectern has arrived and
is as beautiful as it was promised to be:
II will not be generally seen until
IL is placed in position and used
for the first time on Wednesday.
1t il thank-ofering from the con-
eregation to commemorate the 150th
anniversary of the building of their church.
The public at large 10 expected TO attend.
No special invitations have been issued eX--
congregations of the Episcopal churches OF
this parish and Manchester. Because of
the fact that st. Johns was Colonial
. church and because OF peculiar relations at
present subsistine between 1T and the city
an invitation has been sent to the Cover
nor, including the other state oineers' ana
TO the Mayor, including the other city
officers. Invitations were also sent TO
both branches of the Council.
Interesting History of Old ST. Johns.
st. Johns church is probably invested
with q greater degree Of interest than any
other Of the older sanctuaries in the
United States of the Colonial era, not only
locally. but IN appealing points OF general
history.
II was erected. it may be positively
assumed. upon an Indian settlement. Its
site is within hailing distance OF one OF the
most sanguinary encounters with the
sayages of Colonial DAYS. 1t overlooks not
only On early settlement, but also the
accredited residence of Powhatan. Prior
TO the building of the church there appears
10 have been q meeting-hous at Curle's
and q chapel OF Williamson's, higher up in
Henrico county, at point which has not
been definitely determined.
Henrico parish itself was comprehensive
in incidents of historic importance. 1t
comprised within its limits the second set
Element made in the colony-the town of
Henricopolis afterwards contracted TO
Henrico), which was founded by Sir
Thomas Dale, at the head of $50 settlers, in
the early part OF the month OF september,
1911. Ii received its name in honor OF
Prince Henry, the eldest son Of James l.,
and was built upon that peninsula upon
James river which is formed by an extra
ordinary curve in its course resem bling
that Of horseshoe-the river, after a
sweep of seven miles, returning to point
within 100 yards of it's deviation.
The two churches heretofore alluded to
being insufficient for the religious services
Of the parish, charge at an intermediate
point became desirable. At q meeting of
the vestry of the parish held December 20,
1879, the church was directed to be located
upon the lands of William Byrd. This
William Byrd was the second and more
famous in name Of the family who founded
the city of Richmond.
SMALL CHURCH.
The dimensions Of the edifce were TO be
Is feet in breadth by 60 feet IN length, with
pitch Of IA feet Richard Randolph, who
was the son of the emigrant founder of the
distinguished family of the name, con-
tracted to build 1t at cost of f3l7. los.
current money, agreeing TO complete 1t by
the 10th of June, 174i.
On the 18th of October, I740, q letter of
William Byrd, dated the 18th, proposes to
give two lots in the town of Richmond
(which had been LAID of in the month Of
April, 1887, preceding) as a site for the
church. Being considered it was agreed
definitely TO accept his offer and to erect
the church upon the hill called Indian
Town at Richmond agreeable to the former
contract with Richard Randolph.
TEE SEAT OF A "sETrLEMENT."
In excavations incident upon improve
ments in the vicinity of the church in recent
Iaat, o1aarlxr % oil
that the hill called Indian Town was I'M
doubtedly a settlement for a considerable
period Of time.
In Digging the foundations for st. Pat
rick's church, which fronts st. Johns on
the east, several graves were opened, in
which were found Indian implements and
utensils. About two years ago the City
Engineer in making improvements TO the
cemetery grounds had occasion to remove
large and decayed old oak. Beneath its
trunk and within its roots was found a
skeleton which was evidently that OF an
eborigine.
THE FIRST RECTOR OF THE PARISH.
The first rector of the parish of whom
there is preserved record was the Rev.
James Keith, who presided at q meeting of
the yestry held October 20. 1880, at Curtis
church. 1t is Of interest TO know that the
pastor, who served acceptably later in
OF Chief-Justice Marshall.
Mr.. Keith resigned the rectorship 0cto-
Der ~, 1888. The parish was supplied for
time as follows;
The ycstry agree that Mr.. Zach. Brook
do preach day ia every 9Th week at the
falls Chapel aud Mr.. David Mossom every
9Th Sunday at the church, for which they
are 10 be Allowed 400 pounds Of tob'o p.
Sermon"
IRE PREACHER WHO MARRIED WARRINGTON.
II mAy be concluded that tho Chapel"
was the edihce before alluded 10 at VII
liamson's. and the Church" that at
curie's. Mr." David Mossom was a
character invested with peculiar historic
interest. He was the divine who Joined
in holy wedlock at 81. Peters church. New
Kent county, in 1859 the returning and
laurel-crowned hero Of the French and
Indian war, now reyerently known as the
Father Of HIS Country and the fair
and youthful Widow Gusts, nee Dan
dridge-a union fraught with great happi-
ness TO the parties concerned and with the