Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-04-17
THE OLDEST CHURCH.
IL Was Built 100 Years Before Washing.
ton Was born.


About 200 mikes south OF the city O,
Washington, and few miles south OF the
mouth OF the James river. in the ancient
county OF Isle of Wight, in the state OF
Virginia. stands the oldest building erect
ed on this continent by English-speak-
ing people, says the Washington Star. II
is church built entirely OF brick and
called "St. Luke's" and "Old Smith
field Church" while its historic name
is The Brick Church.
For 200 years the house of worship
from time TO time OF the six genera
tions that sleep around IL under the
fine grove of oaks, sycamores, walnuts
and cedars, il resounds with no voice
OF praise or prayer, IL having been
abandoned in the year 1886 a.
church, on account OF most OF the
members having died or moved from
the parish.
This venerable church was built in
the year 1882. 100 years before Wash
ington was born. and only twelve years
after the landing of the pilgrims at
Plymouth Rock. The antiquity of the
church is proven by two deeply-mark-
ed date bricks that came down with tho
east wall in the year 1887. when tho
original top fell in.
The church was erected under the
superintendency Of CAPTAIN Joseph
Bridges, n imam OF affairs in the shire
OF Isle OF Wight at that time, and fin
ished after that substantial fashion in-
tended TO last for ages so that to-day
the massive walls are as strong rs when
first put up.
The church having been abandoned
AS house of worship in 1886. in tho
year 1885 the Rev. David Barr. then
rector of the church at Smithville. Va.
the work of having the old
church put in perfect and complete
order. Since then he has devoted
much time 10 his labor OF love and with
great success. At this time there is
lacking only about 81 600 to finish the
work.
In the restoration OF twelve OF the
small windows composing the east
window, the nave windows and vest-v-
room windows are to be memorials
In the east window will be one each TO
Washington (the only memorial win
dow 10 him in the United States); Lee
Bridges, the builder of the church:
The Rev. Mr.. Hubbard, the colonia!
Darson of the church Cup TO 1902, when
ne dieO; Bishops Madison, Moore.
Meade and Johns. Virginia's four de-
'eased chief PASTORS Sir Walter
Raleigh, Captain John Smith, John
httG Df
Rev. DR.. Blair. founder OF William and
Mary College.
The southeast corner window in the
laVe will be "a memorial OF Pocahontas.
provided principally by her descend
ln,s' and the two opposite ones are
memorials of Parsons Hunt and Whit
aker, first and second chaplains with
'aptain John Smith in the Virginia
olony. Whitaker baptised Pocahop-
as and married her TO Rolfe.
The first roof was put on the church
n 1868, the second in l777, the third
bout 1921, and the present one in
SS7.
he contributions for the work
lore than 400 in number. have come
sums from one cent (the first by
title Virginia girD up to 5000. by
aliiornian, and have been made by
len and poor, the eminent and the
Iwy, white and colored. Episcopa-
ans Roman Catholics, Presbyterians.
lethodlsts, Baptists and Unitarians.
t an early day it is expected that tho
ork will be completed. and the .OlG
rick Church" again open for the ser
ice OF God, as in the days past.