Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-24
THE NEW BETHLEHEM CHURCH.
Erected on the Old site in c4arlott. County,
Jts Early Dedication.

Erectcu On the Otu rltc III Spuftottc Soubtys
Its Early Dedication.
HILLANDALE, VA, December IT,
(Speciai.)-A new church has recently
been built near the site Of old Bethle-
hem Presbyterian church, on the bor-
ders of Charlotte and Prince Edward
counties, at a cost OF $500. For ten years
the members of Bethlehem have worked
earnestly and patiently to raise funds
for this object, and 1t Is with great Joy
and wholesome pride that they now be-
hold the beautiful house of God as the
result OF their united labors Of love The
funds were obtained almost entirely
within the membership Of this church,
although some who contributed have
passed away, and others removed from
its boundaries. 1t Is worthy of note that
this church is free OF debt, and has
sufficient funds on hand to supply 1t
with a handsome organ. The dedication
takes place some time near the beginning
of the new year, and will be an inte-
resting occasion. Rev. Mr.. Elder sup
plies the pulpit.
HISTORY.
Bethlehem antedates sixty years. The
West Hanover Presbytery in 1893. at the
request OF several members of Briery,
residing in this vicinity, appointed Rev.
Messrs. Isaac Cochran and j. II. c.
Leach to organize q church at Bethlehem.
The church was dedicated August 3.
1884, and enrolled twenty-nlne members
Ut now has s~eventy-two). Messrs. Wat
kins. Dupuy, and Thomas Jackson were
elected elders. Mr.. Nicholas Edmunds
donated the land.
Rev. Mr. Cochran supplied the pulpit
f.a-. 1901 ...elI 900. n G--.
preached as supply from 1871 to 1878.
His ministry was a success. He was a
popular speaker. and drew large congre-
cations. From 1sis to 1856 Rev. Samuel
J. Price filed tho pulpit, n did efTi-
cient work In the church. Rev. John ID.
Shearer, a ~licentiate and student at the
Union Theological Seminary. filled the
pulpit In 1851. The church was very much
revived by his mlnistry-a number OF
young people made n public profession Of
their faith. The Rev. Henry Sneider. and
the Rev. Sidney Murkland preached du-
ring the years 1859 and 1860. DR.. Thomas
r. Peck for nearly the whole OF 1861
was stated supply. Though earnestly So
licited by the congregation to continue
doing so, he declined, giving as his rea-
son, that Bethlehem needed a pastor"
Through his advice and influence the
first pastor was elected. though the
church had been organized t~wenty-eight
years. the Rev. John II. Davis, the first
pastor, being installed in 1862. and minis
tered faithfully until his removal to
another field Of labor in 1874. He worked
faithfully. The church nearly doubled its
membership during his ministry.
From 1874 to 1877 the pulpit was occu-
pied by seminarians. among whom were
Rev. Messrs. Chester, John c.. Molloy,
McGIlvary. Mcdonald, and others.
Rev. Joseph X. Crews was installed pas
tor in 1877. and resigned in 1884. The
church prospered under his ministry.
Twelve members were added to the roll
just before he resigned his charge.
DIR. j. +. Latimer, who served as sup
ply" for a short time, was installed pas
tor In 1885. The state OF his health was
such he had to resign after preaching
nearly two years. There was always a
large attendance OF his preaching.
Rev. p. C. Clark supplied the pulpit
about one year. when. In 1887. Rev. w. w.
Carson succeeded him. and served till
spring, 1893.