Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1894-02-03
church Rebuilt and ae.oponed.
Reported for the ENrERrR1sE.l

[Reported for the ENTERPRISE.
The Methodist Episcopal Church,
at Onancock, Va, which has been
re built and beautifed at cost OF
SO, 500, was re-opened Sunday, Jan
uary 27th.
Rev. C. A. Hill, who had been in
vited to preach on the occasion, found
the circumstances such that he was
unable to be present, so that the
preaching services of the day fell
upon the pastor, Rev. E. G. Atkins
who occupied the pulpit both morn
ing and night.
The music was exceptionally fine,
the choir being re inforced by repre-
sentatives from the choirs of the va
rious churches of the town.
AT the close of the morning service
the pastor invited the Rev. Z. A.
Leatherbury, q local preacher and
one of the fathers of Onancock Meth
odism, to address the people. For
fifteen minutes this veteran held the
attention of the large congregation
while he recounted the past history
OF the church and congratulated the
'syoung sons Of the prophets" upon
the zeal, energy and self-sacritice
displayed in behalf of the church OF
their fathers. In the course OF his
remarks, he said, that the first Metho-
dist congregation in Onancock wor-
shipped in horse-mill that stood on
the wharf. near the site OF Mayor
Tavlor's barrel factory. Since then,
said the speaker. have seen seven
churches erected in this town, the
M. E. Church, South, the Protestant
Episcopal, Presbyterian and Baptist
churches, with two churches belong
ing to the colored people.
The fact that the Methodist Epis-
copal Church was the fore-runner OF
all the churches in this town and the
first to lift up her standard and erect
a house of worship here, is fact
that many of the younger people did
not know. But while the Methodist
Episcopal Church is in the sense OF
priority the mother of the great
churches that have grown up around
her here, it is gratifying to know
that the children love their old
mother. The spirit of kindness and
liberality displayed toward this work
by the other churches was beautiful
and worthy special notice and COM
mendation.
At the close OF the service the pas
tor stated that of the $4,000 that the
work had cost, but 1926 remained to
be provided for, and after instructing
the collectors not to beg or press any
one, he asked for free will offering,
from the people in the interest OF the
work, and in a few minutes they
cheerfully laid down 1915.
At the close of the evening sermon
the pastor made statement and
asked the audience if they wished to
take any part in the payment of the
remaining $4,000, and they responded
at once by laying on the altar $4,000,
so that through the kindness of the
people more was received than was
asked for.
The audience room, with its new
carpet of oak and gold tints covering
the entire floor; its cathedral stained
glass windows, all twelve of which
are memorials; the antique oak pews'
! circular in form, with their massive
quartered joak ends; the exquisite
pulpit fur iture, made of quartered
oak and upholstered in old plush to
match the carpet and wood work;
the new re Electors; the new recess pull
pit and neatly decorated walls and
ceiling, all combine to make what all
agree is the most beautiful auditorium
on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
While all have helped, and many
sacrifices have been made, and much
credit is due to all who have SO
cheerfully aided in the work, there
is no one individual to whom so much
is due as to Z. J. Winder, whose un-
firing energy and undaunted cour,
age has met all opposition and over
come all obstacles, defied defeat and
brought victory to the front when it
seemed that failure was inevitable.
A grateful people will not soon for
get his devotion to their work.
Leatherbury's Chapel, on this
charge, has BIZ en- rebuilt at a cost OF
S55O.O0, and paid for. Ayres' Chapel
has been re-roofed and otherwise i'm
proved, and extensive improvements
are being planned at that place fol-
the coming year.
Over 100000 have been raised and
expended on church improvements
on the charge this year. THE ark
of God Moves Forward"
---- ---
Medals for Hog ISLAND Life Savers.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-Represen
tative McCreary, of Kentucky, intro
duced in the House today a bill au
thnrizinn John E. Johnson. Sunerin.