Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-01
WANTED BY NEGROES
Old Sycamore" Church May Be Sold
toa COlOred Congregation.
1T Is A HISTORIC STRUCTURE.
Sessions of the House of Delegates
Once Held I'm IL, aud Afterwards
IL Becarae the Home of the Court
of Appeals.
of Appeals.

A very grave question now confronts
property-owners and residents In the
vicinity OF the old Sycamore church.
until very recently occupied as the home
Of the Supreme Court Of Appeals. II
ia whether or not that historic structure
shall be converted into house or wor-
ship for a colored congregation
The property was sold on wednesday
through Messrs. Boswell & Harman' 10
Messrs. Fritz Sitterdin6 and W. Greaher
Neal The consideration was #,Ho Inc
sale comprised the land. the puiidihs
thereon and all permanent fixtures such
as eas-dxtures, while the furniture etc.
was excluded. The lot has frontage OF
seventy feet. and is hundred ana siA-
teen feet deep. Assuming tnat the prcAs
In the old church building are worth wv
tho land mas been sold at the rate Of 80
per front foot
AN OFFER TO BUY.
ebo-,lv after the purchase Messrs. Sit
terdjng and Neal, who mad intenaed !"
change the present building into seNsr@i
fats were offered more than the pul-
cb.se-nrice they paid for the property
hut This they refused. They were ditei
aards called upon by two members Oh
Weu-lxnown negro church OF the D@p.,9'
denomination, who desired 10 p"y ~.
niace They explained that theif preseh.
con,rcgation was very large anu TIC"
a movement was on foot 10 diNiue u s anI
form, a new church. Messrs. sue u'ns
and Neal were not inclined 10 81"
the church people If they can tui" -
property over, at proht, 10 W. -,
sons. They Informed their eoiole '.,.' 80
,o,s that thev should be given an answer
on Tuesday next. s....,,, ohrrct
ro,,, the seventh-strcet Christian chuIch'
90 much opposed TO the transfer OF ths"
o,,, house Of worship 10 coloren peP'',
and the employees at The Capitoi restsi
g., ,bev aid not club in and BUY
themselves.
THE HOUSE NET THERb.
Tho b,iilding in question is one OF lhe
oides, and most historic In the city. inc
ctota purchased IL at the price o. slI.vW
t,,st alter the CAPITOL disaster ana WINE
tho Capitol was being repaired the ses-
stons ~ the House Of Delegates AFTER
that disaster were held for some tiIno I'D
the dining-room of the Ballard House
INT when the state bought the church
the House went to the church. and there
remained some weeks-until It's own Eall
was ready. Subsequently the church was
made ready for the Supreme Court AM
Law Library. and was so used until Z
court few DAYS ago moved Into -
State-Library building.
SOME OF THE PASTORS.
Sycamore" church was for many years
the leading Disciples (or Chrstian) church
in the city. At the time of It's removal
TO the corner OF Seventh and Grace streets
there were about 400 persons in he con-
gregatiOn. The pastors of the church were
among the most eminent divines OF their
DAYS. One Of Sycamore" church's first
preachers was Rev. W. J. Pettigrew
great scholar and a man Of literary tastes
and who went from Richmond 10 Boston
to edit a religious magazine. Mr.. Petit
grew was succeeded at the old Sycamore
by Rev. Or. W. II. HOpson, a remarkable
preacher. Rev. Alexander Campbell was
heard in this church many years ago
Among the oldest members OF that con-
gregation now residing here are Colonel
John B. c ny. Sergeant r. n. Thomas.
and ". H. Clemmitt