The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-08

orous intellect, the church did not prosper
under his care, ands in 1899 the full mem
bersnip was only seventy-eight But in
1872 the church began 10 Improve. ana
more than one hundred persons were add
ed to its membership.
Dr. Thomas was succeeded by Elder
IIenshall. and he in turn gave place TO
Elder Pettigrew. Next came Elder Hop
son. who was succeeded by Elder Arnold
Next Elder Dearborn took the helm, and
II was under his faithful pastorate that
the church grew and fiourished and in
October. 1872. decided to build the splendid
edifice which now stands at the corner
the seventh-street christian church.
BOUGHT BY THE STATE.
For thrty-eght years, or until 1870,
the Disciples used this building as "a
house of worship. when, Just after the
Capitol disaster. IL was sold 10 the state
for $1,000. and the House of Delegates
met there until their own hall was in
readiness for use.
The old church then stood vacant for
short time, when II was prepared Tor the
Supreme Court and Law Library, which
has had quarters there until short
time ago, when IL was removed 20 the
new Library builuing.
COLORED PEOPLE WANTED IT.
After the sale of the property TO Messrs
Neal and Sitterding an attempt was made
by representatives of "A large cOlOrcd con-
eregation TO buy the building Tor the
use of their people. but the purchasers
soon became known, and great opposition
was expressed. especially 10y the Disci-
pies. to the old church being occupied by
"A colored congregation, and IN order To
provide against the possibility Of such
"A thing offer was made by Messrs
G. IL. and +. T. Sutton and l.. {. jenkins,
which was accepted
Richmond's population I'm 1870 was 16,-
go. and ten years later. in 1910. II was
20 lJS. IL could scarcely have been more
than 1900 IN 1852. There were no street
lamps then. and the only hight for the
streets was In the shops and stores, ana,
lanterns In the hands of the watchmen.
There was no gas in the streets untn
February. 1851. The Capitol Sqgare was
existent only in natures simplicity IN
woods. hills. and cliffs.
As public cemeteries there were only
81. Johns bury,rs ground and the Shoe
koe Hin Cemetery. Hollywood ground
was not bought until June, 1SAi.
There were In many portions or the
city private buriels of the dead In gar
dens. Railroads had not reached US nor
had We any system of water supply, de-
pendence being upon wells and springs
IL was quite "a coincidence that water
from the city works was turned on in
the month In which Sycamore church was
organized. There were three Richmond
secular newspapers. the Enquirer, the
Whig and Compiler. The Religious Her
aid was then published and Just after
wards came the Christian Sentinel, since
the Christian Advocate.
OID-TIME CHURCHES.
The church survey showed only two
FpIscopai churches. ST Johns and the
Monumental of which Bishop Moore was
then rector. There were two Presbyterian
churches The Methodists were then
meeting in church at Nineteenth and
Franklin streets. and In 1886 they butt
Trinity church. Franklin street below the
Exchange. Hotel. afterwards turned into
q variety theatre. one of the freshy-
terrain churches In Franklin street near
Governor was Afterwards MetoDolitan
Hall The Nethcdists had another church
called Shockoe Hill church. on Marshall
street between Fourth and tlfth. Ihe.e
was a Friends meeting house on lower
Cary street and the Catholics had not
built the ~ Peters cathedral, holding
services ut Fourth and Marshall streets
where the St Josephs orphan Asylum
nov f. The Baptist churches were here,
The First at Broad and College streets.
and the Second Eleventh street, be-
tween Main and and Cary.