The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-11
A. P. Y. AS GOOD WORK.
oREP1iRCHrIsT CBURCH INLAN-
CAsTEK COUATf.
The Prioele,, Survivor of Old Ecolesiasu-
cal Architecture Rescued From sp'cA"
ing Decay by This Organization


At the quarterly meeting OF the bo~iu
OF Maragers OF the Association LOT '"'
Preservation Of Virginia Antiquities Oh
Tuesday last important action Was '@Ne"
on d subject which has been under So"-
s.dcraton.
Christ Church, Lancaster county was
not only one OF the best Of the Coiohia'
churches but ~ Is the only one "A-~"
has been preserved without alterations lh
the interior except those caused by TIME
and decay originally built by Robert
tklng) Carter, Of CorOtoman, As a GIT 10
the parish. IT was completed IN li52. ana
apparently retains the same appearance
as when first occupied; that is, the &F-
angemcnt OF pulpit pews, etc, are the
same. Tho church is a large crucltorm
hfick building. surrounded by ereensward
and fine trees. In the interior the stone
tagging OF the aisles. the high DulDt
sounding board and clerks desk, and
large high pews are intact. Three OF the
pcws are very large, having seats around
four sides. one Of these pews was for the
Carter family. another for their servants.
and the third for the magistrates ana
sheriff Around the top Of the Carter pew
are to be seen nails which once fastened
curtain. As has been said this IS the only
Colonial church which has remained I'M
altered, and il is OF exceeding interest IN
showing the arrangement Of the build
ings in which our forefathers worshippet.
RESCUED N TIME.
The church is one OF the most interest
ing relics Of the past In Virginia. but II
has been for some time apparent that
unless something was speedily done 10
preserve 10 this priceless survival OF an
old ecclesiastical architecture would soon
become thing altogether OF the past
lis remote situation and the withdrawal
Of us congrfpation TO other places which
has fortunately kept on the hands OF the
..'restorer" has AT the same time been a
fri'tful cause Of ruin. The parish was
POOR and without the means 70 restore
a building in which services would De
rarely Fed: so gradually time and weather
and visiting vandals have been workrg
with sad effect on the old church. The
roof leaks and needs re-shingling entirely.
The shutters have been taken away, ana
most Of the glass has been broken from
the Windows by pieces Of brick or frag-
ments Of stone thrown by persons passing
thus admitting the rain. the creed and
commandments in the chance have been
torn from their frames and the winding
steps leading 10 tho high pulpit have be-
wall are heaps OF broken marble which
once composed the tomhs OF the Carriers.
that OF Robert Carter having been appar-
emily one ~ the largest and most costly.
Very many q these bear fragments OF
the arms OF the family Of Carter, Lud-
low, etc.
THE a. =. Y. A. ACTS.
For some time past the rector OF Lam
caster parish has employed a negro man
who lives near the church 10 look after
30. but ne can DO but little 10 prevent will
ful injury and nothing 10 repair decay
Some time since the condition Of this
church was brought before the \. F. V.
A., and they ~ once recognized IT'S pre-
servation as one Of the most worthy OBJ
jccts they could labor for The fact ttat
every other Colonial church has been
greatly altered made the association more
anxious 10 do something that would pre-
serve from further injury this most in
tcrcsting building. Correspondence was
begun with Rev. j.. y. Burwel. the rec
tor of Lancaster parish who has charge
of Christ church. Members OF the 8ssO-
citation who had visited the church were
consulted and Mr.. Burwell asked 10 get
estimates Of work needed for repairs.
These estimates were received a few days
ago and after due consideration and dis
cussion tho Board Of Managers donated
$500 for this work primarily. for putting
new roof. the condition being made that IN
no respect shall the church ever be al
tered or modesnized. Ii is understood
that Mr.. Burweil and his friends IN Lam
caster have already about 500 which has
been subscribed for repairs. and 30 will
he suggested at this be used together
with that 81 n by the association. 20
make other e. entail repairs, glazing
81.
around the church yard
TO RESTORE THE INTERIOR
No doubt when this important work Is
done contributions from other sources
will come in ample TO do what may be
necessary To restore the interior 90 good
condition. They wish 10 see IL kept IN
perfect order as a. true example of the
Colonial church. The roof is very strik-
ing part Of the building, which will. Of
course. remain uualtcred From the COR
ucrs where the cross sections meet the
body Of the church arches spring diagO-
nally across forming a dome-lke app
pearance over the centre. where the aisies
cross. Just at the crossing let into the
stone floor IS a tomb 10 the memory OF
David Miles. who died in 1914. IN tho
chancol is the COMMUNICABLE epitaph OF
Job Carter ESQ.," who died in 1863. The
conundrum is how many wives are
named. This like the other tomb was in
an older church. There is perhaps no
building I'm Virginia OF equal age and
interest. When one steps through the
door into the eightcenth-century interior
very commonly the first expression heard
is "Why. l did not know there was any
thing like this left in Virginia"
Among the many worthy acts Of pa
tr.otism on the part OF the y. +. V. A.
this will stand conspicuous. and the or
ganization Will receive its fun need OF
praise from those who love Virginia and