Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-03


embedded. but 20 lay low the church
home, TO leave not one stone upon am
other, spares in its suggestions not even
the most c3llOus mind.
For fifty years the staunch walls of
the church have sheltered the heads OF
Gods Worshipp,rs. and of saint and SIM
Ter alike. while IT'S sacred atmosphere
has been at each breath like sweet in
ccnse TO tie soul.
For fifty years frs gray spire has point
ed the passer-hy TO the heavenward way.
Within that period many able divines
have stood before the sacred altar and
sent up prayers for the people, that they
might not turn away from their first
love. and with pure, white hands have
they portioned out TO each his daily
spiritual food. Some are now living, and
since they have gone out from its fold
their names have become household
words I'm many homes Some look back
now with "a smile % the briGht morn
ing. when. with trembling hands and
faltcring lips. they told the simple mes
sage Some of these have become strong
men now in the Christian battlc-lfc.
But others have laid aside the armor
and their sympathies aud affections have
widened Tin earth became too small anl
they have gone to be partakers Of the
fuller life
Before the altar thousands Of young
lives have made resolves for a. better
life. Scarcely without the shadow Of its
spire are men and women whose hair
becoming white upon their temples,
whose checks are thinner now, who re-
member that morning very Well whom
they claspcd hands within its walls. and
pliehted their troths "for better or
worse tin death. AS The days have
heightened into months and the months
multiplied into years. children have come
10 gladden. their homes. and have grown
up and gone forth to fight the battle Of
life. in the same sacred pile the last
sad offices of the Church have been re-
cited over the bodies of her dead children.
SKETCH OF CENTRAL CHURCH.
Central church is an outcome of the
Ola Plank church. which stands q monu-
ment Of the eighteenth century, on Perry
and Tenth streets.
When the ola Plank church was or
eanized there was no other church I'm
existence in Manchester but the Episco-
palian About twelve or fifteen Metho-
dists in Manchcstcr got together and or
ganized az members of the Methodist
Church. These few purchased "a house
on tho corner Of Tenth ard Perry streets,
and worshippcd there together.
When the old Plank church was
abandoned. I'm 1876. the property was sold,
and the congregation Transferred their
place Of worship 20 Central church, ON
Ninth street between Lun and Decatur
IT. Leroy Lee was largely instrumcr I'd
in having this church built for the cone
eregation OF the Old Plank church. Tie
appointed a committee TO look into tho
matter Of building q now church and
at a meeting of the congregation Dee made
q motion to this effect: 81 move that we
decide to have % ncw church re Iut
the motion himself and 10 was carried.
Then he said. 81 viii make another
notion II / can get anybody 20 second
g." and he added. 81 move chat We VIII
have new church" This motion was
likewise carried, and with such a unani-
nity OF feeling that 10 was not
lorg before the new church was built.
Itv. THOMAS Jones becoming the frs.
vartor
IN This occr--ed frey years ago, and