Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-11
REPAIR THE CHURCH.
OLD CHRIST CHURCH. IN Lam
CASTER, TO DE IMPROVED.
ONLY COLONIAL EDIFICE UNCHANGED
No Other Building I'm .Vfrgini" SO
Faithfully Represents the Ola
Style of Sacred Archftecture-"or
of the A. II. v. A.

At the quarterly meeting OF the Board
OF Managers OF the Association Tor the
Preservation Of Virginia Antiquities, held
last week, important action was taken
on a subject which has been for some
time under consideration
Christ church. Lancaster county, was
not only one OF the best OF the Colonial
churches, but it is the only one which
has been preserved without alterations
in the interior, except those caused by
time and decay. Originally built by
Robert c'King'D Carter, Of Corotoman,
as a gift to the parish. it was completed
in 1872, and apparently retains the same
appearance as when first occupied-that
is. the arrangement Of pulpit pews, &C., is
the same. The church is a large cruel
form brick building, surrounded by green
sward and fine trees. In the Interior the
stone tagging of the aisles, the high pull
pit sounding-board and clerks desk
and large high pews are intact. Three
of the pews are very large, having seats
around four sides. One Of these pews was
servants. and the third for the magis-
trates and Sheriff. Around the top OF the
Carter pew are to be seen nails when
once fastened a curtain. AS has been
said. this is the only Colonial church
which has remained unaltered. and it Is
of exceeding interest in showing the ar
rangement Of the buildings in which our
forefathers worshpped.
AN INTERESTING RELIC.
This church is one Of the most interest
ing relics of the past in Virginia, but
it has beer for some time apparent that
unless something was speedily done 10
preserve it this priceless marvel of an Old
ecclesiastical architecture would soon be-
come a thing altogether Of the past. It's
remote situation and the withdrawal OF
its congregation TO other places, which
has fortunately kept off the hands or
the "restorer." has at the same time
been fruitful cause Of ruin. The parish
was Door and without the means TO re
store a building in which services would
be rarely held. so gradually time and
weather and visiting vandais nave been
working with sad effect on the old church
The roof leaks, and needs reshingling en-
tirely. the shutters have been broken
away. and most Of the glass has been
broken from the windows by pieces Of
brick or fragments of stone thrown
by persons passing. thus admit
ting the rain; the creed and
commandments in the chancel have
been torn from their frames, and
the winding steps leading to the high
pulpit have become unsafe to ascend.
Near the church wall are heaps of broken
marble, which once composed the tombs
of the Carters-that of Robert Carter hav-
ing been apparently one of the largest
and most costly in Virginia. Many OF
these pieces bear fragments of the arms
of the families of Carter, Ludlow, &c.
For some time past the rector of Ian
caster parish has employed a negro man,
who lives near the church, to look after
IT, but he can do little TO prevent wilful
injury. and nothing TO repair decay.
BROUGHT BEFORE THE A. p. V. a.
Some time since the condition Of this
church was brought before the Associa-
ton for the Preservation OF Virginia An
tiquities and they at once recognized It's
preservation as one of the most worthy
objects they could labor for. The fact
that every other Colonial church has been
more anxious to do something that would
preserve from further injury this most
interesting building.
Correspondence was begun with Rev.
r. p. Bumer, the rector Of Lancaster
parish. who has charge Of Christ church;
members OF the association who had visit
ed the church were consulted, and Mr..
Bumen asked to get estimates of work
needed for repairs. These estimates were
received a few days since. and after due
consideration and discussion The Board
of Managers donated 800 for this work,
primarily for putting new roof on, the
condition being made that In no respect
shall the church ever be altered or
modernized. II is understood that Mr..
Rumeu and his friends in Lancaster have
already about 500, which has been sub
scribed for repairs, and II will be sug-
gested that this be used. together with
that given by the association, to make
other essential repairs-glazing, shutters,
doors &c. or for a fence around the
churchyard No doubt when this impor-
tant work Is done. contributions from
other sources will come in ample to do
what may be necessary TO restore the
interior to good condition.
DESIGN OF THE ROOF.
The roof is a very striking part. Of the
building, which will, OF course, remain
unaltered. From the corners. where the
cross sections meet the body of the
church. arches spring diagonally across,
forming a dome-like appearance over the
centre, where the aisles cross. Just at
this crossing, let into the stone floor. is a
tomb to the memory of David Miles,
who died in 1914. In the chancel is the
conundrum- like epitaph Of 'Jeb. 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 in Vir-
ginla of equal age and interest. When
one steps through the door into the
eighteenth century interior, very COM
monty the first expression heard is,
"Why, | did not KNOW there was any
thing ike this left in Virginia"
The Association for the Preservation of
Virginia Antiquities deserve the highest
praise for their good work, and 1t is
hoped others will come forward and help
in the completion of the needed repairs.