Evening star., 1898-11-23
RELIC OF AGES PAST
One of the Oldest Church BUILDINGS
in America.
EDlfICE ERECTED IN The YEAR i732
Pew Occupied by King Carter
and His Family.
SITE OF AN OLDEN CHURCH
EDIFICE ERECTED IN THE YEAR i73
SITE OF AN OLDEN CHURCH

Special correspondence of The Evening Star.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. November u. 1898.
What is said to be the quaintest. as
1t is one of the oldest. church buildings
In America was visited by Star corre-
spondent recently. 1t is in Lancaster coun-
~ and is said to have the distinction of be-
ing the only church in this country which
yet remains exactly 1t was in colonial
days. Other colonial churches still stand
ing have been much restored that 1t
is well-nigh impossible to gain from them
an exact idea of what they formerly were.
This old building, know Christ Church,
due probably 10 its inaccessible locat ton and
the consequent withdrawal of its congrega-
tion to other churches, has had no altera
tions whatever made in it excepting those
caused by time. Those it has withstood to
a remarkable degree. owing to its sturdy
and solid construction.
The church was built in the year 1872 on
the site of another. which had been erected
nearly seventy years before. Much of the
same material which had done service in the
first church was used In building the sec
ond The old tombstones, bearing dates of
1869. 1914 etc, Were carefully removed into
it, as was also the vestry book of the par
ish. kept from the year 1854 to 1719. a vol
ume of great value and interest. Recently
the Society for the Preservation of Vir-
the importance of caring for unique
relic and has donated sum to be used In
preserving the building.
Pride of Proprietorship.
The location of the church is so difficult
of access that comparatively few have ever
seen it. 1t is guarded by old colored
man. who lives in shanty across the road
side. He fairly beamed with delight when
The Star correspondent called upon him,
for visitors scarce in this out-of-t -the-way
spot. The church, which he regarded with
the pride OF proprietorship, never fails to
elicit admiration from all. Uncle Tom con-
Quoted the correspondent with much cere
mony into the church, which is built in the
shape of a Greek cross, with four beaut-
ful arches supporting the center and form
ing a lofty dome where the arms of the
cross defect. The pulpit is perched high up
in the air on the side of the northeast arch
way, and to ge: into it one has to perform
the rather difficult feat of climbing mar
row, winding stairway, now in very rick
ETY. condition.
Over the pulpit is quaint sounding
board. and the foot of the stair is the
old-time clerks desk. These and also the
communion table. pews and massive doors
are of solid black walnut, carved by hand.
The pews square, with backs so high
that while sitting or kneeling their occu-
pants are entirely hidden. Small chance
there of stealing a glance at pretty neigh
bors across the way, for as old Uncle Tom
rema rked with a chuckle, There warnt
rothin to do but jest look at the preacher
or take nap.
This preacher. 1t may be mentioned re-
ceived as salary 1900 pounds of tobacco
a year. the custom in Virginia To
raise this. II being state church. the YES
try assessed each man in the county GER
tain amount of tobacco. which he was COM
PEELED Dy law to pay, whether he attended
the church or not.