Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-13
THE FIRST MOTHER OF THEN ALL.
Second Oldest Church In Richmond
of Any pSnomination--Iicr Daugh-
tors arovn lp IN Bcnufy of Holt
ncss-Iheir Histories.

In the twenty white Baptist churches
81 Richmond and suburbs there are 300
members. In as mahy. probably more.
colored churches there is a larger aggre-
gate membership Thus the Baptists
number 200o0 IN population o.; 10000.
Their history began in l7St whom the city
was village on CnurCh Hin OF l,SlO ~
habitants (onc-half OF whom were slaves.
designated only the year before as the
seat Of government The foundation of
the Capitol had not yet been laid There
was only one other church in the vii
lage. the parish church OF 81. John.
which was without any resident ctor'
and had service only az long intervals.
The First church was constituted ia liD
with fourteen members. Rev. joshua
Morris was the first pastor Ills nearest
nelghbors in pastoral work were William
Weber Of Dover church who prcac hed
effectively from The windows OF Ches-
1erneld and MiddleseX jails ard Reuben
Ford. OF GOOChiand church. also prom-
nent in the conflicts for religious liberty
In this same year the General Assembly
passed an act authorizing dissenting min
listers 20 celebrate the rites OF mariltse'
allowing them "a fee OF twenty-five
pounds OF tobacco and no more for each
marriage ceremony. and ALSO declaring
all previous marriages by them legal ana
valid. The next year, lisl. Was mamora-
Die i'm the burning ot Richmond by Bone
dict Arnold the battle of Jamcs'own
the surrender Of CORVALLIS az YORK, own.
After q pastorate of six years Rev
John Courtney succeeded Rev Joshua
Morris lie continued Tor thir;y-siN
years aided by and associated with Rev
John Bryce the accomplished and elo-
quent Andrew Broaddus, ana Rev. Henry
Keeling During this pastoratc re"
house OF worship was erected ot he cor
ner Of Broad ana College streets. men
~ 1913 was enlarged by additions On
three sides ana thus became the largest
edihce I'm the town Jnth II WIS torn
down. in 1876 % was the scene Of many
memorable experiences I'm political ana
social as well as religious life. The story
of this IS told in another column
Rev John Kerr became pasto" I'm ls-o.
His ministry excited great interest be-
cause Of his graceful and attractive cra-
tory. The church records show that IN
one year 1881. be baptized J5j persons
and during his passionate OF SIX years
more than 200 were baptized.
After "a pastocate OF Rev. j. r. Hinton
OF three years. Rev. j. Is. Jeter ID ID
became pastor I'm January. 1896 No man
ever attained l2Igei influence or used
st more wisely In the ministry Of Nir-
ginia than ne. Ia lsS t w13 decided 70
separate the white and Colore1 members
OF the church. both having been togciher
us, to this time I'm membership, tEe for
per numbering 3S. the hitter l6O, as
the records show; the white members
d. fr Of
Broad and Twelfth streets. the colored
members remaining in the old house.
Thus began the First African Baptist
church. under the pastoral care o, l'r.
Robert Ryland. who was az the time
president of Richmond College. During
Dr. Jeter's ministry. from 1886 TO 1919 the
present house Of worship. commenced IN
sS3e was finished. the charter for Rich
mond College secured. and the institu-
tion organized and the number Of Bap-
fist churches i'm the city increased - SIX
three white and three colored.
In 1850 Rev. Basil Manly. Jr.. became
pastor and continued for four years pd-
ring his pastorate 100 members were DIS
missed 20 constitute the Lei2h-St:'et
church, and the Richmond Female In
stitute, now the Woman's college. vas
erected and furnished TO become tho
president Of this institution he resigned
ihe pastorate. and made the school the
greatest in the South.
In 1854 Rev. j. l.. Burrows came from
the Broad-Street church. Of Philadelphia,
10 this pastorate It's twenty years COW
cred the sad days of the war. Together,
Rhurch and pastor were ion deadly perl.
phared their scant rations. bore the Gear
Hui privations OF ~ bc-itgel city the
crushing disappoiutments terrible losses.
and unTecordcd horrors of the closing
scenes. On that lurid picture IF desolauon
and woe the evacuation Of the city-that
might OF terror with the thunder %,
military wagons over the stony streets,
the flames of burning bridges and ware
houses the deafcnng detonations of
bursting shells. the black canopy of dense
smoke hanging Ike a pail over the city
she curtain drops. Yet the church was
Ssssscd With many gracious REVEALS.
Or. r. ". Warren succeeded Or Bur
rows and continued in tn. p1storate for
shree and "a half years. lie is loved and
semembered as the beloved John OF the
church ministry.
Rev j =. H8W thoTnc ID. D.. was the
next pastor for four and a half years
The present pastor, Rev. George cooper.
j. H.. has been iu This goCdlv succession
since June 7 1855 lie came 10 the city
IhNIarofrtfg g. ConfI.r..I