The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-01
LAUREL-S STREET
CELEBRATION
IFS RISE AND GREAT PROGRESS.
fiftieth Anniversary Of IT Church to
be Marked.
The Celebration is To &c an Event in
Religious Work in Richmond.
History of the Church Since Its
Organization.

nent church WoTker VIII TAKE pHlt.
TIE occasion will be a notable one. and
VIII be an event in the history of Meth
odism in this city.
L~aurel-Street church is one Of the most
influential churches in the city. and is
one Of the pioneer churches. from which
nave r Asbury Methodist and Ep-
worth church. two strong churches in
themselves.
OREGON CHURCH
The original name OF the church was
the Oregon Method. st. Aftcrward, when
the congregation grew too large for the
building. d new site was secured ahd ths
present commodious church erected.
The oregon Methodist church was the
outcome of Centenary Methodist church,
under the pastorate Of Rev. II. Is. Cowies.
Oregon was situated on Church street,
between MAIDEN Lane and Rose. 1t was
a brick structure.
Before his church several Of the church
workers from Centenary held an after
noon Sunday School in a frame dwell
ing on the corner Of Church and Maiden
Lane streets. This was in the earES part
OF 1919.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Sunday School was organized on
October l4th. 1919, on a rainy day, with
very few present. In a very few Sun
days the membership was fifty. with Wat
kins Taylor superintendent; w. 7. Penn
berton. secretary. The church was dedi-
Gated during that month by Rev. II. b.
Cowles. The Sunday school and church
continued 10 grow in numbers and use
fuihess.
In 1850 It was set apart as a regular
station, and Rev. John j. Clarke, now
Nving in Charlottesville. was its pastor.
Il then had e~ighty-two members. Mr..
CIaI\ served this church two years.
Among the list Of preachers who after
wards served this church were men who.
in later years. were prominent figures In
the Virginia Conference. The church con-
tinued TO grow under these faithful men
OF God.
Perhaps the best work accomplished at
old Oregon was by Rev. George NJ.
Wright. He was sent to this church In
1870, and remained four years-the time
limited 10 preachers. During his minis
try the work in the Sunday School and
church was slgnally successful. Many
scholars were added TO the school and
church. He was pastor, Sunday School
superintendent, teacher, and, In fact, took
part in every enterprise of the church.
During his ministry of four years a
revival Of religion swept over this church
and community. and about 200 souls unit
ed with the church.
VAST PROPORTIONS.
Before leaving. in 1873, the church and
Sunday School had grown TO vast pro-
portions. The church and Sunday School
could not accommodate the vast num-
bers who attended. and a larger church
was necessary. After looking at many
places suitable for a church, he selected
and paid for the lot where now stands the
L~aurel-Street Methodist church. lie was
removed In November OF that year. after
accomplishing a good work, and died in
Portsmouth in the year 1883. Mr.. Wright's
memory IS retained in the hearts OF this
people.
In 1879 Rev. William z. Wright. now
presiding elder Of the Danyille District.
was sent TO this church. n during the
three years OF his pastorate accomplished
a good work He served his %congrega-
ton for three years. During THIS time
he built the present Laurel-Street church.
At the expiration of this term Rev. A.
g.. Wardlaw was pastor one year. At the
emu o. his TERN NV W imam 4 W AA1AN
was again stationed as its pastor, and
remained four years. making seven years
in all. During these years he worked
hard TO complete this house of worship.
me present handsome structure owes
IT'S existence mainly to the !nGeiatgible
euorts OF Mr.. Wright. Not only did he
build this church, but the Sunday School
and church prospered under his ministry.
Many were added to the rolls. and every
branch Of the work was in good condi-
ton when he left for another field OF Ia
Dor, In 1856.
Rev. W. O. Waggener, now OF the Ala
bama Conference, but formerly OF Nir-
ginia, was then stationed IA it's pastor
and remained two years. During his
term the congregations were large. and
the Sunday School room was inadequate
10 accommodate the scholars. The num-
Der OF persons who attended this church
were so large that an addition IN the rear
OF the church was built.
During Mr., Waggener's second year
an afternoon Sunday School was started
in the West End by members OF Lau-
rel-Street church and Sunday School.
from its incipiency this work began
TO grow until a church was found neces-
sary. The Washington-Stree church was
then built and a church organized, with
Kew. r. II. Bennett as its pastor.
The superintendent Of It's Sunday School
was elected from the quarterly confer
ence Of Lsurel-Street church. THIS church
was removed several years ago. ana is
now known as Asoury.
Mr.. Vaggener was quite popular with
this congregation, and while pastor the
church was in a tourlshing condition..
PASTOR FOUR YEARS.
Rev. T. j. Taylor was pastor Tor four
years. and was popular. He came In the
fall OF 1892. remained until 1895. From
the first his ministry was crowned with
success. Large crowds attended the ser.
vices and the church was strengthened
spiritually and financially.
During his term a morning and after.
noon Sunday-school was organized in the
West End. which has since grown into
that beautiful little church, Epworth.
Rev. r. Finley Gayle. the present pastor
Is popular with the church. He has been
pastor only two years. and is held In high
esteem by all. lie IS a ~forceful speaker
and good preacher. and his sermons are
listened TO with the closest attention. The
church Is now in a good condition. and
since his ministry began the church debs
has been cancel ed. A number Of the
first members are SIN living.
SEMI-CENTENNIAL SERVICES.
The semi-centenn!al services will begin
on Saturday night. October l4th with a
piaver and praisemeeting. in which many
prominent ministers will be engaged.
On Sunday following the Sunday school
exercises viii be omitted and interesting
services will be held. beginning at 3 o'clock