Richmond planet., 1900-05-12
REV. POWELL HoNoR6D.
Guadalupe College Oonfsrs ID. d." Upon
Him-A Sketch of His Career.


Rev. Holland Powell, pastor of the
Fifth Baptist Church, corner OF Harvie
born in Middlssex Co., Va, March 81,
1854. He was reared and lived . slave
until 1885. He WAS blessed with de-
voted Christian parents, who never
failed TO direct b inn in his youth TO
trust in the Savior and thus instilled
within him the principles OF the re-
ligion of the Lord Jesus Christ, while
yet young. These principles culminst-
ed in his conversion when he was but
thirteen years old. Since he WAS
young, the old Christians advised to
have him wait until the next year be-
fore he was admitted Co baptism and
church membership. In August 1858,
he was brighter and more earnest for
the cause tnsn he was the year before.
he wAs received into the First Baptist
Chur h OF Middlesex Co., and bsptiz I'D
with four others, one being his older
brother, bV Rev. Thomas Washington
He still holds his membership with his
mother church. From the beginning
OF his Christian life, he was az active,
vigilant, Christian boy, being much
beloved by the members OF his church,
both old and young.
HIS EDUCATIONAL oPPoRTUNITIEs.
He attended the public schools in
Middlesex Co., for seven months and
in the city of Norfolk three months.
He attended q private school, taught
by Rev. VIM. Bassett for three weeks
and the Rev. had q talk with his par
ents and insisted on them TO have him
attend Waylsud Seminary Washing
a.. N on
the part of Rev. Bassstt they reluct-
antly consented and in Autumn OF
1878 he entered the Seminary, in the
Preparatory Department. aud was q
faithful student for five consecutive
years. He was licensed co preach in
1874. He graz usted from the Theo.
logical and Normal Departments OF
Wayland in 1878, third in Ills class Of
seventeen, on May 2eth.
Rev. Powell WAS chosen by the Nor
folk Union Baptist Association as Mis-
slouary the following August and was
ordained to the work OF the gospel
ministry October 2nd, 1878, entering
upon his work at once. He made 9
good recsri for the Association aud
for himself, serving said Association
for three yesrs and six months, organ
ising five churches and twenty. one
OuuQn1 oChOOiEs LIZ hLeNCAoo Aho Ae-
bored in twenty-five counties with
success. His name was known in the
Norfolk Union Association as "The
Peerless Missionary" In 1881 he ac-
cspted q call from the Grove Baptist
Church OF Norfolk Co., and then erect.
ed one Of the most substantial church
buildings in the county at q cost OF
$500; his success at this point was grat-
flying TO the entire community. He bap
tized two hundred and twenty-seven
persons for the Grove Church and saw
every dollar paid on the building. BE
served as General Travelling Agent for
the Baptist Foreign Mission Conven-
tion OF the u. 8. for two months and
fourteen days and in 1885 raised $2s1.
4S for the work at which time the
Andersoa Taylor.
IN BUFFALO.
In 1888, he was called to the Nichi-
gan Street Baptist Church of Buffalo,
N. Y. There he found the member
ship much run down and the house
out of repair. He entered upon his
work with the thirteen members then
on roll and q debt of $1,000 90 over
them, and in four years the entire
debt had been paid save $4,000 and
that was pledged. A membership of
| f1fty-.hree on roll and at his last SER
vice there were fitty-two of them pres
ent, to take parting hand with much
regret, He then returned to Norfolk
Co., and assumed the pastorate of the
Mt. Rermon Baptist Church. He
served them faithfully for five and a
quarter years. paid the debt Of $500 90
then on the old house aud erected one
- N.o 4. -
In June 1895, the wac appointed by
the State Mission Board Of the Virginia
Baptist State Convention in connec-
tion with the Home Mission Society OF
New York, ss General Missionary for
the state of Virginia. He proved to be
equal to the task given him. He gave
satisfaction to his employers and was
again called "Rhe Peerless Mission
ary."
In June 1897, he resigned his posi-
tion Of General Missionary of Virgins,
to accept the pastorate of the Fifth
Baptist Church Of Richmond, Va,
which position he occupies at the pres
ent time. This church was deeply in
debt and much tangled in it's financial
affairs. Many Of its members were
utterly discouraged. He set to work
to gather the scattered ones and to use
all enceaVors 10 satisfy the church
creditors.
A FINE SHOWING.
The progress made by this church
since Rev. Powell has been its passor
is unequalled by any lprevious years o.
| it's history. This is the fifth pastorate
held by Rev. Powell, for he labored
| for three years with the Little Gilfield
Church Of Southampton Co., with great
success, while at Mt. Hermon of Nor
folk 90. After he had been. pastor fol
about six months, he asked the breth
rem to have registration, and it wa
found that there were but 1913 person.
and 3S OF these had been added to th,
membership aimee his call. He ha
added 2ll TO the membership and Gu
the debt more than one-half since be-
Ing in Richuond. Nearly $1,000. O