Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-09-27
written for the Register ,
THE OLD CHURCH.


of Charlestown, West Virginia, near
the road leading to Middleway, are to
be seen the ruins Of what is known as
The Old Church"
But little now remains, except a
heap Of rubbish, with here and there
an angle Of the wall which may be
seen through the mass of briars and
rank vegetation that surrounds it.
The interior is thus made dark and
gloomy, and many weird stories Of
ghost and goblin have been told, un-
til, for years, the denizens (Particu-
larly those of color seldom venture to
explore the ruins and, on the other
hand, avoid the locality even in the
bright light Of day.
Bishop Meade, in "old Churches,
Ministers and Families Of Virginia, ~
refers to this church in the following
words:
The venerable walls OF an Episco-
pal church, built Of stone in the form
Of 7, are still to be seen a short dis
tance from Charlestown. Various con-
lectures have been offered as to the
age Of this house. I have recently
made particular inquiry on the spot,
Of some of the oldest inhabitants, and
have no doubt that it was erected soon
after the division of the parish Nor
bourne) from Frederick, in 1869, and
not many years before the war lRevo-
lutionary).
"As Washington had large possess
ions in this neiehborhooi, and was
otter there, none can doubt that he
was contributor to its erection and
had often worshiped within its walls.
This old church has furnished the
subject for many stories, gruesome or
otherwise, at various times, and figures
largely in romance, "Mollie Bond,
of period now remote, and in one Of
later date, Surrey Of Eagles Nest.
Some years since, while a student
at Charlestown Academy, the writer
received iroIn the late Dr. Frank F.,
the following legend in which the old
church occupies a conspicuous place:
Many years ago, when Charlestown
was only struggling village, a man,
whom I will call Mr.. B., kept small
hostelry there, which served the double
purpose Of place Of entertainment
for passing wayiayers and jolly wag-
oners (the latter a species extinct since
the advent Of railroads., and as a rem
devious for the choice spirits Of the
neighborhool, who nightly met there
to partake of other spirits, which Mr..
B. was always ready to dispense.
One dreary winter night number
Of men were assembled in the large
room Of the tavern. Without the storm
ragged fercely-the rain and hail beat
furiously against the battened shut
ters, and drove great fakes Of SCOT
down the wide-mouthed chimney, the
wind howled round the gables and
moaned and shrieked beneath the caves
like tortured spirits. The darkness
was intense
Within all went merry as the mar
rage bell. lowering closely around
the broad fireplace which, piled high,
threw out a CHEEKY warmth, the men
gave loose rein, and while the glass
was raised to every lip, the bantering
lest was passed around, and song and
mirth seemed to mock at the raging
Of the elements without.
The orgies grew more violent, and
the host appealed in vain for semb-
lance Of decorum. At length bis re-
Dukes brought harsh reply, and cpl
thets more foreible than polite were
exchanged. He was challenged to
fight, and upon his refusal he was
stigmatized as a coward. You call
me a coward" said he, "but you are
all towards, and I viii prove it.
Instantly the proof was demanded.
Taking silver cup from the bar, and
holding it up before them, he said
q will prove that You are cOwards-
every man of you. Do you see this
cup? Well, send one Of your party
with me to see that all is done fairly,
and I viii place it on the altar-rail Of
the old church. We will leave it there,
and there is not a man here who Is
brave enough to go alone and bring 1t
back"
The proposition appeared to stagger
them, and for = time no one answered.
At length one, bolder or less sober
than the others, declared that he would
go. His companions attempted to dis
suade him, but this only made him
the more determined.