Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1901-03-02
nURrON-oAK GROVE CHURCH.
It's History From ISoi-leoi ~
W N. Etsou.

WV. EssoD.
Dying TO change. and the moving
center OF population, In tho OPINION
o, those capable OF judging, 1t ""
dsemed best to select another loca-
ton for the new building, and this
Mace WAS decided upon. with the
change OF situation another name
wa. given tbs church; and II Is
matter of regret and almost OF re-
nroach that the historic name has
been dropped. and old Burton with
her former associations and mem
ories OF old time Methodist fire and
ze,I will hsnceforth be only thing
OF the past, a memory becoming dim
mer and fainter as the Yeas go by
until finally, it 10 feared, In the minds
OF our children it will be only as n
dream.
The land upon which this church.
Oak Grove. 10 situated was purchased
Of William @. Mapp and wife The
building erected during the summer
OF 1870 was dedicated January loth'
1871. by Rev. Alexander & brown
Rev. Adam G. Bledsoe, beloved ana
reverenced, pastor; and Littleton X
LeCato, George B. Mapp, Alfred j.
Menr., Zorobabel Mason, Francis
Downing, John r. Kellam, Thos. ii
James, Benjamin w. Mear' and Ben
iamin G. Hatton were made trustees
All OF these, both preachers and trus
tees. have gone to their reward OK
cent Brother Mason and Brother
Hatton, who still remain, and have
by long years OF conservation ana
,ervice done much by example and
bv precept to upbuild the church
spiritually and to strengthen it finan-
cialIy.
Owing to i'll health, Rev. Bled'os
did not return the second year to the
people who loved him sincerely and
who were strengthened by his gospel
messages. His consecrated, earnott,
faithful successor, Rev. Oscar Lit
Teton served three years, and was
followed by Rev. Daugherty, quie',
undemonstrative man, who was pas
tor for three years also. The circuit
being large, there was need OF a
iunior preacher, and for about eight
Years Revs Lloyd Moore and Edward
Hebard labored In that capacity,
Rows LeCato and Elliott still con-
timing to render acceptable and
faithful assistance as opportunity
occnrred or occasion demanded. Rev.
! C. G.. Wertenbaker followed Mr..
Daugherty, and he is still remember
ed and loved by many for having
been the means OF leading them to
Christ. Then Rev. G. D. Crawley
strong and vigorous, served fou'
wears, being succeeded by DR.. Leoni'
das Rosser, who although in declining
vears. was, as Of old, powerful auo
elcouent. In 1885 Conference sent
Rev. Joseph r. Sturgis, who in
, single year, won the confidence Of
orr church and enshrined himself il
the hearts of the people. On his re-
moyal. the humble-spirited j. II
Riddick came and was succeeded two
years later by Rev. J. M. Anderson
a strong preacher, with Rev. w. j
Williams for his assistant. The PEG
ple wishing preaching every Sunday
at the expiration of Brother Ander'
son's term the circuit was divided
and Rev. J. r. Sturgis, still beloved
, and honored, again became pastor o
Oak Grove for two years. Rev. L. 4
. Harrell, strong, and determined t
, do whatever he conceived to be hi
duty, however great the obstacles
served two years aud was succeeded
q by dear Brother Watson, who wa
{ removed after only one year hat
passed. Last, but not least, Confer
ence sent our present pastor, Rev.W
G. Bates, earnest, consecrated, de
voted, beloved and honored by al
= for his sweet spirit and pure life.
o During the last three decades sine
s the decay OF love-feasts, and OF class
e meetings, and OF the old time Meth
e odist revival, the Sunday school an
/ other societies within the churcl
| have been potent factors in it
2 growth and development. In thes
s later days when spiritual power
not demonstrated as it was In forme
= years, the Sunday school has bee
1 the source from which the ranks G
: the church have been recruited; an
e to day, the Sundey school with II
e work, the children trained therelr
q with their possibilities and undevel
e oped power, are the hope OF "a
g Grove. This branch of church wor
d has always been strong here, an
nearly always fiourishing. Just her
another work may be mentioned, a
though it properly belongs to di
fsrent report, is the missionary spir
d OF the children. Stimulated by tt
y enthusiasm Of Mr. L. ]. Hyslup, Il
le forty years church member, a lea
u or in christian work and promote
N Of her advancement, who had vlsitt
tine Rosebud school at Montere
Mexico, this society Of Rosebuds il
augurated the movement and mac
the first contribution to the cottaI
fund. which soon resulted in bull
ing Comfort Cottage, home Tor q
%. missionary teacher OF that school
g.. ...Lo ,uarn Ii WING at the tlr