Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-11
That Incumbcnts May BE Retired
Gives Rise to SpecuIntion.
TO REVIVE FAnMv1LLE DISTRICT.
Formerly in Existence, 1t May BE
Rcstored-Dr. Lear Slated for n
Chnnge-Dr. Tudor May BE Located
Mt Centenary oyler. Langley.
Maxey, and johnson May Have
New Charges.

When the Virginia Annual Conference
of the Methodist Church convenes in the
Broad-Street church tomorrow morning
at o'clock there will be gathered to-
gether one Of the most influential church
bodies in the South. The conference is
composed of 2S4 ministers and thirty-si:l
laymen, representing the Southside, Tide
water, the Valley. portion of northern
Virginia. Piedmont as far west as Roam
oke. and the Eastern Shore of Virginia
and Of Maryland. The other contiguous
conferences are the Baltimore Conference.
which includes portions of northern Vir-
sinia and the Valley; and the Hoston
Conference, in which is embraced south
west Virginia.
The Virginia Conference has constitu-
ency of nearly 100000 members, and raises
every year nearly 100000 for all church
purposes. The chief interest In the ap-
proa ching conference is centered in the
changes of pastorates throughout the
State, in accordance with the Methodist
plan of itinerancy. These changes ave-
rage annually about one hundred. Few
changes will be made from necessity, but
is is understood that there will be quite
a large number from choice
The Presiding Elders.
Among the runlors concerning the
changes is one that Rev. J. Powell Gar
District, and Rev. W. G. Walden, presiding
elder of the Portsmouth District. are to
exchange places. But it is reported that
Rev. William E. Judkins, now presiding
elder of the Norfolk District, and resid-
ing at Salisbury. Md, will be sent to
this district. DR.. Judkins was for sew
era! Years pastor of Centenary Methodist
church in this city, and the suggestion
that he is to be sent here is pleasant news
m no of 7,
ton. From a reliable source, however, it
is learned that DR.. Judl1ins will be trans
ferred to Farmvilie District which the
approaching conference is expected to re-
store.
In connection with the presiding eld-
ers, 1t is learned that all of the present
ones may be retired to give way TO an in
fusion of younger blood in the church
for these positions. 1t is not thought that
this plan will apply to DR.. Judkins. who
has not served his allotted time as a pre-
siding elder. Nearly all Of the other pre-
siding elders have been in their present
positions Tor many years. If this plan is
carried out the presiding elders now Of
ticiating will be given charges.
The Local ministers.
Among the local ministers, 1t is said
that Rev W. W. Lear, pastor of Cente.
nary, Is slated for a change, but the mat
ter is purely speculation. DR.. Harmon
will almost certainly remain al Union Sta
ton. and Rev. w. B. Beauchamp, of
BroadStreet church, will continue in
charge of his present pastorate. 1t is un-
derstood that Park-Place and Clay-Street
churches will endeayor to retain their
present pastors, Revs. John T. Bosnian
and l.. B. Betty. In the event that DR..
Lear should be transferred from Cente-
nary to some other station, it is said that
I0r. n Srrt o1C3
of the West Richmond District, will prob
ably succeed him.
A transfer affecting this city is the re-
ported assignment of Rev. Graham H.
Lambeth. of Norfolk. to succeed Rev ].
D. Langley. now pastor of st. James
Methodist church, on Marshall street.
Rev. r. NJ Maxey, pastor of Asbury
is said to be slated for Luke's
Memorial in Norfolk
1t is rumored that Rev. w. P. Wright.
of Chase City, will succeed Rev. James E.
Oyler at the Denny sstreet church. and
Rev. E. T. Davidson, of Centenary
church, in Norfolk, will succeed DR.. II.
E. johnson at Laurel-Street church. The
above changes affecting the pastorates Of
the local churches relate to the most prom
nent churches of the Methodist denomi-
alton in the city.
Rev. H. f. Johnson, pastor of Laurel
Street, is said to be in line for a station
in the Lynchburg District. II Rev. Dr.
Judkins is sent to this district as pre-
siding elder, it is understood that Rev
ORA Paul Whitehead, now presiding elder
of the Iynchburg District will be as.
signed to Norfolk District If the Farm
vile District is revived and DR.. Judlins
should not be assigned to it, there will
be an opening in the presiding elder list
for one Of the ministers Of the conference.
DIR. a. Coke Smith, formerly OF Norfolk
and Lynchburg, was made bishop OF Da]
ias. Tex, when the General Conference
Of the church was held in that city this
spring. He was succeeded at Epworth
church temporarily by Rev. r. II. Ben
1ett, formerly of Union Station, in this
,ty 1t is understood that Rev. Mr.. Ben
nett will go to Mount Vernon church, in
Danvile to succeed Rev. r. F. Gayle. !
who is said tc be slated tor the presiding
of Rappahannock District. Rev.
Mr.. Benefits place at Epworth will be
:llled, it is said, by DR.. Smart, who will
be transferred to the Virginia Conference
from neghboring conference. Epworth !
IS recognized as one of the most desirable |
stations in the conference. Rev. a. Coke |
Smith, recently elected bishop at Dallas, !
vas transferred from the North Carolina
Conference and stationed in Norfolk, and. |
utter serving a. Lynchburg, was choser,
bishop by the General Conference.
In case Rev. Mr.. Maxey, of Asbury. |
goes to Norfolk his place will probably
be filled by Rev. George w. Jones. now
,f Trinity, in Norfolk. The election or |
Rev Mr.. Lipscomb to the secretaryship |
If Randolph-Ma con College, leaves the !
of Washington-Street church,
n Petersburg, TO be filled. It is under |
stood that DR.. w. G. Starr. formerly pres |
dent of Randolph Macon College, will be |
appointed in Rev. Mr.. Lipscomb's place
Unless there is a removal OF all of the |
resent presiding elders to give place to !
ministers of younger years, it is thought |
hat Rev. r. Z. Wilson will remain pre-
siding elder of the Petersburg District |
Among other changes mentioned are Rev.
j.. S. Peters. of Hampton. to succeed |
Rev. T. T. Whitley, or Centenary, at |
.ynchburg, the latter going to Centenary.
It Norfolk; Rev. ]. w. Stiff, of Memo
tial. at Lrnchburg. to be assigned to the |
soydton charge, and to be succeeded by |
Rev r. IT, Waterfleld, of Cambridge, |
Nd; Rev. ]. B. Wynn, of Boydton, to
succeed Rev. B. M. Beckham, OF Cabell- |
Street church, at Danville. Rev. Mr..
3eckham will retire from the ministry,
t is understood. on account OF severe |
hroat trouble. Among others who Will |
retire from the cont Is |
Rev. E. p. Parham. of Bland ford church, |
Petersburg. He will retire for a year or |
more, is, is said. and. perhaps. perma, |
1ently, and will engage in newspaper