The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-27
CHURCH CENTENNIAL
Dan River Baptist Church Hold as
Grand Celebration.
Especial Dispatch to The Times.)

SOUTH BOSTON, July 26.-Thursday.
Julv oath. was a red-letter day for the
Rantists of this section of Halifax
county. It being the one hundredth an
niversary Of the organization OF the
Dan River Church, which is located four
miles from South Boston, and Is one or
the oldest churches in the county. 1t
was an all day meeting. and early IN
the morning members of the church and
visitors began to arrive, so that by the
time the exercises began the crowd num-
bered about one thousand.
The centennial sermon was preached
by Rev. H G. Crews, who was formerly
pastor Of the church, ana was in every
respect an able one. Propapiy the most
interesting feature of the occasion was
the historical address by Mr.. R. Hunter
Beazley, editor of the South Boston
News. The organization was formed ut
this same location In the year eighteen
hundred and two, and has continued
without interruption to the present time.
The building at first was log house
and was known as "Boyd's Meeting
House." the organizers being composed
Of Elders John Atkinson. Leonard Baker,
Thomas Dobson, and John Lyon. with
the advance of civilization and the IN
crease of membership came the necessity
of a more comnodious building. which
was erected in the year eighteen nun
dJed and thirty-hve. at which time the
name was changed to the Dan RlVer
Church." by which name 1t has been
known ever since. During the century
just closed the church has been supplied
by seventeen different pastors, among
them some of the most prominent Bap-
fist ministers in this section of the State,
the present pastor, Rev. J. NJ Luck,
having been called to this field two
wears ago Among the surviving e1-
nastors are: Revs. j. T. Mclaughlin, now
of Ivnchburg, Va; J. *. Faulkner, of
North Carolina; S. h Thompson, OF
Farmvlle. Va: J. T. Haley of Essex
county, Va: John B. Williams. of Brook
neal. Va, and II. G.. Crews, of Halifax
county.
After the set addresses short talks were
made by Mr.. S. ]. Slate. q. son OF the
late Rev. William Slate. who was pastor
CT the church for many years; Revs !.
w Wildman and ]. *. Faulkner and
Messrs A. H Moon, T. l.. Roberts and
w. T. Epps At the conclusion Of these
addresses a collection was taken up
amounting to five hundred dollars to be
used for repairing the building and max
ing necessary improvements. The church
is in a. hourishing condition. with one
hundred and forty-six members and no
indebtedness.
At / O'Clock an old-fashioned Virginia
country dinner was served on the
grounds.
Mr.. Carroll Warner. the newly elected
secretary of the Young Mems Christian
Association, arrived this week.F and
lawn party was given in his honor by
the association on the lawn Of Nr. JOS
eph Stebbns Thursday night. 4 Ping
pong was the amusement indulgeds In by
the younger people. while the people OF
maturer years engaged in fierce Mem
onade drinking contest. in which there
was a tie between Mr.. James Traver, Of
South Boston, and Mr.. W. II. Parker,
of Richmond
Mr. f A. Brown, the retiring secretary
of the Y NJ C. A. will enter the Union
Theological Seminary. in Richmond,
preparatory to entering the ministry OF
the Presbyterian Church.
The most attractive entertainment of
the summer season was the reception at
the home OF Mr. and Mrs. H. j. Wat
kinz on Wednesday night in honor Of
their son, Henry J. Watkins, Jr.. who
recently returned from the Klondyke
Misses Mary and Maria Reynolds. of
Hampden- Sidney. Va; Edna Wood. Of
GAINESVILLE Va, and Rose Watkins as
sisted in receiving.