Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-05-10

to the congregation and it was unan'-
mously agreed to have the members
CT the old church living in the town
of Martinsburg formed into a new
church. The third member of this
committee was DIR. William Hill of
Winchester whose name is incident
allv mentioned by reason of his alb
sence on account of sickness.
The committee then came INTO town
and finding that there was but one
runng elder, Mr.. Alexander Cooper.
and no suitable person who was at
present willing 10 ACCEPT the office.
concluded to defer action until tho
next meeting of Presbvtery. They
were in doubt as to the constitutions
ality of organizing church with only
one elder. The Presbvterv which mot
in Romney ON the Goth of April 1925,
resolved that under existing circum
stances it would be better to effect
the organization, aid this was accor-
dinghy done at that time and the Mar
tinsburg church was ordered TO be en-
rolled. and the action of the Presbv
terv entered upon the minutes.
Hence the history of this church
dates from the 29th of April 1926. The
pulpit of the new church seems TO
have been vacant for the first year.
But IN 1926 or 1927 the Rev. John
Matthews, who for twenty years had
been serving the churches of Shep-
herdstown and Charles Town. gave
up the former and took this church in
It's stead lie moved to Martinsburg
where he remained as pastor of the
Martinsburg and Charles Town
churches until 1851 when he moved TO
the west On the 29th of June of
that year he was iuaueurated as pro-
fessor of theology in the theological
seminary at Hanover, Indiana.
In AprI1 1881 Rev. William Jald-
well Matthews took charge of this
church as stated supply and continu-
Ell such until April Goth 1886. He
moved to Madison. Indiana. in 1886
to become pastor of the First Presbv-
terrain church of that place
For the next two years this church
was without pastor.
Mr.. Alexander Chopper was the first
ruling elder OF the church. In April
/ 1882 MIR. Samuel Baker and Mr.. ] ,hn
N Riddle were elected Ruling Elder.
il this CONGREGATION. Mr.. Riddle
moved to Missouri in 1886 or 1887
where he died. May. 1912
Rev. Peyton Harrison became pas
tor of the church either in the latter
part of 1887 or the beginning of 1875
and remained IN that office until 1874.
In January 1916 Rev. John Boggs ap-
1 pears as moderator of the session.
though probably only as stated sup
plv How long he remained in Mar
tinsburg is uncertain. as there is a
break in the records of the chruch
from Alril 1S45 to April 1S47.
In April 1s4i Rev. William Love
appears as having charge of the
church, and from the report to Pres.
byterv in that spring it is likely that
lie had been in charge for at least
most of the year proceeding. The
record runs thus: Report of Mar.
1 tinsburg church under the pastoral
care of Rev VIM Love. from April
I 1916 to April lS47." Mr.. Love resign
ed his charge in lS49. but evidently in
the early part OF the wear, as the mea
ere minute seems to indicate the pres
ence Of his successor. Rev. r. Y. Ber-
nv. as eariv as April. 1S49 He con-
tinued in charge as stated supply of
the church until 1868.
The death of Mr.. Alexander Cooner
occurred in Sent. 1852. In April 1853
Mr.. James N. Riddle and Mr.. John
| 4. Harrison were elected Ruling FL
ders. and on the 18th of April 1856
Mr.. Peyton r Harrison, son of Rev.
Peyton Harrison, former pastor of
the church, was also chosen an Elder.
After ths resignation CT Rev. Mr..
Berry in Aug. 'bS. the congregation
successfully called Rev. DIR. John G..
Hammer. Rev Lewis q. Baker, of
N. J. ana Rev. NJ. b. Riddle. who
all declined. Thew atferward extend
ed a call to Rev. A. O HOPKINS. who
was student in the senior class at
U. L. seminary, Va. graduating in
April 1860. Mr.. Hopkins accepted
the call and was ordained and INSTALL
ed as pastor ON the 9th of Dec fol-
lowing.
In January 1861 Mr.. George Tabb
and Mr.. john M. Harmon were
elected Ruling Elders and were or
dained and installed ON the 10th of
March next after.
Mr., now Dr.. Hopkins remained the
pastor of the church until Aug. 3lst
IRGE a 81 - AZ