Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-12-28

For beauty and picturesqueness as
well as for fertility of soil, and
what is greatest of all, the sterling
character Of its people, it is unsur-
passed. Here, from the earliest
ages of the country, some of its
best citizens have lived, and it is
rich in memories of the happy
times of old Virginia. The growth
and strength of the Church, too. is
remarkable.
I The single parish represented by
what is now the old and diminutive
Cunningham chapel, ministered to
by Rev. Mr.. Balmain, its Colonial
rector. and later 10y his assistant,
the Rev. VIM. Meade, afterwards
the great Bishop of Virginia, has
grown into four parishes, with
nine churches and chapels.
Berryville the county seat, is a
prosperous town of between one
thousand and fifteen hundred in
habitants. In this is situated Grace
church, the subject of our sketch.
1t was formed from Wickliffe par
ish, in the northeastern part of the
county, during Bishop Meade's
time. and for many years has been
the centre of marked Church &C
tvity. 1t has been ministered to
by such men as Bishops Meade,
Richard Wilmer and Whittle, and
Revs. Alexander Shiras, ID. D.,
Henderson Suter, ID. D., T. l..
Martin, p. Z. Phillips, and last,
but not least, the present able and
much-esteemed rector. the Rev.
Edward Wall.
The present church was built
under the rectorship of Bishop
Whittle, replacing that erected by
Bishop Meade. 1t is very hand
some building of brick. with seat
ing capacity of about three hun
dred. 1t Is surmOunted by lofty
square bell tower, and is situated
in one of the most beautiful squares
in the town, the rectory being in a
large yard in the rear, in the midst
of fine shade trees, and with at
tractive surroundings.
During the rectorship of Mr..
Phillips the church was altered and
modernized by the removal of the
gallery and the building of a
transept. Its interior is churchly
in appearance and deeply interest
ing in detail. There are eight
memorial windows, all marked by
beauty of coloring and richness of
design. In the chancel, above the
holy table, is a large memory of
Mr.. David Mcclure, and on the
left one of Miss Mary Lewis. On
either side of the chancel are
windows TO Mr.. Lorenzo Lewis
and wife: TO Mrs. +. p. c. Lewis
and four children; to Mr.. John ID.
Richardson; to the little Children
of the Parish, 10y the Sunday school,:
to Miss Sarah Griffith, and to Mrs.
David Allen; while on the eastern
wall is handsome marble tablet
TO Mr.. and Mrs. William Byrd
Page.
The Rev. Mr.. Wall has been in
charge of the parish eleven years.
and during that time its condition
has been greatly strengthened both
fraternally and spiritually. The
rectory has been enlarged and
beautified, the church rooted with
slate, steam heating apparatus at
the cost of 5000, put in, water
motor arranged for the organ, and
what is of particular Importance. a
new and cOmmodious parish house
built. Much of this has represent
ed the work of but a short time.
The parish is an active one. The
Sunday school, parish societies and
missionary organizations are
abreast with those of the busy town
parishes of today, and the commu-
meant list now contains one hun
dred and eighty-two names.
These facts in connection with
what is known as one of the rural
parishes are very heartening to
the lover of that which is right
eous and true, and are indications
of the power of earnestness in the
cause of our Lord and Master.
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