Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-09-30
VOL. XXI NO 43.
Prof. cromweIrs Reminiseences.

This is a season of great interest
to the thousands of Virginia Baptists
now with their descendants living in
Washington. Two of our largest
and most prosperous churches have
celebrated their anniversaries, one
its forty-second: the other it's forty
first. II was in the midst OF the
Civil War that refugees following the
path opened by the victorious Union
armies, coming largely from Freder
icksburg where they were members
of Old Shiloh Church, organized the
Shiloh Church here, and in the fol-
lowing year in a distant section OF
the city, the Zion Baptist Church.
For time, Rev. William J. Walker
was the pastor of both congregations.
In 1865 Rev. William Gibbons OF
Charlottesville, Va. became pastor OF
Zion and continued until his death
in 1885. He was succeeded by the
present incumbent. Rev. William J.
Howard. native OF Caroline Co. Va
To day Zion numbers more than two
thousand members and is one Of the
most prosperous colored churches of
the country as well as being noted
for its vigorous spiritual life.
Late in the eighties Rev. Walker.
pastor OF Shiloh, closed his career
after having seen his church develop
from the small beginnings of 1868
and outgrow two meeting houses.
As in the early days the bulk OF the
membership remains Virginia born.
with the traditions. the personality
and the characteristics Of the Old
Dominion. II was not surprising
that the mantle should have fallen
on Rev. J. Anderson Taylor. whom
the colored Baptists OF Virginia and
Nirginians generally have known So
well. notwithstanding the oraniza-
tion by disaffected members, the
Walker Memorial Church, Shiloh,
under his administration has kept
pace with population and the general
progress OF the colorei Baptists Of
the National Capital. It's member
ship exceeds fifteen hundred, has
twice during his pastorate remodeled
its edifce at the cost OF several thous
and dollars ON which there is n stead
lily diminishing indebtedness.
The Church OF God and Saints OF
Christ" has held a four days con
vention in the True Reformers' Hall,
corner Twelfth and u. Streets. The
doctrines and practices of this de-
nomination are not only unique but
decidedly peculiar and more in
keeping with a state OF primitive
civilization than the twentiethcentu-
ry. Their practices include foot
washing, title giving. keeping OF the
Jewish Sabbath and the recognition
OF a living prophet.
Sunday they paraded the streets
TO the number OF 275, the women
dressed elegantly IN white, some of
them wearing crowns ornamented in
red and gilt. The men were in full
and evening dress. Prophet Will
liam S Crowdy. an octogenarian with
"heecy locks and black complexion"
rode at the head Of the procession.
At night a marriage and feet wash
ing ceremony were performed In the
presence of crowded house, after
brief addresses by chiefs and evange-
lists enlivened by old time plantation
songs. Every other religion is
wrong, only the Church of God and
Saints Of Christ is the true religion.
They have purchased a residence
here for their prophet within one
block of the True Reformers' Hall, |
which they have comfortably farm
ished for his use.
ITO be Continued