Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-03-18
Formal Opening of Second Pres.
byterian Edifice Tomorrow.
BRIEF Sketch OF TIE WORK
Rev. E. T. Wexford Tells How Mis-.
sion Was Started in "LakevlIe"
Twelve Years Ago-steady Growth
OF the Congregation.

The new house of worship Of the
Second Presbyterian church, located
avenue, will be formally opened tomur-
row morning, when the first sermon
will be preached by Rev. DR.. Rcnnic
pastor of the First Presbyterian
church, of Norfolk. AT o'clock in
the afternoon there will be II special
service, 10 which all Of the city pastors
arc particularly invited, and during
which Rev Arnold Hall, The first
pastor, will give sketch of the early
history Of tho church.
Rev. DR.. Rennic will preach again at
night. All OF the services will be con-
Quoted by the pastor, Rev w. NJ. Hun
ter.
Following is brief story of the his
tory OF the church. prepared for thu
Daily Press by Rev T. 7. Wexford
pastor Of the First Presbyterian
church,
Churches. like oaks spring from
acGrIs. Such Was he insignificant cri.
gin of the Second PRESBYTERIAN churn,
OF this city, urior tie shadow CT
whose extended arms 90 many, Ard n
shelter today. It's seed was sewn in
the spring of SOB East End was lhrn
but I.akeville. consisting OF n few
houses n. the northern extremity of
Chestnut avenue. with hero and here
dwelling upon ono of the surround
ing blocks. The territory between this
and the city ;irupCr was entirely mi.
occupied. The Second Baptist church
was he only religious organizations in
That section. At this tirlG mission
was opened by the First Presbyterian
church in the store at Pills Roanoke
avenue for which "a rent Of Slu.0D per
month was paid Mr. J. u. Alden.
brooke was the superintendent of the
Sabbath school AID NJ. w. o. f..
Poole. secretary. the services were
conducted by Rev. L. T.. Wexford. The
mission soon rem ovcd to the old school
house that stood near the corner Of
Twcnty-fourth street and Roanoke ave
niic, now the rcmodcled dwellin. No.
10iG Twenly-fourth street Here III
was decided to discontinue the work
for time on account of lack of bot Ii,
ways and means.
II was resumed in the spr.l.s of 1898
nearly five years later. The First
church in May of this: year rented 1896
Twenty sixth strclt, ard established It's
East Elid branch. The pastor preach
ed here every Sabbath at 4 d. M, and
conducted prayer meeting on Thurs
day night. The Sabbath school was
held Immediately before the afternoon
service. The lots on the corner of
Roanoke avenue and Twcnty.sixth
street were soon purchased and on De-
ccmbcr !, sos. was begun tho church
now Owned by the German BAPTIST S.
On February 2. 1895 Rev. T.. r. Well
fcrd preached tic first sermon in The
new building and on. Feb. -, the Rev.
j. j. Brooke ID. H.. dedicated the same
TO the worship of God. Upon the re.
Quest Of the First church the Prasby-
tery Of Norfolk DR.. Brooke had been
assigned by the SynCHical committee &C
home missions to assist the pastor and
was put i'll charge of the East End
branch in February 1891. rendering
most valuable ass istancc until its or.
GaEiHhlicn aud the arrival nf its newly
called pasor. Rev. Arnold Hall. Rev.
j.. 7. Wexford. Rev. H. W. McI.ausli.
lin. Rev. G. w. Maxwell with Elders
II. 4. Williams and Or. w. \. Picker
were appointed by prcsbytcry "a com.
mis-! ION IL crganiZ" the church. On
ApEi %. $40. tl,ey met, Or. Pirckcl
only being absent and formed a
chu.rh Of IL members. i3 being dis.
missed from The mother body John
Fair and George Cunning constituted
nc SOS: ion and J.. C. Tabb. ". Lee
Hanger and H. y. sherman tie deacon
ate. q call was OF the same lav is.
sued TO Reg. Arnold Hall and upon The
Ifst al Ma" he took charge Of the
wort THIS happy relation ship was
sh%iain"d mtii AIR Hall was called to
MS present charge in August. No..
9n orioher - 1900 The present tic.
vft'd pastor Hcy. w NJ. ilrntcr. was
called anh 'cok charge in November
Ct :hc same wear.
In $" hrief :; sketch it is impossible
To mention the work or The workers.
moro lhan 10 refer 10 ,hc, traits. Thc
sloaGy creiopnctt. tie lrcscim eli.
cIfI'l oH'rHs and organization and t!ic
hants0ne new church all speak bet.
Z to- than words Gf tho yea! OF man ana