Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1907-12-07
ABOUT CHURCHES OF MART|NSBURG
Interesting Sketches Of Their Work. The Pastors and Sermons

1t appears from the ancient records
of this church that the Berkeley Cir
cult of churches was formed at the
conference of Leesburg, Va, on May
10, 1878. This was the first circuit
organized west of the Blue Ridge
mountains, and embraced very extern
sive territory. While the records fail
to state the number of churches in
this circuit, it is stated that there were
20 ministers and 6,095 members.
At the conference of 1884 the church
in this city was organized and elders
appointed, and since that time the
church has enjoyed continuous ex-
istence here, and has grown with the
passing years.
The first house of worship yet stands
at the corner of King and Spring
streets, the stone house being occupied
at present as a residence. The mem
bers of the congregation worshipped
there for many years, when the build
ing known as the King street hall, now
occupied by the hardware establish
ment of G. G.. Cushwa & Bro, was
erected. Here the congregation wor-
shipped until 1868, when the present
handsome building on the corner of
Burke street and Maple avenue was
erected and dedicated with impress
sive ceremonies.
The Methodists have always been
among the more prominent and nu-
merous of the denominations in this
section, and the record of the local
church show that many ministers who
afterward attained to high rank in
the councils of the church served the
local congregation. Bishops, great
pulpit orators, profound theological
scholars, etc., have at some time been
stationed here, and the Martinsburg
church has the proud distinction of
having sent more eminent ministers
into wider fields of labor than perhaps
any other church in this entire sec
ton.
From the organization of the Berke-
ley circuit in 177S to the present time,
there have been about 70 different
ministers either attached to the local
church or serving it as one of the
churches on the Berkeley circuit. Rev.
Edward Baily was the first minister
in charge of the Berkeley circuit, and
was followed by eight other minis
ters. AT the organization of the Mar
tinsburg church Rev. Eleazer Halfway
was the minister, and remained for
one year.
The minister in charge when the
present edifice waa erected was Rev.
Mr.. Mcdaniel, who was succeeded by
eRev. E. D. Owen Those who have
served the church in recent years
were Rev. w. w. Barnes, Rev. DR.. A.
J. Gill, Rev. Frank r. Isaac and Rev.
J. 0. Wrightson, the present pastor
The present church edifice is among
the handsomest in the city, presenting
massive and dignified appearance.
For many years it has been known as
the white church." on account of be-
ing painted white, and it is conspic-
uous and pleasing architectural fea-
ture of West Burke street. The
interior of the edifce is particularly
handsome, containing well-propor-
toned and spacious auditorium, a
large lecture and Sunday school room,
roomy yestibules, fine pipe organ etc.
Recently the church was frescoed, re-
painted, recarpeted and otherwise inn
proved at cost of about $4,000.
The present membership of the con-
gregation is about 400, while the
membership of the Sunday school is
also about 400 Embraced in the mem
bership are some OF the most promi-
nent and influential residents of the
city. There are also several church
societies made up of the members of
the congregation and Sunday school.
The First Methodist Episcopal