The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-20
MRS. ELLYsOA URGESolD
STONE CHURCH REMAIN

Mrs. J. Taylor EIlyson. wife OF the
has written the following Interesting
letter. which was published in the
staunton News. Regarding the preserve
ton of the ''old Stone" church:
While spending the summer and the
early fall at the home Of my sister and
brother-in-l law. Mr.. and Mrs. H. Jordon,
near CraigsviIle. Va. have read with
much interest the articles OF protest
against adding to or tearing down that
ancient landmark. the 'Old Stone
church by the Presbyterian congrega-
ton which has outgrown it.
In your issue Of September 10, It
was suggested by a writer that tho
Association for the Preservation OF
Virginia Antiquities might help to save
It, should the congregation determine
to carry out their designs In the face
Of public opinion.
The association Of which I have the
honor to be president has made several
attempts to form branch In Staunton,
but as many times failed I have
found that a sentiment has to be
created and cultivated in a community
before interest can be awakened or a
movement be started to preserve. re-
store or mark with suitable tablets the
old Virginia landmarks which Viz
ginians are so proud OF, but alas. In
so many instances have stood aloof
while they have slowly decayed or
passed into history.
There are several branches of the
association in Virginia and in other
states. and wherever they have been
formed, the locality or city has been
enriched by the activities of It's mem
hers and sentiment created for its
objects.
In Charlottesville a branch only
lived long enough to raise the funds
and place bronze tablet on the Red
land club in memory OF Jack Jewett.
whose desperate ride to inform the
legislature, then convened. of the ap-
proach of Tarlton and his men who
were on a raid, which exploit out
rivaled that of the famous ride of
Paul Revere.
! am sure that I voice the senti-
ment of every member OF the A. p. v.
A when l, as their president join with
you and tho great number of those
who have used your columns. in plead
ing for the preservation in its present
state. of the Old Stone church known
to thousands who have worshiped
there and the many passers by who
have admired its beauty and I would
plead also that history of this an
cient structure be written. for | I'M
derstand that the early settlers with
Bible IN one hand and a worthy
weapon In the other had to fight and
narricade against the Indians in those
troublous times of the long ago.
Egbert ellis Handy has forestalletl
me by day, in suggesting that the
/ old church be left standing and a
now one be built by its side. for II
was my intention to make the same
suggestion; and by way of argument
relate the following personal re,ni-
niscence:
In the summer Of 1898 Mr.. Ellyson
and myself were on a visit to that
charming British possession, the Isle
of Man. 1t CHANGED that we were there
over Sunday. Upon enquiry as to
where we should attend worship, we
were told by all means to go to Kirk
Haddon, We went by private convey
ance. a long interesting ride through
the country. From the start. the
number of conveyances were so
| numerous It looked like a procession
to the end of the journey. 1t seemed
that all roads. including railroads, led
to the old Kirk that day
| The service was held out Of doors
in the old grave yard, and in the midst
of 1t stood the old gray towers and
ruins OF old Kirk Haddon. Near by
! had been erected new Kirk Haddon--
J enlarged but as near like the old Kirk
AS 1t was possible to make it. The
great crowd could not have been ac-
( commodated within doors
| The people stood. or leaned against
| the ancient trees, sat on the green
| grass or upon the large fat tomhs of
which there were many
The wonderful scene will linger in
my memory as long az life shall last.
The minister who was clad In a long
black robe stood Upon an 'eFeva t4en
| of ground. His first act was to hold
| up in his arms the figure of a small