Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-23

Clement Brooke. Robert Buchan, Thomas Al
len and others.
The church was neglected when Bishop
Meade visited it in 1888, and it seemed doomed
to decay. Better times came, however The
descendants of the Rev. Mr. Moncure came to
the rescue, and when some years later the good
bishop returned, the whole place had been
renovated, the road had been cleared, the
house repaired and there was q fine congrega-
ton. Rev. Mr.. Henry Wall was the rector.
"It appeared one of the best and most imposing
Of our temples wrote the bishop.
But during the War Between the States, the
building was temporarily occupied by Federal
troops, and as a result was desecrated and de-
faced. Horses were quartered In the square
pews and as the animals had nibbled away
the tops of the ratings which inclosed them
these were cut down to- somewhat less than
their former height when the church was again
restored by the descendants of the same FAM
lilies who had built It,
"A T present Old Aqua Church. loved and
cared for by the whole countryside is in
excellent state Of upkeep. One Sunday Is set
aside each year as Home Coming Sunday
and on this occasion descendants Of the early
congregations, their friends and families and
visitors from far and near flock to the historic
shrine to attend the memorial services OF the
event, the Rev. Henry Heaton, present rector
makes the following comment: Home Coming
Sunday at Old Aqua is an outstanding event
In the life Of the parish and of the whole
countryside. Under custom of many years
standing, special Sunday Is set aside each
year Tor au-day services at this ancient sane.
tuary. The occasion has become an institution
OF so fixed character that time and events
are reckoned In Stafford by reference to
Home Coming Sunday
Halliday preaching the sou1euhat forl,iHr1iv,n
designation employed In former times has been
replaced by the happier title Home Coming
sunday. 1t Is indeed time Of home coming
Tor from far and near the children of this
parish gather once more for Worship and re-
union on the flrSS Sunday Of each September.
AT this time, as at no other, STAFFORD fam.
lies are restored In their scattered branches
and long-separated friends greet one another
at the shrine Of their fathers. Posterities of
the founders and old families Of AQUA Church
ere united. The dispersed descendants of the
Rev. Mr. Monclue form conspicuous part of
the assembly Congregations numbering from
nve TO six hundred are not uncommon of late
years, coming from Washington, Alexandria,
points.
Stafford hospitality, always the chief glory
or the county, attains its most bountiful
heights on Home Coming day. Dinner In the
Old style Is served to all present during the
recess between morning and afternoon services
Those who are privileged to make this annual
pilgrimage to Aqua are warmed in heart by the
social spirit Of Home Coming Sunday, REM
niscent as 1t Is Of mellower days that are past"
Old Aqua has become the scene Of new and
increasing interest. At the last home coming
the attendance was greater than It ever had
peen before. While the church has always
been beloved shrine to its parishioners and TO
the residents OF Stafford County, it Is beginning
to attract more and more visitors from else
where.
Retracing journey which once required all
Gay In the stagecoach era, Aqua Church may
now be easily reached In an hours drive from,
washington over the highway which leads to
Fredericksburg through o section, Of virginia
rich m scenic beauty and historic lore. Nurner-
Gus relics and landmarks recall Colonial DAYS
and the bitter periods Of the Revolutionary
War, the War Of 1912 and the War Between the
States.
Along the way also are other famous churches