Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-06-12
Nefhodists
Plan 10 Split
Conference
By CASPAR NAMES
Star staff Writer


NORFOLK, Va, June a.
Plans for dividing in half the
huge Alexandria district of the |
Virginia Methodist Conference
were released today at the an
nual meeting here.
The conference voted last
year to split up the Alexandria |
district, which with its 81, 400 |
members and l07 churches is |
the largest in Virginia and the
second largest in the entire
Methodist Church.
Under the new arrangement,
to become effective this week,
the 50-year-old district will be
divided into the Alexandria and
Arlington districts.
The superintendent for each
district will be announced by
Methodist Bishop Paul Neff |
CARRIER on Thursday when he
reads the ministerial and super
intendent assignments for the
coming year.
DR.. Roland P. Riddick, super
intendent of the Alexandria
district since 1856, is not eligible !
for reappointment at this time.
Much of the districts phe-
nomenal growth has taken
place under DR.. Riddick's lead
ership. When he came here six
years ago the area had 10000
members in 90 churches.
2 Will Cooperate
The Rev. Raymond F. Wrenn,
executive secretary of the pres
ent Alexandria district, ex-
planned that while each Of the
two new districts will operate
as an administrative entity,
they will cooperate in pro-
grams of fellowship, education,
missions. training and COM
munity service"
An important feature Of the
change will be the new head
quarters building Of the Meth
odist Church in Northern Vir-
ginia, now being constructed at
500l Echols avenue in Alex
adria. Scheduled for completion
by September /, it will include
offices for the superintendent
Of both districts.
More than 1900 ministerial
and lay delegates representing
the 345.o00 Methodists in 16
districts Of the Virginia Con-
ference, opened their four-day
meeting yesterday. Bishop Gar
Der Is presiding at the sessions
in the Norfolk Arena.
The Commission on Chris
tian Higher Education reported
today its campaign for Meth
odist higher education in Vir-
ginia last year surpassed its
goal Of 81 million by $4,000
New College Advanced
Progress Of the newly con-
stituted Virginia Wesleyan
College has been greatly accel-
Grated during 1872, the COM
mission pointed out. The coll
lege. located on the boundary
Of Norfolk and Princess Anne
County. plans to admit its first
freshman class in September,
1864.
The four educational insti-
tutions affiliated with the Vir-
GINA Conference all reported
an outstanding year in 1872,
with future prospects bright.
Randolph-Macon College had
the largest enrolment in its
history with I'll students: RAN
dolph-M Macon Women's College
was at capacity with 723 stu
dents; Ferrum Junior College
jumped from 461 students in
1960-6l to 686 this year, and
Randolph Macon Academy
turned applicants away while
enrolling 275 boarding and
committing students.
Eight Alexandria district men
were among 80 candidates ac-
cepted into full ministerial
membership of the conference
yesterday. They are the Revs.
William B. Day. associate pas
tor of Washington Street
Church, Alexandria; Clyde w.
Dews, pastor Of Bethel Church,
Woodbridge; Derrel E. Emmer-
son, pastor Of Vale Church,
Fairfax County; Philip N.
Hunsicker.. associate pastor of |
Springfield Church; Franklin
M. Mills, pastor Of Emmanuel
Church, Annandale; Melvin L.
Steadman, pastor Of GAINESVILLE
Church; Paul j. Widenhouse
pastor Of Stafford Church, and
Richard L. Worden, associate
pastor of Annandale Church.