The Valley Virginian

The Dedication Sunday.

The weather Sunday was fine, and a large crowd of people turned out to witness the dedication of the new Presbyterian church here on that day. Though the building is a large one it was well filled, morning and evening. Services at the other churches were dispensed with in the morning in order to attend this service. There were in the pulpit the following ministers, who took part in the services: Dr. Fair, of Richmond, Rev. W. P. Walker, of the First Baptist church of Huntington, Rev. C. L. Hogue, formerly pastor of Lebanon church near Goshen, but now of Memphis, Missouri; Rev. V. W. Wheeler, of the M. E. Church, South, Rev. J. R. Fizer, of the Baptist church, and the pastor, Rev. E. W. McCorkle, of this place, and at night Rev. S. F. Chapman, of Covington. The opening prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Fizer; the hymn was pronounced by Rev. Mr. Wheeler; Rev. Mr. Walker read the scripture lesson; Rev. Mr. Hogue, invoked the Divine blessing upon the dedication, and the dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. J. Y. Fair, of the Grace Street Presbyterian church, of Richmond. The subject of his discourse in the morning was the "beautiful gate." and in the evening the erection of the "temple without the sound of the ax or the hammer." Both sermons were characterized by their appropriateness, their ability and their eloquence. Mr. Fair made a fine impression upon his hearers, and his efforts and services are highly appreciated by the pastor and people of the church at this place.

NOTES.

Mrs. Richardson, the wife of Rev. W. T. Richardson, D. D., of the Central Presbyterian; Mrs. G. G. Gooch, from Staunton; Miss Jane A. Walkup, of Glen Wilton attended the dedication, and were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. K. Anderson. Among other ladies present from other points were the Misses McCurdy, Misses Clara McDonald and Katie Skeen, of Covington; Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Gabbert and daughter, of Buchanan; Misses Nannie Woltz, Mamie Cook, and Mrs. C. W. Woltz, from Daggars Springs; Miss Bessie Echols and Mary Taylor, and Joseph Carper, and Mr. Lyle McClung, of Gala Water.

The following is a brief historical sketch of the Presbyterian church since its existence in this community:

The Presbyterian Church in this section was organized at a very early period. The Locust Bottom Church, in Botetourt county, is more than a hundred years of age. That Church was established by Calvinistic Lutherans and Presbyterians. To it the Rev. A. B. Davidson preached. He would ride on horseback from Rockbridge county, in season for the morning service on Sunday. The church at Covington was organized by Rev. John McIlhany from Lewisburgh, when this section was included in Lexington Presbytery. About 45 years since, the Oakland Church was established. This is the Brick Church at Jackson's River. The first pastor of this Church was Rev. Dion C. Pharr, who died lamented and beloved by all. One of his Successors, was Rev. James M. Rice, whose ministry covered a period of 21 years. In 1880 the long, laborious, and blessed ministry of this good man ended. About that time persons in the vicinity of Sharon, Williamson (now Clifton Forge) and Oakland invited Rev. E. W. McCorkle to preach to them. Previous to that time, Rev. Mr. Rice had preached in school houses and private houses in this place. When Mr. McCorkle came he found a handful of earnest people, who had purchased a lot, and had the lumber on the ground for a church building. An "Aid" society, with Mrs. S E. Williamson as President, was organized, and the work of rearing a church building was commenced in earnest. In February, 1881, the frame work of the building was let to contract, Mr. A. Jack Acord, being the contractor. In May, 1881, at the meeting of Presbytery, of Montgomery, at Buchanan, a petition was received from Presbyterians, residing in the vicinity of Williamson, requesting a church organization. Accordingly a committee was appointed, consisting of Rev. D. W. Shanks, D. D., Revs. Wm. A. Dabney and A. W. Ruff, with Elders Wm. Patton and Captain John C. Carpenter, to organize a church if the way was clear. That committee convened August 1881, and the organization of the church was completed with 22 members. The oldest one of them was Mrs. Jane Williamson, near about 87 years of age and one of the oldest residents in the community. The Elders were Mr. Beale V. Kayser, and D. B. Gabbert. The deacons were Chas. Shewy, and B. M. Mosely. In September, 1881, the old building was completed, and dedicated, Rev. T. L. Preston, D. D., of Richmond, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The church has grown steadily from that time to this. Then the members numbered only two score, now there are about 170 During this period about 250 members, in all, have been received into the church. The others have been lost, by removal, death and other causes. The new church is the result of some agitation in regard to the enlargement of the old. When the Rev. P. F. Price, now missionary in China conducted a meeting here, he raised about $600 to enlarge the church. After some discussion the present plan was adopted for a new one, instead of enlarging the old. A Building Committee, consisting of Mr. Geo. Payne, C. W. McElwee, Dr. C. T. Lewis, J. A. Ford, H. O. Parker and R. P. Hawkins, took the work in charge and the new building is the result of their labors. It has been constructed at a cost of about $3,500. All of this has been provided for with the exception of about $1,000 or more. On last Sunday the people responded nobly to an appeal, and paid and pledged about $425 of this amount. The building is 40 by 70 feet, with an open ceiling and Gothic windows. The money for the pulpit furniture was kindly raised by Mrs. Grove. The Helping Hand Society provides the reflector and the Ladies Aid Society the furnace. Mrs. Colsey made the cushion and Bookmark for the bible. Mrs. Harry E. Jones and other ladies deserve the thanks of the church especially for beautiful flowers furnished. The committee also thank Mr. Lemon, Mr. Humphreys and Mr. Hazlegrove and others for their kindness in removing the pews without charge as well as for other work.