Historic Fredericksburg Part 22

The present large and splendidly equipped building on the corner of Princess Anne and Amelia Streets was erected in 1854, under the pastorate of Reverend William F. Broaddus, and has had frequent additions as the increasing activities and congregations demanded. Dr. Broaddus conducted a successful school for young women in the bas.e.m.e.nt of his church for several years preceding the War between the States.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

To the Presbyterians belongs the distinction of having the oldest house of wors.h.i.+p in the town. The present brick edifice on George Street was erected in 1833, the ground having been donated by Mrs. Robert Patton, the daughter of General Hugh Mercer. At the time of the coming of Reverend Samuel B. Wilson, as a domestic missionary in 1806, there were two Presbyterians in the town--surely an unpromising outlook.

This was about the time of the critical period in the life of the Episcopal Church in Virginia. For various reasons many of St. George's congregation had become dissatisfied. This fact strengthened by the forceful intellectuality, and the magnetic sympathy of Dr. Wilson, brought about the subsequent rapid growth of Presbyterianism, and proved that the psychological moment had arrived for its development here. In 1810 their first house of wors.h.i.+p was built on the corner of Amelia and Charles Streets.

Adjacent to the present church on Princess Ann Street is the beautiful chapel, built of Spotsylvania granite, through the donation of the late Mr. Seth B. French of New York, in memory of a much loved daughter.

Dr. Wilson resigned his pastorate in 1841, and among the names of his efficient successors are Rev. A. A. Hodge, D. D., Rev. Thomas Walker Gilmer, Rev. James Power Smith, and the present much loved pastor, Rev.

Robert C. Gilmore.

Dr. Wilson organized the female school which was taught for years by him at his residence on Charles and Lewis Streets, the former home of Mary Ball Was.h.i.+ngton. One of his teachers, Miss Mary Ralls, continued this school with great success, and admitted boys. How interesting would be the register of this old school, if it were available today! The older residents of the town remember well, and with pleasure, some of the men who were educated there, and won distinction in their chosen fields. Among others are Judge William S. Barton, John A. Elder, Judge Peter Gray, of Texas, Dr. Howard Barton, of Lexington, Dr. Robert Welford, Lieutenant-Governor John L. Marye, Byrd Stevenson, attorney, and the Virginian historian, Robert R. Howison, LL. D.

Dr. Francis A. March, the renowned philologist, and for years' president of Lafayette College, taught school here for several years, a.s.sisting Reverend George W. McPhail, the Presbyterian minister who succeeded Dr.

Wilson. Dr. March married Miss Mildred Conway, one of his pupils, and General Peyton Conway March, so well known in military circles, is a son of his, and is claimed by Fredericksburg, though he was not born here.

THE METHODIST CHURCH

Shortly after the Revolution, the Methodists began to hold services here.

It is thought that for some years they had their meetings at private residences, as there is no record of a house of wors.h.i.+p until 1822, when a church was erected on George Street, in the rear of where Hurkamp Park now is. Reverend "Father" Kobler began his ministry here in 1789, and continued for more than half a century. He died in 1843, and his ashes, with those of his wife, repose today beneath the pulpit of the present church. As a result of his G.o.dliness and a.s.siduity, combined with the fervor and zeal characteristic of that communion, the Methodists, under the leaders.h.i.+p of faithful men, have enjoyed a successive series of prosperous years, materially and spiritually, culminating today in a handsome, modern brick edifice on Hanover Street, well equipped for its many activities, and a large members.h.i.+p both in Church and Sunday School.

Reverend H. L. Hout, the present pastor, is a conscientious, capable, and intelligent leader.

ROMAN CATHOLIC

Until a sermon of unusual ability and power was delivered here in 1856, by Bishop McGill, of the Roman Catholic faith, that denomination had no organization of any kind. This event, together with the energy and enthusiasm of the small band of disciples of that faith, was the impetus which forwarded the establishment of the church here in 1859. The visits of Bishop Gibbons--the late Cardinal--and Bishop Keene greatly strengthened the prospects of the church, and though its members.h.i.+p roll is not a long one, it embraces today some of our solid and successful citizens. They have erected a neat brick church, and comfortable parsonage adjacent on Princess Anne Street. The priests who have officiated have been men deserving the high esteem of the community, and well able to carry on; the genial Father Thomas B. Martin is the present priest in charge.

THE CAMPBELLITE CHURCH

An inconspicuous red brick building on Main Street which has the undeniable stamp of age, though decorated with a new and modern front, is the Christian, or Campbellite Church, built in 1834. This was only two years after Alexander Campbell, the eloquent founder of the sect, came here to expound his creed, and to organize his church. Its little band of workers has pa.s.sed through many stages of discouragement, but with fort.i.tude and energy they have again and again revivified the spark of life, which at times seemed to burn so low. The building was used, during the War between the States, as a hospital. Under the leaders.h.i.+p of Reverend Landon Cutler, Reverend Cephas Shelburne, Reverend Samuel H.

Forrer, and others, with the labors of the present pastor, Reverend Daniel E. Motley, the members.h.i.+p has of late been greatly increased. The Bible used by Alexander Campbell on some of his visits here, is a highly esteemed relic.

SOME SCHOOLS OF FREDERICKSBURG

The Public School system was established here as early as 1870. At first the schools were not well patronized, owing in part to the unusual and well-merited success of the private schools, and old-time prejudice against new methods, then termed "socialistic." Their popularity increased with their efficiency, prejudice was entirely eliminated, and to-day we have a splendid brick building on Main and Lewis Streets, which houses the elementary grades, well-equipped and with a commodious auditorium.

The handsome high school building on Liberty street has been completed within the past year. It cost 125,000 and is a credit to the town. The chief problem here is the lack of room to accommodate the unexpectedly increasing number of lads and la.s.ses who present themselves on the opening September morn. More than several times have the efficient and painstaking princ.i.p.al and teachers congratulated themselves on acquiring adequate conditions for placing the pupils, when in an incredibly short time, "congestion," and "half-day sessions," are again topics in school circles.

THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL

The crowning glory of Fredericksburg in the educational line and probably the most far-reaching in its benefits and results is the State Normal School, established here by Act of the Virginia legislature in 1908, State Senator C. O'Conner Goolrick being most active in securing its location here. The ma.s.sive buildings crown the apex of one of the most picturesque slopes on the left of the far-famed Marye's Heights. An inst.i.tution of this caliber, in order to radiate the best in every line of its many activities, must be apart from the business, social, and commercial life of the community, and yet near enough to benefit from the many obvious advantages its proximity to such a center affords. The Normal School fully meets this condition. The drive of about a mile from the center of the town is an interesting one, and, when the summit of the hill is reached, the driveway circles around the imposing brick structures; the Administration Building, Frances Willard Hall, Virginia Hall, Monroe Hall, and others. To the east, in all its historic pride lies the ancient city.

To the west, beyond the carefully kept, and attractive campus, and over the Athletic Field, nothing is visible but fields and forests and rolling hills,--nature's handiwork,--and, as the eye sweeps the horizon, it is arrested by more hills and dales of that region of our state named in honor of that daring and picturesque character, "The Knight of the Golden Horseshoe."

[Ill.u.s.tration: NEAR b.l.o.o.d.y ANGLE

_Monument at the Spot Where General Sedgwick, of Connecticut, Was Killed by a Confederate Sharpshooter_]

Under President A. B. Chandler, Jr., and a faculty of teachers chosen to provide that type of instruction calculated to prepare young women for successful vocations, the school is a success.

SCHOOLS OF OLD TIMES

If justice were done to each of the excellent schools of varying characteristics, in the old days of Fredericksburg, many times the s.p.a.ce allotted to this subject would be infringed upon. But at the risk of this infringement, the names of some of the local educators of other days must be included. Mr. Thomas H. Hanson was sometime Master of the Fredericksburg Academy, that old school which is said to have begun its existence on Gunnery Green, which in its early days disseminated the seeds of learning to many youths, who afterwards became distinguished statesman.

Messrs. Powell and Morrison were princ.i.p.als of a girl's school in old Citizens Hall; Mr. John Goolrick and son George educated some of our most influential citizens of the past generation; Judge Richard H. Coleman taught a school for boys at Kenmore, and also at Hazel Hill; Mrs. John Peyton Little conducted a popular school for girls at her residence, the old Union House on Main Street; Colonel W. Winston Fontaine had a large school for girls, and at a later period Miss Frank Chinn, Miss Tillie Slaughter, and others, and still later Miss Willie Schooler (Mrs. Frank Page) conducted elementary schools, which by reason of their efficiency gained great popularity. The school of the late Charles Wisner was largely attended by both s.e.xes.

FREDERICKSBURG COLLEGE

The interesting building (now the home of Mr. W. E. Lang, Smithsonia) has almost since its construction been closely a.s.sociated with the religious or educational life of the community. In it for years was conducted successfully, under various teachers, a school for young ladies, always under Presbyterian management. For years it housed some of the departments of the Presbyterian Home and School, of which that popular and efficient inst.i.tution, familiarly known as The Fredericksburg College was a part.

Founded in 1893 by Reverend A. P. Saunders, D. D., the beneficial activities of this inst.i.tution continued until 1915. Not only were the widows and orphans of Presbyterian ministers the beneficiaries in many ways, but it afforded unusually fine opportunities to the youth of the town, and surrounding country, not only in the usual college courses, but in its school of music and art as well. In many instances its graduates have distinguished themselves at the University of Virginia, Johns Hopkins, and elsewhere.

COLORED INSt.i.tUTIONS

The colored citizens of the town--and the phrase is synonymous with law-abiding, respectful and intelligent citizens--have shown commendable energy and interest in their churches and schools, as is manifested in the substantial buildings housing their religious and educational activities.

Three churches, all of the Baptist denomination, each with its own pastor, hold services regularly. Each has a large congregation and a flouris.h.i.+ng Sunday School. Though the equipment of both high and graded schools is only fair, the corps of teachers, all of their own race, is as efficient as anywhere in the State.

"s.h.i.+loh Old Site" and "s.h.i.+loh New Site" are the leading colored churches, and each of these has been steadily growing for years.

_The Church of England_

_First in Virginia, the Church of England Has the Longest History._

It has been said, and by reliable searchers after historical truths, that the first Christian shrine in America was built by Spanish missionaries, and on the site where now stands the City of Fredericksburg. But as no proof has been found, we relinquish this claim, and find our first authentic beginnings of Christianity in an old entry found in the records of Spotsylvania County, 1724: "Information brought by Thomas Chew, Church warden, against John Diggs for absenting himself from the place of divine wors.h.i.+p; he is fined ten s.h.i.+llings, or one hundred pounds of tobacco, or must receive corporal punishment in lieu thereof, as the law directs."

These were days in the infant colony when religious freedom had no place.

Legislation was paramount and, though never since those times has the need of the gospel been so obvious, the people had to accept the Minister that "His Honorable, the Governor," sent them.

St. George's parish and the early history of Fredericksburg are inseparably linked. Affairs of Church and affairs of State were embodied in one system.

In the main the character and manner of living of the early ministers of the Church of England here were not in accord with the dignity of their mission. Incidents so indicating were not at all unusual: on one occasion a clergyman of gigantic size and strength had a rough and tumble fight with members of his vestry, in which the laymen were knocked out. The burly Englishman took as his text the following Sunday, "And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair." Bishop Meade says, "Surely G.o.d must have greatly loved this branch of his Holy Catholic Church, or he would not have borne so long with her unfaithfulness, and so readily forgiven her sins." But happily, all those who in the olden days ministered in the Parish of St. George were not of this type.

[Sidenote: _Some of the Early Rectors_]

St. George's Parish and the County of Spotsylvania were contemporaneously established in 1720. The first official record of the parish extant is the notice of the vestry meeting on January 16, 1726, at Mattaponi, one of the three churches then in the parish, Reverend Theodosius Staige, minister.

Reverend Rodman Kennor succeeded Mr. Staige. It was not until the 10th of April, 1732, that Colonel Henry Willis contracted to build a church on the site of the present St. George's, seventy-five thousand pounds of tobacco being the consideration. After much discussion accompanied by usual excitement, the State urging its claims and the vestry not indifferent as to who "His Honorable, the Governor," would send them, the Reverend Patrick Henry, uncle of the famous Patrick Henry, became minister. Colonel Henry Willis and Colonel John Waller, "or he that first goes to Williamsburgh" is desired to return thanks to His Honor.