Nansemond County Virginia USGenWeb Archives History.....Suffolk Christian Church, 1937 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ OLD TIMES In Suffolk By LEMUEL CLIFFORD ORGANIZING A CHURCH It was in the year 1859, that a little band of Christian gentlemen, all residents of the little town of Suffolk met and further discussed the question which had been agitated tor some time previously; the need for a house of worship for the small number, comprising about twenty-five, who were followers of the denomination designating themselves the Christian congregation. It was agreed at this meeting of some of the leaders in the movement that the organization must build a church if it was to take its place in the community as a factor in the religious work of the town, so these leaders organized a Board of Trustees, and this board then and there formulated plans to begin the erection of a small brick church building, on the east side of Main street. BOARD OF TRUSTEES This board consisted of the following gentlemen: The Rev. W.B. Wellons, the Rev. Wm. H. Boykin, Messers Thomas J. Kilby, R.C. Wells, Willis S. Riddick, Richard L. Brewer, Robert B. Brinkley, James A. Parker, and Robert M. Darden. After finally arranging the necessary financial plans for carrying through their project, in the year 1860 a contract was made with Mr. Thomas J. Kilby to erect a suitable church building, and with little delay, the work was begun, and the following year saw its completion, and on the second Sabbath in March 1861, this edifice was dedicated, by the Rev. W.B. Wellons. TWENTY-FIVE MEMBERS The Christian church was formally organized, with twenty members in November 1860, with the Rev. W.B. Wellons as its first pastor, and tha church was received into the Eastern Virginia Conference the same month of its organization. A Sabbath school was organized in April, 1861, with Robert B. Brinkley and James A. Turrentine as superintendents, but with war declared about this time, and both these gentlemen having been called into the service, the school was never fully organized. Services were held regularly in the church until 1862, when Federal troops occupied Suffolk, and on June 17, 1862, the pastor was compelled to flee from the persecution of the Federal authorities on account of his avowed Southern sentiments, but his brother, the Rev. James W. Wellons, continued to hold services till November 1862, when he too was forced to become an exile. OCCUPIED BY FEDERALS After this, for several Sabbaths, the church was occupied by a Federal chaplain, who held services there, later being used as a hospital, and later the building was closed till May 1865. When the war was over, the pastor returned, to find his little flock scattered. One of his trustees, Robert B. Brinkley, who was Captain of a company from the vicinity of Cypress Chapel, and who had displayed much gallantry, fell in battle at Hanover Junction in May 1864. The Rev. W.B. Wellons, soon after his return from the war, called his flock again together and began regular services. In August 1865, the church enjoyed a gracious outpouring of the Holy Ghost. REVIVAL The meeting lasted nineteen days and nights, and there were seventy-seven confessions of faith in Christ, twenty-five united with the church, and the rest found church homes in the other denominations, or with the Christian churches in the country. The pastor was efficiently assisted in this series of meetings by tha Rev. James Murray of the Presbyterian church. During the War Between the States the records of the church were destroyed, and no doubt much valuable matter was not reproduced after the war. At the conference held in November, 1865, the record shows that the Rev. W.B. Wellons had been secured as pastor at a salary of $100., and other expenses were estimated at $50., making the total for the year $150. (Continued Tomorrow) ****************************************************************************** OLD TIMES In Suffolk By LEMUEL CLIFFORD (Continued) The actual expenses as seen in the financial report of the year were even less, as the report showed the collections to have been $148.10, and after paying all expenses, there remained in the treasury, a balance Of $4.56. The pastor's salary was increased the next year to $135.00, and the largest individual payment was $10.00. At a church conference in 1867, the pastor urged the necessity of a Sabbath school, and the subsequent Tuesday night was appointed for a special meeting to consider the matter. References in the August conference reports show that a Sabbath school had already been organized. SALARY INCREASED In 1870, the salary of the pastor was increased to $150.00, and up to this period he preached one Sunday in the month in the morning, and several times at night. In 1872, the church called the Rev. W.B. Wellons to devote his whole time to the church at a salary of $700.00, and at that time first adopted the envelope system of collections. In January 1873 other improvements were made in the system of financial operations. MR. WELLONS RETIRES In October 1876, the Rev. Wellons having been confined to his bed by a long illness, asked to be relieved as pastor, and his congregation continued him as honorary pastor till his decease, on February 16, 1877, and the Rev. J.T. Whitley, who had assisted as pastor, during the illness of the Rev. Wellons, was fully installed as pastor. The term of the Rev. Wellons was eighteen years, during which time the church was built and paid for, and 226 members received into the church. The civil war, and the ruined fortunes of the people subsequent to that period made the term of his office one of struggle, but God crowned his labors with success. THE REV. WHITLEY He let his mantle fall upon the Rev. J.T. Whitley, who continued as pastor from 1877 to 1879, when he resigned and withdrew from the Christian church, afterward uniting with the M.E. Church, South, becoming a minister in that denomination. During the term of the Rev. Mr. Whitley 21 members were received into the church, the Sabbath school was greatly improved, and the idea of the Ladies Benevolent and Social Union grew into a practical society. The Rev. W.T. Walker became the third pastor of the church, and served the congregation efficiently for three years, during which time thirty members were added to the church. NEW INTEREST There was a revival of interest during that period, and a prescious "time refreshing" from the presence of the Lord. The next pastor, the Rev. W.W. Staley, entered upon his duties in December 1882. THE REV. W. W. STALEY In 1884, he called attention to needed repairs, which resulted in the addition of a chapel 44 x 36 feet, a thorough renovation of the church, and a fine organ, this all being accomplished in 1884, at a cost of something like $2,000.00. The congregation grew till the church overflowed, and by 1889 the erection of a new church building was agitated. This idea grew and a subscription of $10,000 was taken on July 22, 1890. TO ERECT NEW CHURCH A building committee was appointed, and in May, 1891, the work of removing the old church began. The congregation moved into the City Hall on the first Sunday in June, 1891, while the old church building was being razed, where they remained for a time. On the first Sunday in August 1893, they moved to the basement of the new church, occupying those quarters while the building of the church was in progress, and when completed moved from the basement with everything complete for the great dedication of the handsome new edifice. During the pastorate of Rev. Staley 243 members were added to the membership, and when the new church was dedicated there were more than three hundred members on the roll. ****************************************************************************** OLD TIMES In Suffolk By LEMUEL CLIFFORD DEDICATING A CHURCH A congregation estimated at twelve hundred crowded into the new Christian church on Sunday, January 28, 1894, to assist in the dedicatory exercises, which were participated in by the various ministers of the town, and the members of all the churches helped fill the large auditorium and balcony. The program was a very elaborate one, and began with the strains of the new organ, followed by the Invocation by the Rev. N.G. Newman. Then was sung, "We Praise Thee," by Miss Florence Harvey, Mrs. Alida Beamon, Walter W. Ballard, and John F. Lotzia. Then, Scripture Lesson, Psalm 48 read by the Rev. H.C. Moore of the Presbyterian church. Then followed the reading of hymn, 690, by the Rev. J.P. Love of the Baptist church. The Rev. George C. Vanderslice, of the Methodist church, then offered prayer. The Anthem, "Gloria" by the choir, followed by Scripture lesson, Psalms 122, John 10, 7-18 by the Rev. John N. McCormick of St. Paul’s Episcopal church. Then, hymn 703, read by the Rev. W.T. Herndon, followed by the offertory. Then came a solo by C.S. Jardine of New York city, followed by a sermon by the Rev. C.J. Jones, D.D., of Norfolk. The dedicatory anthem, "Oh How Amiable Are Thy Dwellings," by the choir. Dedication by the Rev. C.J. Jones D.D., after which the Rev W.W. Staley delivered one of the most powerful sermons ever heard in the church, which was also lengthy, and kept the entire congregation in their seats until the end, after which there was the Doxology. The old church building was started in 1860, and gradually the congregation had outgrown it until it became necessary to raze it completely and erect the new and imposing building. It was a great day for the Christian denomination in Suffolk, and the exercises attracted many people from away, both laymen and ministers, and the fact that it had the aid and assistance of all the local ministers was proof of the popularity of Dr. Staley and his congregation among the Christian people of the town. ****************************************************************************** Bursts O' Five BY THE EDITOR I Some Sundays ago, in an address delivered to the pupils, teachers and officers of the Young People's Department of the Suffolk Christian Church, Major W.E. MacClenny, local historian, gave a history of the local church, prefacing it with some of the facts about the denomination's beginnings in the South. I asked him at the time if I might not publish it, as I had the histories of other churches of various denominations in this area, so here it is: II SUFFOLK CHRISTIAN CHURCH "It might not be amiss to say that the Christian Church in the South began in 1792, when there was a split in the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church over the form of church government. Rev. James O'Kelly, who had been a Presiding Elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church since its organization in 1784, and had been stationed in southern Virginia and North Carolina during those years, did not feel that the form of church government was according to the Bible teachings, and left the conference when the right of appeal from the Bishop's decision was lost. III "For nearly two years he and about thirty other ministers who had followed him tried to get some concessions from the Baltimore Conference decision, and after holding two sessions in Charlotte county, Va., one in Chesterfield county, and one at the Manakintown in Powhatan County where the new church was partially organized, the whole body met in Surry County, Virginia, near the present Surry Court House, where the Christian Church in the South was organized. The spot is marked by a monument on State Highway No. 10 about two miles from Surry Court House. IV "At this session they adopted the following as their platform: 1. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Head of the Church. 2. The Name Christian to the exclusion of all party and sectarian names. 3. The Holy Bible, or the Scripture of the Old and the New Testaments our only creed, and a sufficient rule of faith and practice. 4. Christian Character, or vital piety, the only test of Church fellowship and membership. 5. The right of private judgment, and the liberty of conscience, the privilege and duty of all. V "The new body met in a deliberative capacity each year, and called their meetings Union Meetings or General Meetings. Later owing to distances and other things they met in Conferences. Our Eastern Virginia Christian Conference dates its beginning from the year 1816, when it began to be born, and the first regular session was held at Cypress Chapel, Nansemond county, Virginia, September 25, 1819, and it has a continual record since that time, except when the heel of a hostile army was on this section, and the sessions could not be held, in 1862, 1863, 1864." (To be continued) ****************************************************************************** Bursts O' Five BY THE EDITOR I I am continuing below to quote from W.E. MacClenny's address giving much of the history of the Suffolk Christian Church: II "In order that we may get a clear view of the religious conditions in our city it will be necessary for us to look backward to see the beginnings of the Churches in it. We, the Christians, are indebted to many people for what we are today. The Established Church brought to us the open Bible, the thirty- nine Articles of Religion, the Prayer Book, and the Protestant system of religion. They came with the first settlers in the early years of the 17th Century, about 1630. The Friends brought us their quietness and plainness, and meditative spirit about 1656. The Baptists brought us the first idea of a separate church and State about 1773, and constituted their first church in the county in 1779. The Methodists came to this section about the same time and gave us a practical and an experimental religion. The Presbyterians entered the town in 1876, the Roman Catholics in 1909, and the Jewish Congregation in 1914. III "Out of the Methodist Episcopal Church was born the Christian Church in this section. The early leader, Rev. James O'Kelly, who led the revolt in Baltimore in 1792, had been the presiding elder in this section in 1789, 1790, and 1792, and was known in the county. Soon he gathered Christian Congregations at Cypress Chapel, where he and Bishop Asbury met in 1780, and one at Holy Neck. These were the only two Christian Churches in the county in 1846 when Dr. Wm. B. Wellons came to Nansemond from Southampton. The other neighboring Christian Church was at Antioch, in Isle of Wight County. IV "These were very very weak, but under his able ministrations they were at once revived, and soon grew to be strong churches. Dr. Wellons settled in the town of Suffolk in 1850 and at once began to plan to build a Christian Church in his adopted town, but owing to the press of other duties, the plan was not put in execution until 1859 when the friends of the Christian Church in this section decided to erect a House of Worship in Suffolk and organized a church. In the meantime, Dr. Wellons had organized Bethlehem Christian Church in 1847 on the Holland Highway, and many of the members of the Christian Church who were residing in Suffolk, were members of that church, as it was near. V "At that date there was much religious prejudice existing in the whole country, and there were people who did not want to see a Christian Church established in the town. A lot for that purpose could not be purchased according to Deacon Wm. H. Gay, and when the present lot was secured it had first to be deeded to an individual. Dr. Wellons had a Board of Trustees named as follows: Rev. W.B. Wellons, Rev. W.H. Boykin, Thomas J. Kilby, R.C. Wells, Willis S. Riddick, Richard L. Brewer, Robert B. Brinkley, James A. Parker, and Robert M. Darden. W.B. Wellons was chosen President and Treasurer of the Board. For a few seconds let us look at his board: Dr. Wellons was the greatest leader the Christian Church, South, has ever produced. Rev. Wm. H. Boykin was a man of vision. Hon. Thomas J. Kilby, had been in the Virginia legislature and had been President of the Conference several times. Willis S. Riddick later became the first President of the Farmers Bank of Nansemond." (Continued) ****************************************************************************** Bursts O' Five BY THE EDITOR I Below I am continuing to quote from a recent address of W.E. MacClenny in which he told much of the history of the Suffolk Christian Church: II "Richard L. Brewer was then a prominent man, an educator, and was the first Superintendent of the Nansemond County's Public School system when it went into effect in 1870; Robert B. Brinkley was Captain of the Cypress Sharp Shooters, Company "I", 41st Virginia Infantry, C.S. Army and was killed in May 1864 at Hanover Junction leading his men. James A. Parker and R.C. Wells were prominent citizens, and Robert M. Darden was a merchant who lived on the White Marsh Road at the mouth of the Washington Ditch, and was instrumental in procuring salt for the entire section during the last years of the war. In the year 1860, he will not say what month, but think it was October, Dr. Wellons called a meeting of the members of the Christian Church living in Suffolk at his house on what is now West Washington Street where Col. J.E. West lives. The original house has been moved, but is still in use and is known as the Robert W. Baker home on Wellons Street. III "The charter members who attended that meeting were: Wm. B. Wellons, Sarah L. Wellons, Rives Chapel Wells, Julia A.S. Wells, James A. Parker, Lucy Ann Parker, Robert B. Brinkley, James Pugh, Frances Pugh, Mary A. Higgins, Sarah E. Norfleet, James A. Turrentine, Thomas J. Kilby, Ann U. Kilby, Willis S. Riddick, Mary Ann Riddick, James A. Norfleet, Emma Norfleet, Caroline V. Riddick, Thomas S. Kilby, Annie E. Cutchin, Louis Norfleet, Wm. T. Duke, Louisiana Turrentine, and Elizabeth Ward. IV "At the first meeting of the Church, Rev. Wm. B. Wellons was elected pastor; Thomas J. Kilby and Rives C. Wells, deacon; Robert B. Brinkley, secretary; Willis S. Riddick, collector and treasurer; Josiah Smith, sexton. The Five Cardinal Principles of the Christian Church were adopted. The Church was received into the Eastern Virginia Christian Conference at Cypress Chapel in October-November 1860, Thomas J. Kilby and Willis S. Riddick were the first delegates. A subscription was opened and in a few months a sufficient amount had been pledged to warrant the trustees in advertising for proposals to erect a brick house of worship. Rev. Wm. B. Wellons, Thomas J. Kilby and Jesse B. Brewer were appointed a building committee. V "In January, 1860 a contract was entered into with Thomas J. Kilby to erect a brick house of worship on north Main Street in the town of Suffolk on a lot of land owned by Rev. Wm. B. Wellons and known as the 'DeFord Lot.' Mr. Kilby expected it to be a long-drawn-out affair and would not start the construction of the house until the pine stage poles had been skinned. While the house was under construction Rev. Wm. B. Wellons at one time became very much discouraged, and his brother, Rev. James W. Wellons, who happened to be in Suffolk, made a trip to the Antioch community and its members and secured the necessary funds to press the work on to completion. The house of worship was completed March 1, 1861 and was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God on the second Sunday in March, 1861, which was March 11th. The sermon on the occasion was by Rev. B. Wellons the pastor from 1st Chronicles, 29th Chapter and a part of the 6th verse; 'And who is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord.'" ****************************************************************************** Bursts O' Five BY THE EDITOR I In the portion of W.E. MacClenny’s address quoted below he tells of the War Between the States activities and inactivities of the Suffolk Christian Church: II "In April 1861, a Sunday School was planned for and Capt. Robert B. Brinkley and James A. Turrentine were elected as Superintendents; but both of them were called to the colors at once as the War Between the States had just begun; hence the Sunday School did not operate until after the war. From March 1861 to May 11, 1862 services were regularly held, but at that time Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk were evacuated by the Confederate forces, and on the 12th the town was occupied by the Federal troops. The pastor, Rev. Wm. B. Wellons, who was then editor of The Christian Sun published here, was a thorough Southerner and States' rights man, and had so expressed himself in his paper in no uncertain terms, and in a few days or on June 17th, 1862 he had to make arrangements to leave his home and family and go in the Confederate lines for safety. His brother, Rev. James W. Wellons, who was assisting him that year, remained with the church as pastor until November of that year when he too had to flee for safety within the Confederate Lines beyond Blackwater River. III The church then had 31 members, more than half of whom followed the pastor either in the army or as refugees in the Confederate lines. The church was then used by the Federal Chaplains for some time, and later as a hospital. After the Federal evacuation of Suffolk, on July 3, 1863, the doors were closed, and remained so until after Appomattox. The spider built his web from corner to corner, and the healthy weeds grew up to the very church door. In reading the accounts of the Union soldiers' stay in Suffolk, one of the historians remarked that his regiment came over to the town and held services in one of the churches and a wag painted on a board and put it up at the door 'Seats free.' From his description it was the Christian Church. IV "In May, 1866 after many harrowing experiences the Pastor, Rev. Wm. B. Wellons, returned to Suffolk and to what had been his home and Church to find his home in ruins, and the membership of the church scattered and disheartened. He at once set about to make his home livable and to try to get the church together. He preached for his former parishioners in the country, and in August he held a great revival meeting in the church here for 19 days and nights, and 77 persons were converted and he took in 26 new members. He was employed to preach for the congregation again for $100.00 per year. He continued as pastor from 1865 until October 24, 1876, when he resigned on account of failing health; and upon his resignation, and personal request, Rev. Jesse T. Whitley was chosen as pastor, and continued until February 28th, 1879. During the pastorate of Dr. Wellons he did a great work, became a leading advocate of Temperance, and through The Christian Sun, introduced the cultivation of the peanut as a farm crop. He was a great preacher, a great leader, a great editor, a great reformer, and became a national figure in the field of Temperance. V "Rev. Jesse T. Whitley was succeeded by Rev. William T. Walker, of North Carolina, who served until November, 1882. Wm. T. Walker was a direct descendant of Rev. James O'Kelly. He was followed by Rev. Dr. William Wesley Staley, who served from November 1882 to September 1923, when he was elected pastor emeritus for life with salary and parsonage. At that time Rev. Howard S. Hardcastle became pastor and remained until September 1933. He was succeeded September 1, 1933 by Rev. Dr. John G. Truitt, who is still serving the church." (Continued) ****************************************************************************** Bursts O' Five BY THE EDITOR I The first Sunday School session held at the Suffolk Christian Church was May 19, 1867, said Major W.E. MacClenny, in a recent address from which I continue to quote below: II "We might notice some of the things that have happened during the past 75 years. May 12th, 1866 the Church Conference passed a vote of thanks to the Christian Church in Boston, Mass., for 50 copies of The New Christian Harp. Perhaps this was done by some men from the 6th Mass. Regt., who were here in 1862-63, and from the diary of one of the men which we have, they were more religious than most soldiers. I have recently met a son of one of those men, and taken him to where his father was camped and where he missed death by only a hair's breadth. In 1866, the total budget of the church was $148.70. The heavenly fare was not so high in those days. On July 31st, 1868 the church had a debt of $1,350.00, and there was a commercial enterprise started to help pay off the debts. III "May 19, 1867 the first session of Sunday School was held in the church, 3 officers, six teachers and twenty-two pupils were present. Mr. Virginius Kilby was the Supt., Hon. Thomas J. Kilby was the Asst. Supt., Jesse T. Whitley, Secretary and Librarian, and Rives C. Wells, Treasurer. Bro. Virginius Kilby was out of town and Thomas J. Kilby, Asst. Supt., opened the school. The weather was fair. The superintendent was to teach the Bible Class, and they are (Mrs. G. Etta Bartlett Nurney, Mrs. Lizzie Smith Norfleet, and Mrs. S. Kate Norfleet Brothers) all living this day. Moral: If you wish to live to a ripe old age, attend Sunday School from your youth up. The treasurer did not have any duties to perform until July 21st, when the first penny collection was taken up, amounting to 46 cents. 'Despise not the day of small things,' as we know what that has lead to in this same church. IV "In 1871 the church gave $15.00 for the education of two young men who were preparing for the ministry. It was Nov. 29th, 1872 before the church had preaching every Sunday. Nov. 8th, 1873 the church pledged $20.00 for ministerial education. As early as 1875 the church had an organist, Prof. Williams, and he had served the previous year. Nov. 3rd, 1883 the church paid $2.18 for Convention fund for the years 1882, 1883, Home Missions $12.50, and on Oct. 28th, 1883 a special collection was taken and $5.23 was received. From the church minutes in 1884 Dr. Staley was a little discouraged on account of his and his family's health in Suffolk. At the July Conference 1890 the August vacation began. October 26th, 1894 a committee was appointed to remove Willow Hill Cemetery to Cedar Hill, and it took 29 years to complete the task. V "July 3, 1895 the pastor was allowed the months of September, October, and November to visit the Holy Land, and the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Wm. J. Laine during his absence. February 22nd, 1899, the church parsonage was provided for. October 23, 1907 Dr. W.W. Staley, on the completion of his 25th year as pastor was given a bag with 600 silver dollars in it, Col. E.E. Holland making the presentation speech. Many individual and union revivals have been held in the church. We have mentioned the first one in August 1865 by the pastor, Rev. Wm. B. Wellons, with 77 converts. In 1888 Dr. C.J. Jones held one with the pastor, Dr. Staley, when some of the most substantial members were taken in the church. (Continued) ****************************************************************************** Bursts O' Five BY THE EDITOR I A total of 183 members were added to Suffolk Christian Church in one revival, according to the address of W.E. MacClenny, from which I continue to quote today: II "In 1907, Rev. John E. Brown and his singer, Rev. Mr. Curry, held one of the greatest revivals ever held in the town. The religious life of the whole community was revived, and the church gained 183 members. Rev. Peter Culpepper held a revival some years ago and many people united with the church. The last two were union revivals, and then there have been quite a few revivals held by the church alone. III On Sunday, October 8, 1916, a life-sized oil portrait of Rev. W.B. Wellons, D.D., the founder of this church, was unveiled and presented to the church as a gift from John T. Griffin, a banker of Portsmouth, Va., and a great admirer of Dr. Wellons. The portrait was painted by Mr. Mac Robbins Long, son of Judge B.F. Long, of Statesville, N.C. Pictures of Capt. Robert B. Brinkley, Mr. James A. Turrentine and Deacon Wm. H. Gay have been presented to the Sunday School by their families, and are now in the ladies' parlor of the church. Dr. Staley's picture is in the Junior Philathea room and Mr. Hersey Woodward, Sr.'s is in the Baraca room, he having organized the Baraca Class here. Last year a large picture of E.E. Holland, for many years teacher of the Baraca class was presented to that group by his widow. In 1884 the addition of a Sunday School room 30 x 30, and a Pastor's Study 21 x 13 was erected in the rear of the church, a connection was made so that the main church and the Sunday School room could be used as one; and the church was renovated, a new organ placed in the gallery, and a new pavement and iron fence on the front at a cost of $2,075.40. IV "In 1892-1893, the whole church was torn down and a new church erected at a cost of $40,000.00 and a seating capacity of 800; and a new Jardine pipe organ was installed at a cost of $3,500.00. This church was dedicated on January 28, 1894, Rev. Dr. C.J. Jones, of Memorial Temple, Norfolk, officiating and preaching the sermon. It was a great occasion, a great congregation and a great service. One of the programs is still extant. Dr. Staley's mother and sister were present for the service. V "The addition of three Sunday School rooms and rest rooms were initiated October 27, 1905, and reported by C.A. Shoop, chairman of the committee, on July 30, 1913 as completed and paid for. In 1926-1928 a third addition was made to the church of fifty two rooms at a cost of $120,265.25. The total number of rooms is now sixty and the cost about $200,000.00. As a church and Departmental Sunday School building it has no superior, though others have cost more money. Dr. Staley's fine library has been donated by his daughters to the Suffolk Christian Church, and has been catalogued and marked." (Continued) ****************************************************************************** Bursts O' Five BY THE EDITOR I In the early years of the Suffolk Christian Church members were arraigned for non-attendance, non-payment of dues, dancing in public, and drinking, according to the address of W.E. MacClenny, from which I continue to quote today: II "In the early history of the Church the record showed male members present and then females; sometimes men and then women present. For many years the church held monthly conferences and the members were arraigned before the church for non-attendance, non-payment of dues, dancing in public, and drinking. The offenders were summoned by notice to attend a conference to answer the charges, and from some of the records it resembled a regular magistrate's court. There was one thing that those stern rules of the church developed, and that was character, which we fear is lacking today. III "The music of the church has advanced with the times. At first from what we can gather, a leader with his tuning fork was present to lead the music. Later an organ was installed with an organist, then came the choir director. Several people who have had the leadership of the music have been from Oberlin Conservatory, and the music of the church has compared favorably with any in this section. We mention a few of these leaders. Prof. Willie Williams, the first organist that we have found, Miss Florence Harvey, Miss Mary Castler, Prof. Miller, Miss Jennie Ballard, now Mrs. Wirkler, Mrs. A.D. Bowen, Prof. E.M. Wilbur, Mrs. Bradford Kilby, and Mrs. C.R. Wallace, the present organist. Among the singers, Mrs. Lizzie Carr Brinkley, Mrs. Telza Miller, Mr. W.W. Ballard, and Mrs. Vernon Holland, the present choir leader. For some years we have had two choirs. The Junior choir was vested in 1922, and on Nov. 10th, 1935 the senior choir appeared vested. The church has also a vested young people's choir. IV "Trustees: Rev. W.B. Wellons, Rev. W.H. Boykin, Thomas J. Kilby, R.C. Wells, Willis S. Riddick, Richard L. Brewer, Robert B. Brinkley, James A. Parker, Robert M. Darden, Major D.B. Dunbar, Rev. E.W. Beale, Rev. Jesse T. Whitley, Wm. H. Jones, Jr., John T. Nurney, Thomas H. Hines, James R. Baker, James M. Caulk, John F. Lotzia, C.A. Shoop, George W. Nurney, B.F. Cutchin, H. Woodward, Sr., Walter W. Ballard, Edward E. Holland, Abram T. Holland, Dr. J.E. Rawls. Present board: J.E. West, W.E. MacClenny, Dr. David L. Rawls, Frank E. Butler, Herbert H. Holland. V "Deacons: Thomas J. Kilby, Rives Chapel Wells, Frank H. Rawles, James M. Caulk, William H. Gay, Wm. H. Barnes, S. Junius Carr, V. S. Kilby, John T. Nurney, D.B. Dunbar, John Z. Yates, H.M. Parker, J.W. Roberts, Townsend W. Artman, John S. Felton, James C. Felton, A.T. Holland, Dr. J.E. Rawles, G.A. Piland, John M. Darden. Present board: H.P. Murphy, Dr. D.L. Harrell, W.E. MacClenny, Jesse D. MacClenny, Richard Klages, E.H. Rawles, Col. J.E. West, John C. Ramsey, Floyd A. Turner, Dr. J.P. Cross, James J. Felton and W.A. Daughtrey. Secretaries: Robert B. Brinkley, Jesse T. Whitley, B.F. Cutchin, Thomas J. Hines, James R. Baker, Henley M. Parker, John Monell, John King, M.M. Watkins and J.D. MacClenny." (Continued) ****************************************************************************** Bursts O' Five BY THE EDITOR I A total of twenty-six hundred members have been received into the Suffolk Christian Church since its beginning, according to statistics given in an address recently made by W.E. MacClenny, local historian, I have been quoting from the results of his research from day to day and below is the concluding section: II "Treasurers: Willis S. Riddick, John F. Lotzia, B.F. Cutchin, P.J. Kernodle, James M. Caulk, H. Woodward, Sr., Claude E. Eley and E.H. Rawles. Sunday School superintendents: Capt. Robert B. Brinkley, James A. Turrentine, Virginius S. Kilby (who ran the first school), D.B. Dunbar, P.J. Kernodle, C.A. Shoop. J. King, D.C. Lewis, W.S. Beamon. III Pastors, the length of time served and number of members received follow: W.B. Wellons, 16 years, 447; Jesse T. Whitley, 3 years, 15; William T. Walker, 3 years, 20; W.W. Staley, 41 years, 1,238; H.S. Hardcastle, 10 years, 366; John G. Truitt, 10 years, 515. Total members received 2,600. Dead or withdrawn, 1,197. Present membership, 1,403. During the pastorate of the Rev. Truitt an indebtedness of $55,000 has been paid. IV "We have tried in a feeble way to bring out some of the things regarding our church. May her influence continue to increase with the coming years, and may she be a light unto the community pointing to the higher things of life on earth and to life eternal." (The end). V Since I have some space left I want to ask you a question. Do you realize that the "Bursts O' Five" column, has just had a birthday. The first "Burst" ran on March 26, 1942, (It had run in my Kentucky weekly for several years), and the column has not missed a single issue since that date. It started on page 7, soon found its way to a better space on the back page and after a few weeks was given a position of honor on the right hand side of the top of the editorial page immediately over Peter Edson's column. And then, when the columnist became editor, it crossed to the right hand side of this page alongside the editorial column. During the year the column has aroused considerable comment, criticism, and praise. I hope you continue to tell me just what you think of it and maybe I can improve it as the months go by. Do you like history, tradition, foolishness, opinion or something entirely different. As the president of the Illinois Central Railway System used to say, "Constructive criticisms and suggestions are appreciated." Suffolk Christian Church, organized Nov 1860; building dedicated Mar 1861; enlarged, 1884; re-built, 1891-93; building dedicated 28 Jan 1894, "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 15, No. 110, July 29, 1937, p. 4; "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 15, No. 111, July 30, 1937, p. 4; "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 15, No. 107, July 26, 1937, p. 4 "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 21, No. 3, Wed., Mar. 24, 1943, p. 4; "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 21, No. 4, Thurs., Mar. 25, 1943, p. 4; "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 21, No. 5, Fri., Mar. 26, 1943, p. 4; "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 21, No. 6, Sat., Mar. 27, 1943, p. 4; "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 21, No. 7, Mon., Mar. 29, 1943, p. 4; "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 21, No. 8, Tues., Mar. 30, 1943, p. 4; "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 21, No. 9, Wed., Mar. 31, 1943, p. 4; "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 21, No. 10, Thurs., Apr. 1, 1943, p. 4 An article ("Suffolk News-Herald," Mar. 2, 1969, II-11) on Rev. William Brock WELLONS, D.D. (1821 - 1877), Christian minister, Confederate chaplain, & editor of the "Christian Sun," is posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/history/w452wwdd.txt A general history of the Christian Church South, also by Prof. MacCLENNY, focusing on founder Rev. James O'KELLY, ("Suffolk News-Herald," Apr. 4-8, 1941) is posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/history/chr_ch.txt The author generally spelled his surname MacCLENNY, although his parents, David [Jr.] & Ann Maria (HOLLAND) McCLENNY, did not. A Spanish-American War veteran, he was the author of "The life of Rev. James O'Kelly and the early history of the Christian church in the South" (1910: Raleigh, NC, Edwards & Broughton Printing Co.) LVA: Closed Stacks BX6793.O4 M3 He & his parents are buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suffolk - Block H, Lot 56. Cedar Hill list, an extension of the Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/cemeteries/cedar_m.txt Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/history/suf_chr.txt