WV-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 00 : Issue 49 Today's Topics: #2 HISTORY:Methodist Episcopal Church [PTyler107@aol.com] #3 HISTORY:First Presbyterian Church [PTyler107@aol.com] ______________________________X-Message: #2 Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 23:32:08 EST From: PTyler107@aol.com To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <6d.1c19a46.25f33d48@aol.com> Subject: HISTORY:Methodist Episcopal Church (South) of Hamlin, Lincoln Co.,WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 X-MIME-Autoconverted: from 8bit to quoted-printable by bl-14.rootsweb.com id KAA06841 West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia, Supplement Vol. 7, Hardesty’s, Lincoln County, published by Jim Comstock, Richwood, WV 1974 Methodist Episcopal Church (South) of Hamlin, was organized soon after the division of the Methodist Episcopal Church, probably about 1846, by the Rev. William McComas. The first class was formed at the residence of Joseph Ho lton, the same now occupied by J. M. Dingess. Among the first members were: Rebecca Spurlock, Nancy A. Spurlock, Fanny Holton, (a daughter of the former), Elizabeth Holton, Joseph Holton, Lucinda Holton, George A. Holton and wife, Harvey Barrett, Lucy Barrett, James A. Holley, Charles Lawrence (the first class leader) and Sarah J. Lawrence. In the year 1850 Rev. R. Lancaster became the presiding elder of the Guyandotte River district, and through his untiring labors this congregation succeeded in erecting a hewed log church, which in honor of him and in commemoration of his services, was called Lancaster Chapel. In 1858 it was determined to erect a frame church. George A. Holton gave a lot, and together with Harvey Barrett and James A. Holley, succeeded in collecting sufficient means to defray the expense of building. In 1861 it was completed and dedicated by Rev. P. H. Hoffman, now a prominent member of the Kentucky conference. It was called Bias Chapel, in honor of Rev. Roland Bias, who was then traveling Mud River circuit, and who is now a member of the Western Virginia conference. The Civil War came on, and in 1862 the church was occupied by Company D of the 34th Ohio Zouave Regiment, and by various other bodies of soldiers, until the close of the war, when it was almost a total wreck. In 1867 the authorities took possession of it, and fitted it up for a court house, and as such it was used until 1875, when they purchased it from the trustees; but it was afterward sold by the county and repurchased by the trustees, after which it was used for church purposes until 1881, when a lot was purchased in the town and a building erected, which is a credit to the religious zeal which built it, and an ornament to the town in which its lofty spire towers. ______________________________X-Message: #3 Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 23:56:30 EST From: PTyler107@aol.com To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: Subject: HISTORY:First Presbyterian Church of Hamlin, Lincoln Co., WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 X-MIME-Autoconverted: from 8bit to quoted-printable by bl-14.rootsweb.com id KAA06841 West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia, Supplement Vol. 7, Hardesty’s, Lincoln County, published by Jim Comstock, Richwood, WV 1974 First Presbyterian Church of Hamlin. This church was organized in the month of November 1874, by the Rev. Edward Eels, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at St. Albans, Kanawha County, West Virginia. Joseph W. Holt was chosen and installed the elder of the church. The members at the time of the organization were: Joseph W. Holt, Mrs. Nancy Holt, Lula Holt, Bettie Holt, Martha Sweetland, Rebecca Dayser, Carrie Kayser, Melvin Kayser, Mattie Sweetland, Maggie Sweetland, Julia Spurlock, Mary Thomas, Mr. Hedrick, Mrs. Hedrick, and Mary Wilkinson. Since the formation several accessions have been made, among whom are: Mrs. I. V. Sweetland, Jennie Sanford, and Mrs. Dr. G. F. Robinson. The church at present has neither a regular pastor nor stated supply.