Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1892 — FIRST EPISCOPAL CHURCH [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FIRST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

In America Was Built in Virginia In 1037. Virginia,' the home of the Presidents, has yet other honors, and many are the historical memories that cling to the picturesque scenery of that sleepy old State. Among the many important events for which she is famous is the founding of the first temple of worship built in America by the Church of England.* This was built in Norfolk in 1637. The first minister in this parish, which was called the “Elizabeth River Parish,” was John Wilson. At that time tobacco being the chief currency, the minister’s salary /was fixed by law at 1,500 pounds of tobacco and .16 barrels of corn. This was subsequently increased, however, until in 1701 the minister of this parish, which then contained three chapels, received 20,000 pounds of tobacco per year. The congregation of this old church

was bound by severe and peculiar enactments of the Church of England to properly observe the Lord’s day, and other religious duties. Ono of these laws was to the effect that “every person of the age of 21 years and upward who should willfully be absent from parish church for ono month, or, being there, should not remain until the service was ended, should, on conviction, bo fined, and, on failure to pay the fine, should be whipped." The original grant of the land upon which this church was built is on record in the land offico at Richmond, Va. Samuel Roush, the first Muyor of Norfolk, who was prominently connected with the church, was burled In the old cemetery that surrounds the quaint old structure. In that samo cemetery may be noticed a stone, yellow with ago and of ancient lettering, erected to tho memory of the wife of Nathaniel Bacon, who lives

in history as the first British rebel. It bears the date'of 1691, and, though two centuries have elapsed, the English coat of arms may still be plainly seen. Jan. 1, 1778, a heavy cannonado from the British fleet opened tire on Norfolk and destroyed nearly ninetenths of the town, tho church being one of tho few biddings that escaped entire destruction. It was aftorward restored, but again In 1820, during a violent thunder-storm, the front wall of the church was forced in, which was soon, however, repaired, and it stands to-day as then a simple structure.

THE OLD CHURCH IN NORFOLK.

THE CHUR HYARD OF ST. PAUL'S