Dedication of Kingsley Chapel in Grant, (now Proctorville) Lawrence County, Ohio
Ohio River “And All Along Shore”
Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette 29 May 1872
This is an article found and posted by Judith Taylor on “The Lawrence Register” Facebook group. Her comments are at the end of this article.
At the request of the Trustees of Methodist Episcopal Church, in Grant (formerly Proctorsville), Lawrence County, Ohio, we had the pleasure of dedicating and consecrating the new and elegant church edifice in that place, last Sabbath, the 26th inst. The building is of brick, of ample dimensions, and lofty ceiling, and is full equipment of church furniture.
Over the entrance is a large plate of wine-colored stained glass, containing the words “Kingsley Chapel:’ so named in honor of the late lamented Bishop Kingsley, whose mortal remains now lie in Beyroot, [sic] Syria, where he “finished his course: just as he had closed his exploration of Palestine, and was transported thence to the heavenly Canaan, to explore the boundless scenes, behold the enduring glories, and share its perpetuity of bliss!
Mr. and Virgil Smith, 89 and 85, respectively, are the church’s oldest members. Like the church itself, they too have borne time well. – 31 Oct. 1971 no newspaper listed
The church in “Grant” have erected the building as a home memorial of the sainted Bishop whose name is so fragrant in all the land, and to whose memory the General Conference now in session in Brooklyn so promptly contributed more than enough to raise a monumental pillar in the Orient. His name is truly:
One of the few – the immortal names
That were not born to die.
Sabbath morning rose as resplendent amid the magnificent scenery of the “Valley of the Ohio” as erst on Paradise, the sun poured its splendor and arrayed all nature in the glory of its reflected rays, prompting the tribute Milton puts upon the lips of Adam, as he represents our progenitor in his devotions saying:
These are Thy glorious works “Parent of Good”
Almighty! Thine this universal frame,
Thus wond’rous fair,
Thyself! How wond’rous then.
By 10:00 the town’s people and the staid farmers of Lawrence came together by trooping hundreds, and we were compelled to extemporized a platform in the side window – having removed the sash above and below – and from that position your correspondent had the pleasure of addressing two congregations at once, one within the house crowded to its utmost capacity, the other seated on the “shady side” of “Kingsley Chapel:” and a better opportunity to preach “the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” is rarely afforded to those who “know Christ and burn with holy zeal, to make him known as the Way, the Truth, the Life.
The church cost some $4,000 and was in debt $1,500. The amount promptly subscribed at the morning service was $1,578, and if “the Lord loveth a cheerful giver,” there were many objects thereof his complacent regards.
At 3 p.m. the ordinance of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper was administered, and the church, free of debt, was solemnly dedicated to the service of God, amid the smiles, and tears, and old-fashioned shouts of a loving a devoted people. It did seem as if the “Shekinah” *(see below) shone again in this temple of His Grace. It was a fit glory, and the divine baptism was poured out in refreshing influences on the assembly of the saints.
In the evening the house was crowded, and your correspondent preached again, from this precious text: “Godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is of that which is to come:” and the Lord gave testimony to the word of His Grace.
The Rev. Middleton, the pastor of this work, deserves special commendation, this being the second church he has finished in his circuit.
The captains of the Crossley and the Chesapeake, the Brothers Bay, donated liberally to the enterprise, with the proverbial generosity of steamboat captains and river men. How much Christ’s cause is indebted to kindly disposed of men, not members of His Church, but generally allied to it by pious wives, “by whom, without the word, they are often won to God.”
Photo courtesy of Marshall University
We are indebted to Capt. Honshell, of the good steamer Telegraph, for the hospitalities of the boat, and it is but truth to say that this “floating palace” is eminently worthy of the large patronage it receives. It is a model boat, commodious, clean, and quiet; gentlemanly officers, polite attendants, a sumptuous table, and a very prince of a steward, in the person of Mr. P. C. Conroy, who moves around so quietly that a stranger would hardly detect his official position, while his quick discerning eye sees every want, and, with a quiet nod or significant look, he keeps his subordinates up to time, anticipating every wish of the numerous travelers that crowd the hotel-like tables of the Telegraph. Comment us to the Telegraph for comfort and speed. We note with special interest the efficiency of Mr. George A. Knight, Mr. Watt Shedd, and Mr. C. W. Davidson, clerks of the Telegraph.
In the town of Grant, they are still on the lookout for a disciple of the versatile proprietor of Chappaqua. A more enthusiastic set of Republicans I never met. It is Grant first, Grant last, Grant all the time, with the noble Republicans of the town of Grant. They think that “U. S. Grant” means “Unconditional Surrender Grant,” “United States Grant,” and to all opposition they say with Grant a Donelson: “Surrender at discretion, or I move on your works immediately.” Their township was the banner township in the State, having cast every vote for Grant.
NOTE: Judith Taylor states on The Lawrence Register Facebook Group: “I found this article, dated 29 May 1872, about the Kingsley Chapel in Proctorville. The word, “Shekinah” in the second column of this article refers to the presence of God in the world as mentioned in Jewish theology.“
“The last paragraph in this article is a referral to the 1872 election. The Republican candidate was U. S. Grant, and his opponent was Horace Greeley of Chappaqua, editor of New York Tribune (an advocate of socialism), and member of the Liberal Republican party (a breakaway from the Republican party). Grant won re-election substantially even though the Democrats who had no candidate of their own supported Greeley. Greeley died before the electoral college could vote.”
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