Mr. Andrew M. SmithMr. Andrew M. Smith
April 26, 1765:Vestry records of this date state that Truro Parish had been divided from Col. Washington's mill to John Monroe's and thence to Difficult Run, the upper parish called Fairfax.February 3, 1766:In the record of a Vestry meeting held for Truro Parish at Wm. Gardner's the 3rd and 4th of February, 1766, is the following: It appearing from an order of the Vestry bearing date the 25th day of March, 1763, that there was a deficiency in the work which ought to have been done on the Falls Church, by Mr. Chas. Broadwater, and that persons were appointed to view the same and report and no report appearing upon the records of this parish, it is ordered that the Church Wardens do inquire into the same and report accordingly. [Geo. Washington was present at this meeting. Ed.]Major Jos. T. HiettMajor Jos. T. HiettJuly 10, 1766:At a Vestry held for Truro Parish July 10, 1766, Mr. Edward Payne, one of the Church Wardens, having reported to this Vestry that he had applied to the persons formally appointed to view the work which ought to have been done on the Falls Church by Mr. Chas. Broadwater, and that they denied having any order to view the same and refused to concern themselves;Ordered: That Thos. Price do view the work done to the Falls Church and report what deficiency appears in the same, and that Mr. Edward Payne do apply to the Vestry of Fairfax Parish to appoint a workman to view the same and that the said do report as aforesaid, and that Mr. Edward Payne attend the viewing on behalf of this parish and to apply to the said Vestry to appoint one of their members to attend the same on behalf of their parish.February 23, 1767:At a Vestry held for Truro Parish at the Glebe the 23rd day of February, 1767, at which Geo. Washington was present, it was ordered: A report being made to this Vestry by Jas. Wren and Thos. Price, two workmen empowered by a formal order of this Vestry to view the work done to the Falls Church and to report what deficiency appeared in the same, etc., by which report there appears to be a deficiency of 9 £ 14 s. 6 p.Ordered: That the Church Wardens of this parish apply to Maj. Chas. Broadwater, the undertaker of said work, for the said sum, and account with the Vestry of Fairfax Parish for their proportion of the same when it is received.Ordered: That a Vestry House be built at the New Church of the dimensions and in manner following * * (Capt. Ed. Payne agreeing with the Vestry to build said house).
April 26, 1765:
Vestry records of this date state that Truro Parish had been divided from Col. Washington's mill to John Monroe's and thence to Difficult Run, the upper parish called Fairfax.
February 3, 1766:
In the record of a Vestry meeting held for Truro Parish at Wm. Gardner's the 3rd and 4th of February, 1766, is the following: It appearing from an order of the Vestry bearing date the 25th day of March, 1763, that there was a deficiency in the work which ought to have been done on the Falls Church, by Mr. Chas. Broadwater, and that persons were appointed to view the same and report and no report appearing upon the records of this parish, it is ordered that the Church Wardens do inquire into the same and report accordingly. [Geo. Washington was present at this meeting. Ed.]
Major Jos. T. HiettMajor Jos. T. Hiett
July 10, 1766:
At a Vestry held for Truro Parish July 10, 1766, Mr. Edward Payne, one of the Church Wardens, having reported to this Vestry that he had applied to the persons formally appointed to view the work which ought to have been done on the Falls Church by Mr. Chas. Broadwater, and that they denied having any order to view the same and refused to concern themselves;
Ordered: That Thos. Price do view the work done to the Falls Church and report what deficiency appears in the same, and that Mr. Edward Payne do apply to the Vestry of Fairfax Parish to appoint a workman to view the same and that the said do report as aforesaid, and that Mr. Edward Payne attend the viewing on behalf of this parish and to apply to the said Vestry to appoint one of their members to attend the same on behalf of their parish.
February 23, 1767:
At a Vestry held for Truro Parish at the Glebe the 23rd day of February, 1767, at which Geo. Washington was present, it was ordered: A report being made to this Vestry by Jas. Wren and Thos. Price, two workmen empowered by a formal order of this Vestry to view the work done to the Falls Church and to report what deficiency appeared in the same, etc., by which report there appears to be a deficiency of 9 £ 14 s. 6 p.
Ordered: That the Church Wardens of this parish apply to Maj. Chas. Broadwater, the undertaker of said work, for the said sum, and account with the Vestry of Fairfax Parish for their proportion of the same when it is received.
Ordered: That a Vestry House be built at the New Church of the dimensions and in manner following * * (Capt. Ed. Payne agreeing with the Vestry to build said house).
Mr. George StambaughMr. George Stambaugh
September 9, 1768:At a Vestry held for Truro Parish September 9, 1768, at which Geo. Washington was present, the following entries appear:That the Vestry being convened at the New Church in order to view and examine the work, and having done so do find the same completed and finished according to the articles of agreement between Capt. Ed. Payne, the undertaker * * *Ordered: That Col. Geo. Mason pay him the sum of 193 pounds out of the money in his hands belonging to the parish the same being the last payment due to the said Payne, for the said church. (This was probably known as Payne's Church; the church near the Fairfax C. H.)November 28, 1768:At a Vestry held for Truro Parish November 28, 1768, at which Geo. Washington was present, it was ordered: That Geo. Washington, Esq., pay to Alex. Henderson the sum of £. 8, being the balance of £ 9 14 s., 6 p., received from Maj. Chas. Broadwater for a deficiency on the Falls Church.February 24, 1784:At a Vestry held for Truro Parish at Colchester, the 22nd day of February, 1784, John Gibson, gent., is elected for a member of this Parish in the room of his Excellency General Washington, who has signified his resignation in a letter to Dan'l McCarty, esq.
September 9, 1768:
At a Vestry held for Truro Parish September 9, 1768, at which Geo. Washington was present, the following entries appear:
That the Vestry being convened at the New Church in order to view and examine the work, and having done so do find the same completed and finished according to the articles of agreement between Capt. Ed. Payne, the undertaker * * *
Ordered: That Col. Geo. Mason pay him the sum of 193 pounds out of the money in his hands belonging to the parish the same being the last payment due to the said Payne, for the said church. (This was probably known as Payne's Church; the church near the Fairfax C. H.)
November 28, 1768:
At a Vestry held for Truro Parish November 28, 1768, at which Geo. Washington was present, it was ordered: That Geo. Washington, Esq., pay to Alex. Henderson the sum of £. 8, being the balance of £ 9 14 s., 6 p., received from Maj. Chas. Broadwater for a deficiency on the Falls Church.
February 24, 1784:
At a Vestry held for Truro Parish at Colchester, the 22nd day of February, 1784, John Gibson, gent., is elected for a member of this Parish in the room of his Excellency General Washington, who has signified his resignation in a letter to Dan'l McCarty, esq.
The Old Church from a war-time PhotographThe Old Church from a war-time Photograph
In May, 1861, the Union troops moved into Virginia and occupied Arlington Heights and Alexandria. On June 1 an engagement at Fairfax Court House between a company of Union cavalry and Confederate troops resulted in the loss of six Union and twenty Confederate soldiers. The Union forces under General McDowell occupied the town of Fairfax about the middle of July, inaugurating the first Bull Run Campaign. The battle of Bull Run was fought July 21, 1861.
After the first battle of Bull Run, a systematic plan for the defense of the National Capital began to take shape. At that time the commanding heights four miles west of Alexandria and six miles from Washington were occupied by the Confederates, Falls Church being the headquarters of General Longstreet.
In October, 1861, the hills were again taken possession of by the Union troops. The system of works for the defense of Washingtonon the south began with Fort Willard below Alexandria, and terminated with Fort Smith opposite Georgetown, comprising in all twenty-nine forts and eleven supporting batteries, besides Forts Ethan Allen and Marcy at the Virginia end of Chain Bridge, with their five batteries of field guns.
Mr. Charles A. MarshallMr. Charles A. Marshall
Falls Church was the most advanced post of General McDowell's corps, when on August 3, 1861, a correspondent of Harper's Weekly writing from here to that paper described the old Church as it appeared at the beginning of the Civil war as follows:
"On this page we illustrate Fall's Church, Fairfax County, Virginia, from a sketch by our special artist with General McDowell's 'corps d'armee.' This is the most advanced post of our army in Fairfax County, and has been the scene of several picket skirmishes. Falls Church was built in 1709, and rebuilt, as an inscription on the wall informs us, by the late "Lord" Fairfax, whose son, the present "Lord" Fairfax, is supposed to be serving in the rebel army. The title of "Lord," we may observe, is still given to the representative of the family. The inscription on the old church readsas follows:
'Henry Fairfax, an accomplished gentlemen, an upright magistrate, a sincere Christian, died in command of the Fairfax Volunteers at Saltillo, Mexico, 1847. But for his munificence this church might still have been a ruin.'
Service was held in the old church two Sundays since, Rev. Dr. Mines, Chaplain of Second Maine Regiment, officiating, and most of the troops in the neighborhood being present."
Mr. John S. GarrisonMr. John S. Garrison
Captain Henry Fairfax, to whose memory the tablet alluded to was placed in the old church, was a graduate of West Point. At the outbreak of the Mexican War, he organized a company called the Fairfax Volunteers sailing to Mexico with the regiment of Virginia volunteers under command of Colonel John F. Hamtramck. Upon arriving in Mexico, Captain Fairfax fell a victim to the climate and died at Saltillo, August 16, 1847. His body was brought home and buried near the church he loved so well, and it is thought that the grave which may be seen in the foreground of the war-time picture of the church on page 62 may be his. The tablet to his memory haslong since been destroyed, and every vestige of his tombstone has disappeared, but nature, not forgetting his generous gifts to the old church, has sent up a spire-shaped cedar to mark his grave. Colonel Hamtramck died April 21, 1858, at Shepardstown, Va.
Mr. F. A. NilesMr. F. A. Niles
The damage to the old church, according to one of the oldest citizens of the town, Mr. George B. Ives, was done by a company of Union cavalry on picket duty under command of a captain of the regular army. He permitted his men to tear out the floor of the church and use it for a stable. The building might have been damaged beyond repair had it not been for Mr. Ives and the late Mr. John Bartlett, who reported the matter to General Augur, the Military Governor of this district, by whose orders the captain was arrested and further desecration prevented.
About three miles from Falls Church, on the Alexandria turnpike, is Bailey's Cross Roads, where in November, 1861, President Lincoln reviewed the Union forces preparatory to the Peninsular Campaign.
The story of the most important events occurring during thosestormy times around the old Colonial church is best told by the "Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies," extracts from reports therein following:
Dr. T. C. QuickDr. T. C. Quick
Report of Colonel Geo. W. Taylor, 3rd N. J. Infantry, dated September 2, 1861.
General:The pickets of the enemy having for some time been extremely annoying to outposts on Little River Turnpike and on the road leading from thence to Chestnut Hill, I decided on making a reconnaissance in person with a small force with the view of cutting them off. Accordingly I marched with 40 men, volunteers from 2 companies of my regiment, on the morning of Aug. 31, at 3 a. m., and keeping to the woods arrived soon after daylight at or near the point, a little beyond, at which I desired to strike the road and cut them off.
Miss Ellen W. GreenMiss Ellen W. Green
Here we were obliged to cross a fence and a narrow corn field where the enemy, who had doubtless dogged our approach through the woods, lay in considerable force.
While in the corn we were suddenly opened upon by a rapid and sharp fire which our men, whenever they got sight of the enemy, returned with much spirit. Scarce two minutes elapsed when I found 3 men close to me had been shot down. The enemy being mostly hid, I deemed it prudent to order my men to fall back to the woods, distant about 30 yards, which I did.
At the same time I ordered enough to remain with me to carry off the wounded, but they did not hear or heed my order except two. With these we got all off, as I supposed, the corn being thick, but Corporal Hand, Co. 1, who, when I turned him over, appeared to be dying. I took his musket, also the musket of one of the wounded and returned to the woods to rally the men. I regret to say that none of them could be found, nor did I meet them until I reached the blacksmith shop, three-quarters of a mile distant.
Here I found Capt. Regur, Company I, with his command. Re-enforcing him with 25 men of the picket, then in charge of Capt. Vickers, 3rd regiment N. J. volunteers, with the latter he immediately marched back to bring in Corporal Hand, and any others still missing. He reports that on reaching the ground, he found the enemy in increased force, and did not re-enter the corn field, in which I think he was justified. I should have stated that quite a number of the enemy were in full view in the road when we jumped the fence and charged them, and that each man in the charge, Capt. Regur leading by my side, seemed eager to be foremost; nor did one to my knowledge flinch from the contest until my order to fall back to the woods, which fortunately they misconstrued into a continuous retreat to our pickets. The enemy seemed to have retreated very soon after, as the firing had ceased before I left.
Mr. Jno. D. PayneMr. Jno. D. Payne
The 3 wounded men are doing well except one. As near as I can ascertain there were 3 of the enemy shot down.
The whole affair did not last 10 minutes.
The officers with me were Capt. Regur, Co. I, 1st Lieut. Taylor and 2d Lieut. Spencer, both of the same company.
All of which I have the honor, respectfully to report.
Geo. W. Taylor,Colonel, 3rd Regiment N. J. Volunteers
Brig. Gen. P. Kearny,Commanding Brigade.
The Rectory—Rev. George S. SomervilleThe Rectory—Rev. George S. Somerville
Sept. 12, 1861: Longstreet states that Colonel Stuart has been at Munson Hill since its occupation by the Confederate troops; that he had driven the enemy from Mason's, Munson's and Upton's Hills.
Sept. 25, 1861: Reconnaissance at Lewinsville and skirmish near that place with Stuart's cavalry. Union force 5,100 infantry, 16 pieces of artillery and 150 cavalry, under Brig. Gen. Wm. F. Smith, commanding at Chain Bridge.
Sept. 25, 1861: Report of General J. E. Johnston, Headquarters Army of Potomac to Secretary of War, Richmond, states that an advance guard of 11 regiments of infantry and Colonel Stuart's calvary is stationed at Falls Church, Munson's and Mason's Hills, at Padgett's and at Springfield Station on the Orange and AlexandriaRailroad in a strong defensive position.
Dr. L. E. GottDr. L. E. Gott
Sept. 28, 1861: Affair at Munson's Hill, near Vanderburg's House. Union force attacked at night on march to Poolesville. Lieut. Col. Isaac J. Wistar, Commanding California Regiment, reported 4 killed and 14 wounded.
Nov. 16, 1861: In General Orders No. 45, Headquarters Army of Potomac, Major General McClellan gave Fort on Upton's Hill name of Fort Ramsay.
Nov. 18, 1861: Skirmish on road from Falls Church to Fairfax Court House, about a mile south of Falls Church, between a detachment of 1st Va. Cavalry under Lieut. Col. Fitz Lee, and 14th N. Y. S. M., under Lt. Col. E. B. Fowler. Union loss 2 killed, 1 wounded, 10 missing. Confederate loss, Private Tucker killed and John C. Chichester, Lee's guide, mortally wounded; 2 slightly wounded. Col. Lee's horse killed under him during action.
Sept. 2, 1862: Skirmish near Falls Church. F. J. Porter, Major General Commanding, Headquarters Army Corps, Hall's Hill, in his report to General Marcy states that a battery supportedby cavalry suddenly appeared on Barnett's Hill and opened fire upon Pleasanton at Falls Church, while dismounted cavalry fired upon and killed 3 of his mounted pickets, who, armed only with sabers and pistols, could not contend with the enemy protected by timber. Pleasanton replied with his battery but the shots fell very short. The enemy supposed to have come from direction of Hunter's Mill returned toward Vienna. He states that the country beyond his picket lines affords every facility for such attacks, and that the commanding general must expect them to be frequent so long as the enemy continues in large force in his front and wishes to divert attention from other movements, that from the opposite hills his camp and movements are open to view of the enemy.
Mr. R. J. YatesMr. R. J. Yates
Sept. 4, 1862: Brig. Gen'l A. Pleasanton from his camp near Fort Albany, Va., in his report to Brig. Gen. R. B. Marcy, chief of staff, written at 5 a. m., states that he is about to be off with the sixth cavalry and two other companies for Falls Church where he expects to make his headquarters and from whence he willscout as directed. He suggests that the telegraph be extended to Falls Church and asks that supplies for his command be forwarded by railroad to a point opposite Falls Church.
Mr. S. A. CopperMr. S. A. Copper
At 8:30 a. m., his message states that from reports received by him, the impression is that the enemy is going to cross the Potomac at Walker's Landing.
At 12: 45 p. m., he reports from Falls Church that the enemy's advanced pickets, on the Leesburg and Georgetown turnpike are three-fourths of a mile this side of Difficult Creek, and that a regiment of Mississippi cavalry, the Jeff Davis Legion, is at the bridge over the creek.
At 1:30 p. m., from Falls Church his dispatch to the chief of staff states that the squadron on the Vienna road reports the enemy to be approaching from that direction in some force; that one of his men had been badly wounded in a skirmish. Gives it as his opinion that the enemy is only making a show of force to conceal his movements on the upper Potomac.
Sept. 4, 1862: Major General F. J. Porter from Headquarters FifthArmy Corps at Hall's Hill, sends a message at 4:30 p. m., to Major Gen'l McClellan stating that Gen'l Morell from Minor's Hill reports that the enemy has begun an attack on the Union pickets, with artillery, infantry and cavalry.
Mrs. J. L. AuchmoodyMrs. J. L. Auchmoody
Sept. 4, 1862: At 6:45 p. m., from Upton's Hill, Brig. Gen'l J. D. Cox, commanding division, makes the following report to A. V. Colburn, Ass't Adjutant General:
"The firing upon General Pleasanton's command was from, possibly, three pieces of light artillery. The small-arm fighting was confined to the head of the enemy's column, deployed as skirmishers, with some dismounted men or infantry, it is not certain which. The pickets of Pleasanton's command, Eight Illinois and Eight Pennsylvania Cavalry, skirmished with them. We lost 2 men shot. The force of the enemy did not come beyond the edge of the woods, one and a half or 2 miles above Falls Church, and no large numbers were actually seen. The reports sent by General Pleasanton were necessarily those brought in by his men. A regiment of cavalry, with two light pieces, rapidlyhandled, would account for all the demonstration I could see with my glass, but there may have been more. General Pleasanton's cavalry being ordered away, we shall not have cavalry to scout the country till General Buford arrives. Scouts report all quiet toward Fairfax and Little River pike."
Mr. Samuel LuttrellMr. Samuel Luttrell
Aug. 16, 1863: Skirmish at Falls Church; no circumstantial reports on file.
June 23-24, 1864: Skirmishes near Falls Church and Centreville, Va. Extract from report of Col. Charles R. Lowell, Jr., 2nd Mass. Cavalry, commanding cavalry brigade. Headquarters cavalry brigade near Falls Church, Va., June 24, 1864.
A patrol from the camp of 16th N. Y. Cavalry consisting of 4 men was fired upon last evening between the pike and the railroad by a party of about 10 men and 2 of the patrol captured; the other two brought word to Annandale, and Col. Lazelle sent out a party of 40 men under Lieut. Tuck, 16th N. Y. Cavalry in search of attacking party. Party halted one and a half miles beyond Centreville to feed. Party of about 60 of thethe enemy dashed in upon them. Men demoralized and panic stricken scattered in all directions. Lieut. Tuck only one as yet, 6 p. m., who has reached camp; remainder either wounded, prisoners, or straggling. After Tuck had been sent out a citizen reported to Col. Lazelle that he had been stopped by Mosby last evening near Centreville and detained under guard till morning, and that he had seen small parties numbering about 100 men. Col. Lazelle, upon receiving this information, sent out 150 men to support Tuck under Major Nicholson. This party started at 8 a. m. At 2 p. m., Tuck returned, reporting attack as above at 11 a. m. He was started by Col. Lazelle with a party of 15 men to overtake party of 150 and put them on trail. Major Forbes with 100 men and ambulances has been sent out this evening to place of surprise to pick up stragglers and any wounded, and support Major Nicholson if Mosby's force is reported more than 60 men.
Mrs. C. LarnerMrs. C. Larner
June 25, 1864, 11 a. m.: Major Forbes just returned from Centreville and a clearer account of affairs can be given. Mosby with 200men came down Thursday evening to near Union Mills and an iron gun drawn by 6 horses. Squad of Kincheloe's men took 2 of Col. Lazelle's patrol. Mosby returned to Union Mills Friday morning and marched his column back through Centreville about 10:30 a. m. Tuck's men feeding horses on newly cut hay, men in cherry trees, some asleep, one picket sitting on fence.
Mosby learned of Tuck and sent part of his men rapidly on. Shot man on post, causing panic among the rest.
Mr. W. H. BarksdaleMr. W. H. Barksdale
July 18-21, 1864: Scout from Falls Church, Va. Col. Henry M. Lazelle, 16th N. Y. Cavalry commanding brigade, writing under date of July 21, 1864, from headquarters cavalry brigade near Falls Church, Va., to Lieut. Col. J. H. Taylor, Assistant Adjutant General and chief of staff, reports return to camp of a portion of a party of 10 men sent under charge of 2d Lieut. Gray, 13th N. Y. Cavalry on Monday evening last. About 4 o'clock a. m. to-day, while between Sangsters and Fairfax Station was ambuscaded by a party of from 50 to 60; loss 5 men taken prisoners and 7 horses.
Mr. Wm. B. WrightMr. Wm. B. Wright
The Presbyterian Church.One of the most attractive church edifices in the village of Falls Church is the Presbyterian Church, a picture of which is shown on page 5.
It was built in 1884, being formally dedicated in October of that year. The building now used by the Sunday School of the church, which was built before the civil war by Dr. Simon J. Groot, as a hall for religious and secular public meetings, was purchased and formally dedicated as a church November 20, 1866.
Since that date the pastors have been Rev. H. P. Dechert, who resigned in 1870, Rev. David H. Riddle, Rev. D. L. Rathbun and Rev. R. A. Davison, D. D.
The Rev. Mr. Riddle's pastorate extended over a period of seventeen years, and it was during his term that the present handsome stone church was built.
The Rev. Mr. Rathbun was pastor from 1890 to 1900.
Mr. J. W. SeayMr. J. W. Seay
The church has a large membership and the congregation continues to increase.
The Sunday School connected with the church, of which Mr. E. C. Hough is Superintendent, is one of the largest in the village.
Dulin Chapel M. E. Church, South.After the close of the war of 1861-65 the Methodists of Falls Church found themselves without a house of worship, the church in which they had formerly worshipped having been destroyed by soldiers of the Union Army while encamped close by. For a time they held services in the "Old Falls Church," the present Episcopal Church of the town until some of the leading members, desirous of having a house of worship of their own, took steps towards the erection of the present building near the site of their old church, among them being the late H. W. Febrey, John E. Febrey, B. F. Shreve, Jos. E. Birch and Wm. Dulin.
Mr. Wm. Dulin gave the site and soon there was erected thereon a church which was dedicated in the spring of 1869. The parsonage was built a few years later. The church as first built was remodeledin 1893. The church officers are as follows: W. H. Torreyson, W. H. Shreve, R. W. Birch, W. S. Tucker, W. M. Ellison, Trustees; W. H. Shreve, F. L. Birch, J. H. Brunner, E. J. Febrey, W. M. Ellison, Stewards.
Mr. J. H. WellsMr. J. H. Wells
Columbia Baptist Church.Columbia Baptist Church was organized in 1857 by Rev. Hiram Reed, and up to the beginning of the civil war had about 300 enrolled on the church books as active members.
Services were discontinued during the war and the church used as a hospital by the Union troops. Later it was used as a public school for a number of years prior to 1870. In that year the State Mission Board sent the Rev. W. S. O. Thomas to reopen the church as a place of worship. Rev. Mr. Thomas was succeeded by Rev. Hugh McCormick, now in Porto Rico.
The Mission Board assisted the church liberally in a financial way up to the time Rev. Mr. McCormick assumed charge, since which time the congregation has been self-supporting.
The following pastors have occupied the pulpit for variousterms since the church was first organized: Rev. Hiram Reed, Rev. Hugh McCormick, Rev. George E. Truitt, Rev. G. W. T. Noland, Rev. J. B. Clayton, Rev. J. T. Barbor, Rev. J. W. Kincheloe and Rev. A. W. Graves.
Mr. M. H. BrinkerhoffMr. M. H. Brinkerhoff
The church at this time has a membership of 103 and is in a more prosperous condition than at any time since the war.
The officers of the church are: Deacons: E. J. Galpin, Thomas Hillier, Frank Williams. Clerk, Thomas Hillier; Treasurer, Mrs. Geo. W. Hawxhurst; Trustees, E. J. Galpin, Geo. F. McInturff, Elijah Berry.
The Sunday School has about forty scholars on the rolls, the officers of which are: Mr. R. S. Ilsley, Superintendent, Mr. Van Quick, Assistant Superintendent, Miss Emma Seaman, Organist.
The First Congregational Church.The First Congregational Church of Falls Church, Va., was organized and duly recognized by Council May 30, 1876, the Congregational Society having first been organized in October, 1875.
Services were held in the Baptist Church up to 1879 when the present attractive church building was erected. It is of Gothic design, with main audience room seating 300, and a Sunday School room in the rear. A fine toned bell was purchased in 1881.
Mrs. A. V. PiggottMrs. A. V. Piggott
At its organization 25 members united in forming the church. At that time it was thought by some that another church in such a small town would result in dissension among the Christian people. Such was not the intention of this church. At its first annual meeting a resolution was unanimously adopted expressing "good wishes toward every church of Christ in this place, and its readiness and desire to co-operate with them in every good work." The other churches responded in a Christian spirit, and the pastors and churches of this town have always cordially worked together in the cause of the Master.
The first minister engaged by the Society was Rev. J. W. Chickering, Jr. The first regular pastor of the church was Rev. L. B. Platt, who supplied the pulpit from November, 1877 to July, 1880, followed by Rev. A. L. Park, November, 1881 to December, 1882. Rev. Wm. W. Jordan, May, 1883 to October, 1885. Rev. F. W. Tuckerman, September, 1886 to May, 1890. Rev. R. E. Eels, acting pastor, February, 1891 to December, 1891. Rev. J. H. Jenkins, January, 1893 to July, 1897. Rev. Arsene Schmavonian, May, 1899 to May, 1901. Rev. Franklin Noble, the present minister was called to the church December, 1901.
Mr. G. B. IvesMr. G. B. Ives
The following are the officers of the church: Trustees, Geo. F. Rollins, M. H. Brinkerhoff, Geo. W. Poole; Treasurer, Dr. J. B. Gould; Clerk, Frank H. Eastman; Superintendent Sunday School, Miss Gertrude Nourse. Deacons: Geo. F. Rollins, G. A. L. Merrifield and Albert P. Eastman. Deaconesses: Mrs. Albert P. Eastman and Mrs. Helen C. Raymond.
St. James Roman Catholic Church.St. James Roman Catholic Church, Falls Church, of which Rev. Father Tierney is Pastor, was built in 1902 and is one of the finest specimens of Gothic architecture in Northern Virginia. It is built of Virginia sand stone taken from a quarry near the village.
The old church, a wooden structure built about 26 years ago, had become too small for the growing congregation, and through the munificence of Mrs. Thomas Ryan of New York City, the presenthandsome and imposing edifice was erected at a more convenient point.
Mr. Nathan LynchMr. Nathan Lynch
Father Tierney has been in charge of this parish for about ten years and under his ministration the church has grown in numbers and influence, the membership at present being about 325.
The church and parsonage was designed and built under the supervision of Mr. A. O. Von Herbulis, an architect of wide reputation and a resident of this village.
The Methodist Episcopal Church.The Methodist Episcopal Church, situated on Washington Street, was built in 1875 chiefly through the aid of the late Isaac Crossman. He donated the site for the building and later contributed liberally to its support.
Rev. D. C. Hedrick is the present pastor, to whom the congregation has become much attached during the brief time he has been stationed here. The following are the officers of the church: Trustees, J. M. Thorne, M. E. Church, W. Y. Swiggett, S. S. Luttrell, W. W. Biggs, V. E. Kerr, Henry Crocker, and Geo. G. Crossman; Stewards, M. E. Church, J. M. Thorne and W. Y. Swiggett.
Mrs. Mary G. SimsMrs. Mary G. Sims
Christian Endeavor Society.Meets every Sunday at 6:15 p. m., at the Presbyterian Chapel. Officers: A. M. Smith, President; Miss Raydelle B. Shaw, Vice President; Jesse Varcoe, Secretary; Miss Emma Seaman, Corresponding Secretary; Milton Thorne, Treasurer.
Epworth League of the M. E. Church.President, W. W. Biggs; Vice Presidents, Miss Ida N. Ball, Mrs. V. E. Kerr; Mrs. M. H. Luttrell, Dr. S. S. Luttrell, Miss Pearl Luttrell; Secretary, Walter S. Kerr; Treasurer, Mrs. J. M. Thorne; Organist, Miss Pearl Luttrell.
Jefferson Institute.Enrollment session 1904-5 147. Principal, Prof. E. C. Sine; Teachers, Miss Fannie Weadon, Miss Ruth Dyer, Miss Ida N. Ball.
Oakwood Cemetery.Oakwood Cemetery is beautifully situated in the Eastern part of the town on the site of the old Methodist Church. It contains about 5 acres enclosed with a neatly trimmed evergreen hedge. The officers of the cemetery association are Wm. N. Febrey, President; E. J. Northrup, Secretary; G. A. L. Merrifield, Treasurer; M. E. Church, Superintendent.
Mr. A. E. RowellMr. A. E. Rowell
Kemper Lodge No. 64, A. F. & A. M.Chartered December 3, 1896. Meets second and fourth Fridays in each month. Membership about 60. Officers: W. A. Ball, W. M.; A. H. Barbor, S. W.; J. R. Hagan, J. W. Past Masters: John H. Fisher, M. E. Church, G. T. Mankin, Dr. Geo. B. Fadeley, Dr. T. C. Quick, Geo. M. Newell.
The Independent Order of Good Templars.Pioneer Lodge No. 1 of Good Templars was organized on April 27, 1887. This lodge meets every Tuesday night at Odd Fellows Hall. The lodge has a membership of eighty-five in good standing. The object of the order is prohibition of the liquor traffic by the will of the people, and no saloons have been allowed here for over thirty years, largely attributable to Pioneer Lodge which keeps public sentiment alive on the subject. The present officers of the lodge are: Henry Hawxhurst, Chief Templar; Jesse Varcoe, Past Chief Templar; Miss Laura Summers, Secretary; George W. Hawxhurst, Financial Secretary; Mrs. J. H. Garretson, Treasurer; J. H. Marr, Marshal; Miss Raydelle B. Shaw, Chaplain; Miss Catharine Foley, Vice Templar; G. C. Kesterson, Guard; Walter Kerr, Sentinel; Mrs. M. M. Erwin,Organist; J. H. Garretson, Lodge Deputy; Geo. W. Hawxhurst, Superintendent of Juveniles.
Falls Church is also headquarters of the Grand Lodge of the State. Since 1887 the office of Grand Secretary has been located here, Mr. George W. Hawxhurst, who has filled the office for the past thirty-two years, being a resident of the town.
Dr. S. S. LuttrellDr. S. S. Luttrell
Virginia State Audubon Society.The Virginia State Audubon Society was organized at Falls Church, September 29, 1903. The objects of the society are to protect our native birds, to discourage the buying and wearing for ornamental purposes of the feathers of all birds other than the ostrich and domesticated fowls, and to promote a popular interest in bird study. The present officers are: President, John B. Henderson; 1st Vice President, Wm. C. Pennywitt; 2nd Vice President, Nathan Banks, and Secretary-Treasurer, E. C. Hough. Regular members pay $1.00 a year as dues. Children under 16 pay no dues but sign pledge cards agreeing not to harm birds or their eggs. The society has had printed for free distribution a digest of the recent game law.
Oakwood CemeteryOakwood Cemetery
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.Falls Church Lodge No. 11, I. O. O. F., was organized October 24, 1890, and has a membership of seventy-four. The lodge owns its hall, a large brick structure, located near the corner of Broad and Little Falls streets, in the center of the town. The building which was erected in 1891 contains a handsome lodge room on the second floor and a spacious public room on the first floor. The order makes a specialty of giving attention to its members during sickness and pays funeral expenses on death. The lodge numbers among its members some of the most influential citizens of the town. Its present officers are as follows: John D. Payne, N. G.; T. O. Marr, V. G.; J. H. Garretson, Sec'y; J. H. Brunner, F. S.; George W. Hawxhurst, Treasurer; Rev. W. H. Wolffe, Chaplain; Dr. Geo. B. Fadeley, R. S. to N. G.; Thomas Hillier, L. S. to N. G.; Geo. A. Brunner, S. P. G.; W. H. Nowlan, R. S. to V. G.; C. F. Newman, L. S. to V. G.; Ray Marcey, O. G.; Walter Marcey, I. G.; W. Maben, Warden; Webster Donaldson, R. S. S.; Chauncey Seay, L. S. S.; T. S. Luckett, Conductor.
R. E. Lee Chapter Daughters of the Confederacy.Thischapter was organized in June, 1898. Its object is to assist needy widows and orphans of Confederate soldiers. The chapter has 43 members, the officers for the present term being as follows: President, Mrs. G. J. Head; Vice President, Mrs. George G. Bolling; Secretary, Mrs. A. H. Barbor; Treasurer, Miss Nellie Green; Historian, Mrs. Jonas Unverzagt; Registrar, Miss Georgia Head.
Mr. H. N. RyerMr. H. N. Ryer
Falls Church Library.The Falls Church Library, organized 1899, is conducted by the Library Association under the supervision of a Board of Control. The library building is located on Columbia street near Washington street.
Officers: Pickering Dodge, President; Wm. A. Ball, Secretary; Librarian, Geo. W. Hawxhurst.
Patriotic Order Sons of America.Washington Camp No. 1, organized in 1902. Officers: C. C. Walters, Past President; H. H. Moreland, President; Lester Brunner, Vice President; G. W. Moreland, M. of F.; M. M. Erwin, R. S.; E. L. Payne, F. S.; B. F. Elliott, Conductor; Upton Galisher, Inspector; W. H. Erwin, Guard; J. H. Brunner, Chaplain; Trustees, A. H. Barbor, C. C. Walters and J. H. Brunner.
Dr. M. E. Church.Dr. M. E. Church.
Mr. M. E. Church is a native of the State of Vermont, but has been a resident of Virginia for nearly twenty-five years, and of Falls Church for the past eighteen years, during which period he has been closely identified with every public movement. He it was who first established telephonic communication between Falls Church and Washington City over sixteen years ago, and from a small beginning has built up an extensive telephone system extending over Fairfax and Alexandria Counties and reaching to Bluemont in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The company operating this system is incorporated under the name of the Falls Church Telephone and Telegraph Company, and Mr. Church is the chief stock-holder, President and General Manager. Exchanges are operated at Falls Church and Rosslyn.
Mr. Church has brought to his adopted home a large share of the energy and sterling business qualities for which his native state isnoted. This has been manifest from the moment he set foot on the soil of his adopted state. He first engaged in the drug business in Falls Church which he successfully conducted for over twelve years, during which period he trained several young men who have since been conducting a successful business of their own. The esteem in which he was held by his fellow-pharmacists in the state was evidenced by his unanimous election to the office of President of the State Pharmaceutical Association, a position which he filled with great credit, as well as many other positions of trust and responsibility. He still remains an active and esteemed member of that Association.
Miss B. C. MerrifieldMiss B. C. Merrifield
About fifteen years ago he entered into the real estate, loan and insurance business, and notwithstanding his lack of previous training or experience, has been eminently successful along that line, and to him more than any other one man, is due the growth and development of our beautiful little village, as he has been untiring in his efforts to locate here in homes of their own a desirable class of moral and intellectual citizens. One of his first ventures along this linewas the organization of the Falls Church Improvement Company, of which he was general manager and a large stock-holder. His associates in this company were: Hon. Schyler Duryee, then Chief Clerk of the U. S. Patent Office; Judge A. A. Freeman, now of New Mexico, and others. This company successfully developed the "Sherwood Sub-Division," one of the first sub-divisions put on the market in Fairfax County.
Mr. R. C. L. MoncureMr. R. C. L. Moncure
In the loan business Mr. Church has been particularly successful, by his conservative investments and faithful fidelity to the interests of his clients, both investors and borrowers have learned to place implicit confidence in his judgment and integrity and as a result, he has been able to bring together those who wish to borrow money with which to buy or build a home, and those who wish to invest funds, thereby enabling the worthy home-seeker to own his own home, making of him not only a prominent but more interested and desirable citizen.
While not an Attorney at Law Mr. Church's experience and familiarity with the real estate law, titles and values of land in Fairfax and Alexandria Counties have made his services and opinions much sought after as an expert in such matters, both by the courts and private parties. Persons seeking homes or investments in the suburbs of Washington will do well to consult him, as his judgment can be relied upon in real estate matters, and his integrity is unquestioned.