xt7wpz51k548 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7wpz51k548/data/mets.xml Virginia Virginia Historical Records Survey 1939 Prepared by the Virginia Historical Records Survey Project, Division of Professional and Service Projects, Work Projects Administration; Other contributors include: United States Work Projects Administration Division of Professional and Service Projects; xxiii, 56 leaves, 28 cm; Includes bibliographical references and index; UK holds archival copy for ASERL Collaborative Federal Depository Program libraries; Call number FW 4.14:V 819c books English Richmond, Virginia: Historical Records Survey Project This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed in accordance with U. S. copyright laws. Virginia Works Progress Administration Publications Inventory of the Church Archives of Virginia, Dover Baptist Association text Inventory of the Church Archives of Virginia, Dover Baptist Association 1939 1939 2015 true xt7wpz51k548 section xt7wpz51k548  W \   1 3 ~®\{wL\E q;,g.1,¤¤¤ 2      
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*Y INVENTORY OF THE CHURCH AACHIVES
{yi OF VIRGINIA
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1tWf DOVLH BAPTI¤T ASSOCIATION
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if ° The Virginia Historical Records Survey Project
?‘ November 1939
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The Historical Records Survey Program
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no one
Luther H. Evans, Director &¤Y Oi
Juliet A. Jones, Regional Supervisor FSFBQI
Elizabeth B. Parker, State Supervisor h°?91¥
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Division of Professional and Service Projects Ohurc
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Florence Kerr, Assistant Commissioner Ingén
Izetta Jewell Miller, Chief Regional Supervim ?rrSt
Elle G. Agnew, State Director 0
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WORK PROJnCTS ADMINISTRATION euecgi
F. C. Harrington, Commissioner ,
F. H. Dryden, Regional Director _
‘Nilliam A. Smith, State Administrator

 ale'.)
J
V1 FOHEWORD
Q Baptists have no Greed, save that of the New Testament. By the same token,
§no one is authorized, by virtue of his membership in the Church, or because of
Lany office which he may hold in the Denomination, to speak the will of Baptists.
§Personally, it affords me great pleasure to pen a foreword to the Inventory,
éherein compiled, of our District Association, and in so doing, I am sure that
 @I express Wmie·heartedly the feeling of the 69 churches and the 33,000 members
gwho constitute the Dover Baptist Association.
,*2
ig We must think backward if we are to travel forward. Surely the roots of
“’the present lie deep in the past. It is fitting that we should pause once in a
llwhile and take an inventory of the distance we have come and how the journey has
Zbeen made. The assembling of the data in this Inventory has not been an easy
itask. a century ago our people were not so careful about the preservation and
Eretention, upon paper, of their achievements. They were vastly more concerned
iabout carving their records upon the lives of men and women.
f Many of us believe strongly in, and adhere strictly to, the separation of
Church and State. At the same time, one must not fail to see that the world ‘
today, as never before, needs more business in religion and more religion in
fbusiness. Surely one can find no conflict between this age-old theory on the
‘one hand, and what our Government has done on the other hand, in mwking this
Inventory possible. The United States Government, through the Historical Rec-
grvisc ords Survey of the Work Projects administration, deserves our warm appreciation
·for this splendid work, and for it we of the Dover Association shall ever be
tgrateful.
, The Inventory of our past is a glorious one. The fathers have given a
`good account of themselves. we must ever be mindful, however, that a great
past is of little value unless it stirs us on to a greater present and a nobler
future. This Record is commended to you, and with it the earnest hope that we
`of this generation may pass to our posterity the torch as it came to our hands,
illumined, challenging, and yet unfinished.
I ,» "
{   (DJ , §y1»l.A/L6¤°·(
.; ‘i ..»4a
jjdichmond, Virginia Jesse M. Johnson, hoderator
”#December 27, l939 Dover Baptist Association

 i Table of Contents
1
{ Page `
VE  IOIOIOIOOOIIllI|IlOOIIOCIIIQOOIIIOOIllllllOIIOOOIOOIIOIIOIQO j-
Q I. Abbreviations, Symbols and Explanatory Notes . ..... ..... .... . iii
i II. Laws of the State of Virginia Pertaining to Churches ........ iv
{ III. Records and Recordkeeping ....... ........... . ..... .... ...... .. vi
I IV. Historical Sketch containing:
S AI       llllllOOICOIIIOIQIIIIOOIOIIIIIOO  
g B. The Baptist General Association of Virginia ... ..... .. xi
C. The Southern Baptist Association .... .... ...... ....... xiii
f D. The Dover Baptist Association ..... ....... ...... .... .. xv
Vi   IlllllIIOOIllOIIOIIIOIIOIIIUIIIIIIIOIUIOIOIIIl||IlIUlI   I
Inventory of the Archives of the Churches .......................... l
Bibliography ` 43
· Indexes of Churches including:
`   OOIOC|I|O•O|OlOOCOOIUI!IIIIIIIOIIOIIIIUOCIOO  
:   lIlltllllOOOIOIIIIDIUOOOIOIIOOIIIOIIIIIIOOIIO  
4   IIODIIIUIOIIIIIIIOIIOIIOIIOOIOIIOOIIIOIIIIUII  
S

     I
t x { T
_-   remracs ~
Xi;
j The Historical Records Survey, a nation·wide program of the Work Projects
` ’% Administration, was organized nationally in January 1936 under the supervision
g of Dr. Luther H. Evans, National Director. In March, work was begun in
t I Virginia as part of the Federal writers‘ Project with Dr. H. J. Eckenrode as
' it State Director and Dr. Lester·J. Cappon of the University of Virginia as part-
p§ time Assistant State Supervisor in charge of the Survey.
jp} In November 1936, when the Survey became independent of the Federal
@7Writers‘ Project, Dr. Cappon became part—time State Director and Elizabeth B.
§$$Parker, a former supervisor, Assistant State Director. Following Dr. Cappon's
12 resignation in June 1937, Miss Parker was appointed State Director.
li. V
Fl The principal object of the Virginia Historical Records Survey Project
.y' _% has been to discover, preserve, and make accessible the basic materials of re-
' il search. Complete inventuries of the records of the State, counties, cities,
_ A 3 towns, and other local public archives are being made and will be prepared for
ii publication and deposited with the appropriate agency of the Federal Govern-
,p ment. Although emphasis has been placed upon the survey of county archives,
A { the program also includes a state·wide survey of church archives which is in-
g tended to serve not only the clergy and officers of religious organizations,
g but students of social and economic history as well, and persons engaged in
Q genealogical research.
Q
j This volume, an Inventory of the Archives of the Dover Baptist Associa-
Q tion, represents the first publication in the church records program in
§ Virginia. The information contained is based largely upon primary source
Q material, supplemented by statements from ministers, church authorities, and
g denominational officials. An original inventory of most of the records in-
g cluded in this volume was made by certified field workers in 1936, but a care-
§ ful recheck by different workers has recently been completed in order to insure
g accuracy, as far as possible, before publishing this data.
E' The inventory was edited in the Richmond office under the supervision of
l Elizabeth F. Coalter, who is in charge of the church unit of the work, and
Q three field workers: Thomas w. Jewett, Mamie M. Jones, and Clarence E. Taylor.
ji It was prepared in accordance with instructions from the Washington office,
ry and edited in its final form by the Library of Congress Historical Records
;},Survey Project in the District of Columbia. Detailed editorial comments and
ijicriticisms of the book have been made by Donald A. Thompson, Assistant
gj Archivist in charge of the Church Archives Inventories. While the responsibility
,§ for the completeness and accuracy of this volume lies with the Virginia staff,
é it is issued with the approval of the Librarian of Congress and the official
g sponsor of the project in the State.
d
% Workers have had the fullest cooperation from church officials and others
y whom they have contacted. The Survey expresses particular appreciation to:
EQ Frank T. Crump, Executive Secretary of Virginia Baptist Board of Missions and
.§ Education; Judson Starke Bosher, Statistical Secretary of the Baptist General
pl AS$0¤i&ti0¤ of Virginia; Dr. Garnett Ryland, Treasurer and Librarian of the
  Virginia Baptist Historical Society; and Jesse M. Johnson, Moderator of the
gf Dover Baptist Association, for their cooperation and assistance in the prepa-
ga ration of this book. The contribution received from the Dover Baptist Associ-
*12]
 

 In E; E
—· K} ? ·
'_¥*reface g
tgtion made the publication of this book possible. The Survey also takes pleas-
jkre in acknowledging here the cooperation and support rendered by the State
if .?dministration, Mr. William A. Smith, and his assistants.
J l ..ti Inquiries regarding this publication should be addressed to the Virginia
’ > oyistcrical Records Survey Project, Carneal Building, l2 North 9th Street,
_ f ichmond, Virginia.
.  
lg ELIZABETH B. PARKER
S »· j ichmond, Virginia State Supervisor
· `_9cember l939.~". Virginia Historical Rgcords Survey Project
{
.  
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Qt
J

 it lil t
[7   
V `-, !
I F* I. ABBREVIATIONS, SYMBOLS, AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
J ’ifi, Abbreviations, Symbols
__ V     I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I    
  · LY
.’;   I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I  
dgibid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the same reference
iii `
  dn • • • • U • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • HO  
' Edn. p. . . . . A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . no place of publication
Q
  PPI I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I   I   I I I I I I    
I.
    I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I  
 
l$S. E. . . ........ . South Eastern Reporter (see bibliogrujphy)
at
lg sec. (s) ........ . . . . .............. section (s)
;l_ ·
V§supra .................. . ...... above or before
  '
t Va. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Virginia Reports (see bibliography)
i Vi. . . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . Virginia State Library
g vol. (s) . . . . . . ........ . .......... . volume (s)
 
  _— O I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I  
t Explanatory Notes
g Church entries have been arranged chronologically by date of organiza-
  tion.
i Most entries carry references to printed material; therefore only general
;w works have been included in the main bibliography. Only one publisher has
'fcbeen given in the bibliographical references in the entries. The full imprint
% may be found in the bibliography at the end of the volume.
E All entries have been submitted to the individual active churches for
E criticism, and the entire manuscript has been read by Dr. Garnett Ryland,
@ custodian of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society, Reverend William Thorburn
V Clark, clerk of the Dover Baptist Association, Messrs Judson Starke Bosher,
é registrar of the Dover Baptist Association and Statistical secretary of the
3 Baptist General Association of Virginia and Jesse Mabrey Johnson, moderator
’i‘V A of the Dover Baptist Association.
·§ The Virginia Baptist Historical Society, a depository for baptist
r archives, is located at the University of Richmond and contains most of the
{ Yeference material used in this publication. All localities mentioned in
  this volume are in Virginia unless otherwise specified.

 M
it iv t
wl, _— 4 4
  [
[gaws of the State of Virginia Pertaining to Churches (
(] Records are kept in the church unless otherwise specified, and may be
V _ [essumed to be in good condition unless otherwise noted.
, fi The date of founding refers to the formal organization of the church
Qfather than to the date services were first held by a Sunday School or other
__ ,]brganization.
, ht All available information concerning the location of defunct churches
°· `dias been included in this inventory.
Y` II. Laws of the State of Virginia Pertaining to Churches
Q` Since 1851, a church or religious denomination may not be incorporated
A (Qin Virginia,l but may hold a limited amount of property through trustees.2
,{Today, the trustees may hold not over 4 acres in a city or town and not over
[Q75 acres outside the city or town. The value of the personal property (ex-
gtdblusive of books and furniture) may not exceed $100,000.3 Trustees may be
§ygppo1¤tod or 5ub5tjtutgd4 and may sue and be sued in relation to the property
t§*h€Y h0ld·5 Land may be sold or mortgaged with the permission of the circuit .
}]court9 and any member of the congregation may sue to require the trustees to
yfapply the property to the proper uses.? Although these acts appear to limit
fgthe churches in their ownership of property, they actually enlarge the
2..........,...........,.,,..............................................
QQ1. Constitution of Virginia, 1851 [hereinafter cited as Const. 1851],
2) art. IV, sec. 32, in The Code eg Virginie_T_L_L Thee, Richmond, 1860
pf [hereinafter cited as Code 1860]; Constitution of Virginia, 1869
Q1 [hereinafter cited as Qehet. 1869], art. V, sec. 17, in Third Edition eT
[g the Qeee ei Virginia . . ., Richmond, 1873 [hereinafter cited as Code
Hp 1873]; Constitution of Virginia, 1902 [hereinafter cited as Const. 1902],
?tr art. IV, sec. 59, in Qeee eT VirwihTe”, . ., Richmond, 1918 [hereinafter
3] cited as Code 1919]; Constitution of Virginia, 1902 (as amended 1928),
[L [hereinafter cited as Const. 1902 (as amended 1928)], art. IV, scc. 59,
' T] in The Vghginia Qeee eT 1936, Charlottesville, Va., 1936 [hereinafter
[   cited as Code 1936].
gd 2. hete ef the General AssembTy eg the etete ef Virginia, 1809--, Richmond,
` git 1810-- [hereinafter cited as Acts], 1841-42, p. 60 (land only, by con-
3 hp Veyance ; The Code eT Virginia, Richmond, 1849 [hereinafter cited
` tl} as Code 1849], pp. 362-363 (any property by conveyance, devise, or
pg} dedication); Acts 1918, p. 94 (by adverse possession for 25 years); Acts
‘   1924, p. 498; code 1936, secs. ze, se, 4s(a); see footnote i, 3,
, ‘ tt 3. hete 1841-42, p. 60 (2 acres in incorporated town, 30 acres outside);
it hete 1865-66, p. 161 (2 in, 75 outside, a town); The Code eT Virginia
‘ ·Q L_g_e, Richmond, 1887 [hereinafter cited as Code 1887], sec. 1403
1`,f (”a city or town"); hete 1901-2, p. 337 (personal property to value of
J yd“ 830,000 added); Acts 1930, pp. 687-688 (4 acres in city or town, $100,000
,] personal property); Code 1936, sec. 43.
Q} 4- Agte 1841-42, p. 60; Acts 1897-98, p. 977; Code 1936, sec. 39.
‘ A_ km 3- hehe 1841-42, p. 60; Acts 1920, p. 9; Code 1936, sec. 42.
‘ °_y;=6· Acts 1852, p. 80 (sold only); Acts 1878-79, p. 348 (sold or mortgaged);
` @§~ Qeee 1936, sec. 45.
‘i‘ {Q 7· Acts 1846-47, p. 66; Code 1849, p. 363 (suit will not be dismissed on
gf death of plaintiff); Code 1936, sec. 44.
Q ;

 Q I
  V  
{ *.¤  [
.. @éLaws of the State of Virginia Pertaining to Churches F
M  I
Qirights, since at common law most charitable trusts were invalid because they
. fiwere too indefinite to be enforced. Property must be held and dealt with f
i igxagtly as provj_dgd by S·[·,a_t,u·tg_8 "This adherence to the rule [that 9.
. jgcharitable trust was invalid] . . . originated in legislative and popular V
; , »g§jealousy, and opposition to the incorporation of religious societies, and
_ {Ea just apprehension that the accumulation of property by such institutions
Mfwould be incompatible with sound republican po1icy." If a congregation
. Etdivides, the vote of the majority reported to the circuit court and recorded
V qiin the chancery order book determines the disposition of all property held
tgin trust for the original oongregation,lO This provision has been held un-
fdconstitutional if and when it impairs the provision of the deed by which the
Qgproperty is held, but may be valid in some cases.ll _
,, Church property is tax exempt if it comes under the constitutional
hifclassification, which is as follows: "The following property and no other
·  Ygshal1 be exempt from taxation, State and local, including inheritance taxes:
[Q. . . (b) Buildings with the land they actually occupy, and the furniture
. ifgand furnishings therein, and endowment funds lawfully owned and held by
{  ·‘l churches or religious bodies, and wholly and exclusively used for religious
tiiworship, or for the residence of the minister of any such church or religious
_ E body, together with the additional adjacent land reasonably necessary for
Q the convenient use of any such bui1ding.*l2 The tax Code has Carried this
E provision into effect practically in the same words.l3 Between 1669 and
%`1902, the exemption was at the discretion of the Legis1ature;l4 b€tW6€¤ 1849
` 1 (the first church exemption act found) and 1869, it was by act of Legiglature.l5
5 Other constitutional provisions prohibit churches from levying a tax,i pro-
Q hibit the State from levying taxes or donating money or property for the sup-
  ,
9¤8. St. Stephen; Episcopal Church v. Morriss‘ Administration, 115 Va. 225,
‘j. 78 S. E. 662 (1913), (for full titles, see list of abbreviations and
_E[ bibliography); Moore v. Perkins, 169 Va. 175, 192 S. E. 806 (1937).
§ 9. Moore v. Perkins, supra.
Q10. Hudgins, Judge, in Moore v. Perkins, supra, at p. 184 (quoting Staples,
I Judge, in Kelly v. Love's Administrators, 51 Va. 124, at p. 131).
 fll. Finley v. Brent, 87 Va. 103, 12 S. E. 228 (1890).
. [E12. Const. 1902, art. XIII, sec. 183 (endowment funds not included); Const.
gf? 1902 (as amended 1928) art. XIII, sec. 183.
IQIB. Acts 1928, pp. 237-239; ggtg 1930, p. 877 (adds endowment funds omitted
lte from the original tax code of 1928); “Tax Code" 1936, sec. 435 [appendix
pp to Code 1936]; Acts 1938, p. 429. `
f?l4. Const. 1869, art. X, sec. 3; Acts 1870-71, p. 71 (real estate), p. 79
. if- (personal property); Code 1887, sec, 457 (real estate), 488 (personal pro-
I perty); Const, 1902, art. XIII, sec. 183 (mandatory exemption); Qgdg 1919,
*j Secs. 2272 [real estate), 2301 (furniture and fixtures - neither section
ép exempts these subjects from inheritance tax as provided by the Constitution).
  15. gg; ieee, p. 185 ("any property“); Acts ieso-eo, pp. 12, 15-16 (real
., estate only); Code 1860, pp. 194-196 (real estate only); Const. 1869,
. AQ art. X, sec. 3 (exemption made permissive by the Constitution)- -
,- f I6- Constitution of Virginia, 1830 [hereinafter cited as Const. 1830], art.
., . jjf III, sec. 11, in Code 1849; Const. 1851, art. IV, sec. 15; Const. 1869,
;; art, V, sec. 14; Const. 1902, art. IV, sec. 58; Const. 1902 (as amended
. pg 1928), art. IV, sec. 58.
ti
5T

 : .     {
_ 'A§·rsface
iltion made the publication of this book possible. The Survey also takes pleas-
’[re in acknowledging here the cooperation and support rendered by the State
_ *· »§dministration, Mr. William A. Smith, and his assistants.
5 Yi Inquiries regarding this publication should be addressed to the Virginia
’ =»[;istorical Records Survey Project, Carneal Building, l2 North 9th Street,
_ richmond, Virginia.
. if
Z`  
i g ELIZABETH B. PARKJR
·· Qfichmond, Virginia State Supervisor
· tlecember 1939. 'V Virginia Historical Records Survey Project
Y · ii
- 5
Q.
V it
 
 
&
pi
5
V?
I
 

  sé
e 1
 3  iii 5
U A ig I. ADBREVIATIONS, SYMBOLS, AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
M. iiiq Abbreviations, Symbols
 2
__," _3-rt*• (S)••••••••••••••••••••••••••Zlrtj.Cl€(S)
V ..‘ .     I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I  
  • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • · • • • • etvhé UCQHK} reference
 i ‘
  HI dl I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I     S
. Q
' Qin. p. . . . . x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . no place of publication
  PI pp. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I   I I I   I I I I I I    
    I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I  
{Ji
tjS. E. . . . . . . . . . . . South Eastern Reporter (see bibliogrnjphy)
élsec. (s) .... . ........ . ............. section (s)
    I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I       A
§tVa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Virginia Reports (see bibliography)
Q vi. . . . . .... . ....... . . . . . Virginia State Library
mVOl•(S)•••••••••••••••••••••o••••VO].uHlG(S)
  —_ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I  
-$ Explanatory Notes
it Church entries have been arranged chronologically by date of organiza-
fition.
M Most entries carry references to printed material; therefore only general
Q works have been included in the main bibliography. Only one publisher has
Q been given in the bibliographical references in the entries. The full imprint
n may be found in the bibliography at the end of the volume.
p All entries have been submitted to the individual active churches for
w criticism, and the entire manuscript has been read by Dr. Garnett Ryland,
? custodian of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society, Reverend William Thorburn
j Clark, clerk of the Dover Baptist Association, Messrs Judson Starke Bosher,
g registrar of the Dover Baptist Association and Statistical secretary of the
V Baptist General Association of Virginia and Jesse Mabrey Johnson, moderator
g of the Dover Baptist Association.
t The Virginia Baptist Historical Society, a depository for Baptist
y archives, is located at the University of Richmond and contains most of the
Q Feference material used in this publication. All localities mentioned in
l this volume are in Virginia unless otherwise specified.
t l

   E
 it 2
{laws of the State of Virginia Pertaining to Churches I
{ Records are kept in the church unless otherwise specified, and may be
’ .,QYssumed tc be in good condition unless otherwise noted.
,, y The date of founding refers to the formal organization of the church
Yrather than to the date services were first held by a Sunday School or other
_ I [organization.
I $ A11 available information concerning the location of defunct churches
° ' [has been included in this inventory.
_[£ II. Laws of the State of Virginia Pertaining to Churches
,£ Since 1851, a church or religious denomination may not be incorporated
` Qin Virginia,l but may hold a limited amount of property through trustees.2
)dToday, the trustees may hold not over 4 acres in a city or town and not over
ln75 acres outside the city or town. The value of the personal property (ex-
_ ldclusive of books and furniture) may not exceed $100,000.3 Trustees may be
,Qapp¤1¤ted or SubStjtut6d4 and may sue and be sued in relation to the property
Hthey h0ld·5 Land may be sold or mortgaged with the permission of the circuit
=9court6 and any member of the congregation may sue to require the trustees to
f iapply the property to the proper ugeg,7 Although these acts appear to limit
gthe churches in their ownership of property, they actually enlarge the
4..................................................,.....-..............-
g a
. ,11. Constitution of Virginia, 1851 [hereinafter cited as Const. 18511,
»A art. IV, sec. 32, in Qhe Code gf Virginia_L_L_; 1860, Richmond, 1860
H) [hereinafter cited as Code 1860]; Constitution of Virginia, 1869
[4 [hereinafter cited as Qpngt. 1869], art. V, sec. 17, in Third Edition gf
,¥ the Code gf Virginia . . ., Richmond, 1873 [hereinafter cited as Code
§, 1873]; Constitution of Virginia, 1902 [hereinafter cited as Const. 1902],
[1 art. IV, sec. 59, in Qggg gf ViroinipLJ . ., Richmond, 1918 [hereinafter
pg cited as Code 1919]; Constitution of Virginia, 1902 (as amended 1928),
W1 [hereinafter cited as Const. 1902 (as amended 1928)], art. IV, soc. 59,
' Bf in Qhg Vigginia Code gf 1936, Charlottesville, Va., 1936 [hereinafter
V if cited as Code 19361.
f[2. Acts pf thc General Assembly pf thg Statg pf Virginia, 1809--, Richmond,
` Wl 1810-- [hereinafter cited as Actsl, 1841-42, p. 60 (land only, by con-
_ ` mg veyance); Qhe Code pf Virginia, Richmond, 1849 [hereinafter cited
` G: as Code 1849}, pp. 362-363 (any property by conveyance, devise, or
_ pg dedication); Acts 1918, p. 94 (by adverse possession for 25 years); Apts
4; ' [1 1924, p. 498; Code 1936, secs. 38, 39, 46(a); see footnote 1, 3.
l ‘ M13. égts 1841-42, p. 60 (2 acres in incorporated town, 30 acres outside);
QQ Acts 1865-56, p. 161 (2 in, 75 outside, a town); Qhg Code pf Virginia
‘ [Q ;_L_L, Richmond, 1887 [hereinafter cited as Qpdg 1887], sec. 1403
‘ l` di ("a city or town"); Apts 1901-2, p, 337 (personal property to value of
I gi 830,000 added); Acts 1930, pp. 687-688 (4 acres in city or town, $100,000
{Z personal property); Code 1936, sec. 43.
[Q4. Acts 1841-42, p. 60; Acts 1897-98, p. 977; Code 1936, sec. 39.
,’_ ,_j,5. Acts 1841-42, p. 60; Acts 1920, p. 9; Code 1936, sec. 42.
° "‘_ j16. Acts 1852, p. 80 (sold only); Acts 1878-79, p. 348 (sold or mortgaged);
` Q Code 1936, sec. 45.
‘i‘ {C7. Acts 1846-47, p. 66; Code 1849, p. 363 (suit will not be dismissed on
g death of plaintiff); Code 1936, sec. 44.

   "  
3  1
.. [;Laws of the State of Virginia Pertaining to Churches I
¥[rights, since at common law most charitable trusts were invalid because they _
. [ were too indefinite to be enforced. Property must be held and dealt with ?
L , gxggtly QS provided by S·t,a·(;u·bg_8 "This 8.dh9!‘BYlC·9 to `bhé rule [that 3 A
{zcharitable trust was invalid] . . . originated in legislative and popular
; _ »;?jealousy, and opposition to the incorporation of religious societies, and
__§§a just apprehension that the accumulation of property by such institutions
iiwould be incompatible with sound republican policy." If a congregation
. [Qdivides, the vote of the majority reported to the circuit court and recorded
t'in the chancery order book determines the disposition of all property held
(Qin trust for the original congregation,lO This provision has been held un-
Y'oonstitutional if and when it impairs the provision of the deed by which the
giproperty is held, but may be valid in some cases.ll I
T§ Church property is tax exempt if it comes under the constitutional
,‘fo1assification, which is as follows: "The following property and no other
- Vlshall be exempt from taxation, State and local, including inheritance taxes:
gt. . . (b) Buildings with the land they actually occupy, and the furniture
I fjand furnishings therein, and endowment funds lawfully owned and held by
gichurches or religious bodies, and wholly and exclusively used for religious
igworship, or for the residence of the minister of any such church or religious
. "body, together with the additional adjacent land reasonably necessary for
jithe convenient use of any such bui1ding,*l2 The tax code has carried this
{§provision into effect practically in the same words.l3 BGYWGGR 1869 &¤d _
~§1902, the exemption was at the discretion of the Legislature;l4 b€tW6€¤ 1549
" i§(the first church exemption act found) and 1869, it was by act of Legi§lature.l5
‘i0ther constitutional provisions prohibit churches from levying a tax,' pro-
,1hibit the State from levying taxes or donating money or property for the sup-
il ,
Vi}8. St. Stephen; Episcopal Church v. Morriss‘ Administration, 115 Va. 225,
epi 78 S. E. 662 (1913), (for full titles, see list of abbreviations and
=@ bibliography); Moore v, Perkins, 169 Va. 175, 192 S. E. 806 (1937).
l€;9. Moore v. Perkins, supra.
jd0. Hudgins, Judge, in Moore v. Perkins, supra, at p. 184 (quoting Staples,
IQ Judge, in Kelly v. Love‘s Administrators, 51 Va. 124, at p. 131).
[]l1. Finley v. Brent, 87 Va. 103, 12 S. E. 228 (1890).
. r]l2• Const. 1902, art. XIII, sec. 183 (endowment funds not included); Const.
~ §€ 1902 (as amended 1928) art. XIII, sec. 183.
gl3. Acts 1928, pp. 237-239; gpg; 1930, p. 877 (adds endowment funds omitted
1 from the original tax code of 1928); *Tex Code" 1936, sec. 435 [appendix
gt to Code 1936]; Acts 1938, p. 429.
fQl4. Const. 1869, art. X, sec. 3; Acts 1870-71, p. 71 (real estate), p. 79
. r (personal property); Code 1887, sec, 457 (real estate), 488 (personal pro-
ii perty); Const. 1902, art. XIII, sec. 183 (mandatory exemption); Code 1919, 3
IP secs. 2272 (real estate), 2301 (furniture and fixtures - neither section
fg exempts these subjects from inheritance tax as provided by the Constitution).
“15. Qgdg 1849, p. 185 ("any property“); Acts 1859-60, pp. 12, 15-16 (real
ff estate only); Code 1860, pp. 194-196 (real estate only); Const. 1869.
- Q, art. X, sec. 3 (exemption made permissive by the Constitution)-
,_ ,416. Constitution of Virginia, 1830 [hereinafter cited as Const. 1830], art,
J. . 8 III, sec. ll, in Code 1849; Const. 1851, art. IV, sec. 15; Const. 1869,
S art, V, sec. 14; Const. 1902, art. IV, sec. 58; Const. 1902 (as amended
. t. 1928), art. IV, sec. 58. .

 I   5 ....- vi . E
tg  V ‘
;?aws _v%4 of the State of'Virginia Pertaining to Churches
 
Qtort of churches,l7 and Eormerly) protected church property from the effects
utf the War Between the States or any subsequent laws or events. 8
I?  g
Ei There was a temporary provision by the Constitutions of 1830 and 1851
4 · kiorbidding any minister of the gospel to be elected to either house of the
Qktate Legislature, but this provision was omitted from the Constitution of
— $5869 and subsequent legislation.19
ti In 1780, a law was passed making it legal for any minister to celebrate
néhe rights of matrimony but dissenting ministers had to be licensed by the
lgounty court. Such license had to be signed by the judge or elder magistrate.2O
t jgn 1784, it was permissible for a minister to perform a marriage provided he
.  `·Y?roduced to the court credentials of his ordination and proof of his being in
rggegular communion with the Christian society of which he was supposed to be a
%%ember. In addition, the minister eas required to take the oath of allegiance
. égo the Commonwealth and also enter into bond with two or more sufficient
ytpecurities, payable to the Governor or his successors. with these provisions
Qtomplied with, the court was required to grant the minister a testimonial
j Ejhich was to be construed to be sufficient authority for performing marriages.2l
_ giince 1831, the minister has had to proggce his credentials and take bond before
· Qége could perform the marriage ceremony.
 wily 
EQ III. Records and Recordkeeping
_ tQ§ Each Baptist Association has its own rules regarding the keeping of
y ttrecords.
2 :4
QQ The Baptist General Association of Virginia requires that: *the Statisti-
I tbal Secretary shall collect and publish the statistics of the denomination in
{,irginia, and a summary of the statistics of the denomination in this and
` ‘Qtther countries."l
. 3;
A pg The constitution of the Southern Baptist Convention states that: "the
`§g?ec0rding Secretaries of the several Boards shall keep a fair record of their
it
V, ,g=g7. ,C0nst. 1902, art. IV, seo. 67; Const. 1902 (as amended 1928), art. IV,
g§ %‘`  sec. 67.
r__ _épl8. Const. 1869, art. XI, sec. 8.
i;§9. Const. 1830, art. III, sec. 7; Const. 1851, art. IV, sec. 7.
sf?O· William Waller Hening, compiler, Eng Statutes gt Large . , , (1619-1792),
_§%§ lst. ed., Richmond, etc., 1809-23 [hereinafter cited as Hening, Statutes;
_ tt, for complete citation, see Bibliography], X, pp. 361-363.
%@Qi· Hening, Statutes, XI, pp. 503-504; Samuel Shepherd, compiler and editor,
{Q3 Egg Statutes gt Large gf Virginia . . . (1792-1808), Richmond, 1835-36,
QT I, pp. 130-131; g Collection of . . . ggts gf thg General gssembly pf
E} Virginia . . ., Richmond, 1803, pp. 192-193; Qhg Revised Code gf the Laws
é}; QQ Virginia . . ., Richmond, 1819, I, pp. 394-395.
Fj?2• Acts 1830-31, p. 102; Code 1860, p. 523; Qgdg 1919, sec. 5079; Code
,i’ 1936 sec 5079
 iw  ’ ‘ °
§,_l· Minutes . . . pf thg Baptist General Associatigg gf Virginig, . . . Egg.
@;» 9-ll, 1937 , Richmond, Richmond Press, Inc., Printers , 1937, p. 5.
it 'E

 t` ,
  vii  
T I ·5scOres and Recordkeeping
v ylioceedings, and such other documents as may be committed to them for the
urpose."
M x
's· dy The Dover Baptist Association says: “the clerk shall keep an accurate
,_ecord of the proceedings of the Association, prepare the table of statistics,
ive printed and distribute the minutes, and shall prepare charts