Revision as of 04:34, 27 October 2020

History

Messrs. Lamb and Beveridge secured a hall in Matoaca, Virginia in the 1890’s with only planks for seats, but the place was crowded. A tent season followed and there were very few homes in that village that did not witness the grace of God in the salvation of some of the members of their families. The preachers Lamb, Bradford, and James Hamilton from Scotland built Matoaca Gospel Hall for the new assembly in the summer of 1895.

First Wedding

Reported on Nov. 9, 1899 in the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk: "Petersburg, Va., Nov. 8: The first marriage of the kind that has occurred for some years in this section was that which was solemnized tonight at Gospel Hall in Matoaca, Chesterfield county. The marriage was in accordance with the rites of the "Believers'" denomination, and the contracting parties were Mr. Samuel McEwen and Miss Annie Johnson. Rev. W.D. Best officiated. The groom is a popular young tailor of this city, and the bride is a most attractive young lady of Matoaca. The marriage, which was a very pretty one, was preceded by a Gospel meeting, which was conducted by Rev. Henry Turner, of Richmond, who is a returned missionary from Africa."

Locations

@ 4 mi. west of Petersburg 1956-1960; River Rd. 1961-1975; 6204 River Rd. +1976-2020+

Correspondents

• Grover Cleveland Skinner +1927+ (b. 1885 Lunenburg, VA - d. 1958 Pembroke, Petersburg, VA);
• Samuel Moody McEwen, Jr., 213 River Rd. +1936-1969 (b. 1903 Matoaca, VA - d. 1976 Petersburg, VA)
• John Paul Rockey 1970-1975 (b. 1926 Norfolk, VA - d. 2015 Cedar Falls, IA)
• Samuel McCracken Ellison @ Petersburg 1976-1980+ (b. 1895 Belfast, Ireland - d. 1982 Petersburg, VA)
• John Nobles +1982-2020+

Alumni

• Who's Who at Matoaca Gospel Hall, VA

Visiting Itinerants

• Visiting Ministry at Matoaca Gospel Hall, VA

Sources

• Ancestry.com
• AAB’s 1904-2020
• Our Record 1901-1904
• 1895 start date from Matoaca Gospel Hall photo of Messr. Lamb via John Noble