Independence Day 1826 marked the coincidental passing of two of our country's elder
statesmen, John Adams of Massachusetts and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. Lynchburg was
especially grieved because Jefferson had stopped here so often going to and from Poplar
Forest. A joint memorial service was held on July 20th.

In 1826, the Reverend Robert Ryland started his ministry in Lynchburg and, for a brief
period, the old Masonic Hall was used for worship services by his society of Baptists. A
Temperance Society was organized by the Reverend W. A. Smith. We are told that it
continued for a long time and did much good.

Meanwhile, in Methodism there were stormy times. In mid-September, 1826 charges made by
some members sowed discord by inveighing against the Discipline. A church trial ensued and
some members withdrew and founded the Reformed Methodist Church, later to be called the
Methodist Protestant Church. Their great, strong pastor, called in 1827, was The Reverend
William J. Holcombe, a medical doctor who combined the sacred calling of Christ with that of a
physician.

But on September 20th in Lynchburg the Corner Stone was laid in our uniquely designed
church. The pulpit of our church was between two doors opening onto Church Street, so that
the congregation facing the doors could see who came late without having to turn their heads.

The day after the laying of our Corner Stone, Henry Clay visited Lynchburg on his way to
Washington. He received a tremendous display and ovation, even larger than those received by
General Andrew Jackson when he visited Lynchburg.

A great innovation was the introduction of a pipe organ in the church on November 13, 1826.
Some thought this to be "questionable".

In 1828 Lynchburg was prospering. The new Olympic Theater was built at the rear of the post
office, on the South corner of 7th & Main Streets. The Western Hotel stood near 5th & Clay
Streets and a little further, at 5th & Federal Streets, was the Kentucky Hotel.

In the spring 1828, Miss Elice M. Miller, a female Methodist preacher, and her traveling
companion, Miss Hilton, accompanied by Mr. Charlton, came to Lynchburg. It is reported that
Miss Miller preached to an overflowing crowd whom she held spellbound and quiet. Later that
year she married the Reverend William A. Smith, pastor at the Methodist Meeting House.

In 1829 Father Cooper, the first Catholic Priest to visit s Lynchburg, celebrated Mass at the
residence of Mrs. Mary B. Dornin. Afterwards he preached at the Court House.

1830- 1840

The 1830 Census showed 2,492 whites and 2,136 slaves/free living in Lynchburg. The Miss Ann
B. J. Gordon School for young ladies advertised a session cost of $10.

During the 1830's Point of Honor got it's name from a duel.

Also in this decade the old theater on Court Street was sold to become the first black church
in Lynchburg. The Reverend A. Clopton of the First Baptist Church became pastor there.
Before this, black people had been attending white churches.

In 1831 the trustees of the Methodist Church bought a lot at the rear of the church from Ajax
Walker and in 1833, at a cost of $3,000, built a brick addition to the rear of the church. It
was known for years as "Holcomb Hall". Also in that year the Lynchburg & Blue Ridge
Turnpike was chartered.

One year later, the first Female Missionary Society was formed in Lynchburg. The James
River & Kanawha Canal was incorporated. Tragically, there was a terrible epidemic of scarlet
fever many died, especially children. Elsewhere in Virginia, Asiatic cholera was raging and ever
day hundreds died; it had already reached Norfolk and Richmond.

1833 marked celestial events notable in Lynchburg. In August an earthquake shook the city (at
least one other in the 1960's did likewise). On November 11th at 2 am, the horizon became
luminous with a meteoric shower. "They came down to within 3 or 4 ft of the ground before
disappearing". The shower was also reported in New York, Boston, Richmond and other places.
It was recalled that a like phenomena occurred in 1802.

In June 1834 Lynchburg was called to mourn the death of General Lafayette in Paris on May
20th.

The Virginia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church met again in Lynchburg in
February 1835. In May of that year the Episcopal Council also met in Lynchburg. Later, in
October, Episcopalians raised funds, $862.95, for a town clock to be placed in their St Paul
steeple because members were often late for service.

In July 1835 a terrible hailstorm broke nearly all glass windows in town and indented the wall
of the "Cross Keys" tavern. Field crops, trees and shrubs were also severely damaged.

Lynchburg's "earliest poet", Bransford Vawter, died at the age of 20 in November 1835.
By 1836 work had begun on the Kanawha Canal.

In September 1839 a mysterious event occurred in Lynchburg. An infant's cradle was found
rocking with no one near it. Dr. Smith concluded that the devil was rocking it and large
numbers closed their businesses and huge crowds went to se it.

Judge William Daniel, a distinguished son of the community, died at his home, Point of Honor, on
November 20, 1839.

1840-1845

In 1840 the population of Lynchburg was 6,395 and rapidly growing.

The "Lynchburg Republican" newspaper was started in July 1840.

In December 1840 formal opening ceremonies marked the completion of the Lynchburg to
Richmond portion of the Kanawha Canal.

In the spring of 1842 the Methodist Protestant Conference met again in Lynchburg.
October 1843 marked the dedication of the first Roman Catholic Church built in Lynchburg, at
Clay and 9th Streets. It later became the site of Holy Cross Academy. The first Roman
Catholic group in Lynchburg was established by the Reverend Daniel Downey, who had leased
the original Baptist Church.

The Virginia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church met here again in November 1844
and was presided over by Bishop Sdule and accompanied by Bishop Andrew. Discussion at the
Conference ultimately divided the church into the Northern and Southern branches.

May 1845 saw the Baptist General Assembly meeting in Lynchburg.

In June, a large comet appeared. Some said it had been a sign of war because in July Mexico
declared war on US, although hostilities did not start until May 1846.

On July 23, 1845, General Andrew Jackson, 7th U.S. President died at his home, "Hermitage",
near Nashville, Tennessee. Lynchburg turned to mourning and had a special service at Third
Street Methodist Church at the conclusion of a suitable parade. Third Street Methodist
Church was later to become Centenary Methodist Church.

Bob Staples, Editor
The "Second Sunday in March" Bicentennial Committee is indebted to Terrell D. Moseley for
providing the research and draft text which was the foundation of this brief compilation. A
more complete documented and referenced history may be found in: Tankersley, C.N. &
Moseley, T.D., "History and Ministry of Centenary United Methodist Church - 1806-2006",
Lynchburg, Virginia, December 2005.
The "Second Sunday in March" Bicentennial Committee:
Gene Maddera, Annie Mehaffey, Aubrey Mehaffey, Bob Staples