 The Old Manse as it appears today. The Old Manse is located on Landon Lane in Orange, Virginia. And it has an unusual history. From good intentions In 1867 the Trustees of Orange Presbyterian Church purchased 10 acres of land from Thomas Scott. OPC intended to build a manse on the property for their new pastor. But immediately after the end of the Civil War, and the collapse of Confederate currency, money was tight. The church was unable to proceed further. When Rev. Isaac W. K. Handy arrived in 1868, he took over the project. He financed it by selling farmland he owned in Missouri, plus funds Handy had raised “in the North and in Richmond,” according to his personal papers. Handy purchased new land for the manse, plus two adjoining parcels. One of those was the Scott acreage owned by the church.  Rev. Isaac W.K. Handy Phase one, 1868-1870 - Greek revival The Old Manse was larger than most homes in Orange at the time, but not ostentatious. It was built with some Greek revival details. And it had one unusual feature -- a transverse stairwell. It was one of the few in the area. Also original to the Old Manse is a meat house, a spring-fed well, and a gas house. The latter was used to supply gas for lighting in the manse. Handy lived in the Old Manse with his wife, Rebecca, two sons and two daughters until 1870. That was when he accepted a call from the Old Stone Church in Augusta County. In addition to serving OPC, Rev. Handy also wrote and published two books while living in the Old Manse. And he was not its last noteworthy resident.  The Old Manse, from a 1914 postcard Phase two, 1910-1947 - Colonial revival In 1910 the Old Manse was purchase by George Landon Browning, who lived there until his death in 1947. Browning was a Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Justice, and the center of Orange society. Browning expanded the home with a kitchen and dining room, and added Colonial Revival architectural details. A historic property In 2017 the Old Manse was added to the Virginia Landmarks Register for Handy’s Greek revival details and transverse stairwell, and Browning’s Colonial revival additions. The Old Manse on Landon Lane has also been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. Jennie Hill Robinson and Ralph Graves - OPC History Team
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Although we have just finished the Advent and Christmas seasons, Lent is quickly approaching. It amazes me every year how quickly the liturgical seasons fly by. I love how each season brings something new to the forefront of our hearts and minds. During advent we contemplate and anticipate the coming of Christ to this broken world. In Christmas time we celebrate the birth of our savior. In the summer we observe the order of the year with ordinary time. And during Lent we practice penitence and repentance.
As we come up on the year mark of the COVID pandemic I find myself contemplating what it means to repent of sins. While I like to think of myself as mostly a good person, the reality is I, along with everyone else who has and will ever live, have failed and fallen short of the glory of God. Therefore, I must repent. I must repent that many times I do not love my neighbor as myself. I must repent that many times I covet what my neighbors has. I must repent that many times I hold contempt in my heart especially as the year mark gets closer and closer. While I repent, I trust in the mercy of God. I trust that Jesus lived and died so that we all might live. I trust that I am surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. During this liturgical season of Lent, I invite you to journey down this road of repentance. I invite you to spend time in prayer and meditation, trusting that the community of saints, and Jesus the savior will surround you as you seek repentance and know the grace of God. The peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ be with you all! - Pastor Rebekah n Church and its members. Ms. Caroline Pastor Rebekah |
