 Emma Miller Hazard (1881-1941) This week and next, we honor a family whose members have graced our church through five generations. Join us in this celebration of their lives and their example. The First Generation: William and Emma Hazard In 1921, William Thomas Hazard, his wife, Emma Miller Hazard, and their two children moved to Orange County from Kentucky. They bought a small farm in eastern Orange County. “At the close of the regular quarterly communion services held this morning, the session met and received by letter from the Loveland Memorial Presbyterian Church at Quicksand, Ky, the following members: Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Hazard, Mr. Chester Hazard and Miss Emma Frances Hazard.” Mr. Lewis Holladay, Clerk of Session July 2, 1922 Session Notes The Hazards quickly became deeply involved in the life of this congregation. Mr. Hazard served as Elder and Mrs. Hazard was a mainstay of the Sunday School, teaching Christian faith to young people for many, many years. In 1984, Mary L. Sanford, who was oldest member of OPC at the time, mentioned in her recollections that “Mrs. Hazard became a pillar in the church in our Sunday School.” “On November 23, 1924, W. T. Hazard was elected to the Eldership of the Orange Presbyterian Church. In this capacity, he served the church and her Lord faithfully until visited by the Angel of Death August 25, 1932. Intelligent and quick, upright and godly, he won the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.” Quote from Resolution of Respect, Lewis Holladay William L. Lord Marshall James "In 1941, under Rev. William B. Ward, a Mission Sunday School was established on Church Street in Orange for disadvantaged youth. In 1943, the Sunday School was dedicated and named 'The Emma Hazard Memorial Sunday School.' Many members of this congregation worked with the Sunday School." From the 100th Anniversary History by Rev. Ward  Emma Frances Hazard Bartley (1913-2000) The Second Generation: Emma Bartley and Chester Hazard William and Emma’s children, Emma Francis and Chester, grew up in this church and were a central part of its life. Emma Francis Bartley married Horace W. Bartley. They had four children, all who were raised in OPC, though Horace retained his membership in the Orange Baptist Church. Emma Francis taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and played the piano and the organ. She also grew beautiful flowers and created floral arrangements for Sunday worship, served twice as president of the Women of the Church, and was Circle Chairman for many years. Emma led numerous bible studies, was Treasurer of the Morning Circle for 16 years, and taught in the Emma Hazard Memorial Sunday School. She participated in white cross work for Church World Service, was chairman of countless luncheons, suppers, receptions and other functions. In general, whenever capable leadership was needed, Emma Bartley was there. (Two of their children, Marjorie Clements and Peggy Fitch, are still active today in the OPC. More on them next week.)  Mary Young Hazard (1909-1997) and Chester C. Hazard (1906-1998) Chester Hazard served for many terms as a Deacon and an Elder and was the Treasurer of the church for 25 years. He was also a member of the Orange County School Board for 32 years and was its chairman for 29 years.
He served as president of the James Madison Museum in Orange and was a Mason and a member of the American Legion. He was Secretary/Business manager for Montpelier from 1928 until its sale to the National Historic Trust. Mr. Hazard was also a World War II Navy Veteran. His wife, Mary Hazard, taught young people in the Sunday School, sang in the choir, created flower arrangements for the sanctuary and served as President of the Women of the Church and as a Circle Chairman. Chester and Mary had two daughters, Mary Chester and Carolyn, both of whom were baptized and married in this church. Chester and Mary’s combined contributions to this church is a bridge from the past to the future. It was built by constant and loyal service to this congregation. Please join us again next week as we continue to share the influence this family has had on our church. - Jennie Hill Robinson OPC History Team Portions of the writings above are taken from notes written by Robert G. Jones for our 150th anniversary in 1995. Robert is married to Carolyn Hazard.
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A few weeks ago, we learned about the dedication of two hymn boards in memory of William Leland Lord by the Women of the Church in 1962. Since then, we've learned more about this dedication. While cleaning out the desk of the oldest member of our congregation, her son found papers that belonged to Orange Presbyterian Church and passed them on to us. They shed more light on the design and fabrication of the two hymn boards that hang in the church today. On July 28, 1961, Rev. Richard F. Taylor wrote three letters regarding the building of two memorial hymn boards built. The first letter was written to Mr. J. E. Seay of Louisa, VA. Mr. Seay was a furniture builder who had met with Rev. Taylor previously about the project. What follows are parts of the letter from Rev. Taylor:  Dear Mr. Seay, This letter is to confirm that we are proceeding with the contract to build two hymn boards for the “W. L. Lord Memorial” here in the Orange Presbyterian Church, in accordance with the drawings which I brought to you during the past week. It is my understanding that you will build and finish these two (2) boards complete... furnishing all materials and finishing for the sum of $125.00. The exception to this price is that the two curved pieces which have to be made will be cut out in the rough by Biggs Antique Company, Richmond, VA. You will furnish the dressed walnut (18” x 36” x 13/16”) from which these two pieces will be cut. You will note that the two pieces in Richmond will be delivered to you unfinished and will require sandpaper and finishing in accord with the rest of the boards and this will be a part of your contract. The two brass crosses and the two brass memorial plaques will be furnished to you separately by ourselves. I hope that you will install them on the boards as a part of your work. I would urge that you take all the time that is necessary as we wish the very finest work possible and the best materials available. Thank you for your kindness and attention. Cordially, Richard F. Taylor, Pastor The second letter Richard Taylor wrote that day was to Mr. S. D. Huxley, Treasurer of Biggs Antique Company in Richmond, VA. Following are parts of that letter from Rev. Taylor:  Rev. Richard Taylor Dear Mr. Huxley,
I appreciate the very courteous reception which you and your people gave to me the other day when I brought the drawings of these two memorial hymn boards which we are seeking to have built for this church. Confirming the conversations which I had with you, it was my understanding that we would furnish the material, which is walnut.... that Mr. Dorset, foreman of the Machine Room, would see that the special curves and cutouts were made on this board for each of the two hymn boards; that Mr. Stenning would carve out by hand the five pieces on each board, according to the drawing. It was my understanding that Mr. Dorset would charge from $15 to $25 for the work done in the Machine Room and that Mr. Stenning would charge $10, personally, for his work. No finish of any kind was to be rendered by you folks, this work being done by Mr. J. E. Seay in Louisa. I am writing to Mr. Seay and am asking him to go ahead and make up a piece... out of dressed walnut... this piece will be brought to you for you to cut out the two boards. A set of drawings will be furnished to you at this time. You may then let us know when we can take them back to Louisa for finishing. I appreciate this personal attention from such a busy firm. Cordially, Richards F. Taylor, Pastor The third letter written that day was to Mr. W. E. Stenning at Biggs Antique Co. in Richmond, Va. Mr, Stenning was to hand carve the tops of the 2 hymn boards being built. Following is part of that letter from Rev. Taylor: Dear Mr. Stenning, Attached is a letter to Biggs which confirms the order for the work on the two hymn boards as per our conversation the other day. Please let Mrs. J. P. Maddex, Orange, VA, know when your handwork is completed…..Thank you for your great help and courteous attention to our needs, Cordially, Richard F. Taylor, Pastor We are excited to learn more about these hymn boards. We now know that they are solid walnut, portions are hand carved and that the total cost of was about $160.00 (about $1,429.00 in 2021 dollars). These copies were in one envelope and mailed to Mrs. Rowland F. Hill, Jr. Handwritten on the bottom of the envelope is: “Mrs. H….keep these, I have no file copy.” Thank goodness that not only did she keep the letters, but so did her daughter. Fortunately, Rev. Taylor had the knowledge to help with the design process and make this happen. Thank you to the Women of the Church for such a beautiful gift to our church. - Jennie Hill Robinson OPC History Team  Jack Pendleton Maddex and his wife, Jacquelin, moved to Orange in 1944. He became a partner with Stanley Jewell, purchasing Grymes Drug Store from John Randolph Grymes. The store was on East Main Street next to the railroad tracks.
Jack Maddex wrote “…when we came to Orange, the Jewells and the Maddexs were warmly received by the members of the Orange Presbyterian Church. Dr. Holladay, and his daughter Louise, had both of our families for Sunday dinner and all the members encouraged us to become active in the church. We were probably among the youngest married couples in the church at that time.” Mr. Maddex was active in the community and served as Elder and Deacon in OPC. He wrote, “They did not operate on any kind of budget in those days. If more money was needed, they simply passed the word around. It was during Ed Pickard’s ministry, (1949-1954), that we began to have pledges and a budget.” In the late 40’s, OPC purchased Miss Rita Graham’s home next door to the church. “By an arrangement with Miss Graham, we were allowed to build the Sunday School building on the back of her lot and her house was allowed to stand. We paid her a monthly payment for life..(I think $125.00). At her death, the property would be ours. She lived quite a while and I think we paid about $12,000 over the years for the property. I may be mistaken, but I think one member of our church paid one-half the monthly payment and the church paid the other half,” wrote Mr. Maddex. “In the early 50’s, we built the Sunday School building for about $53,000.00. It was a big financial undertaking,” he continues, “but it was paid off ahead of time. We had a drive to raise money for it. Mr. Grey Moore, (Goodwin’s father) was a deacon at this time and was active in raising the money.” Jack enjoyed golf, travel, and square dancing, but his foremost hobby was gardening. He and other businessmen developed Greenfields as a residential area. Mr. Maddex had a nurturing love for his family, neighbors and friends. Jacquelin, known to all as “Jackie”, was a wonderful and warm person who was also very active in OPC. She was part of the Women of the Church and believed to be the first woman to serve as Elder. If only someone could entertain us with stories of the lunches the Women of the Church served at the local cattle sales as it seems the church “made lots of money”. The Maddexs moved to Sunnyside Retirement Community in Harrisonburg in 1988. He became an active member of First Presbyterian Church and volunteered at the Massanetta Springs and Conference Center. Mr. Maddex passed away in 2009 at the age of 95 and is buried with “Jackie”, who passed away in 2013, in Graham Cemetery in Orange, VA. - Jennie Hill Robinson OPC History Team  William Leland Lord "As a teacher, his influence lives with Woodberry men everywhere." Who was this wonderful man? William Leland Lord was born on January 29, 1888 in Covington, KY. He came to Woodberry Forest School, (founded in 1889 in Madison County), in 1916. Once he arrived, his entire life’s work was spent in the teaching of boys. Mr. Lord transferred his membership to Orange Presbyterian Church in 1923. He was elected a Ruling Elder a year later.  “As a father, his devotion and character were symbolic; as a humanitarian the glad memory of his cheerful, buoyant nature still warms men’s hearts; as a Christian, his love for Christ and his Church still leads men on.” (Author unknown…maybe Rev. Richard Taylor?) William Lord died January 14, 1960 and is buried in Graham Cemetery with his wife “Georgie” and their daughter Louise Trenholm Lord. Their son, Leland Hume Lord is buried in Los Angeles, CA. Georgia and their daughter, Louise, were also active in the OPC. Both were busy in the Women of the Church. Louise took on Bible Study and made it interesting. She also sang in the choir, entertaining the congregation with beautiful solos. On June 17, 1962, there was a service of dedication in memory of Mr. Lord. Two hymn boards were given by the Women of the Church. They were originally installed in the old sanctuary, which is now the Fellowship Hall. The boards hang today in the new Orange Presbyterian Church, built 1971. - Jennie Hill Robinson OPC History Team   Friends, In years past, it has been the norm that summer is a time of dormancy for the life of the church. Sunday School is over for the year, families travel, so worship attendance is down, services tend to be more casual. If this were a ‘normal’ year, that is what would be in our immediate future. But, as we all know, we are in the midst of getting to know our new normal. After over a year of erring on the side of caution, social distancing, and not meeting in person for worship, it seems that we are now at a time we feel comfortable revving back up. I have loved worshipping together over the past month. I understand and respect everyone’s decisions, to come or to stay home. We are doing our best to meet all of these needs. It is far from perfect, but my hope is that whether you come in person, or join in worshipping virtually, you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and the love of the community. At this time we feel like we can continue to worship in person on Sunday mornings, and we will continue to offer online options.  We will also be doing a book study over the summer. The book is called, “Dear Church: A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the United States.”
It is written by Rev. Lenny Duncan, who is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The purpose of studying this book is to help us, as a majority white congregation, see worship from a different perspective. This aids in our goal as a Matthew 25 congregation to work towards racial justice. If you are interested in participating in this book study, please let me know and I will order the book for you. We will meet three times over the summer, Wednesday June 2, Wednesday June 23, and Wednesday July 14 at 7pm. Please prayerfully consider joining. “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.” Grace and peace be with you, Pastor Rebekah |
