 (L to R) Marjorie and Buckshot Clements, Peggy and Billy Fitch “Self-discipline, compassion, responsibility, friendship, work, courage, perseverance, honesty, loyalty and faith. Mary and Chester Hazard and Emma Frances Hazard Bartley possess all of these virtues and more. They are an inspiration to their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and to us all.” Robert Jones, 1995 OPC 150th Anniversary The Third Generation: Marjorie Elizabeth and Peggy Sue Bartley On May 15,1954, the daughters of Horace and Emma Frances Bartley, Marjorie Elizabeth and Peggy Sue, (raised in the Orange Presbyterian Church), had a double wedding in the old sanctuary. Rev. Albert Edwards officiated. Both husbands joined this church, Lorris ‘Buckshot’ Clements from the Gordonsville Baptist Church and Charles O. ‘Billy’ Fitch from the Orange Methodist Church. Peggy, born in 1934, and Billy Fitch, a Deacon of this congregation, have four children. Charles Timothy, William Perry, Kathleen Sue and James Ordway were raised in this church and participated in many Sunday School and Church youth activities. Margie Clements was born in 1932. She was a OPC choir member and a Sunday School teacher Margie is a member of the Women of the Church Circle and served as the Treasurer for many years. She participated in many OPC activities including countless church lunches and suppers. ‘Buckshot’, who has served on the Diaconate also was a member, and past president, of the Men of the Church. He played on the church softball team as part of the local area church softball league. ‘Buckshot’ is presently a Trustee of OPC.  Rev. Lynne Clements The Fourth Generation: Lorris Lynn and Scott Bartley Clements Margie and Buckshot have two boys, Lorris Lynn and Scott Bartley. Lynn was born in 1956 and raised in OPC. He participated in many church activities as a member of the Sunday School and the Youth Group. Lynn later became a Sunday School teacher and Sponsor of the OPC Youth Group. He also played on the church softball team. Lynn has in the past, and is currently, serving on the Session. He has been a member of the Property Committee for many years and heads up our newly formed Safety Team since Covid-19. Lynn married Lynne Kirkpatrick Taylor in 1988 in OPC. The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Bill Nichols. Lynne became an active member of this church, teaching Sunday School and Sponsoring the Youth Group. She was a member of the choir and the Session. In 2016, Lynne was ordained as Minister of the Presbyterian Church, USA in a Service of Ordination at OPC. In 2018, she was installed as Associate Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville. Scott Bartley was born in 1960 and was involved in church activities as a member of the Sunday School and Youth Group. He was also part of the OPC Softball team. Scott is married to Teresa Herndon Clements.  Front row: Lynne and Lynn Clements; Back row Leslie, Martha, and Anne Clements The Fifth Generation:
Martha, Leslie, and Anne Clements Lynn and Lynne have three daughters: Martha Elizabeth, Leslie Kirkpatrick and Anne Bartley, all of whom were raised in OPC. Martha was an active member of the Sunday School and church youth activities and sang in the choir. She served on the Session and was Superintendent of our Sunday School. Leslie also was active in the Sunday School and church youth activities, sang in the choir and served on the Session. Anne, following her family’s lead, participated in Sunday School and church youth activities and sang in the choir. These young women are the 5th generation of the Hazard family active in OPC today. All of these young people have lead by example as did their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. “Those things which we hold foremost in our memory and dwell on in our thoughts play an important part in defining just who we are. Thus, it is not just appropriate, it is a vital part of the Orange Presbyterian Church to remind ourselves of the saints of this congregation. And to thankfully celebrate their lives and their example, by bringing up the memories of the part they have played in the continuity of who we are and who we strive to be.” Robert Jones, 1995 OPC 150th Anniversary - Jennie Hill Robinson OPC History Team
0 Comments
 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.  Miss Elma H. Williams 1929 In 1929, the OPC Women's Auxiliary was made up of three groups: Circle #1, Circle #2 and the Girls' Circle! They would often meet in the Sunday School Room of the Sunday School Building. Although sometimes in the "Girls' Room." The Girls' Circle was made up of young girls in the church and they were guided by Miss Elma Hansbrough Williams. Elma H. Williams Elma H. Williams (1899-1980) was a major figure in the history of OPC and Orange County. She was born at Berry Hill in Orange, and lived there her entire life. In the 1930s she helped start Orange's first Girl Scout unit, and served as the area's first Girl Scout leader. An avid gardener, she was active in the Dolley Madison Garden Club, and painted several watercolors of the club's daffodil collections. She co-founded the Orange Garden Club in the 1950s.  Lelia Johnson Sanford, president of the OPC Women's Auxiliary. 1930 The OPC Women’s Auxiliary March, 1930 minutes had this entry: - The Girls’ Circle asked to take over beautifying of the church grounds and were granted permission with the greatest of pleasure. Raising funds with food The May meeting was held at Woodley, the home of the president, Mrs. W. W. Sanford (Lelia Johnson Sanford). Twenty-two members attended. The Auxiliary held a Fireman’s Supper on May 6. At the meeting, they reported a profit of $63.00 (the equivalent of $954 in 2021 dollars). In October, the Auxiliary’s monthly meeting was at Berry Hill, the home of Mrs. Evelyn Johnson Williams. It was suggested they serve lunch at the Poultry Show in Orange in December. The fundraiser was a success. Mrs. Sanford reported in December that $55.00 -- $832 in 2021 dollars -- was made from the Poultry Show lunches!  1931 At the OPC Womens’ Auxiliary January meeting, there was a motion to give $100 on a note due on the church debt. Mrs. H. E. Grasty was authorized to write the check, the equivalent of about $1,730 in 2021 dollars. For the relief of lepers In February, Mrs. Wambersie read a paper on lepers. It must have made an impression. The minutes in October read: “A motion was carried to the effect every member’s failure to notify the hostess of her absence before the meeting would be fined with this being used for the lepers.” Mrs. Chester C. Hazard became a member of the Auxiliary in October. In November, it was voted to adopt an orphan in Lynchburg and that the Auxiliary would send the amount of her support quarterly.  Mrs. Evelyn Johnson Williams of Berry Hill passed away November 1st. Mrs. Stribling read the resolutions of respect, which were published in the local newspaper.
"[Evelyn Johnson Williams] was the senior member of our society and the oldest member of this church, and for years has been our guiding spirit in enthusiasm and service. Her love for the church and her Lord was proverbial, rarely was her place vacant in the church, the Sabbath school, or our society." |
