Church History |
The history of our Catholic Community here in the city of Bedford begins around the middle of the 19th Century when groups from Liberty (as Bedford was then known) and nearby towns would gather on the front lawn of the home of Major William Leftwich to listen to Farther Edward Fox as he spoke from the veranda. This young priest rode horseback or drove his buggy from Holy Cross Church in Lynchburg to preach and explain the Faith. Unfortunately, his death brought an end to all such contact with the Universal Church of Rome for people of the area.
The 1860's and '70's brought to the region railroads and those who built them especially the Irish, most of whom were Catholic. In the spring of 1874, father James J. McGurk, a young priest assigned to Holy Cross Church in Lynchburg, felt empathy for these Catholics from Liberty and celebrated the first Mass in the basement of the Old Courthouse. Soon after, Mr. McCrosson donated a plot of land on South Bridge Street and in August 1874 the cornerstone of St. Mary's Church was laid by Bishop James Gibbons, who became Cardinal Gibbons in 1886. Bricks for the building were made from the earth on the property and on August 29, 1875, the first Mass was celebrated by Bishop Gibbons, in the little brick church on the hill. Approximately 50 Catholics were in attendance at this first Mass.
As the years passed, the building of the National Elk's Home brought Brother Elks to swell the church's congregation. New industries, the growth of the Smith Mountain Lake area, the establishment of a World War II Air Force Radar Base and the natural beauty of the countryside, brought more Catholics. Soon the little church was too small and the congregation had to plan for a larger church.
With the generous contributions of parishioners, local businesses and national and local Elks the new church became a reality. On September 20, 1955, one year after the first shovelful of earth was lifted by Mayor Carlyle; a new Catholic Church building was dedicated on Oakwood Street. The church was renamed "Holy name of Mary" to show the special reverence that Catholic's have for the Virgin Mother of the Redeemer.
The ensuing years brought growth, both spiritually and physically. A rectory, next to the church served as the Pastor's home. Part of the rectory was used for church offices, classrooms for religious education and for parish meetings. Under the guidance of able Pastors, committees for Parish Administration and works of Charity, as well as for Christian education were formed. These activities, growing numbers of parishioners, other parish needs, plus structural problems required more changes. A Master Plan for a major expansion was drawn up. A new home, which became the Pastor's living quarters, was purchased on Newton circle in 1988. The former rectory provided interim space for offices and class and meeting rooms.
Ground was broken from a much larger church on May 9, 1993, by Bishop Walter F. Sullivan. The following November marked the dedication by the Bishop. The year 2002 is the 128th year of the Parish. New plans for an extensive addition to the church have been designed to provide offices, classrooms, meeting rooms and social gathering areas for the increased need of the growing Parish. Currently there are 360 families registered, including children, middle-aged, and Senior Citizens and retired Elks. Holy name of Mary Church looks to the future as it serves it's own congregation as well as a growing number of visitors to Smith mountain, the Peaks of Otter, and the National D-Day memorial. It will continue to exemplify God's love in it's words and deeds.
References: Church records |
Family Story |
Back in the mid 1700's, two Newman Brothers, Conrad and Nimrod came to the United States from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania. Both were believed to have been a Revolutionary soldier. Conrad married Anna Brobeck and moved to Crab Orchard, in area of what is now Huddleston. He bought land on both sides of Crab Orchard Creek, which totaled about 700 acres, and later bought land on Goose Creek, Amos Branch and Glade Branch. Both brothers moved to Grayson County after 1787 and must have died there.
Garrett Newman, son of Conrad and Anna grew up and settled in this area. In 1791, he married Elizabeth Dixon, daughter of John Dixon, their child John Clark Newman; born in 1799 married Elizabeth had at least eight children who mostly grew up and settled in this area.
Their son Elias Newman born 1828 was married three times, his second wife was an Indian, and he had children by the first two wives, some of who settled in the area, and some descendants are now living in Danville. One of Elias' sons, Montezuma Elias Newman was married to Bettie Durham and they were parents of about seven children. He was killed by lightening while taking refuge from a storm, in a tobacco barn with some of the other neighbors and family members. Some of the others were shocked, and horses were killed in the side shed. They were living on land between Stone road and Goose Creek, and Monsie is buried at the top of the hill on what is known as the Old Durham house, which was ordered from Sears and Roebuck, still stands, in Goose Creek bottom.
One of John Clark Newman's and Elizabeth's sons, Wiley Clark Newman born in 1834, nicknamed "Boogie", married Ann Mildred Howell, daughter of Spicer Howell Sr. and Naomi Leftwich. Boogie rented farms all his life down around Leesville and Lynch Station, and moved his family, over to the North side of Bedford at one time.
Their oldest son was William Martin Newman born in 1868, known as "Willie" to family and friends. His first wife Lucy Wright died after giving birth to two living sons. Thurman and Albert Penn. Then he married Daisy Caleb Howell, daughter of James Ed Howell, niece of Ann Mildred, and Granddaughter of Spicer Howell, Sr. and Naomi. And Daisy became mother of two sons, James Newman, who married a local girl and moved to Vinton area. And Richard Edward "Chris" Newman who with his wife Lucy, still lives on the home place, which is built on Tingsley property which ajoined Spicer Howell land. Many of the Newman ancestors are buried in family cemeteries either where Newman's or Howell's have lived.
Submitted by: Richard Edward Newman |