From the time Bishop Meade preached in the old church in 1827 to the beginning of the war of 1861 much that might be of interest is lost with the records of the Parish. The damage to the church by soldiers during the civil war was later repaired at the expense of the United States Government at a cost of about $1,300. None of its ancient furniture has been preserved, the gray stone urn-shaped baptismal font alone remaining. [Illustration: Mr. J. W. Garner] The rectors of Falls Church since the civil war have been Bishop Horatio Southgate, Rev. John McGill, Rev. Frank Page, Rev. J. Cleveland Hall, Rev. R. A. Castleman, Rev. Dr. John McGill again, and the present rector Rev. George S. Somerville. The present vestry book begins November 27, 1873. The vestrymen for the year 1904 are S. D. Tripp, S. W.; J. T. Unverzagt, J. W.; C. A. Marshall, Wm. E. Parker, A. H. Barbor, E. A. Ballard. In connection with the name, it may be of interest to state that, previous to the Revolution, there being no bishop in Virginia, church buildings were not consecrated, generally being called after the parish in which situated, or from some other geographical name; hence the New Church, the Upper Church, the Falls Church. The simple name suggesting only its location as first bestowed upon the church near the Falls has now, after the lapse of years, become irrevocably fixed. Around it cluster so many memories of the early days that the name "Falls Church" must continue unchanged to the last. [Illustration: Town Sergeant John N. Gibson] Extracts from Records of Vestry Meetings. June 10, 1733: Capt. Francis Aubrey, towards building the chapel above Goose Creek, 2,500 pounds of tobacco. October 13, 1734: To Mr. Robt. Blackburn, for his plans for building church, 16,750 pounds of tobacco. To John Trammell, for grubbing a place for the church, 320 pounds of tobacco. To Jos. Johnson, to read at the chapels, 1,300 pounds of tobacco. November 18, 1735: Jos. Johnson, Clk. of the New Church, 1,000 pounds of tobacco. Thos. (?) Bennitt, sexton at the New Church, 150 pounds of tobacco. Oliver Roe, sexton Pohick Church, 300 pounds of tobacco. August 19, 1736: At a Vestry held for Truro Parish this 19th day of August, 1736; present Jeremiah Bronaugh, Ch. Warden; Denis McCarty, Augustine Washington, Robt. Osborn, John Thurman, Wm. Godfrey, Jas. Baxter, and Thos. Lewis, Vestrymen. [Illustration: Mr J. C. Elliott's Store] Mr. Cha. Green being recommended to this vestry by Capt. Augustine Washington as a person qualified to officiate as a minister in this parish, as soon as he shall receive orders from His Grace, the Bishop of London, to qualify himself for the same, it is, therefore,