List of Pastors and Ministers

Leonidas Rosser was born in Petersburg, Va., July 31, 1815. He was converted on the pulpit steps in the old Methodist church on Union Street in Petersburg in October 1828, and was called to preach in 1834. He attended Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., then entered Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., where he was graduated in three years, 1838. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Emory and Henry College in 1858. He joined the N.Y. Conference on trial in Weathersfield, Conn., where he stayed for two years, and was transferred home to the Virginia Conference in 1840, after having converted about 1500 souls while in the North.

He held pastorates in Charlottesville Circuit; Chaplain, University of Virginia; organized and had charge of Union Station in Richmond. Thereafter, he served at Trinity Church; in the Warrenton Circuit; Bedford Circuit; Alexandria; and in 1851 the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, (later, Mt. Vernon Place Church) in Washington City. He served as Presiding Elder in the Fredericksburg District; Norfolk District; Lynchburg District; Richmond District; and Randolph Macon District.

In 1858 he was elected Editor, Richmond Christian Advocate and resigned in 1860. During 1862-64, he was general Missionary to Ewell's Corps in the Con-federate Army, and during 1869-72, he was Evangelist by vote of the Conference and appointment by the Bishop. It is written that he converted over twenty thousand souls. He is author of six works, some of which reached over seven printings, and prepared one hundred of his revival sermons for the press. His chief delight was in revivals. he was elected to the General Conference of 1850, 1854, 1858, 1862, and 1866. Dr. Rosser died on January 25, 1892.

Thelma Raffaelli Archivist and Historian
MVP Columns, Feb 19, 1989