The Laurel Street Methodist Church used to stand where Pleasants Park is now.

Here is some history, courtesy of Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church:

Excerpt:

Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church was born in 1968 through the union of the old Laurel Street Methodist Church from Richmond’s Oregon Hill and the new Grace Methodist Church in the West End of Henrico County.

Laurel Street Church was organized in October, 1849 and enjoyed a long history of faithful ministry. In 1888, Laurel Street helped to organize Monument Methodist Church at Park and Allen Avenues, and in 1896 it assisted in the formation of Byrd Park Methodist at Idlewood and Addison Streets. (Monument later merged, after a fire, ‘With Union Station to form Reveille Church, and Byrd Park relocated at the old Monument property to become Park Avenue Church.)

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From The Daily Dispatch: November 7, 1862:

Died
On the 6th inst, after an illness of eleven weeks, from injuries received on the railroad, Charles Walter, youngest son of George and Emily C. Green, aged 7 years5 months and 7 days. He leaves an affectionate mother, one brother and sister, and a great many relatives and friends to mourn their loss. May he rest in peace!

When the bloom of health was on his check,
The light of hope illumined his eye,
He seemed as destined long to live–
Too bright and beautiful to die.
But the relentless spoiler came,
And touched him with his blighting hand;
And, like a bird from prison freed,
He pleased into the spirit land.

His funeral will take place from the Oregon Hill Baptist Chapel, at 3 o’clock this evening. The friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend without further notice.

From The Daily Dispatch: October 17, 1864:

At the residence of his grandmother, on Oregon Hill, Charles T. Barnum, of wounds received near Petersburg; aged twenty-one years and eighteen days.

Fourt this , when life shall cease to thrill this heart of mine;

But not like then can I forget one look or tone of thine;

Oh no at mingles with the sound of everything I hear.

Forget this a bitter word; I would it were un

Forgetfulness is not with life, but the silent dead.

I may cease to think of thee as earthly morning

But, oh ! I’d meet my brother in heaven with heart unchanged and true.

Things we prize are first to vanish; hearts we love to pass away;

But my brother, thus slain in battle, grieves my from day to-day.

The noble crew, but mangled form, lies silent in the

His form now fills a christian soldier’s grave, in battle’s hour bespoke the true and

The bright, no longer fettered by earth’s in seven dwells — the glory of the father sleeps his last long sleep beneath Virginia in death’s cold grasp unnerved he rests every toll. Around him numbers lie, company in the strife, which chilled his manly heart away his life. He’s gone! The bright should guide the heart’s the falling tear. Life’s weary march to own his reward begun; the enemy of life is the won.

His will take place at the Methodist in Hill, Monday, the 17th, at four o’clock friends of the family are respectfully

Baltimore and Philadelphia papers please copy.