Page 112 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
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History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
1868-70; Rev. W. J. Miller, 1870-7423; Rev. M. F. Keiter, 1874-77; Rev. G. J. Roudabush, 1877 to
March 7, 1881; Rev. A. J. Hoover, March 7, 1881, to March 12, 1883; Rev. M. A. Salt, March 12, 2024
to March 10,1884; Rev. N. F. A. Cupp, March 10, 1884, to March 8, 1886; and Rev. J. E. B. Rice,
March 8, 2024 to March 6, 1887. Rev. Rice was the last U.B. pastor appointed to the Old Salem
Church. After his pastorate there, or about that time, Old Salem was dropped as a preaching place for
the United Brethren, the church was used for a time by the Presbyterians and other denominations. It
was also used for a school house for several years, until the time of its disposition as mentioned earlier
in this history.
Many were the people who attended Old Salem from all over the community. It is interesting to
note that several of the people who attended there are still living in the county, and a few who have
moved away are still living. The following is a list of those whom we have been able to recall: Charles
L. McMullen, Rt. 2 Linville, Va. (The oldest living member of the Cherry Grove Church); Mrs. Lewis
Coakley, Singers Glen, Va.; Mr. Edward Hoover, Singers Glen, Va.; Mrs. Alice Kagey, Park View,
Harrisonburg, Va.; Mrs. Luther Vanpelt, Singers Glen, Va.; Mr. Charles Davis, Singers Glen, Va.; Mrs.
Charles Davis, Singers Glen,’ Va.; Mrs. Effie Swank, Rt. 1, Linville, Va.; Mrs. Sallie Dove,
Harrisonburg, Va.; Mrs. Bettie Dove, South English, Iowa; Mr. Lewis Arch Hopkins, Bridgewater, Va.;
Miss Alice Hoover, Quincy, Pa.; Mrs. Virginia Conard, Harrisonburg, Va.; Mr. James Shoemaker,
Dover, Pa.; Mr. W. F. Hoover, Harrisonburg, Va.; and Mr. Hiram Brown, Rt. 1, Linville, Va. (the
present owner of the Old Salem Church building).
First church at Cherry Grove. During the time when the Old Salem church was beginning to
cease as a place of worship, the Holy Spirit was stirring among the people of the Cherry Grove
Community. As a result of several “bush meetings” (as outdoor meetings were called at that time)—
which were held in a chestnut grove in 1886 by Rev. N. F. A. Cupp and continued by Rev. W. F. Gruver
in 1887—there were many souls brought under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and an experience of
the saving power of Christ was realized. This led to the organization of a class which was the nucleus of
the first congregation of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ at Cherry Grove. Not having a
church building there, the membership was recorded in the books of the Old Salem Church.
New Salem U.B. Church, 1887. During the year
of 1887, Rev. W. F. Gruver, with the help of the members,
began to make plans for a church house. With donated
labor and materials, and with a will to work, a house of
worship was erected over a period of about 3 years. The
frame church house was dedicated in 1890 by the Rev.
J. N. Fries at a cost of $600. Later improvements were
made at a cost of several hundred dollars. The
membership was transferred from the records of Old
23 Conference Minutes do not agree—W. J. Miller is only recorded as the pastor of record for a single conference year,
1867-68, for Eastern Virginia Circuit. M. F. Keiter was at Winchester Station for the conference year 1875-76 but he did
serve Lacey Springs Circuit 1876-78. Table 22 provides a corrected list with dates and charges (circuits).
II.B.11 Cherry Grove U.B. Church 98
1868-70; Rev. W. J. Miller, 1870-7423; Rev. M. F. Keiter, 1874-77; Rev. G. J. Roudabush, 1877 to
March 7, 1881; Rev. A. J. Hoover, March 7, 1881, to March 12, 1883; Rev. M. A. Salt, March 12, 2024
to March 10,1884; Rev. N. F. A. Cupp, March 10, 1884, to March 8, 1886; and Rev. J. E. B. Rice,
March 8, 2024 to March 6, 1887. Rev. Rice was the last U.B. pastor appointed to the Old Salem
Church. After his pastorate there, or about that time, Old Salem was dropped as a preaching place for
the United Brethren, the church was used for a time by the Presbyterians and other denominations. It
was also used for a school house for several years, until the time of its disposition as mentioned earlier
in this history.
Many were the people who attended Old Salem from all over the community. It is interesting to
note that several of the people who attended there are still living in the county, and a few who have
moved away are still living. The following is a list of those whom we have been able to recall: Charles
L. McMullen, Rt. 2 Linville, Va. (The oldest living member of the Cherry Grove Church); Mrs. Lewis
Coakley, Singers Glen, Va.; Mr. Edward Hoover, Singers Glen, Va.; Mrs. Alice Kagey, Park View,
Harrisonburg, Va.; Mrs. Luther Vanpelt, Singers Glen, Va.; Mr. Charles Davis, Singers Glen, Va.; Mrs.
Charles Davis, Singers Glen,’ Va.; Mrs. Effie Swank, Rt. 1, Linville, Va.; Mrs. Sallie Dove,
Harrisonburg, Va.; Mrs. Bettie Dove, South English, Iowa; Mr. Lewis Arch Hopkins, Bridgewater, Va.;
Miss Alice Hoover, Quincy, Pa.; Mrs. Virginia Conard, Harrisonburg, Va.; Mr. James Shoemaker,
Dover, Pa.; Mr. W. F. Hoover, Harrisonburg, Va.; and Mr. Hiram Brown, Rt. 1, Linville, Va. (the
present owner of the Old Salem Church building).
First church at Cherry Grove. During the time when the Old Salem church was beginning to
cease as a place of worship, the Holy Spirit was stirring among the people of the Cherry Grove
Community. As a result of several “bush meetings” (as outdoor meetings were called at that time)—
which were held in a chestnut grove in 1886 by Rev. N. F. A. Cupp and continued by Rev. W. F. Gruver
in 1887—there were many souls brought under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and an experience of
the saving power of Christ was realized. This led to the organization of a class which was the nucleus of
the first congregation of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ at Cherry Grove. Not having a
church building there, the membership was recorded in the books of the Old Salem Church.
New Salem U.B. Church, 1887. During the year
of 1887, Rev. W. F. Gruver, with the help of the members,
began to make plans for a church house. With donated
labor and materials, and with a will to work, a house of
worship was erected over a period of about 3 years. The
frame church house was dedicated in 1890 by the Rev.
J. N. Fries at a cost of $600. Later improvements were
made at a cost of several hundred dollars. The
membership was transferred from the records of Old
23 Conference Minutes do not agree—W. J. Miller is only recorded as the pastor of record for a single conference year,
1867-68, for Eastern Virginia Circuit. M. F. Keiter was at Winchester Station for the conference year 1875-76 but he did
serve Lacey Springs Circuit 1876-78. Table 22 provides a corrected list with dates and charges (circuits).
II.B.11 Cherry Grove U.B. Church 98
