Page 114 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
P. 114
History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
Under the leadership of Rev. Fulk, plans were made, and a committee was appointed to promote
the work of the new project. The building committee consisted of Rev. Fulk and the following laymen:
John D. Chapman, Sr., John Crider, Fred L. Whetzel, Ivan Whitmer, John I. Smith, Homer Ashenfelter,
and Emmer Spitzer. The trustees were: Fred L. Whetzel, Charles McMullen, Mrs. D. F. Ritchie,
William Shultz, Neff Kline, and Gilmer Smith. Mr. Carlton Heatwole of Arlington, Virginia built a
small model of the church from which the plans for the new church were taken.
Groundbreaking, 1948. Work began on the new building on March 20, 2024 in the form of a
ground breaking service, led by the pastor, who was assisted by Mr. Luther Zirkle, the contractor, and
several members of the congregation. The lot for the new building was given by Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin
Dove, members of the congregation.
Dedication, 1950. The work on the new building progressed rapidly because the people had the
willingness and were determined to work. They worked steadfastly until the great day came for them to
open their new house of worship, which they did with special services on January 27, 1950. The pastor,
Rev. Fulk was in charge, assisted by Rev. Millard R. Floyd of Roanoke. April 27, 1950, the new edifice
was formerly dedicated to the worship of God by Bishop J. Balmer Showers assisted by Rev. Floyd L.
Fulk, and the pastor, Rev. Howard L. Fulk.26
The total cost of the new building was $26,500.00 which was completely paid on Home Coming
Day, July 26, 1953. It is hard to estimate the number of hours of time and labor given by the members
and friends of the church. However, they were hours well spent, and their labor is not in vain. This
effort speaks well for them, and it will speak to generations yet to come.
The Cherry Grove Church has a great heritage, and her history has been one of progress. She has
been a Christian refuge for many faithful and cooperating individuals and families. Within her walls
many have experienced the salvation of their souls through the power of the Lord Jesus. Here comfort
has been sought and realized; God’s word has been proclaimed from the pulpit, and instruction has been
given in the class rooms. She has a great future, and she covets the continued support of the people who
love God and who seek to know and to do His will. Many have been the sacrifices of her members and
various organizations, and she stands today a monument to their heroic efforts and a source of comfort
to all who seek refuge within her sacred walls. All of those who have labored and passed on, we hold in
26 Rev. Howard Lee Fulk was born at Pikeside, a small community near Martinsburg, W.Va., on March 20, 1920. He is the
son of William L. Fulk and the late Clara Seckman Fulk. Howard Lee attended the public schools of his community and
graduated from the Martinsburg High School in 1938. It was during his last year in high school that he felt the call to the
gospel ministry. He at once began making preparations for this high calling. He entered Shenandoah College in
September 1940, where he graduated from junior college in May 1942. It was while Howard was a student at
Shenandoah College that he met and became engaged to Miss Ellen Stauffer, who was a student in the conservatory.
They were married 2 years later, and entered The United Seminary (then Bonebrake) together where they graduated
3 years later. Following the completion of his work at the seminary, Howard was appointed to the Singer Glen Charge.
Howard and his wife resided and worked faithfully here for 6 years. It was during his ministry at Singers Glen that he
led in the erection of the modern church building and the revitalization of the entire life of the church.
II.B.11 Cherry Grove U.B. Church 100
Under the leadership of Rev. Fulk, plans were made, and a committee was appointed to promote
the work of the new project. The building committee consisted of Rev. Fulk and the following laymen:
John D. Chapman, Sr., John Crider, Fred L. Whetzel, Ivan Whitmer, John I. Smith, Homer Ashenfelter,
and Emmer Spitzer. The trustees were: Fred L. Whetzel, Charles McMullen, Mrs. D. F. Ritchie,
William Shultz, Neff Kline, and Gilmer Smith. Mr. Carlton Heatwole of Arlington, Virginia built a
small model of the church from which the plans for the new church were taken.
Groundbreaking, 1948. Work began on the new building on March 20, 2024 in the form of a
ground breaking service, led by the pastor, who was assisted by Mr. Luther Zirkle, the contractor, and
several members of the congregation. The lot for the new building was given by Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin
Dove, members of the congregation.
Dedication, 1950. The work on the new building progressed rapidly because the people had the
willingness and were determined to work. They worked steadfastly until the great day came for them to
open their new house of worship, which they did with special services on January 27, 1950. The pastor,
Rev. Fulk was in charge, assisted by Rev. Millard R. Floyd of Roanoke. April 27, 1950, the new edifice
was formerly dedicated to the worship of God by Bishop J. Balmer Showers assisted by Rev. Floyd L.
Fulk, and the pastor, Rev. Howard L. Fulk.26
The total cost of the new building was $26,500.00 which was completely paid on Home Coming
Day, July 26, 1953. It is hard to estimate the number of hours of time and labor given by the members
and friends of the church. However, they were hours well spent, and their labor is not in vain. This
effort speaks well for them, and it will speak to generations yet to come.
The Cherry Grove Church has a great heritage, and her history has been one of progress. She has
been a Christian refuge for many faithful and cooperating individuals and families. Within her walls
many have experienced the salvation of their souls through the power of the Lord Jesus. Here comfort
has been sought and realized; God’s word has been proclaimed from the pulpit, and instruction has been
given in the class rooms. She has a great future, and she covets the continued support of the people who
love God and who seek to know and to do His will. Many have been the sacrifices of her members and
various organizations, and she stands today a monument to their heroic efforts and a source of comfort
to all who seek refuge within her sacred walls. All of those who have labored and passed on, we hold in
26 Rev. Howard Lee Fulk was born at Pikeside, a small community near Martinsburg, W.Va., on March 20, 1920. He is the
son of William L. Fulk and the late Clara Seckman Fulk. Howard Lee attended the public schools of his community and
graduated from the Martinsburg High School in 1938. It was during his last year in high school that he felt the call to the
gospel ministry. He at once began making preparations for this high calling. He entered Shenandoah College in
September 1940, where he graduated from junior college in May 1942. It was while Howard was a student at
Shenandoah College that he met and became engaged to Miss Ellen Stauffer, who was a student in the conservatory.
They were married 2 years later, and entered The United Seminary (then Bonebrake) together where they graduated
3 years later. Following the completion of his work at the seminary, Howard was appointed to the Singer Glen Charge.
Howard and his wife resided and worked faithfully here for 6 years. It was during his ministry at Singers Glen that he
led in the erection of the modern church building and the revitalization of the entire life of the church.
II.B.11 Cherry Grove U.B. Church 100
