Page 125 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
P. 125
History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
names of those who made a memorial or honorary gift of $25.00 or more toward this project appear on a
plaque in the fellowship hall.
The first paid choir director, Miss Letitia Randolph, was employed in 1977. She resigned in
1980, and Miss Ruth Warinner was employed in this position. Mrs. Kathy (Robson) Clarkson, who had
served gratis as church organist, and on occasion as choir director, for 22 years, resigned in the spring of
1981, and Miss Warinner is now serving as both choir director and organist. A larger organ was
purchased in 1977, and new choir robes in 1978.
In 1979, the United Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) received special recognition for being
one of the ten youth groups of smaller churches in the Nation having made the most improvement. The
United Methodist Men UMM) have been quite active at times during the lifetime of the church and have
made sizable contributions to Conference missions as well as local church projects.
Memorial contributions to the church have included the following: A piano in memory of loved
ones for use in the Sanctuary by Mrs. J. O. Tyree, Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle Reeves, and Mrs. Aubrey May;
a film strip projector and screen by Mrs. G. R. Grant, mother of The Rev. Arthur E. Grant; pew cushions
by Mrs. Richard Landes and son John in memory of husband and father, Richard Landes; landscaping of
the grounds and planting of 44 pieces of shrubbery and trees by the family of Mr. and Mrs. George B.
Harris, Sr., in memory of their parents. The Memorial Trust Fund of Richard Landes is providing
candles for use at Church Services. A brass flower vase for the altar in memory of Mrs. Ora Yeago
Rosen was purchased with funds she bequeathed the church. During her lifetime, even though a member
of St. Paul’s church, she made rather regular financial contributions to Cherryvale and showed great
interest in the progress of the church from the time of its organization.
Due to impaired health, the Rev. John E. Davis retired from active ministry in June 1977, after
having served Cherryvale just one year. During his ministry a larger organ was purchased for the church,
and our first choir director to be paid a salary, Miss Letitia Randolph, was employed.
At the Annual Conference which convened in Roanoke in June, 1977, the Rev. A. Spencer
Turnipseed, Jr., a young bachelor, was assigned to Cherryvale, this being his first appointment as senior
minister of a church. He had served as assistant pastor of the Chestnut Avenue United Methodist
Church, Hampton, Virginia, for two years prior thereto. Under his leadership and as a result of the
dedication and willingness on the part of quite a few lay persons to give much of their time and effort,
the United Methodist Youth Fellowship became an outstanding group, having been awarded special
recognition as one of the ten youth groups of smaller churches in the Nation having made the most
improvement. The United Methodist Men reorganized and became a functioning group once again. The
Young Adult Sunday School Class, now known as “The Seekers,” was reactivated. New choir robes
were purchased. The publication of a church newsletter ten times per year was initiated. The first editor
was Mrs. Guy A. (Edith) Ralston, Jr., with Mrs. George L. (Reba) Weiss as associate editor. This
II.B.12 Cherryvale U.B. Church 111
names of those who made a memorial or honorary gift of $25.00 or more toward this project appear on a
plaque in the fellowship hall.
The first paid choir director, Miss Letitia Randolph, was employed in 1977. She resigned in
1980, and Miss Ruth Warinner was employed in this position. Mrs. Kathy (Robson) Clarkson, who had
served gratis as church organist, and on occasion as choir director, for 22 years, resigned in the spring of
1981, and Miss Warinner is now serving as both choir director and organist. A larger organ was
purchased in 1977, and new choir robes in 1978.
In 1979, the United Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) received special recognition for being
one of the ten youth groups of smaller churches in the Nation having made the most improvement. The
United Methodist Men UMM) have been quite active at times during the lifetime of the church and have
made sizable contributions to Conference missions as well as local church projects.
Memorial contributions to the church have included the following: A piano in memory of loved
ones for use in the Sanctuary by Mrs. J. O. Tyree, Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle Reeves, and Mrs. Aubrey May;
a film strip projector and screen by Mrs. G. R. Grant, mother of The Rev. Arthur E. Grant; pew cushions
by Mrs. Richard Landes and son John in memory of husband and father, Richard Landes; landscaping of
the grounds and planting of 44 pieces of shrubbery and trees by the family of Mr. and Mrs. George B.
Harris, Sr., in memory of their parents. The Memorial Trust Fund of Richard Landes is providing
candles for use at Church Services. A brass flower vase for the altar in memory of Mrs. Ora Yeago
Rosen was purchased with funds she bequeathed the church. During her lifetime, even though a member
of St. Paul’s church, she made rather regular financial contributions to Cherryvale and showed great
interest in the progress of the church from the time of its organization.
Due to impaired health, the Rev. John E. Davis retired from active ministry in June 1977, after
having served Cherryvale just one year. During his ministry a larger organ was purchased for the church,
and our first choir director to be paid a salary, Miss Letitia Randolph, was employed.
At the Annual Conference which convened in Roanoke in June, 1977, the Rev. A. Spencer
Turnipseed, Jr., a young bachelor, was assigned to Cherryvale, this being his first appointment as senior
minister of a church. He had served as assistant pastor of the Chestnut Avenue United Methodist
Church, Hampton, Virginia, for two years prior thereto. Under his leadership and as a result of the
dedication and willingness on the part of quite a few lay persons to give much of their time and effort,
the United Methodist Youth Fellowship became an outstanding group, having been awarded special
recognition as one of the ten youth groups of smaller churches in the Nation having made the most
improvement. The United Methodist Men reorganized and became a functioning group once again. The
Young Adult Sunday School Class, now known as “The Seekers,” was reactivated. New choir robes
were purchased. The publication of a church newsletter ten times per year was initiated. The first editor
was Mrs. Guy A. (Edith) Ralston, Jr., with Mrs. George L. (Reba) Weiss as associate editor. This
II.B.12 Cherryvale U.B. Church 111
