Page 136 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
P. 136
History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
church to the school is found in the minutes of September, 1887. It was moved and adopted that the
“class leader select someone from the church and school alternately to conduct prayer meeting..” This
same closeness has existed down to the present.
The church continued as a station for several years with the following ministers serving: Rev. J.
W. Howe, serving along with the Presiding Eldership, 1885-86; Rev. A. P. Funkhouser, returning, 1886-
88; and Rev. G. P. Hott, 1888-89. From 1889 to 1896 the church was back on the Dayton Circuit. The
following ministers served: Rev. I. M. Underwood, 1889-91; Rev. C. P. Dyche, 1891-93; Rev. W. L.
Childress, 1893-94; Rev. C. H. Crowell, 1894-95; Rev. W. F. Gruver, 1895-96.
The fifty-seventh session of the Virginia Conference was held at Dayton, March, 1888. Bishop
E. B. Kephart presided.
In reading the official minutes there is so much of interest that one scarcely knows what to
include and what to omit. In order that the monotony of- giving names and dates might be broken, the
following quotations from them are given. They show, at the same time, that human nature has not
changed very much and that some of the problems of the past are still our problems. “On motion and
adoption that the pastor speak to Mr. Brown in reference to skating on his dam on Sundays and ask that
he prohibit same…. The question of getting children to attend the preaching services was thoroughly
discussed but no plans were formulated” (December 17, 2024). It was ordered that “The lower sash of
the windows be painted so as to exclude the gaze of outsiders” (February 9, 2025).
A few additional items might be given in an attempt to revive old memories. Professor J. H.
Ruebush was elected organist, April, 1893. The salary of Mr. Childress was $500, Dayton’s share being
$185. Sixty Crowning Day hymnals were purchased, 1895. A new Story and Clark organ was
purchased, 1899, at a cost of $78.
Returning to the ministerial roster, Rev. W. F. Gruver served the Dayton Station for the year
1896-97. The Harrisonburg Church was built during this year under Mr. Gruver’s leadership. Dayton
returned to the circuit the next few years and the following ministers served: Rev. J. W. O. Ewing, 1897-
98; Rev. W. L. Childress, 1898-00; Rev. W. R. Berry, 1900-03; Rev. E. U. Hoenshel, 1903-04.
In the spring of 1903 the church was destroyed by fire. It arose in a nearby building from an
unknown source and soon spread to the church. A little reed-organ was the only valuable piece of
furniture rescued from the flames. This is the organ now used in the children’s department of the church.
During the year services were held in the college chapel in the Howe Building. The following spring
Rev. T. C. Harper became the minister of the church serving it for four years, 1904-08. Work was begun
on the new church immediately and on September 18, 1904, it was dedicated by Bishop Weekley. The
total cost was $6,100. A new pipe organ was purchased in 1908 at a cost of $1,100.
With the new building for accommodation, the 106th Virginia Conference was held in it March,
1905. Bishop J. S. Mills presided. Rev. A. S. Hammack, the Presiding Elder, reported that “there are
II.B.14 Dayton U.B. Church and SCI 122
church to the school is found in the minutes of September, 1887. It was moved and adopted that the
“class leader select someone from the church and school alternately to conduct prayer meeting..” This
same closeness has existed down to the present.
The church continued as a station for several years with the following ministers serving: Rev. J.
W. Howe, serving along with the Presiding Eldership, 1885-86; Rev. A. P. Funkhouser, returning, 1886-
88; and Rev. G. P. Hott, 1888-89. From 1889 to 1896 the church was back on the Dayton Circuit. The
following ministers served: Rev. I. M. Underwood, 1889-91; Rev. C. P. Dyche, 1891-93; Rev. W. L.
Childress, 1893-94; Rev. C. H. Crowell, 1894-95; Rev. W. F. Gruver, 1895-96.
The fifty-seventh session of the Virginia Conference was held at Dayton, March, 1888. Bishop
E. B. Kephart presided.
In reading the official minutes there is so much of interest that one scarcely knows what to
include and what to omit. In order that the monotony of- giving names and dates might be broken, the
following quotations from them are given. They show, at the same time, that human nature has not
changed very much and that some of the problems of the past are still our problems. “On motion and
adoption that the pastor speak to Mr. Brown in reference to skating on his dam on Sundays and ask that
he prohibit same…. The question of getting children to attend the preaching services was thoroughly
discussed but no plans were formulated” (December 17, 2024). It was ordered that “The lower sash of
the windows be painted so as to exclude the gaze of outsiders” (February 9, 2025).
A few additional items might be given in an attempt to revive old memories. Professor J. H.
Ruebush was elected organist, April, 1893. The salary of Mr. Childress was $500, Dayton’s share being
$185. Sixty Crowning Day hymnals were purchased, 1895. A new Story and Clark organ was
purchased, 1899, at a cost of $78.
Returning to the ministerial roster, Rev. W. F. Gruver served the Dayton Station for the year
1896-97. The Harrisonburg Church was built during this year under Mr. Gruver’s leadership. Dayton
returned to the circuit the next few years and the following ministers served: Rev. J. W. O. Ewing, 1897-
98; Rev. W. L. Childress, 1898-00; Rev. W. R. Berry, 1900-03; Rev. E. U. Hoenshel, 1903-04.
In the spring of 1903 the church was destroyed by fire. It arose in a nearby building from an
unknown source and soon spread to the church. A little reed-organ was the only valuable piece of
furniture rescued from the flames. This is the organ now used in the children’s department of the church.
During the year services were held in the college chapel in the Howe Building. The following spring
Rev. T. C. Harper became the minister of the church serving it for four years, 1904-08. Work was begun
on the new church immediately and on September 18, 1904, it was dedicated by Bishop Weekley. The
total cost was $6,100. A new pipe organ was purchased in 1908 at a cost of $1,100.
With the new building for accommodation, the 106th Virginia Conference was held in it March,
1905. Bishop J. S. Mills presided. Rev. A. S. Hammack, the Presiding Elder, reported that “there are
II.B.14 Dayton U.B. Church and SCI 122