Page 144 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
P. 144
History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
Shenandoah College Campus. In case of rain, it will be served in the Church Social Hall. This clipping
is especially interesting because of the information it gives as to the musical activity in the EUB Church
at that time.
Merger in Dayton, 1968. In January 1968 the EUB Church was faced with another decision—
union with The Methodist Church. The congregational vote on this merger was received at a called
meeting at 11 a.m. on February 18, 1968, after which the merger became a matter of fact, and the
congregations of the two denominations in Dayton became known as Dayton United Methodist Church.
At the time of the merger, there were 163 members of the EUB congregation. According to an old
church bulletin in the possession of Mrs. Jenny Lind Shirley, the EUB congregation left the Dayton
Church on June 9, 1968, after which the new Dayton UMC had a combined Sunday School at the
Methodist Chapel and preaching at the EUB chapel for a period of some two or three months.
Deserted. In time, the beautiful old church building on the triangle between Main and College
Streets in Dayton became a deserted building. As the months went by, this was indeed a depressing
sight to the members of the former EUB congregation. Eventually, an advertisement was placed in the
Harrisonburg Daily News-Record, showing a picture of the church with a large “For Sale” sign in front
of it. A number of people inquired about the price and examined the condition of the old building.
Finally, someone made them an offer, explaining the church would be used as a commercial warehouse.
To those who still remembered worshipping the Lord in this special place, it was almost unthinkable that
their beloved church should come to such an end. They must have made it a matter of prayer that this
would not come to pass, because the Lord answered them in a special way.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. One day two gentlemen came to look at the
church, asked many questions and finally inquired if it would be possible to rent the building. They
explained that the members of the Harrisonburg Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints, were looking for a place to hold their meetings, as they had outgrown their present quarters. The
United Methodist officials didn’t know much about this LDS Church and discussed their offer with
members on their official board. They decided against renting the church to them. Some months
passed, the church was still vacant, and the LDS congregation was still looking for a larger place to
worship. Their membership continued to grow. Once again, they approached the United Methodist
officials with an offer to rent the church, but once again they were turned down. Sometime later the
offer was made for a third time. At this point, the offer was accepted and a 6-month rental agreement
was drawn up. It included a provision that in the event a purchaser was found for the building, the LDS
congregation would move out by the end of a year after notification that the building had been sold.
Before the Later-Day Saints could complete the arrangements and move into the church, it was
necessary for the Church Building Committee to approve this lease. After the approval was finally
given, the lease became effective on January 1, 1971. January and February 1971 were set apart for
cleaning and fixing up the church, preparatory for the first meeting to be held on the first Sunday in
II.B.14 Dayton U.B. Church and SCI 130
Shenandoah College Campus. In case of rain, it will be served in the Church Social Hall. This clipping
is especially interesting because of the information it gives as to the musical activity in the EUB Church
at that time.
Merger in Dayton, 1968. In January 1968 the EUB Church was faced with another decision—
union with The Methodist Church. The congregational vote on this merger was received at a called
meeting at 11 a.m. on February 18, 1968, after which the merger became a matter of fact, and the
congregations of the two denominations in Dayton became known as Dayton United Methodist Church.
At the time of the merger, there were 163 members of the EUB congregation. According to an old
church bulletin in the possession of Mrs. Jenny Lind Shirley, the EUB congregation left the Dayton
Church on June 9, 1968, after which the new Dayton UMC had a combined Sunday School at the
Methodist Chapel and preaching at the EUB chapel for a period of some two or three months.
Deserted. In time, the beautiful old church building on the triangle between Main and College
Streets in Dayton became a deserted building. As the months went by, this was indeed a depressing
sight to the members of the former EUB congregation. Eventually, an advertisement was placed in the
Harrisonburg Daily News-Record, showing a picture of the church with a large “For Sale” sign in front
of it. A number of people inquired about the price and examined the condition of the old building.
Finally, someone made them an offer, explaining the church would be used as a commercial warehouse.
To those who still remembered worshipping the Lord in this special place, it was almost unthinkable that
their beloved church should come to such an end. They must have made it a matter of prayer that this
would not come to pass, because the Lord answered them in a special way.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. One day two gentlemen came to look at the
church, asked many questions and finally inquired if it would be possible to rent the building. They
explained that the members of the Harrisonburg Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints, were looking for a place to hold their meetings, as they had outgrown their present quarters. The
United Methodist officials didn’t know much about this LDS Church and discussed their offer with
members on their official board. They decided against renting the church to them. Some months
passed, the church was still vacant, and the LDS congregation was still looking for a larger place to
worship. Their membership continued to grow. Once again, they approached the United Methodist
officials with an offer to rent the church, but once again they were turned down. Sometime later the
offer was made for a third time. At this point, the offer was accepted and a 6-month rental agreement
was drawn up. It included a provision that in the event a purchaser was found for the building, the LDS
congregation would move out by the end of a year after notification that the building had been sold.
Before the Later-Day Saints could complete the arrangements and move into the church, it was
necessary for the Church Building Committee to approve this lease. After the approval was finally
given, the lease became effective on January 1, 1971. January and February 1971 were set apart for
cleaning and fixing up the church, preparatory for the first meeting to be held on the first Sunday in
II.B.14 Dayton U.B. Church and SCI 130
