Page 72 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
P. 72
History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
An addition, which enlarged the basement and included classrooms and restrooms, was built
behind the sanctuary in 1972. Bill and Frances Shuey donated additional land (0.089 acres) for the
cemetery in 1975 (Pastures Magisterial District Tract 2). An altar was added to the sanctuary in 1992.
In 1998, a major repair was made to the foundation of our building. A new roof was installed in 1999.
In 2001, stained glass windows were installed. A wheelchair lift was added in 2002, which involved
renovating the front steps and sidewalk. Pew cushions, altar cushions, and a new furnace/air conditioner
were installed in 2003.18
Interesting Facts. In 1922, the Ladies Aid Society donated $1.00 per month so that we could
have fires in the winter. The Ladies Aid Society donated $25.00 per year towards the pastor’s salary in
1927. Dues at this time for the ladies was 5 cents a month. In 1935, the Ladies Aid Society purchased a
new Communion set at the cost of $11.71. The furnace was installed in 1959 at the cost of $944.
Mission projects supported by the ladies in 1962 were the Quincy Orphanage and Shenandoah College.
In 1963, worship services were held at 8:00 p.m. A suggestion was made to change the time to
3:00 p.m., but no decision was made. That same year the interior of the church was painted at a cost of
$110.20. The ladies also produced a cookbook, and sold 300 copies. Preaching time was set for
9:30 A.M., with Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. beginning in 1964. Homecoming was established as the
second Sunday in August beginning in 1966. That same year the Women’s Society for World Service
started a building fund. In 1967, Judy Maddox was appointed as pianist. Judy Maddox Mcllwee still
serves as pianist today. A decision was made to lock the church building in 1968.
One of the oldest gravestones is for Christian Shuey (b. Mar. 10, 1792; d. Jan. 24, 1862), aged
69 years, 10 months, and 14 days. So also, Newton A. Spitler (b. Feb. 1, 1854; d. June 9, 2024) and his
twin sister, Elizabeth C. Spitler (b. Feb. 1, 1854; died June 30, 2024).
Pastors. Church records identify the following pastors (more detailed information is provided
below from Conference records): George Statton (1856); C. B. Hammack (1857); C. W. Fisher
(unknown); A. M. Evers (1862); D. Bush (1871-72); G. W. Kiracofe (1873); C. H. Crowell (1876); A.
Hoover (1879-80); A. P. Abel (1880); M. A. Salt (1881-82); J. W. Howe (1886); R. Byrd (1886); S. D.
Skelton (1889-93); S. R. Ludwig (Unknown); J. C. S. Meyers (1894-1900); W. S. Rau (1900); J. C. S.
Meyers (1903); J. M. Maiden (1904-05); C. J. Racey (1909); W. D. Good (1912-14); L. C. Messick
(1914); George A. McGuire (1917-18); Rev. Ruppenthal (1926); P. W. Fisher (1932); S. G. Westfall
(1939); A. A. Garner (Unknown); David F. Glovier (1945-47); C. W. Tinsman (1947-56); H. Fred
Edge (1960-61); H. Eugene Baker (1961-63); A. K. Shumate (1963-64); Raymond Campbell (1964-68);
Hearl Jones, Jr. (1968-70); Paul J. Staley (1971); Mike Houff (1973-74); Barbara Sawyer (1974-76);
David Breeden (1976-77); Frank Baker (1977-79); Paul Bohi (1979-85); Kenneth Shumate (1986-89);
David Willis (1989-92); Jeffrey Bright (1992-94); David Willis (1994-96); and Janet C. (Banks) Knott
(1996-2012).
18 “Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 1851-2001: Celebrating 150 Years of Service…And Looking for 150 More
Years of Service” (Janet C. Knott, Pastor), 2001. “Reunion Camp Meeting of the Former EUB Churchville Charge,
“August 17, 2003
II.B.4 Bethlehem U.B. Church 58
An addition, which enlarged the basement and included classrooms and restrooms, was built
behind the sanctuary in 1972. Bill and Frances Shuey donated additional land (0.089 acres) for the
cemetery in 1975 (Pastures Magisterial District Tract 2). An altar was added to the sanctuary in 1992.
In 1998, a major repair was made to the foundation of our building. A new roof was installed in 1999.
In 2001, stained glass windows were installed. A wheelchair lift was added in 2002, which involved
renovating the front steps and sidewalk. Pew cushions, altar cushions, and a new furnace/air conditioner
were installed in 2003.18
Interesting Facts. In 1922, the Ladies Aid Society donated $1.00 per month so that we could
have fires in the winter. The Ladies Aid Society donated $25.00 per year towards the pastor’s salary in
1927. Dues at this time for the ladies was 5 cents a month. In 1935, the Ladies Aid Society purchased a
new Communion set at the cost of $11.71. The furnace was installed in 1959 at the cost of $944.
Mission projects supported by the ladies in 1962 were the Quincy Orphanage and Shenandoah College.
In 1963, worship services were held at 8:00 p.m. A suggestion was made to change the time to
3:00 p.m., but no decision was made. That same year the interior of the church was painted at a cost of
$110.20. The ladies also produced a cookbook, and sold 300 copies. Preaching time was set for
9:30 A.M., with Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. beginning in 1964. Homecoming was established as the
second Sunday in August beginning in 1966. That same year the Women’s Society for World Service
started a building fund. In 1967, Judy Maddox was appointed as pianist. Judy Maddox Mcllwee still
serves as pianist today. A decision was made to lock the church building in 1968.
One of the oldest gravestones is for Christian Shuey (b. Mar. 10, 1792; d. Jan. 24, 1862), aged
69 years, 10 months, and 14 days. So also, Newton A. Spitler (b. Feb. 1, 1854; d. June 9, 2024) and his
twin sister, Elizabeth C. Spitler (b. Feb. 1, 1854; died June 30, 2024).
Pastors. Church records identify the following pastors (more detailed information is provided
below from Conference records): George Statton (1856); C. B. Hammack (1857); C. W. Fisher
(unknown); A. M. Evers (1862); D. Bush (1871-72); G. W. Kiracofe (1873); C. H. Crowell (1876); A.
Hoover (1879-80); A. P. Abel (1880); M. A. Salt (1881-82); J. W. Howe (1886); R. Byrd (1886); S. D.
Skelton (1889-93); S. R. Ludwig (Unknown); J. C. S. Meyers (1894-1900); W. S. Rau (1900); J. C. S.
Meyers (1903); J. M. Maiden (1904-05); C. J. Racey (1909); W. D. Good (1912-14); L. C. Messick
(1914); George A. McGuire (1917-18); Rev. Ruppenthal (1926); P. W. Fisher (1932); S. G. Westfall
(1939); A. A. Garner (Unknown); David F. Glovier (1945-47); C. W. Tinsman (1947-56); H. Fred
Edge (1960-61); H. Eugene Baker (1961-63); A. K. Shumate (1963-64); Raymond Campbell (1964-68);
Hearl Jones, Jr. (1968-70); Paul J. Staley (1971); Mike Houff (1973-74); Barbara Sawyer (1974-76);
David Breeden (1976-77); Frank Baker (1977-79); Paul Bohi (1979-85); Kenneth Shumate (1986-89);
David Willis (1989-92); Jeffrey Bright (1992-94); David Willis (1994-96); and Janet C. (Banks) Knott
(1996-2012).
18 “Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 1851-2001: Celebrating 150 Years of Service…And Looking for 150 More
Years of Service” (Janet C. Knott, Pastor), 2001. “Reunion Camp Meeting of the Former EUB Churchville Charge,
“August 17, 2003
II.B.4 Bethlehem U.B. Church 58
