Page 73 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
P. 73
History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
Conference Reports. At the Conference of 1876, Bethlehem, together with Deer Park, Paradise,
Deep Creek, Glendale, North Glade, Mt. Zion, and Chestnut Grove, were constituted as Alleghany
Circuit. In 1878, Bethlehem was detached from Churchville Circuit and attached to Rockbridge Circuit,
but the next year Bethlehem was again assigned to Churchville Circuit. The change was made again in
1882 (Bethlehem to Rockbridge Circuit). In 1898 Bethlehem (with Swanton) was attached to New
Creek Circuit. At the Conference of 1899, Pastor J. W. Maiden (Rockbridge Circuit) reported the
Bethlehem membership at 62, the largest in the Circuit (Walker’s Creek had 40). In 1901 Pastor W. S.
Rau (Rockbridge) reported Bethlehem membership at 60.
In 1905, the Shenandoah District Presiding Elder Dr. W. F. Gruver reported: “Bethlehem church
on Rockbridge charge has been beautifully papered, painted and carpeted at a cost of $160. It was
reopened by Brother A. P. Funkhouser, free of indebtedness.” In 1912 Pastor C. J. Racey (Rockbridge
Circuit) reported a new fence placed around cemetery at Bethlehem, cost $30. In 1913 Pastor W. D.
Good (Swoope Circuit) reported new chandeliers were placed in Bethlehem Church that cost $20.
Pastor L. C. Messick (Swoope Circuit) reported in 1915 a new range put in the parsonage by the
Bethlehem Ladies’ Aid at a cost of $35 and other improvements to parsonage, $18. He reported in 1916
the purchase of new song books.
Parsonage for Rockbridge and Swope Circuits. Apparently Bethlehem took the leadership in
maintaining its parsonage. In 1912 Rockbridge Circuit reported a new fence had been added to the
parsonage for $10; and the charge reported that money was in treasury to paint the parsonage. In 1913
the parsonage was reported papered and painted throughout and concrete walks laid that cost $129; and
new metal roof on parsonage porch that cost $10. In 1913 Swope Circuit reported a new range had been
put in the parsonage by the Bethlehem Ladies’ Aid at a cost of $35; and other improvements to
parsonage cost $18. The 1916 report was a garden fence built for $12 and garage built, as well.
Conference Superintendent A. S. Hammack reported in 1917: “A new church is being built at
Bethlehem, Swoope Circuit—Brother G. A. McGuire is the pastor. This is one of our oldest churches.
It was at this [place] during the Annual Conference that Bishop Glossbrenner, in 1852, took the first
missionary offering ever taken in the Denomination. Bishop Erb was [then] the presiding bishop.” In
1918 the Superintendent further reported, “The church at Bethlehem, Swoope Circuit, was completed
and dedicated by myself September 21st. The cost was $7,320. Brother McGuire, with his faithful
board and the splendid cooperation of the community, are to be commended for their vision and
loyalty.”
The Superintendent reported in 1924 that the church painted at cost of $25. A. A. Garner
(Swoope Circuit) reported in 1926 a gift to Bethlehem Church of $1,100. In 1927 the Conference
discontinued Swoope Circuit, putting Mt. Zion and Bethlehem on Churchville Circuit Walkers Creek on
Staunton Circuit. In 1928 the Superintendent reported: “Bethlehem Church on Churchville charge has
been remodeled and improved and was dedicated free of debt on June 10th—Rev. P. W. Fisher is
Pastor.” Pastor Fisher also reported that year that Bethlehem Church was repaired at cost of $300, all
paid.
In 1949 Bethlehem reported the roof painted for $86. In 1951 Bethlehem on Churchville Charge
reported new book racks and communion glass holders for $22. The 1953 report was for a new fence
east side of church and spouting of church for $149, in 1955 repainted framework of church’s new front
doors, and EUB emblem sign in front of lawn, which cost $160 in cash and labor; and in 1956 the
church interior refinished and fence renewed for $296. The report in 1963 was that the cost of painting
interior and repairing basement entrance amounted to $110.20. On September 29, 1968, the Conference
Superintendent dedicated the new organ.
II.B.4 Bethlehem U.B. Church 59
Conference Reports. At the Conference of 1876, Bethlehem, together with Deer Park, Paradise,
Deep Creek, Glendale, North Glade, Mt. Zion, and Chestnut Grove, were constituted as Alleghany
Circuit. In 1878, Bethlehem was detached from Churchville Circuit and attached to Rockbridge Circuit,
but the next year Bethlehem was again assigned to Churchville Circuit. The change was made again in
1882 (Bethlehem to Rockbridge Circuit). In 1898 Bethlehem (with Swanton) was attached to New
Creek Circuit. At the Conference of 1899, Pastor J. W. Maiden (Rockbridge Circuit) reported the
Bethlehem membership at 62, the largest in the Circuit (Walker’s Creek had 40). In 1901 Pastor W. S.
Rau (Rockbridge) reported Bethlehem membership at 60.
In 1905, the Shenandoah District Presiding Elder Dr. W. F. Gruver reported: “Bethlehem church
on Rockbridge charge has been beautifully papered, painted and carpeted at a cost of $160. It was
reopened by Brother A. P. Funkhouser, free of indebtedness.” In 1912 Pastor C. J. Racey (Rockbridge
Circuit) reported a new fence placed around cemetery at Bethlehem, cost $30. In 1913 Pastor W. D.
Good (Swoope Circuit) reported new chandeliers were placed in Bethlehem Church that cost $20.
Pastor L. C. Messick (Swoope Circuit) reported in 1915 a new range put in the parsonage by the
Bethlehem Ladies’ Aid at a cost of $35 and other improvements to parsonage, $18. He reported in 1916
the purchase of new song books.
Parsonage for Rockbridge and Swope Circuits. Apparently Bethlehem took the leadership in
maintaining its parsonage. In 1912 Rockbridge Circuit reported a new fence had been added to the
parsonage for $10; and the charge reported that money was in treasury to paint the parsonage. In 1913
the parsonage was reported papered and painted throughout and concrete walks laid that cost $129; and
new metal roof on parsonage porch that cost $10. In 1913 Swope Circuit reported a new range had been
put in the parsonage by the Bethlehem Ladies’ Aid at a cost of $35; and other improvements to
parsonage cost $18. The 1916 report was a garden fence built for $12 and garage built, as well.
Conference Superintendent A. S. Hammack reported in 1917: “A new church is being built at
Bethlehem, Swoope Circuit—Brother G. A. McGuire is the pastor. This is one of our oldest churches.
It was at this [place] during the Annual Conference that Bishop Glossbrenner, in 1852, took the first
missionary offering ever taken in the Denomination. Bishop Erb was [then] the presiding bishop.” In
1918 the Superintendent further reported, “The church at Bethlehem, Swoope Circuit, was completed
and dedicated by myself September 21st. The cost was $7,320. Brother McGuire, with his faithful
board and the splendid cooperation of the community, are to be commended for their vision and
loyalty.”
The Superintendent reported in 1924 that the church painted at cost of $25. A. A. Garner
(Swoope Circuit) reported in 1926 a gift to Bethlehem Church of $1,100. In 1927 the Conference
discontinued Swoope Circuit, putting Mt. Zion and Bethlehem on Churchville Circuit Walkers Creek on
Staunton Circuit. In 1928 the Superintendent reported: “Bethlehem Church on Churchville charge has
been remodeled and improved and was dedicated free of debt on June 10th—Rev. P. W. Fisher is
Pastor.” Pastor Fisher also reported that year that Bethlehem Church was repaired at cost of $300, all
paid.
In 1949 Bethlehem reported the roof painted for $86. In 1951 Bethlehem on Churchville Charge
reported new book racks and communion glass holders for $22. The 1953 report was for a new fence
east side of church and spouting of church for $149, in 1955 repainted framework of church’s new front
doors, and EUB emblem sign in front of lawn, which cost $160 in cash and labor; and in 1956 the
church interior refinished and fence renewed for $296. The report in 1963 was that the cost of painting
interior and repairing basement entrance amounted to $110.20. On September 29, 1968, the Conference
Superintendent dedicated the new organ.
II.B.4 Bethlehem U.B. Church 59
