Page 87 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
P. 87
History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
offering of $292. In 1952 the Rev. Lee E. Sheaffer (pictured at the right) was appointed
minister of this charge. The Rev. Sheaffer encouraged the members to increase the Sunday
School enrollment by 10 percent during the Conference year.
The first Women’s Missionary Society had been organized by Mrs. J. E. Alline in
1924-25. The present WSWS was organized with six charter members: Mrs. Darrell
Helbert, president; Mrs. Jane Miller, vice president; and
Mrs. Avis Long, secretary-treasurer; and Mrs. Marie Fulk,
Miss Mary Alice Ours and Mrs. Madge Wolfe. Of these six
charter members, four are still active in our society today;
the other two moved from our community and are serving in
other societies. The picture shows (left to right) Mrs.
Herbert, Mrs. Long, Mrs. Ours, and Mrs. Fulk. Some of these members organized our Prayer Group,
which is very active today, with a good attendance and members from as many as eight different
denominations sometimes attending.
The 1953 Conference Minutes reports the Broadway church one of
nine churches receiving the most members for the year. A total membership
of 190. The Harrisonburg District Women’s Institute met at Broadway
church on October 29, 1953, afternoon and night. In 1954 S. A. Crider, Jr.
(left in the picture), was elected SS Superintendent. Thomas Long (right in
the picture) and S. A. Crider Jr. were elected as trustees to fill the vacancy of
E. P. Long and C. W. Emswiler. Also in 1954, a new altar set composed of a cross and candle sticks
were given to the church in memory of Mrs. Vilas Miller by her children. Offering plates to match the
altar set were presented to the church by the Pollyanna Class.
In 1955 improvements included a Communion Table, chairs for the children’s department and
major appliances for the kitchen. The year 1956 was the year discussions and meetings were first held
as to remodel the present church or build. The educational unit did get a coat of fresh paint, chairs and
cabinets were added to the primary department.
1957—Remodel or Build? In 1957, with Rev. Gaither the appointed pastor
(pictured at the right), serious meetings were held on whether to remodel or building a
new church. This involved many meetings and ballots. Letters were sent to Bethany
and Broadway members suggesting union of the two churches. This invitation was
rejected by Bethany. A plan and drawings for remodeling were submitted to the
congregation at an estimated cost of $49,000. The congregation remained in doubt as
to spend this amount on remodeling and then not have adequate Sunday school rooms.
II.B.8 Broadway U.B. Church 73
offering of $292. In 1952 the Rev. Lee E. Sheaffer (pictured at the right) was appointed
minister of this charge. The Rev. Sheaffer encouraged the members to increase the Sunday
School enrollment by 10 percent during the Conference year.
The first Women’s Missionary Society had been organized by Mrs. J. E. Alline in
1924-25. The present WSWS was organized with six charter members: Mrs. Darrell
Helbert, president; Mrs. Jane Miller, vice president; and
Mrs. Avis Long, secretary-treasurer; and Mrs. Marie Fulk,
Miss Mary Alice Ours and Mrs. Madge Wolfe. Of these six
charter members, four are still active in our society today;
the other two moved from our community and are serving in
other societies. The picture shows (left to right) Mrs.
Herbert, Mrs. Long, Mrs. Ours, and Mrs. Fulk. Some of these members organized our Prayer Group,
which is very active today, with a good attendance and members from as many as eight different
denominations sometimes attending.
The 1953 Conference Minutes reports the Broadway church one of
nine churches receiving the most members for the year. A total membership
of 190. The Harrisonburg District Women’s Institute met at Broadway
church on October 29, 1953, afternoon and night. In 1954 S. A. Crider, Jr.
(left in the picture), was elected SS Superintendent. Thomas Long (right in
the picture) and S. A. Crider Jr. were elected as trustees to fill the vacancy of
E. P. Long and C. W. Emswiler. Also in 1954, a new altar set composed of a cross and candle sticks
were given to the church in memory of Mrs. Vilas Miller by her children. Offering plates to match the
altar set were presented to the church by the Pollyanna Class.
In 1955 improvements included a Communion Table, chairs for the children’s department and
major appliances for the kitchen. The year 1956 was the year discussions and meetings were first held
as to remodel the present church or build. The educational unit did get a coat of fresh paint, chairs and
cabinets were added to the primary department.
1957—Remodel or Build? In 1957, with Rev. Gaither the appointed pastor
(pictured at the right), serious meetings were held on whether to remodel or building a
new church. This involved many meetings and ballots. Letters were sent to Bethany
and Broadway members suggesting union of the two churches. This invitation was
rejected by Bethany. A plan and drawings for remodeling were submitted to the
congregation at an estimated cost of $49,000. The congregation remained in doubt as
to spend this amount on remodeling and then not have adequate Sunday school rooms.
II.B.8 Broadway U.B. Church 73
