Page 88 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
P. 88
History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
A final (at that time) ballot was taken as to remodel or build. The majority voted to build. Lots owned
by Mr. Robert Neff, two blocks from the present church, were investigated. The three lots 150 ft. x 190
ft. were priced at $2,000 each. Mr. Neff would sell the lots to the church for a total of $5,700.
The following minutes, Miss Mary Alice Ours, secretary, were of the first meeting of the newly
organized Building Committee: On June 3, 2024 at 8:00 the Committee—S. A. Crider, Jr., Raymond
Long, F. L. Zirkle, Thomas Long, Jane Miller, Mary Alice Ours, Rev. Gaither (Presiding) met [and] S.
A. Crider, Jr., was named Chairman of the Committee (by vote). Mr. Zirkle asked what about the
Fawley property adjoining the Church, in as much as he had been asked to see him (D. W. Fawley). It
was agreed [Zirkle] should see him and, if the property is available, it must be presented to the
Conference Board of Missions and approved by the Conference.
The Rev. Gaither discussed some rules for the Finance Committee to follow—Set a goal and let
the church know what we plan to do. A group of [three other] committees was discussed:
(1) Organizational Committee and Advanced Pledge, A. J. Thomas, Chairman—to
approach substantial givers and to secure subscriptions from outside church; (2) Publicity
Committee, Thomas Miller (pictured at the right), Chairman—a goal of $65,000.00 was
discussed; it was decided to divide this in to a three-year plan, but exact figures were not
decided; [and] (3) Committee consisting of a group of visitors to contact the people.
Also, it was discussed that the organizations in the church should work to contribute
much to the goal and pledges be obtained from them. After these committees are all
named and ready to start working the whole plan will be introduced to the church, through a fellowship
supper. The Committee adjourned to meet again June 17.
The first “Wage Day” offering for the Building Fund was held July 15, 1958. With a total
offering of $549.75. The first Sunday of each quarter was designated as
“Wage Day”, requesting each member to give amount of one day’s wage.
The Rev. William D. Keller (at the left in the picture) served as pastor and
was instrumental in getting the building program started again. Mr.
Granvil Turner was appointed treasurer of the Building Fund (at the right in
the picture).
J. T. Helbert Trust Fund, 1958. The will of the late Mr. J. T. Helbert (pictured
at the right), dated October 25, 1949, which took effect in 1958, stated (in part): To the
Peoples National Bank of Charlottesville, Trustee, in trust for the United Brethren in
Christ Church, situated in the town of Broadway, Rockingham County, Virginia, a one-
seventh (1/7) share. The net income therefrom to be applied to the pastor’s salary of said
Church. This is the first and only trust fund left to the Broadway EUB Church. The Rev.
II.B.8 Broadway U.B. Church 74
A final (at that time) ballot was taken as to remodel or build. The majority voted to build. Lots owned
by Mr. Robert Neff, two blocks from the present church, were investigated. The three lots 150 ft. x 190
ft. were priced at $2,000 each. Mr. Neff would sell the lots to the church for a total of $5,700.
The following minutes, Miss Mary Alice Ours, secretary, were of the first meeting of the newly
organized Building Committee: On June 3, 2024 at 8:00 the Committee—S. A. Crider, Jr., Raymond
Long, F. L. Zirkle, Thomas Long, Jane Miller, Mary Alice Ours, Rev. Gaither (Presiding) met [and] S.
A. Crider, Jr., was named Chairman of the Committee (by vote). Mr. Zirkle asked what about the
Fawley property adjoining the Church, in as much as he had been asked to see him (D. W. Fawley). It
was agreed [Zirkle] should see him and, if the property is available, it must be presented to the
Conference Board of Missions and approved by the Conference.
The Rev. Gaither discussed some rules for the Finance Committee to follow—Set a goal and let
the church know what we plan to do. A group of [three other] committees was discussed:
(1) Organizational Committee and Advanced Pledge, A. J. Thomas, Chairman—to
approach substantial givers and to secure subscriptions from outside church; (2) Publicity
Committee, Thomas Miller (pictured at the right), Chairman—a goal of $65,000.00 was
discussed; it was decided to divide this in to a three-year plan, but exact figures were not
decided; [and] (3) Committee consisting of a group of visitors to contact the people.
Also, it was discussed that the organizations in the church should work to contribute
much to the goal and pledges be obtained from them. After these committees are all
named and ready to start working the whole plan will be introduced to the church, through a fellowship
supper. The Committee adjourned to meet again June 17.
The first “Wage Day” offering for the Building Fund was held July 15, 1958. With a total
offering of $549.75. The first Sunday of each quarter was designated as
“Wage Day”, requesting each member to give amount of one day’s wage.
The Rev. William D. Keller (at the left in the picture) served as pastor and
was instrumental in getting the building program started again. Mr.
Granvil Turner was appointed treasurer of the Building Fund (at the right in
the picture).
J. T. Helbert Trust Fund, 1958. The will of the late Mr. J. T. Helbert (pictured
at the right), dated October 25, 1949, which took effect in 1958, stated (in part): To the
Peoples National Bank of Charlottesville, Trustee, in trust for the United Brethren in
Christ Church, situated in the town of Broadway, Rockingham County, Virginia, a one-
seventh (1/7) share. The net income therefrom to be applied to the pastor’s salary of said
Church. This is the first and only trust fund left to the Broadway EUB Church. The Rev.
II.B.8 Broadway U.B. Church 74
