Page 89 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
P. 89
History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
Golden Gaither was the first minister to receive a check from this fund. Mr. Helbert served as a church
trustee for a number of years. His son, John Ed Helbert, is now (1965) serving as a trustee and has for a
number of years.
Mrs. Annie Shipe was an active member of our present WSWS. A memorial for
Mrs. Shipe was published in “The World Evangel.” Mrs. Shipe was the first of our
society to be so honored.
1958-63. The Sunday School had an excellent growth during the year. For the Conference year
1958-59, the average attendance in Sunday school was one hundred nineteen (119). This
church has continued to grow through the years, the present membership is 201. At the
close of the year the Building Fund reported a total offering of $1,308.42; church treasury
a balance of $327.37; Sunday school, $389.75. Warren Emswiler (pictured at the right)
was elected treasurer to succeed Mr. Thomas Miller, who moved from the community.
In 1960 Marie Fulk (Mrs. Floyd L.), a member of our congregation, was elected to
the office of President of the Virginia Branch, WSCS. Marie (Picture at the right) is the
first in our society to hold this office and to receive Life Membership. Our local society
was reorganized under the comprehensive plan with Mary Alice Ours, president. In 1960
Mrs. Bonnie Hoover was named assistant to Mrs. Marie Fulk as Children’s Department
Superintendent. Also in 1960, 25 new hymnals were purchased for the church.
The year 1961 was one of many decisions in the Broadway Church—more meetings and
discussions on building or repairing and/or remodeling. The congregation definitely decided by vote not
to purchase the adjoining Fawley property to remodel and not to go through with buying the Neff lots, as
it was a question on getting a clear deed. On July 16, 1961, an option was taken on land facing “Shanks
Land,” now Sunset Drive, for location of a new church. The Trustees and Building Committee have
expressed their approval of this land. The congregation voted again, and it agreed to build a new church
and to buy the land formally known as the Smith property located on “Shanks Lane” at the cost of
$6,000 embracing approximately 3 acres. This amount of land would be sufficient for a church,
parsonage and parking areas.
Our WSWS society completed its first 10 years as an organized society during the Conference
year 1961-62. During this year many members and interested persons made visits to various churches
for ideas and plans for the new church being planned. A final decision was made at the time on the
newly built EUB Church (St. James) Pleasant Valley, with suggestions for major changes being made.
Mr. Joe Bowman was considered and contacted for the architect of the building project, as he had drawn
the original plans that were to be used. After due consideration, Mr. Raymond C. Smith of Timberville,
Va., was contracted to do the architect work.
II.B.8 Broadway U.B. Church 75
Golden Gaither was the first minister to receive a check from this fund. Mr. Helbert served as a church
trustee for a number of years. His son, John Ed Helbert, is now (1965) serving as a trustee and has for a
number of years.
Mrs. Annie Shipe was an active member of our present WSWS. A memorial for
Mrs. Shipe was published in “The World Evangel.” Mrs. Shipe was the first of our
society to be so honored.
1958-63. The Sunday School had an excellent growth during the year. For the Conference year
1958-59, the average attendance in Sunday school was one hundred nineteen (119). This
church has continued to grow through the years, the present membership is 201. At the
close of the year the Building Fund reported a total offering of $1,308.42; church treasury
a balance of $327.37; Sunday school, $389.75. Warren Emswiler (pictured at the right)
was elected treasurer to succeed Mr. Thomas Miller, who moved from the community.
In 1960 Marie Fulk (Mrs. Floyd L.), a member of our congregation, was elected to
the office of President of the Virginia Branch, WSCS. Marie (Picture at the right) is the
first in our society to hold this office and to receive Life Membership. Our local society
was reorganized under the comprehensive plan with Mary Alice Ours, president. In 1960
Mrs. Bonnie Hoover was named assistant to Mrs. Marie Fulk as Children’s Department
Superintendent. Also in 1960, 25 new hymnals were purchased for the church.
The year 1961 was one of many decisions in the Broadway Church—more meetings and
discussions on building or repairing and/or remodeling. The congregation definitely decided by vote not
to purchase the adjoining Fawley property to remodel and not to go through with buying the Neff lots, as
it was a question on getting a clear deed. On July 16, 1961, an option was taken on land facing “Shanks
Land,” now Sunset Drive, for location of a new church. The Trustees and Building Committee have
expressed their approval of this land. The congregation voted again, and it agreed to build a new church
and to buy the land formally known as the Smith property located on “Shanks Lane” at the cost of
$6,000 embracing approximately 3 acres. This amount of land would be sufficient for a church,
parsonage and parking areas.
Our WSWS society completed its first 10 years as an organized society during the Conference
year 1961-62. During this year many members and interested persons made visits to various churches
for ideas and plans for the new church being planned. A final decision was made at the time on the
newly built EUB Church (St. James) Pleasant Valley, with suggestions for major changes being made.
Mr. Joe Bowman was considered and contacted for the architect of the building project, as he had drawn
the original plans that were to be used. After due consideration, Mr. Raymond C. Smith of Timberville,
Va., was contracted to do the architect work.
II.B.8 Broadway U.B. Church 75
