Page 91 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
P. 91
History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
$95,000, excluding the plumbing and wiring. During these months of decisions, the congregation voted
to build a new parsonage adjoining the new church. The foundation of the parsonage was to be
excavated at the same time of the church basement. The bids for the parsonage had not been distributed
in mid-1965.
The Finance Committee for the Building Projects—Mrs. Warren Emswiler, Mr. S. A. Crider, Jr.,
Chairman; the Rev. Hickle, Mrs. Eugene Hoover, Mr. Brown Dove and Mr. Granvil J. Turner, Building
Fund Treasurer. Our new church will be financed by a loan of $75,000 by the Annual Conference,
$25,000 from Quincy Orphanage and Home through the Conference, $25,000 from the General Board of
Missions and $25,000 from the Board of Pensions.
Homecoming Day was observed on October 4, 1964. The Building Fund goal was set at $2,500
and met. Members were given an opportunity to purchase a stained glass window in memory of a loved
one for the new church, and all the windows were spoken for. One window was bought in memory of
the family of two of our church’s charter members, Mr.
and Mrs. Anthony Rhodes. Attending Homecoming Day
were several children of charter members—James and
Myrtle Rhodes, Walter Ritchie, Gladys Rhodes Coffman,
and Les Rhodes (shown at the right).
At the 1964 Annual Conference, Mt. Carmel was detached from the Broadway
Charge and became a station. The Rev. C. F. Hickle was appointed to the Broadway
Charge to serve the remaining three churches. On December 13, 1964, the Rev. Hickle
exchanged pulpits with the Rev. Keller, the former minister, so that the Rev. Keller might
conduct a God and Country Award Service for Scout James Lee Mason. According to
records available Jimmy is the first member of our church to receive this distinguished
award. This was one of the most impressive services held in this church.
1965. Of the 37 charter members of 1888, five have children members in attendance today
(1965). This church has continued to grow through the years. The present membership is 213. Mrs.
Annie Haley is our senior member at the age of 90.
Summary. Seventy-seven years have now passed, 74 years in present church building—since
the Rev. W. F. Gruver received the first members into the Broadway U.B. Church. Since that time the
church has served the people of the community, presenting the challenge of the gospel. Our church is
used by the Broadway Elementary School Children attending Week Day Religious Education classes for
special programs. Since the organization in 1888, a total of twenty-seven ministers have served the
Broadway church along with other churches in the charge. The Rev. W. H. Smith became the first
pastor of the present Broadway Charge. The Rev. and Mrs. Smith’s daughter, Helen, was a member of
our church. The longest pastorate in the history of the church was that of the Rev. P. W. Fisher (1934-
II.B.8 Broadway U.B. Church 77
$95,000, excluding the plumbing and wiring. During these months of decisions, the congregation voted
to build a new parsonage adjoining the new church. The foundation of the parsonage was to be
excavated at the same time of the church basement. The bids for the parsonage had not been distributed
in mid-1965.
The Finance Committee for the Building Projects—Mrs. Warren Emswiler, Mr. S. A. Crider, Jr.,
Chairman; the Rev. Hickle, Mrs. Eugene Hoover, Mr. Brown Dove and Mr. Granvil J. Turner, Building
Fund Treasurer. Our new church will be financed by a loan of $75,000 by the Annual Conference,
$25,000 from Quincy Orphanage and Home through the Conference, $25,000 from the General Board of
Missions and $25,000 from the Board of Pensions.
Homecoming Day was observed on October 4, 1964. The Building Fund goal was set at $2,500
and met. Members were given an opportunity to purchase a stained glass window in memory of a loved
one for the new church, and all the windows were spoken for. One window was bought in memory of
the family of two of our church’s charter members, Mr.
and Mrs. Anthony Rhodes. Attending Homecoming Day
were several children of charter members—James and
Myrtle Rhodes, Walter Ritchie, Gladys Rhodes Coffman,
and Les Rhodes (shown at the right).
At the 1964 Annual Conference, Mt. Carmel was detached from the Broadway
Charge and became a station. The Rev. C. F. Hickle was appointed to the Broadway
Charge to serve the remaining three churches. On December 13, 1964, the Rev. Hickle
exchanged pulpits with the Rev. Keller, the former minister, so that the Rev. Keller might
conduct a God and Country Award Service for Scout James Lee Mason. According to
records available Jimmy is the first member of our church to receive this distinguished
award. This was one of the most impressive services held in this church.
1965. Of the 37 charter members of 1888, five have children members in attendance today
(1965). This church has continued to grow through the years. The present membership is 213. Mrs.
Annie Haley is our senior member at the age of 90.
Summary. Seventy-seven years have now passed, 74 years in present church building—since
the Rev. W. F. Gruver received the first members into the Broadway U.B. Church. Since that time the
church has served the people of the community, presenting the challenge of the gospel. Our church is
used by the Broadway Elementary School Children attending Week Day Religious Education classes for
special programs. Since the organization in 1888, a total of twenty-seven ministers have served the
Broadway church along with other churches in the charge. The Rev. W. H. Smith became the first
pastor of the present Broadway Charge. The Rev. and Mrs. Smith’s daughter, Helen, was a member of
our church. The longest pastorate in the history of the church was that of the Rev. P. W. Fisher (1934-
II.B.8 Broadway U.B. Church 77
