Page 97 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
P. 97
History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
for printing plans have been made and the date set of May 8, 1966, for Dedication of the new church and
parsonage. Bishop Howard plans to be at this service.
Mr. F. L. Zirkle presented the church with a copy of an 1889 United Brethren in Christ
Discipline. This book belonged to Mr. C. D. Helbert, a charter member. This Discipline is in very good
condition, and is very much appreciated. It might be interesting to note the first Discipline was written in
1815 (in German). The first translation into English appeared in 1819. All later Disciplines gives the
historical sketch as found in the translation of 1819, which was made by those who were members of the
General Conference of 1815.
Word of Appreciation. I would like to take this space to express my sincere appreciation to all
for their help and cooperation given me in writing this history. My special thanks to Dr. Floyd L. Fulk
for the use of the Conference Minutes and other information and Mr. Granvil J. Turner for his time and
patience in taking the pictures.
—Doris Emswiler (Mrs. M. Warren)
Conference Reports. Broadway U.B. Church was first
mentioned in Conference Minutes in 1890, when Shenandoah
District Presiding Elder reported that “another [house of worship] is
in prospect at Broadway, [which is] greatly needed.” A Freedman’s
mission had been established at Broadway by 1895. It is unclear
from Conference Minutes when the Broadway Church was erected,
but Annual Conference met at Broadway (place not otherwise
specified) March 18, 1896. The Broadway Circuit was established
by 1897, with 310 members in 1898 and 331 in 1899 (Rev. J.
William Stearn, the pastor), and in 1899 Broadway Circuit
comprised Broadway, New Salem, Pleasant View, and Mt. Carmel
churches. Broadway hosted the Shenandoah District Young
People’s Christian Union Societies meeting in the 1899-1900
conference year. The first mention of membership at Broadway was
for 63 members in 1901—at the time New Salem had 70 members;
Pleasant View, 60; and Mt. Carmel, 147, for a total membership of
340. The Presiding Elder reported in 1902: “Broadway Circuit—A
new church is nearing completion on this charge, which will be a
credit to the pastor, Rev. T. C. Harper, as well as the members of the
congregation; value $650.” In October 1903 Rev. Harper was
appointed to the Dayton Circuit and was replaced by Rev. H. Ralph
Geil. In 1904 the Presiding Elder reported: (1); “The church [not
named] on Broadway Circuit to which I referred in my last report
was dedicated in June by Bro. N. F. A. Cupp”; and (2) “At the
Second Quarterly Conference on Broadway Circuit, a board of trustees were elected to take charge of a
church being built on Runyan’s Creek.” Also in 1904, Broadway U.B. Church was detached from
Broadway Circuit and attached to Lacey Springs Circuit. In 1905 Broadway on Lacey Springs Circuit
was reported with 60 members contributing $80 to the preacher’s salary; the other churches on that
charge were Lacey Springs, 125 members, contributing $190; Mountain Valley, 144, $80; Bethel, 85,
$62; and Herwin, 44, $22, for a total of 458 members and $434 paid on the preacher’s salary.
II.B.8 Broadway U.B. Church 83
for printing plans have been made and the date set of May 8, 1966, for Dedication of the new church and
parsonage. Bishop Howard plans to be at this service.
Mr. F. L. Zirkle presented the church with a copy of an 1889 United Brethren in Christ
Discipline. This book belonged to Mr. C. D. Helbert, a charter member. This Discipline is in very good
condition, and is very much appreciated. It might be interesting to note the first Discipline was written in
1815 (in German). The first translation into English appeared in 1819. All later Disciplines gives the
historical sketch as found in the translation of 1819, which was made by those who were members of the
General Conference of 1815.
Word of Appreciation. I would like to take this space to express my sincere appreciation to all
for their help and cooperation given me in writing this history. My special thanks to Dr. Floyd L. Fulk
for the use of the Conference Minutes and other information and Mr. Granvil J. Turner for his time and
patience in taking the pictures.
—Doris Emswiler (Mrs. M. Warren)
Conference Reports. Broadway U.B. Church was first
mentioned in Conference Minutes in 1890, when Shenandoah
District Presiding Elder reported that “another [house of worship] is
in prospect at Broadway, [which is] greatly needed.” A Freedman’s
mission had been established at Broadway by 1895. It is unclear
from Conference Minutes when the Broadway Church was erected,
but Annual Conference met at Broadway (place not otherwise
specified) March 18, 1896. The Broadway Circuit was established
by 1897, with 310 members in 1898 and 331 in 1899 (Rev. J.
William Stearn, the pastor), and in 1899 Broadway Circuit
comprised Broadway, New Salem, Pleasant View, and Mt. Carmel
churches. Broadway hosted the Shenandoah District Young
People’s Christian Union Societies meeting in the 1899-1900
conference year. The first mention of membership at Broadway was
for 63 members in 1901—at the time New Salem had 70 members;
Pleasant View, 60; and Mt. Carmel, 147, for a total membership of
340. The Presiding Elder reported in 1902: “Broadway Circuit—A
new church is nearing completion on this charge, which will be a
credit to the pastor, Rev. T. C. Harper, as well as the members of the
congregation; value $650.” In October 1903 Rev. Harper was
appointed to the Dayton Circuit and was replaced by Rev. H. Ralph
Geil. In 1904 the Presiding Elder reported: (1); “The church [not
named] on Broadway Circuit to which I referred in my last report
was dedicated in June by Bro. N. F. A. Cupp”; and (2) “At the
Second Quarterly Conference on Broadway Circuit, a board of trustees were elected to take charge of a
church being built on Runyan’s Creek.” Also in 1904, Broadway U.B. Church was detached from
Broadway Circuit and attached to Lacey Springs Circuit. In 1905 Broadway on Lacey Springs Circuit
was reported with 60 members contributing $80 to the preacher’s salary; the other churches on that
charge were Lacey Springs, 125 members, contributing $190; Mountain Valley, 144, $80; Bethel, 85,
$62; and Herwin, 44, $22, for a total of 458 members and $434 paid on the preacher’s salary.
II.B.8 Broadway U.B. Church 83
