Page 122 - United Brethren Virginia Conferences 1800-1946
P. 122
Volume 7 History of Virginia Conferences of United Brethren December 26, 2024
financially. Received from the charges on district, $674.28; received from parsonage rent, $32.42;
presents received, $25; total, $731.70. A. S. Hammack, P.E.
Winchester District. With gratitude to God for the privilege of working in his service for
another year, I present this annual report. The district consists of 18 regular charges, 16 of which were
supplied by our last Conference. Shortly after Conference Bro. J. W. Stearn resigned Edinburg circuit to
which Rev. B. D. Rose of West Virginia Conference was appointed; because of a severe spell of
rheumatism, he did not come to the charge. On September the 1st, Bro. N. F. A. Cupp was assigned to
the charge and served it to the end of the year. Bro Cupp resigned Berkeley Springs station
September 1st, to which Bro. G. P. Hott was appointed January 1st, 1903, and has served until
Conference. Bro W. L. Childress resigned Frederick circuit October 20th, for which no suitable supply
could be secured. Bro. D. D. Dawson was appointed to Westernport Station September 21st and has
preached there until Conference. Midland has been without a pastor all the year. I held their quarterly
communion services and a revival in which there were 16 conversions and 12 accessions to the Church.
They have kept up their Sunday school and are in good condition. A very earnest effort has been made
to secure a church or hall in Cumberland and Keyser in which to hold a revival, but without success.
The prospect for organizing and building in Keyser is very good, but in Cumberland the prospect is not
favorable. In order to succeed in Keyser it will be necessary to put sufficient appropriation and a
suitable man.
Three young men have been received into the quarterly conference and granted License To
Preach the Gospel: C. Brill, B. N. Sypolt, and C. D. Widmeyer; also, Noah Cross an ordained deacon in
M. E. Church South was received on transfer. Under the pastorate of Bro. Stover, a good church house
on Jones Spring circuit was built, paid for and dedicated. Through the energy of Bro. Rau, a suitable
house for a parsonage, well located, with one acre of land attached, has been bought and paid for this
year. On Lost River circuit Bro. J. B. Fergerson pastor, a new parsonage has been erected, is under roof,
and the first payment made—with all the lumber for the house, stable, garden, and yard fence paid for
and on the ground. Extensive improvements and repairs have been made to a number of churches and
parsonages, leaving them all in good condition and practically free from debt.
The successes of the revivals and additions to the Church, as well as the work of the Young
People’s Societies, have been greatly hindered by the inclement weather. The Sabbath schools have
been excellent, the favorable weather in the early summer gave us the largest and best schools in 7 years.
The circulation of the churches’ literature has had special attention and with a few exceptions an
increase. The finances are in good condition, considering the number of resignations and vacant
charges, the drought of summer and almost constant rainy Sundays since in October with smallpox
scattered over three of the charges. The brethren have had many difficulties to encounter, but they have
worked hard and succeeded well.
This seems to be an opportune time for securing a district parsonage and by the courtesy of the
Conference I would like the privilege of naming the board of trustees. Bro. Henry Tallhelm died within
the year, and Bro. G. P. Hott who conducted the funeral service has been requested to write a suitable
reference for his memoirs. With but one exception the health of the ministers has been excellent
throughout the year, for which we are all thankful. Peace and harmony prevails over the entire district.
Salary received, $639.67; money received for extra services, $66; total, $705.67. Respectfully
submitted, J. D. Donovan, P.E.
1903 Reports 112
financially. Received from the charges on district, $674.28; received from parsonage rent, $32.42;
presents received, $25; total, $731.70. A. S. Hammack, P.E.
Winchester District. With gratitude to God for the privilege of working in his service for
another year, I present this annual report. The district consists of 18 regular charges, 16 of which were
supplied by our last Conference. Shortly after Conference Bro. J. W. Stearn resigned Edinburg circuit to
which Rev. B. D. Rose of West Virginia Conference was appointed; because of a severe spell of
rheumatism, he did not come to the charge. On September the 1st, Bro. N. F. A. Cupp was assigned to
the charge and served it to the end of the year. Bro Cupp resigned Berkeley Springs station
September 1st, to which Bro. G. P. Hott was appointed January 1st, 1903, and has served until
Conference. Bro W. L. Childress resigned Frederick circuit October 20th, for which no suitable supply
could be secured. Bro. D. D. Dawson was appointed to Westernport Station September 21st and has
preached there until Conference. Midland has been without a pastor all the year. I held their quarterly
communion services and a revival in which there were 16 conversions and 12 accessions to the Church.
They have kept up their Sunday school and are in good condition. A very earnest effort has been made
to secure a church or hall in Cumberland and Keyser in which to hold a revival, but without success.
The prospect for organizing and building in Keyser is very good, but in Cumberland the prospect is not
favorable. In order to succeed in Keyser it will be necessary to put sufficient appropriation and a
suitable man.
Three young men have been received into the quarterly conference and granted License To
Preach the Gospel: C. Brill, B. N. Sypolt, and C. D. Widmeyer; also, Noah Cross an ordained deacon in
M. E. Church South was received on transfer. Under the pastorate of Bro. Stover, a good church house
on Jones Spring circuit was built, paid for and dedicated. Through the energy of Bro. Rau, a suitable
house for a parsonage, well located, with one acre of land attached, has been bought and paid for this
year. On Lost River circuit Bro. J. B. Fergerson pastor, a new parsonage has been erected, is under roof,
and the first payment made—with all the lumber for the house, stable, garden, and yard fence paid for
and on the ground. Extensive improvements and repairs have been made to a number of churches and
parsonages, leaving them all in good condition and practically free from debt.
The successes of the revivals and additions to the Church, as well as the work of the Young
People’s Societies, have been greatly hindered by the inclement weather. The Sabbath schools have
been excellent, the favorable weather in the early summer gave us the largest and best schools in 7 years.
The circulation of the churches’ literature has had special attention and with a few exceptions an
increase. The finances are in good condition, considering the number of resignations and vacant
charges, the drought of summer and almost constant rainy Sundays since in October with smallpox
scattered over three of the charges. The brethren have had many difficulties to encounter, but they have
worked hard and succeeded well.
This seems to be an opportune time for securing a district parsonage and by the courtesy of the
Conference I would like the privilege of naming the board of trustees. Bro. Henry Tallhelm died within
the year, and Bro. G. P. Hott who conducted the funeral service has been requested to write a suitable
reference for his memoirs. With but one exception the health of the ministers has been excellent
throughout the year, for which we are all thankful. Peace and harmony prevails over the entire district.
Salary received, $639.67; money received for extra services, $66; total, $705.67. Respectfully
submitted, J. D. Donovan, P.E.
1903 Reports 112
