Page 127 - United Brethren Virginia Conferences 1800-1946
P. 127
Volume 7 History of Virginia Conferences of United Brethren December 26, 2024
papering and furnishing part of the house, and a new hen house, at a cost of $139.36. Jones Spring
improvements to parsonage and grounds $100. Inwood, house and out-buildings fixed, debt paid off,
$58.50.
The District Parsonage. The board of trustees appointed by this body one year ago, to either
build or buy a house for a district parsonage, after due consideration purchased a property located at 704
North Queen street, this city [Martinsburg], for $2,250 cash. The house—brick; with 14-inch walls,
excellent cellar, six rooms with summer kitchen, good stable and out buildings, wrought iron fence and
veranda—is on a large and valuable lot. The property at present is easily worth $3,000. The property
will certainly be a credit to the church not only in this city, but to the Conference.
Literature. While the Sabbath school literature remains about the same, there has been a nice
increase in the circulation of the Religious Telescope. Bro. W. S. Rau, on Bayard circuit leads all others;
having a list of 60 subscribers. Some few other charges have also greatly increased their former list.
The Watchword has a fairly good circulation in the societies. Finance. There has been a general
increase in the salaries of the pastors, ranging from $10 to $90 [per year]. But the method of collecting
the salary and paying the pastor is so bad that it often works a hardship on the pastor and his family.
Some of the pastors, having worked for 10 months, had not received quite half their salary. But these
charges are growing fewer, thank God, and some charges paid their pastors monthly and quarterly. The
conference assessments are not all full on some of the charges, while others will report full and over full
on some things, and J. D. Donovan, Martinsburg Station, will report over full on all assessments.
Keyser Mission. Work was begun in Keyser, W.Va., immediately after adjournment of our last
Conference. A good lot has been secured, costing $1,500 on which a substantial frame church is being
erected. The contract price of the church above foundation is $2,600, complete without furnishings. A
Sabbath school has been organized with an enrollment of about 75, and a congregation of about 80 has
been gathered. The work is most hopeful and merits your financial support and prayers. Health. The
health of most of the ministers and their families has been good. Bro. George Burgess was hindered in
his work by the sickness of his children and his mother. Bros. J. D. Donovan, C. P. Dyche, and A. J
Secrist were each kept from work for 2 months by personal affliction, but I am glad to report all about
well again, except Bro. Donovan, who is also convalescent. Presiding Elders Salary. Salary received
from the charges, $745.80; house rent, $109; presents, $35.80; total, $890.60; Deficit, $37.85. Kindly
submitted, W. F. Gruver, P.E.
Boundaries. Boundary and Finance committee organized by electing A. S. Hammack, chairman
and A. P. Funkhouser, secretary. Present—Hammack, Gruver, Funkhouser, Donovan, Hott, Wine, H. B.
Miller, E. F. Millard, and O. W. Siever.
1. Detach Judy and Smith’s Creek from Franklin and attach to Pendleton circuit; and detach
Circleville, Riverton, and High Rock from Pendleton circuit and attach to Franklin circuit
2. Detach Thoroughfare from Elkton and attach to Shenandoah City.
3. Attach Shendun to Pleasant Valley circuit and Mt. Bethel to Augusta circuit.
4. Detach Broadway from Broadway circuit and attach to Lacey Springs circuit.
5. Harrisonburg [FM] (col.) be made a station and that the rest of Staunton and Linville circuits
be made one charge to be called Linville and Staunton Mission.
6. Horse Shoe, one of the appointments on New Creek circuit be discontinued. Detach Laurel
Dale from Bayard circuit and attach to New Creek.
1904 Reports 117
papering and furnishing part of the house, and a new hen house, at a cost of $139.36. Jones Spring
improvements to parsonage and grounds $100. Inwood, house and out-buildings fixed, debt paid off,
$58.50.
The District Parsonage. The board of trustees appointed by this body one year ago, to either
build or buy a house for a district parsonage, after due consideration purchased a property located at 704
North Queen street, this city [Martinsburg], for $2,250 cash. The house—brick; with 14-inch walls,
excellent cellar, six rooms with summer kitchen, good stable and out buildings, wrought iron fence and
veranda—is on a large and valuable lot. The property at present is easily worth $3,000. The property
will certainly be a credit to the church not only in this city, but to the Conference.
Literature. While the Sabbath school literature remains about the same, there has been a nice
increase in the circulation of the Religious Telescope. Bro. W. S. Rau, on Bayard circuit leads all others;
having a list of 60 subscribers. Some few other charges have also greatly increased their former list.
The Watchword has a fairly good circulation in the societies. Finance. There has been a general
increase in the salaries of the pastors, ranging from $10 to $90 [per year]. But the method of collecting
the salary and paying the pastor is so bad that it often works a hardship on the pastor and his family.
Some of the pastors, having worked for 10 months, had not received quite half their salary. But these
charges are growing fewer, thank God, and some charges paid their pastors monthly and quarterly. The
conference assessments are not all full on some of the charges, while others will report full and over full
on some things, and J. D. Donovan, Martinsburg Station, will report over full on all assessments.
Keyser Mission. Work was begun in Keyser, W.Va., immediately after adjournment of our last
Conference. A good lot has been secured, costing $1,500 on which a substantial frame church is being
erected. The contract price of the church above foundation is $2,600, complete without furnishings. A
Sabbath school has been organized with an enrollment of about 75, and a congregation of about 80 has
been gathered. The work is most hopeful and merits your financial support and prayers. Health. The
health of most of the ministers and their families has been good. Bro. George Burgess was hindered in
his work by the sickness of his children and his mother. Bros. J. D. Donovan, C. P. Dyche, and A. J
Secrist were each kept from work for 2 months by personal affliction, but I am glad to report all about
well again, except Bro. Donovan, who is also convalescent. Presiding Elders Salary. Salary received
from the charges, $745.80; house rent, $109; presents, $35.80; total, $890.60; Deficit, $37.85. Kindly
submitted, W. F. Gruver, P.E.
Boundaries. Boundary and Finance committee organized by electing A. S. Hammack, chairman
and A. P. Funkhouser, secretary. Present—Hammack, Gruver, Funkhouser, Donovan, Hott, Wine, H. B.
Miller, E. F. Millard, and O. W. Siever.
1. Detach Judy and Smith’s Creek from Franklin and attach to Pendleton circuit; and detach
Circleville, Riverton, and High Rock from Pendleton circuit and attach to Franklin circuit
2. Detach Thoroughfare from Elkton and attach to Shenandoah City.
3. Attach Shendun to Pleasant Valley circuit and Mt. Bethel to Augusta circuit.
4. Detach Broadway from Broadway circuit and attach to Lacey Springs circuit.
5. Harrisonburg [FM] (col.) be made a station and that the rest of Staunton and Linville circuits
be made one charge to be called Linville and Staunton Mission.
6. Horse Shoe, one of the appointments on New Creek circuit be discontinued. Detach Laurel
Dale from Bayard circuit and attach to New Creek.
1904 Reports 117
