Page 89 - United Brethren Virginia Conferences 1800-1946
P. 89
Volume 7 History of Virginia Conferences of United Brethren December 26, 2024
19. March 1894 Reports (Annual Conference at Staunton)
Service. Table 17 identifies the pastors serving at the end of the previous conference year.
Table 17. Pastors Serving at the End of Conference Year 1893-94
Charge Pastor Mbrs Charge Pastor Mbrs
240 Madison Circuit G. W. Rexroad 107
Augusta Circuit A. S. Hammack 228 Martinsburg Station J. B. Chamberlain 272
140 Moorefield Circuit J. A. Nagley 207
Berkeley Mission J. F. Snyder 422 Mt. Bethel Circuit J. W. Maiden
275 New Creek Circuit S. D. Skelton 54
Berkeley Springs Station Rudolph Byrd 278 Roanoke Mission Station S. L. Rice 435
560 Rockbridge Circuit J. C. S. Myers 146
Bloomery Circuit P. J. Lawrence 341 Shenandoah Mission G. B. Fadeley 194
535 Singers Glen Circuit W. O. Ewing 599
Churchville Circuit W. H. Sampsell 338 South Branch Circuit S. R. Ludwig 464
458 Staunton Mission Station J. D. Donavon 376
Cross Keys Mission William R. Berry 226 Toms Brook Circuit W. H. Clary 300
333 VanCleavesville Circuit B. P. S. Busey 317
Dayton Circuit W. L. Childress 278 Winchester Circuit N. F. A. Cupp
93
Edinburg Circuit W. F. Gruver 269
Franklin Circuit J. M. Hott
Frederick Circuit C. H. Crowell
Freedman’s Mission T. K. Clifford
Hartmansville Circuit Lafayette Rexrode
Lacey Springs Circuit William R. Berry
Lost River Circuit A. J. Secrist
Note: The list of charges omits Berkeley Springs Circuit.
Shenandoah District. To the Virginia Annual Conference, in Conference assembled: Dear
brethren, I am glad that it is my privilege to present to you my report of another year’s toil in the
Master’s vineyard. The District is composed of 14 charges. The preacher appointed to Lacey Springs
circuit a year ago failed to take charge of the same, and as I had no one to appoint without a charge, I
arranged with Rev. W. E. Berry, in charge of Cross Keys circuit, to travel it in connection with his own
circuit, with W. O. Burtner as his colleague; but Brother Burtner only continued on the work during the
vacation, and then resumed his place as a student at Shenandoah Institute.
Rev. J. R. Ridenour, appointed to Dayton circuit, was forced to resign the work early in the year
on account of his health. The circuit was left without a regular supply half the year; then Rev. W. L.
Childress was employed to take charge of the same. Rev. E. A. Pugh, appointed to Rockbridge circuit,
only remained half the year, and resigned. Rev. J. C. S. Myers was employed for the remainder of the
year. I have endeavored to urge earnest, faithful work upon the part of the preachers, and a higher
appreciation of faithful work upon the part of the members, and in the main faithful work has been
performed, with reasonable results; but I am sure that more could have been accomplished if a better
system had been adopted, especially in the management of the finances. Two excellent houses of
worship were dedicated, two others are now nearly ready for dedication, and two others under roof,
while others have been improved. The circulation of the Telescope has been doubled on some of the
charges, and I think a respectable increase on all the fields. Quite a number of Young People’s Societies
have been organized and have added no little to the efficiency of our work.
New territory is being looked after carefully. The centers of influence must be reached if we are
to succeed. We must occupy Harrisonburg, at once. Through the efficiency of our Church Erection
Secretary, Rev. C. I. B. Brane, about $1,000 has been secured to build a house of worship at that place.
We ought to establish a mission station at Richmond next conference year. There are many other
inviting fields within our bounds, especially in the eastern portion of the State. In my 40 years of
experience with the Church, I have never seen such grand prospects for us as a Conference as I see now.
Work, faithful work, is what we need. I held 52 quarterlies in person and by proxy during the year.
Preached 122 sermons. Received as salary, $525, and received as house rent, $50, for a total of $575.
Paid for repairs and interest on parsonage debt, $25; and net total received, $550. Preachers and people
have treated me very kindly, for which they have my sincere thanks. God has been very good to me in a
1894 Reports 79
19. March 1894 Reports (Annual Conference at Staunton)
Service. Table 17 identifies the pastors serving at the end of the previous conference year.
Table 17. Pastors Serving at the End of Conference Year 1893-94
Charge Pastor Mbrs Charge Pastor Mbrs
240 Madison Circuit G. W. Rexroad 107
Augusta Circuit A. S. Hammack 228 Martinsburg Station J. B. Chamberlain 272
140 Moorefield Circuit J. A. Nagley 207
Berkeley Mission J. F. Snyder 422 Mt. Bethel Circuit J. W. Maiden
275 New Creek Circuit S. D. Skelton 54
Berkeley Springs Station Rudolph Byrd 278 Roanoke Mission Station S. L. Rice 435
560 Rockbridge Circuit J. C. S. Myers 146
Bloomery Circuit P. J. Lawrence 341 Shenandoah Mission G. B. Fadeley 194
535 Singers Glen Circuit W. O. Ewing 599
Churchville Circuit W. H. Sampsell 338 South Branch Circuit S. R. Ludwig 464
458 Staunton Mission Station J. D. Donavon 376
Cross Keys Mission William R. Berry 226 Toms Brook Circuit W. H. Clary 300
333 VanCleavesville Circuit B. P. S. Busey 317
Dayton Circuit W. L. Childress 278 Winchester Circuit N. F. A. Cupp
93
Edinburg Circuit W. F. Gruver 269
Franklin Circuit J. M. Hott
Frederick Circuit C. H. Crowell
Freedman’s Mission T. K. Clifford
Hartmansville Circuit Lafayette Rexrode
Lacey Springs Circuit William R. Berry
Lost River Circuit A. J. Secrist
Note: The list of charges omits Berkeley Springs Circuit.
Shenandoah District. To the Virginia Annual Conference, in Conference assembled: Dear
brethren, I am glad that it is my privilege to present to you my report of another year’s toil in the
Master’s vineyard. The District is composed of 14 charges. The preacher appointed to Lacey Springs
circuit a year ago failed to take charge of the same, and as I had no one to appoint without a charge, I
arranged with Rev. W. E. Berry, in charge of Cross Keys circuit, to travel it in connection with his own
circuit, with W. O. Burtner as his colleague; but Brother Burtner only continued on the work during the
vacation, and then resumed his place as a student at Shenandoah Institute.
Rev. J. R. Ridenour, appointed to Dayton circuit, was forced to resign the work early in the year
on account of his health. The circuit was left without a regular supply half the year; then Rev. W. L.
Childress was employed to take charge of the same. Rev. E. A. Pugh, appointed to Rockbridge circuit,
only remained half the year, and resigned. Rev. J. C. S. Myers was employed for the remainder of the
year. I have endeavored to urge earnest, faithful work upon the part of the preachers, and a higher
appreciation of faithful work upon the part of the members, and in the main faithful work has been
performed, with reasonable results; but I am sure that more could have been accomplished if a better
system had been adopted, especially in the management of the finances. Two excellent houses of
worship were dedicated, two others are now nearly ready for dedication, and two others under roof,
while others have been improved. The circulation of the Telescope has been doubled on some of the
charges, and I think a respectable increase on all the fields. Quite a number of Young People’s Societies
have been organized and have added no little to the efficiency of our work.
New territory is being looked after carefully. The centers of influence must be reached if we are
to succeed. We must occupy Harrisonburg, at once. Through the efficiency of our Church Erection
Secretary, Rev. C. I. B. Brane, about $1,000 has been secured to build a house of worship at that place.
We ought to establish a mission station at Richmond next conference year. There are many other
inviting fields within our bounds, especially in the eastern portion of the State. In my 40 years of
experience with the Church, I have never seen such grand prospects for us as a Conference as I see now.
Work, faithful work, is what we need. I held 52 quarterlies in person and by proxy during the year.
Preached 122 sermons. Received as salary, $525, and received as house rent, $50, for a total of $575.
Paid for repairs and interest on parsonage debt, $25; and net total received, $550. Preachers and people
have treated me very kindly, for which they have my sincere thanks. God has been very good to me in a
1894 Reports 79
