Page 90 - United Brethren Virginia Conferences 1800-1946
P. 90
Volume 7 History of Virginia Conferences of United Brethren December 26, 2024
thousand ways, for which I bless His holy name. I remain, as ever, your fellow laborer in the Master’s
vineyard. J. W. Howe. Following the acceptance of the report, the Bishop, in a very happy manner,
presented him, on behalf the ministers of his district, a life-size portrait of himself. Brother Howe made
an appropriate response, and the portrait was placed over the rostrum.
Winchester District. To the Virginia Annual Conference: Dear brethren, After a year replete
with such experiences as usually attend the labors of an itinerate minister, I bring to you this report. The
district is composed of 15 charges. To all of these preachers had been assigned except Lost River and
VanCleavesville circuits. Rev. E. G. Spessard resigned Berkeley Springs circuit without having visiting
the charge, justifying his course by the fact that the conference of which he is a member [he transferred
to Allegany Conference in 1894] had given him work. With no immediate prospect of filling the
vacancy with an acceptable man, I solicited Rev. P. J. Lawrence, of Bloomery circuit, to preach at three
of the appointments, which he did regularly. Rev. R. Byrd preached occasionally at two of the
remaining three. One was without service. In June a supply was found for Lost River circuit in the
person of Rev. A. J. Secrist, who served the charge acceptably. Early in September Rev. B. P. S. Busey
resigned Hartmansville circuit with the view of completing his education. Rev. L. Rexrode was
appointed in his stead and took charge in October. Later in the month Rev. Busey again applied for
work, and was appointed to Vancleavesville circuit.
The Missionary and Conference collections, lifted under adverse conditions, will, I think, make a
reasonable showing. A church house was paid for and dedicated on Berkeley mission. Greensburg
church on Martinsburg station, Otterbein church on New Creek circuit, and the Church at Berkeley
Springs were neatly repaired. Mt. Hebron church, on South Branch circuit, was accidently destroyed by
fire. The parsonages on Berkeley Springs and New Creek circuits were painted handsomely, and one on
Berkeley mission freed from debt. Well-planned stables were erected on Toms Brook and South Branch
circuits and on Berkeley mission. The preachers all labored hard, the Lord revived his work, and
accessions to the Church were numerous. Young People’s Unions were organized. Salary received,
$542.50; presents, $7. With gratitude to God for his kindness and thanks to the brethren for their
encouragement and help, this report is submitted, C. P. Dyche, P.E.
Boundaries. The report on Boundaries was read by C. H. Crowell:
1. Detach Dayton from Dayton circuit and attach to Harrisonburg mission station.
2. Detach all appointments east of the Blue Ridge from Toms Brook circuit, to constitute
Prince William mission.
3. Detach Red Bud from Frederick circuit and attach to Friendship, Zoar, and Cedar Grove to
be called Friendship.
4. Detach Spring Hill from Augusta circuit and attach to Churchville circuit.
5. Attach Mt. Bethel to Augusta circuit.
6. Detach Ours appointment from Franklin circuit and attach to South Branch circuit.
7. Attach Garrett circuit to Winchester District.
8. That Rockbridge, Augusta, and Berkeley be circuits. J. W. Howe, E. M. Baker, C. P.
Dyche, I. W. Sensabaugh, C. H. Crowell.
Summary from Funkhouser.
Conference at Staunton, Va., February 28. E. P. Kephart, bishop; G. P. Hott, W. R. Berry, secretaries.
1894 Reports 80
thousand ways, for which I bless His holy name. I remain, as ever, your fellow laborer in the Master’s
vineyard. J. W. Howe. Following the acceptance of the report, the Bishop, in a very happy manner,
presented him, on behalf the ministers of his district, a life-size portrait of himself. Brother Howe made
an appropriate response, and the portrait was placed over the rostrum.
Winchester District. To the Virginia Annual Conference: Dear brethren, After a year replete
with such experiences as usually attend the labors of an itinerate minister, I bring to you this report. The
district is composed of 15 charges. To all of these preachers had been assigned except Lost River and
VanCleavesville circuits. Rev. E. G. Spessard resigned Berkeley Springs circuit without having visiting
the charge, justifying his course by the fact that the conference of which he is a member [he transferred
to Allegany Conference in 1894] had given him work. With no immediate prospect of filling the
vacancy with an acceptable man, I solicited Rev. P. J. Lawrence, of Bloomery circuit, to preach at three
of the appointments, which he did regularly. Rev. R. Byrd preached occasionally at two of the
remaining three. One was without service. In June a supply was found for Lost River circuit in the
person of Rev. A. J. Secrist, who served the charge acceptably. Early in September Rev. B. P. S. Busey
resigned Hartmansville circuit with the view of completing his education. Rev. L. Rexrode was
appointed in his stead and took charge in October. Later in the month Rev. Busey again applied for
work, and was appointed to Vancleavesville circuit.
The Missionary and Conference collections, lifted under adverse conditions, will, I think, make a
reasonable showing. A church house was paid for and dedicated on Berkeley mission. Greensburg
church on Martinsburg station, Otterbein church on New Creek circuit, and the Church at Berkeley
Springs were neatly repaired. Mt. Hebron church, on South Branch circuit, was accidently destroyed by
fire. The parsonages on Berkeley Springs and New Creek circuits were painted handsomely, and one on
Berkeley mission freed from debt. Well-planned stables were erected on Toms Brook and South Branch
circuits and on Berkeley mission. The preachers all labored hard, the Lord revived his work, and
accessions to the Church were numerous. Young People’s Unions were organized. Salary received,
$542.50; presents, $7. With gratitude to God for his kindness and thanks to the brethren for their
encouragement and help, this report is submitted, C. P. Dyche, P.E.
Boundaries. The report on Boundaries was read by C. H. Crowell:
1. Detach Dayton from Dayton circuit and attach to Harrisonburg mission station.
2. Detach all appointments east of the Blue Ridge from Toms Brook circuit, to constitute
Prince William mission.
3. Detach Red Bud from Frederick circuit and attach to Friendship, Zoar, and Cedar Grove to
be called Friendship.
4. Detach Spring Hill from Augusta circuit and attach to Churchville circuit.
5. Attach Mt. Bethel to Augusta circuit.
6. Detach Ours appointment from Franklin circuit and attach to South Branch circuit.
7. Attach Garrett circuit to Winchester District.
8. That Rockbridge, Augusta, and Berkeley be circuits. J. W. Howe, E. M. Baker, C. P.
Dyche, I. W. Sensabaugh, C. H. Crowell.
Summary from Funkhouser.
Conference at Staunton, Va., February 28. E. P. Kephart, bishop; G. P. Hott, W. R. Berry, secretaries.
1894 Reports 80
