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History of Congregations of Winchester District June 12, 2024
12. Sangerville UMC (Churchville)
Sangerville
UMC is located at 31
Clark Lane,
Churchville, VA
24421-2015; (540) 828-
0379. The 2015-16
pastor for Sangerville is
Gary M. Monroe, a
part-time local pastor in
his 5th year of ministry
at Sangerville UMC;
garym4430@yahoo.com;
C: (540) 810-6777.
Pastor Gary lives at
9916 Kennedy Lane,
Grottoes, VA 24441-
5512; H: (540) 249-8289. Directions: Turn west on Clark Lane off Rt. 42, 10 miles south of
Bridgewater, 5 miles north of Churchville.
Directions: Take Rt. 11 south to Rt. 257; turn right on Rt. 257 and go to Rt. 42; turn left onto
Rt. 42; cross North River Bridge; turn right onto Rt. 727; take Rt. 727 to the “Y” intersection; bear left
and go approximately 3 mi to Rt. 730; turn right; and the church is on the left at the top of the hill.
Historical Sketch. In 1970 Sangerville and Mt. Solon Charge were attached to the Harrisonburg
District for 1970-71. At the time Sangerville UMC had a membership of 116, an average attendance at
worship of 55, and a Sunday school enrollment of 87 with average attendance 75.
Cherished Memories. Harry Raymond Wilfong, 96, Bridgewater, died July 17, 2001, at Bridgewater
Home. He had lived in Sugar Grove and Sangerville communities before going to the Bridgewater Home in
1995. Mr. Wilfong was born Feb. 11, 1905, in Sugar Grove and was a son of the late Joseph Henry Wilfong and
Eliza Jane Simmons Wilfong. He was a sander at Thumas Furniture Factory before his retirement. He was a
member of the Sangerville UMC. He was twice married, first to Druey Whitmore, who died Dec. 1941; then he
was united in marriage, in June 1945 to Goldie Cook Eavey Wilfong, who died on Oct 11, 1998. He is survived
by one son-in-law, Gilbert Simmons, Sugar Grove; four step-daughters, Madeline Huffman, Harrisonburg,
Beatrice Kiracofe and Anice Michael, both of Bridgewater, and Jean Michael, Mount Solon; 15 step-
grandchildren; and a number of step-great-grandchildren also survive. He was also preceded in death by a
daughter, Marie Simmons. A graveside service was conducted July 20th at the Oak Lawn Cemetery, Bridgewater,
with the Rev. Gale H. Younkins, chaplain, officiating. Memorial contributions were to be given to the
Bridgewater Retirement community, Resident Care Endowment Fund, 302 N. Second St., Bridgewater, VA
22812.
II.A.12 Sangerville UMC 43 Volume 5
12. Sangerville UMC (Churchville)
Sangerville
UMC is located at 31
Clark Lane,
Churchville, VA
24421-2015; (540) 828-
0379. The 2015-16
pastor for Sangerville is
Gary M. Monroe, a
part-time local pastor in
his 5th year of ministry
at Sangerville UMC;
garym4430@yahoo.com;
C: (540) 810-6777.
Pastor Gary lives at
9916 Kennedy Lane,
Grottoes, VA 24441-
5512; H: (540) 249-8289. Directions: Turn west on Clark Lane off Rt. 42, 10 miles south of
Bridgewater, 5 miles north of Churchville.
Directions: Take Rt. 11 south to Rt. 257; turn right on Rt. 257 and go to Rt. 42; turn left onto
Rt. 42; cross North River Bridge; turn right onto Rt. 727; take Rt. 727 to the “Y” intersection; bear left
and go approximately 3 mi to Rt. 730; turn right; and the church is on the left at the top of the hill.
Historical Sketch. In 1970 Sangerville and Mt. Solon Charge were attached to the Harrisonburg
District for 1970-71. At the time Sangerville UMC had a membership of 116, an average attendance at
worship of 55, and a Sunday school enrollment of 87 with average attendance 75.
Cherished Memories. Harry Raymond Wilfong, 96, Bridgewater, died July 17, 2001, at Bridgewater
Home. He had lived in Sugar Grove and Sangerville communities before going to the Bridgewater Home in
1995. Mr. Wilfong was born Feb. 11, 1905, in Sugar Grove and was a son of the late Joseph Henry Wilfong and
Eliza Jane Simmons Wilfong. He was a sander at Thumas Furniture Factory before his retirement. He was a
member of the Sangerville UMC. He was twice married, first to Druey Whitmore, who died Dec. 1941; then he
was united in marriage, in June 1945 to Goldie Cook Eavey Wilfong, who died on Oct 11, 1998. He is survived
by one son-in-law, Gilbert Simmons, Sugar Grove; four step-daughters, Madeline Huffman, Harrisonburg,
Beatrice Kiracofe and Anice Michael, both of Bridgewater, and Jean Michael, Mount Solon; 15 step-
grandchildren; and a number of step-great-grandchildren also survive. He was also preceded in death by a
daughter, Marie Simmons. A graveside service was conducted July 20th at the Oak Lawn Cemetery, Bridgewater,
with the Rev. Gale H. Younkins, chaplain, officiating. Memorial contributions were to be given to the
Bridgewater Retirement community, Resident Care Endowment Fund, 302 N. Second St., Bridgewater, VA
22812.
II.A.12 Sangerville UMC 43 Volume 5
