Page 80 - History of the United Methodist Church in Rockingham County
P. 80
History of Congregations of Winchester District June 12, 2024
Harris, Annie Lightfoot, Jeanette Gambill, Harriet Peterson, Lottie Gibson, Pleasant Rice, Emma
Brown, Selna Pollard, and Melinda Gwinn.
Choir and Organs. In Oct. 1875 the choir was organized in the old church on Wolfe Street by G.
A. Newman who was the first chorister and organist and served in the positions for 15 years. Members
of the choir were Joe W. Cochran, Jud Chapman, Edward Taylor, William Johnson, H. Cloy, Alice
Cochran, Kate Smith, Maggie Dollon, Charlotte Everson, Mary White, Sallie Peters, and G. A.
Newman, who had been fortunate enough to have had a few organ and vocal lessons. This organ was
used until 1889. A large one was bought from the Episcopal Church and was in use until 1933—a
period of 44 years. Through a legacy left the church by Miss Elizabeth Jackson, a member for a number
of years, and efforts of the organ club, led by Miss Bessie Harris, a pipe organ was installed and
dedicated in Feb. 1933. Rev. Abraham L. Jenkins was the pastor. This organ is still in use.
Parsonage. The parsonage property was bought in 1887, and the building was moved on the lot
in 1892 during the late Rev. J. C. Love's pastorate. The parsonage property was first located on German
Street, which was changed to Liberty Street during World War 1. This parsonage was used until 1947,
at which time it was sold and demolished to make way for the Valley Creamery building. Presently this
building houses the Harrisonburg Police Department. A parsonage was rented on East Rock Street until
1949, when a parsonage was built on Broad Street during the late L. L. Williams pastorate. This
parsonage was used until 1969 during the administration of the Rev. Richard Bell, when it was declared
unsafe by the Board of Trustees. This was due to the type of structure and poor workmanship. A
parsonage was rented on East Johnson Street until finance and other problems could be resolved and a
new parsonage built. In May 1972 Pastor Rev. Benjamin Broaden moved into the present parsonage,
which was built on the site of the previous one on Broad Street.
Growing Pains. This was the period of growing pains that always accompany development.
Like the majority of movements, this Methodist family ran into difficulties due to lack of understanding,
vision, and confidence, and probably on the part of leaders’ tact. Like the Israelites of old, some did not
see the wisdom of following Moses into certain promised lands and went their way, only to return to the
old camp of Israel and rejoin the old comrades who remained loyal to the cause. Schisms have been the
vogue, with families, the state, the church, and the nation, only for one side or the other to discover its
folly and return a repentant prodigal. Such has been the experience with the growth and progress of this
militant host.
At this time U. G. Wilson became the chorister for the John Wesley Choir and creditably carried
forward the work of the music department of the church for over 40 years until his death in 1943. Miss
Ella D. Jenkins then took over as chorister, and she served for 30 years until her death in 1973. Miss
Jenkins also served as Church Historian for 33 years. Elon W. Rhodes was named Historian and still
(1986) serves. Three daughters of our first organist, Mr. G. A. Newman, have also served as organists:
Mrs. Myrtle N. Murdoch, Mrs. Carlotta N. Harris, and Mrs. Ruby N. Temple, who served from
Sep. 1929 to Dec. 1978, a period of 49 years. Mrs. Eleanor Laird Brown became the organist in Dec.
1978 and is serving at the present time.
Early Memorial Donations. During the early days of our church, we had three memorial
windows. The large east window is in memory of Mr. York Winter, who left a generous sum to the
church. The north window was placed there by Mr. R. P. Johnson and his wife, Mrs. Mary Johnson.
The south window is in honor of Miss Elizabeth Jackson and her father, Mr. Joseph Jackson, through
whom a generous legacy was left to the church.
Since 1940 four other windows have been added. One in memory of Miss Phoebe Harris and her
sister, Miss Bessie Harris. The family of Rev. C. A. Newman placed one in his memory. Dr. Norris
Atkins placed one in memory of his parents—Dr. Atkins and his wife have made many other valuable
II.B.3 John Wesley UMC 68 Volume 5
Harris, Annie Lightfoot, Jeanette Gambill, Harriet Peterson, Lottie Gibson, Pleasant Rice, Emma
Brown, Selna Pollard, and Melinda Gwinn.
Choir and Organs. In Oct. 1875 the choir was organized in the old church on Wolfe Street by G.
A. Newman who was the first chorister and organist and served in the positions for 15 years. Members
of the choir were Joe W. Cochran, Jud Chapman, Edward Taylor, William Johnson, H. Cloy, Alice
Cochran, Kate Smith, Maggie Dollon, Charlotte Everson, Mary White, Sallie Peters, and G. A.
Newman, who had been fortunate enough to have had a few organ and vocal lessons. This organ was
used until 1889. A large one was bought from the Episcopal Church and was in use until 1933—a
period of 44 years. Through a legacy left the church by Miss Elizabeth Jackson, a member for a number
of years, and efforts of the organ club, led by Miss Bessie Harris, a pipe organ was installed and
dedicated in Feb. 1933. Rev. Abraham L. Jenkins was the pastor. This organ is still in use.
Parsonage. The parsonage property was bought in 1887, and the building was moved on the lot
in 1892 during the late Rev. J. C. Love's pastorate. The parsonage property was first located on German
Street, which was changed to Liberty Street during World War 1. This parsonage was used until 1947,
at which time it was sold and demolished to make way for the Valley Creamery building. Presently this
building houses the Harrisonburg Police Department. A parsonage was rented on East Rock Street until
1949, when a parsonage was built on Broad Street during the late L. L. Williams pastorate. This
parsonage was used until 1969 during the administration of the Rev. Richard Bell, when it was declared
unsafe by the Board of Trustees. This was due to the type of structure and poor workmanship. A
parsonage was rented on East Johnson Street until finance and other problems could be resolved and a
new parsonage built. In May 1972 Pastor Rev. Benjamin Broaden moved into the present parsonage,
which was built on the site of the previous one on Broad Street.
Growing Pains. This was the period of growing pains that always accompany development.
Like the majority of movements, this Methodist family ran into difficulties due to lack of understanding,
vision, and confidence, and probably on the part of leaders’ tact. Like the Israelites of old, some did not
see the wisdom of following Moses into certain promised lands and went their way, only to return to the
old camp of Israel and rejoin the old comrades who remained loyal to the cause. Schisms have been the
vogue, with families, the state, the church, and the nation, only for one side or the other to discover its
folly and return a repentant prodigal. Such has been the experience with the growth and progress of this
militant host.
At this time U. G. Wilson became the chorister for the John Wesley Choir and creditably carried
forward the work of the music department of the church for over 40 years until his death in 1943. Miss
Ella D. Jenkins then took over as chorister, and she served for 30 years until her death in 1973. Miss
Jenkins also served as Church Historian for 33 years. Elon W. Rhodes was named Historian and still
(1986) serves. Three daughters of our first organist, Mr. G. A. Newman, have also served as organists:
Mrs. Myrtle N. Murdoch, Mrs. Carlotta N. Harris, and Mrs. Ruby N. Temple, who served from
Sep. 1929 to Dec. 1978, a period of 49 years. Mrs. Eleanor Laird Brown became the organist in Dec.
1978 and is serving at the present time.
Early Memorial Donations. During the early days of our church, we had three memorial
windows. The large east window is in memory of Mr. York Winter, who left a generous sum to the
church. The north window was placed there by Mr. R. P. Johnson and his wife, Mrs. Mary Johnson.
The south window is in honor of Miss Elizabeth Jackson and her father, Mr. Joseph Jackson, through
whom a generous legacy was left to the church.
Since 1940 four other windows have been added. One in memory of Miss Phoebe Harris and her
sister, Miss Bessie Harris. The family of Rev. C. A. Newman placed one in his memory. Dr. Norris
Atkins placed one in memory of his parents—Dr. Atkins and his wife have made many other valuable
II.B.3 John Wesley UMC 68 Volume 5
