Page 82 - History of the United Methodist Church in Rockingham County
P. 82
History of Congregations of Winchester District June 12, 2024
On Sunday, Dec. 24, 1978, a brief service was held in the social hall of the old church, after
which those present marched north on Liberty Street to West Wolfe Street and east on Wolfe to pause in
front of our first church building (then owned by Omar Lodge of Masons), from there we proceeded to
our new church for our first service. This group was led on the march by the Pastor Rev. Ralph E.
Monroe and members of his family. The old building was located on the west side of N. Liberty Street
near the Graham Street intersection. It was demolished in Jan. 1979 by Wetsel Seed Co., which
purchased it from John Wesley UMC Trustees. The first church building was located on the south side
of W. Wolfe Street just east of Black's Run, was sold to the City of Harrisonburg by Omar Lodge of
Masons, and was demolished in 1982.
Many items from the old church were moved to the new building including the organ, pulpit
furniture, and the windows. The organ had been rebuilt prior to moving, and all the pulpit chairs were
refinished and reupholstered through the efforts of the United Methodist Women. The center figures
and memorial plates were removed from the large windows and placed in the new sanctuary. The
original bell is now housed in the belfry.
The new church received many Memorial and Honorarium Gifts as follows:
Presently we have fourteen pews, donated in memory of
Mr. & Mrs. John Robert Laird, Sr.; Phoebe Tolliver Family; Mrs. Helen Irvin Wells; William L. Curry,
Sr., & William L. Curry, Jr.; Bertie C. Rhodes; Junius & Goldie Whitelow; Beatrice Mae Fields Smith;
Mr. & Mrs. Burnice Miller; Mrs. Bessie H. Mosby; Cordelia & Cuetta Howard; Leo Howard, Sr., & Leo
Howard, Jr.; Josephine Temple; Carrie Ray Curry & Esther Ray Banks; and Howard & Lydia Mosby.
The brick bulletin board in front of the church was given by Dr Norris Atkins in memory of his parents,
Isaac & Josephine Atkins.
A sum of money of which part was raised by him just prior to his death for the building fund, was received
in memory of William L. Curry, Jr.
Many items and cash contributions for the kitchen were given in memory of Mrs. Esther Ray Banks,
including the large coffee urn by her close friends.
The Bible and stand were given in memory of Mrs. Willie C. Harris by her daughters.
A silver punch bowl and cups were given in honor of Mrs. Phoebe Tolliver by her family.
Through a legacy left the church by Mr. Charles B. Dallard, many hymnals and other items have been
placed in service.
The American and Christian flag set was given by Miss Helen Harris.
The church received a very generous legacy from Mr. Russell Carrier—though he was not a member, he
left all personal property to the church.
There are 125 hymnals presently in service, all bearing memorial plates.
Conclusion (1986). During these 121 years John Wesley UMC has had many things for which to
be thankful. The main one is its ability to carry on after having weathered the storms for over a century.
Thirty-nine pastors have chartered John Wesley's spiritual course and the 39th minister is at the helm
now. There have been 10 presiding elders. Rev. Perry G. Walker, the second one after the organization
of the church, was the grandfather of Rev. P. G. Myers. Seventeen district superintendents have
administered the affairs of the church since 1939. Nearly all the old members have joined the church
triumphant, and some have moved to other sections of the country. Today, John Wesley can feel proud
of a fine church, parsonage, an official family, membership, and constituency that are happy and
pressing on toward the next century with a song of praise and thanksgiving in their hearts.
Cherished Memories. Albunyer Lorine “Bunnie” Arrington, 84, of Harrisonburg, VA, passed into
eternal rest at Sentara Medical Center, Woodbridge, Mar. 13, 2014. Born Dec. 2, 1929, she was the eldest
daughter of the late William Arthur and Jane Serena Smith Arrington. Bunnie completed her secondary education
at Eastman High School in Enfield, N.C., her undergraduate degree at North Carolina A& T State University, and
her graduate degree at Winston-Salem State University. Bunnie was a dedicated teacher and educator for over 36
II.B.3 John Wesley UMC 70 Volume 5
On Sunday, Dec. 24, 1978, a brief service was held in the social hall of the old church, after
which those present marched north on Liberty Street to West Wolfe Street and east on Wolfe to pause in
front of our first church building (then owned by Omar Lodge of Masons), from there we proceeded to
our new church for our first service. This group was led on the march by the Pastor Rev. Ralph E.
Monroe and members of his family. The old building was located on the west side of N. Liberty Street
near the Graham Street intersection. It was demolished in Jan. 1979 by Wetsel Seed Co., which
purchased it from John Wesley UMC Trustees. The first church building was located on the south side
of W. Wolfe Street just east of Black's Run, was sold to the City of Harrisonburg by Omar Lodge of
Masons, and was demolished in 1982.
Many items from the old church were moved to the new building including the organ, pulpit
furniture, and the windows. The organ had been rebuilt prior to moving, and all the pulpit chairs were
refinished and reupholstered through the efforts of the United Methodist Women. The center figures
and memorial plates were removed from the large windows and placed in the new sanctuary. The
original bell is now housed in the belfry.
The new church received many Memorial and Honorarium Gifts as follows:
Presently we have fourteen pews, donated in memory of
Mr. & Mrs. John Robert Laird, Sr.; Phoebe Tolliver Family; Mrs. Helen Irvin Wells; William L. Curry,
Sr., & William L. Curry, Jr.; Bertie C. Rhodes; Junius & Goldie Whitelow; Beatrice Mae Fields Smith;
Mr. & Mrs. Burnice Miller; Mrs. Bessie H. Mosby; Cordelia & Cuetta Howard; Leo Howard, Sr., & Leo
Howard, Jr.; Josephine Temple; Carrie Ray Curry & Esther Ray Banks; and Howard & Lydia Mosby.
The brick bulletin board in front of the church was given by Dr Norris Atkins in memory of his parents,
Isaac & Josephine Atkins.
A sum of money of which part was raised by him just prior to his death for the building fund, was received
in memory of William L. Curry, Jr.
Many items and cash contributions for the kitchen were given in memory of Mrs. Esther Ray Banks,
including the large coffee urn by her close friends.
The Bible and stand were given in memory of Mrs. Willie C. Harris by her daughters.
A silver punch bowl and cups were given in honor of Mrs. Phoebe Tolliver by her family.
Through a legacy left the church by Mr. Charles B. Dallard, many hymnals and other items have been
placed in service.
The American and Christian flag set was given by Miss Helen Harris.
The church received a very generous legacy from Mr. Russell Carrier—though he was not a member, he
left all personal property to the church.
There are 125 hymnals presently in service, all bearing memorial plates.
Conclusion (1986). During these 121 years John Wesley UMC has had many things for which to
be thankful. The main one is its ability to carry on after having weathered the storms for over a century.
Thirty-nine pastors have chartered John Wesley's spiritual course and the 39th minister is at the helm
now. There have been 10 presiding elders. Rev. Perry G. Walker, the second one after the organization
of the church, was the grandfather of Rev. P. G. Myers. Seventeen district superintendents have
administered the affairs of the church since 1939. Nearly all the old members have joined the church
triumphant, and some have moved to other sections of the country. Today, John Wesley can feel proud
of a fine church, parsonage, an official family, membership, and constituency that are happy and
pressing on toward the next century with a song of praise and thanksgiving in their hearts.
Cherished Memories. Albunyer Lorine “Bunnie” Arrington, 84, of Harrisonburg, VA, passed into
eternal rest at Sentara Medical Center, Woodbridge, Mar. 13, 2014. Born Dec. 2, 1929, she was the eldest
daughter of the late William Arthur and Jane Serena Smith Arrington. Bunnie completed her secondary education
at Eastman High School in Enfield, N.C., her undergraduate degree at North Carolina A& T State University, and
her graduate degree at Winston-Salem State University. Bunnie was a dedicated teacher and educator for over 36
II.B.3 John Wesley UMC 70 Volume 5
