Page 69 - WPA Book
P. 69
Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
CHURCHES
1. SUBJECT:
The Methodist Episcopal Church South.
2. LOCATION:
On the southwest corner of South Main and Bruce Streets, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
3. DATE:
1789.
4. OWNERS:
Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church from Robert and Reuben Harrison, October 26, 1789, for five
shillings B.R.D.B. O, page 391.
Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church from Jacob R. Stevens, January 1, 1851, $1.00, D.B.1, page
436.
Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church from Andrew Feuchtenberger, April 26, 1878, $1800. D.B. 15,
page 281.
Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church from T.C. Firebaugh, April 26, 1810, $6750. D.B. 89, page
177.
5. DESCRIPTION:
Of the first church no description can be given except to say that it was built of logs and was also used by the
church for its school. It was torn down. The second church, probably of frame construction, was larger than the
first church and faced to the south. The front was gabled. A gallery was on the east, south, and west sides and a
high box pulpit at the north end was on a level with the gallery floor. It was ceiled with unpainted pine boards
and had sixteen windows and the usual altar and mourners-bench in front. The seats were benches with slat
backs and the building was crowned with a cupola in which was hung a bell, the sweet tones of which were far
famed. The size of the church was forty by forty-eight feet.
The third and fourth buildings were of brick, one of which a picture is attached. The present church, of which a
picture is attached, is of brown stone and was completed in 1911.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
It is possible that Harrisonburg, from the beginning until its organization was known as Thomas Harrison’s,
(although locally called Rocktown), was the first place in Rockingham County where the doctrines of
Methodism were preached and a Methodist society was organized, though Methodist itinerants may have
preached in the county before that time.
In the Annual Minutes of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the year 1788, Rockingham Circuit, embracing
Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Frederick Counties, appears for the first time with a membership of
sixty, Francis Asbury being the bishop, Philip Bruce the elder, and William Phoebus and James Ringin the
preachers. In 1789 Robert and Reuben Harrison, (sons of the founder of the town) deeded to David Harner,
Jeremiah Ragan, Richard Ragan, John Hicks, James Mitchell, John Harrison, and Joseph Denney, Trustees of
the Methodist Meeting House, lot No. 12, containing one acre on the southwest corner of the square according
to the original plot of Harrisonburg, this being the site now occupied by the Church of the Brethren. On this lot
was built soon thereafter the first Methodist Church in Harrisonburg and in the county. Previous to this time, the
services were held in the open air and in private residences. According to the best information obtainable, the
Methodist denomination was the first organized, continuous, and regularly served congregation and the first
church built in Harrisonburg.
The Church was built of logs and in the summer of 1794 was fitted up for school purposes as well as preaching
services. The school began its career under the management of Rev. John Walsh as teacher at a
Page 68 of 482
CHURCHES
1. SUBJECT:
The Methodist Episcopal Church South.
2. LOCATION:
On the southwest corner of South Main and Bruce Streets, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
3. DATE:
1789.
4. OWNERS:
Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church from Robert and Reuben Harrison, October 26, 1789, for five
shillings B.R.D.B. O, page 391.
Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church from Jacob R. Stevens, January 1, 1851, $1.00, D.B.1, page
436.
Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church from Andrew Feuchtenberger, April 26, 1878, $1800. D.B. 15,
page 281.
Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church from T.C. Firebaugh, April 26, 1810, $6750. D.B. 89, page
177.
5. DESCRIPTION:
Of the first church no description can be given except to say that it was built of logs and was also used by the
church for its school. It was torn down. The second church, probably of frame construction, was larger than the
first church and faced to the south. The front was gabled. A gallery was on the east, south, and west sides and a
high box pulpit at the north end was on a level with the gallery floor. It was ceiled with unpainted pine boards
and had sixteen windows and the usual altar and mourners-bench in front. The seats were benches with slat
backs and the building was crowned with a cupola in which was hung a bell, the sweet tones of which were far
famed. The size of the church was forty by forty-eight feet.
The third and fourth buildings were of brick, one of which a picture is attached. The present church, of which a
picture is attached, is of brown stone and was completed in 1911.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
It is possible that Harrisonburg, from the beginning until its organization was known as Thomas Harrison’s,
(although locally called Rocktown), was the first place in Rockingham County where the doctrines of
Methodism were preached and a Methodist society was organized, though Methodist itinerants may have
preached in the county before that time.
In the Annual Minutes of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the year 1788, Rockingham Circuit, embracing
Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Frederick Counties, appears for the first time with a membership of
sixty, Francis Asbury being the bishop, Philip Bruce the elder, and William Phoebus and James Ringin the
preachers. In 1789 Robert and Reuben Harrison, (sons of the founder of the town) deeded to David Harner,
Jeremiah Ragan, Richard Ragan, John Hicks, James Mitchell, John Harrison, and Joseph Denney, Trustees of
the Methodist Meeting House, lot No. 12, containing one acre on the southwest corner of the square according
to the original plot of Harrisonburg, this being the site now occupied by the Church of the Brethren. On this lot
was built soon thereafter the first Methodist Church in Harrisonburg and in the county. Previous to this time, the
services were held in the open air and in private residences. According to the best information obtainable, the
Methodist denomination was the first organized, continuous, and regularly served congregation and the first
church built in Harrisonburg.
The Church was built of logs and in the summer of 1794 was fitted up for school purposes as well as preaching
services. The school began its career under the management of Rev. John Walsh as teacher at a
Page 68 of 482
