Page 74 - WPA Book
P. 74
Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
CHURCHES
1. SUBJECT:
Peaked Mountain Church.
2. LOCATION:
North end of McGaheysville, Virginia, on National Highway.
3. DATE:
1769, approximately.
4. OWNERS:
The old building is unique in its architectural construction in many ways and is hard to describe by writing.
It is two-story, double height in one story, with galleries formerly all around, but now only in the front entrance
of the building. The old spiral stairway and pulpit have been changed to a small, plain pulpit, three or four steps
above the floor. A small, narrow, open stairway to the right of the entrance leads to a gallery across the front
end of the church. The benches are plain, straight backed, pine, and painted. The furnishings are very simple,
with one or two old fashioned hanging lamps.
See form 3686, attached.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Mr. J.W. Boreden, eighty years old, was sexton of this early church for twelve years; and he gave me much
information as to the ways, customs, etc., of this early church and its preachers. He has an early communion
cup, pint size, used in their religious services. There were two sizes, one pint and one and one-half pint
communion cups.
EARLY CHURCHES AND CONGREGATIONS….
This church agreement made between the Reformed and German Lutheran congregations at Peaked Mountain
(now Massanutten) in Rockingham County, October 31st, 1769.
THE CHURCH AGREEMENT:
In the name of the divine god and with the consent of the whole congregation we have commenced to build a
new house of God, and it is by the help of God so far finished that the world may see it.
We have established it as a Union Church in the use of which the Lutherans and their descendants, as well as
the Reforms and their descendants shall have equal share.
But since it is necessary to keep in repair the church and school house and to support the minister and school-
master therefore we have drawn up this writing that each member sign his name to same and thereby certify that
he will support the minister and school-master and help to keep in repair the church and school house as far as
lies in his ability.
Should, however, one or another withdraw from such Christian work – which we would not suppose a
Christian would do – we have unitedly concluded that such a one shall not be looked upon as a member of our
congregation, but he shall pay for the baptism of a child 2s. 6d., which shall go into the Treasury of the Church;
for the confirmation of the child 5s., which shall be paid to the minister as a fee; and further should such a one
come to the table of the Lord and partake of the Holy Communion, he shall pay 5s., which shall
Page 73 of 482
CHURCHES
1. SUBJECT:
Peaked Mountain Church.
2. LOCATION:
North end of McGaheysville, Virginia, on National Highway.
3. DATE:
1769, approximately.
4. OWNERS:
The old building is unique in its architectural construction in many ways and is hard to describe by writing.
It is two-story, double height in one story, with galleries formerly all around, but now only in the front entrance
of the building. The old spiral stairway and pulpit have been changed to a small, plain pulpit, three or four steps
above the floor. A small, narrow, open stairway to the right of the entrance leads to a gallery across the front
end of the church. The benches are plain, straight backed, pine, and painted. The furnishings are very simple,
with one or two old fashioned hanging lamps.
See form 3686, attached.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Mr. J.W. Boreden, eighty years old, was sexton of this early church for twelve years; and he gave me much
information as to the ways, customs, etc., of this early church and its preachers. He has an early communion
cup, pint size, used in their religious services. There were two sizes, one pint and one and one-half pint
communion cups.
EARLY CHURCHES AND CONGREGATIONS….
This church agreement made between the Reformed and German Lutheran congregations at Peaked Mountain
(now Massanutten) in Rockingham County, October 31st, 1769.
THE CHURCH AGREEMENT:
In the name of the divine god and with the consent of the whole congregation we have commenced to build a
new house of God, and it is by the help of God so far finished that the world may see it.
We have established it as a Union Church in the use of which the Lutherans and their descendants, as well as
the Reforms and their descendants shall have equal share.
But since it is necessary to keep in repair the church and school house and to support the minister and school-
master therefore we have drawn up this writing that each member sign his name to same and thereby certify that
he will support the minister and school-master and help to keep in repair the church and school house as far as
lies in his ability.
Should, however, one or another withdraw from such Christian work – which we would not suppose a
Christian would do – we have unitedly concluded that such a one shall not be looked upon as a member of our
congregation, but he shall pay for the baptism of a child 2s. 6d., which shall go into the Treasury of the Church;
for the confirmation of the child 5s., which shall be paid to the minister as a fee; and further should such a one
come to the table of the Lord and partake of the Holy Communion, he shall pay 5s., which shall
Page 73 of 482
