Page 85 - WPA Book
P. 85
Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
CHURCHES
1. SUBJECT:
St. Michael’s German Reform Church.
2. LOCATION:
About 3 ½ miles southwest of Bridgewater, Virginia, on or near the Milnesville Road, but off the highway.
3. DATE:
Approximately 1800.
4. OWNERS:
The German Reform Congregation.
5. DESCRIPTION:
See form 3686, attached.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
This church was organized in the early 1800s, exact date not obtainable, and was the second oldest German
Reform Church in this part of Virginia the Valley.
Gossip says that its first “Sky Pilot” was old “Daddy Benson,” with his old gray mare and sheep skin lined
saddle, who was paid for his preaching with the products of the farm, also good homemade Apple Jack. The
apple brandy story is true, from a very early printed history of Virginia.
7. ART:
None.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Court Records, Rockingham County, at Harrisonburg, Virginia.
September 28, 2024 W.A. Byerly
Bridgewater, VA
Page 84 of 482
CHURCHES
1. SUBJECT:
St. Michael’s German Reform Church.
2. LOCATION:
About 3 ½ miles southwest of Bridgewater, Virginia, on or near the Milnesville Road, but off the highway.
3. DATE:
Approximately 1800.
4. OWNERS:
The German Reform Congregation.
5. DESCRIPTION:
See form 3686, attached.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
This church was organized in the early 1800s, exact date not obtainable, and was the second oldest German
Reform Church in this part of Virginia the Valley.
Gossip says that its first “Sky Pilot” was old “Daddy Benson,” with his old gray mare and sheep skin lined
saddle, who was paid for his preaching with the products of the farm, also good homemade Apple Jack. The
apple brandy story is true, from a very early printed history of Virginia.
7. ART:
None.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Court Records, Rockingham County, at Harrisonburg, Virginia.
September 28, 2024 W.A. Byerly
Bridgewater, VA
Page 84 of 482