2026-04-17T08:30:16-04:00 Zend_Feed_Writer http://shenandoahstories.org/ Shenandoah Stories http://shenandoahstories.org 2016-05-27T12:24:11-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:21-04:00 http://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/80 Shenandoah County Library In 2008 a second building, Trinity Brethren Church, became part of the Fort Valley Museum. The trustees of that congregation were no longer able to support the building due to a decline in membership and transferred ownership top the museum to ensure its history was preserved. This church had originally been founded in the brick church in the 1830s and followed the German Baptist Brethren Doctrine, which is often referred to as the Dunkards. In 1871 they built their first church building, called Oak Hill Brethren Meeting House. However, the church soon divided as members debated in the 1870s and 1880s whether the congregation should follow more progressive or conservative trends. In 1883 the progressive Brethren left Oak Hill to form their own congregation. They eventually built Trinity Brethren Church in 1904. At the time they had over 100 members. By the time it closed in 2008, it had fewer than 20 and was affiliated with the Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International. For more, view the original article. 2016-05-27T11:03:27-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:21-04:00 http://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/77 Shenandoah County Library Antioch Church of the Brethren first appears in the historic record in 1868, when a survey taken of land sold from the Haun family to the Rickard family indicates part of the property was set aside to be used by the Tunkard Church of the area which called either Antioch or the Dunkard Church at Calvary. The Tunkards, or Dunkards as they are more commonly known, were a branch of the Brethren Church who believed in maintaining older customs, dress, and forms of worship. The opposed the use of musical instruments, Sunday Schools, and amusement. Instead they promoted plain dress, simple living, and church discipline. Antioch has remained connected to this tradition since its founding and is today an independent, Brethren church. Sometime after this survey was completed, a meeting house was built in the primitive style so popular at the time. It featured separate entryways for men and women and little decoration. This original structure was replaced in 1883 by a larger, but no less primitive, church was built. Today this structure still stands and is used at the church’s fellowship hall. This building was used by the church for almost fifty years until it was abandoned in 1921 due to a lack of interest. However, in 1931 interest was revived and the church was repaired and rededicated. After this the congregation expanded, and additions were built in the 1950s to house a new Sunday School and growing social functions. These projects eliminated the separated entrances and segregation of the sexes. For more (including 4 images), view the original article. 2016-05-20T13:13:13-04:00 2018-12-18T12:13:55-05:00 http://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/64 Shenandoah County Library The history of the Maurertown Brethren Church begins in 1885 when the Shiloh Brethren Church was founded by E.B. Shaver. He, and others, split from the Valley Pike Church of the Brethren and sought to form a new church based on the “Gospel of Jesus Chirst alone” which was a tenant of the more progressive Brethren Church that was emerging at the time. This congregation met alternatively at schools, union churches, and in tents until a church could be built. A meeting house would be finished on this site in April 1887. E.B. Shaver continued to lead the church during this time. His tenure, which ultimately spanned 39 years, saw the spread of the Brethren denomination in the Valley and the establishment of several other churches in the area. Ultimately he would become known as “Moses of the Valley” for his efforts to spread the church’s message. Following his death, Ed Miller became the minister at Maurertown Brethren. The church expanded greatly during his service. A Sunday School addition was constructed in 1957 to meet the growing population the church desired to provide Christian Education for. That same year, the church suffered a loss when Rev. Miller died after 33 years in his position. He was replaced by Robert Hoffman who led the church’s new effort to reach the youth of the community. These projects saw the creation of a youth group and organized youth programming. This new focus helped several members of the church community advance their education and role in society beyond what had previously been possible. During the 1950s, the tenure of a new minister, Clyde Baumgardner, brought controversy to the church. A newly established radio program became Clyde’s platform for issuing controversial messages against divorce and remarriage. This resulted in a negative backlash from the community and the church. In 1952, after only a single year at the church, he was replaced by Pastor Wilber Thomas who devoted much of his four year tenure to repairing the fissures opened by this controversy. After these events, Maurertown Brethren Church once again began to grow. A new educational wing was added in 1978, a new musical outreach program led to the formation of the singing group the Harmonaires, and outside space for community events were added. Today, the church continues to be a central part of the Maurertown community and attempts to welcome all into its worship services and community programs. For more (including 2 images), view the original article. 2016-05-17T13:37:04-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:21-04:00 http://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/56 Shenandoah County Library The early residents of the Fisher’s Hill often gathered to hold religious meetings when traveling ministers, including those of the United Brethren denomination visited. In 1846 the number of Brethren members of the community had grown and they felt called to build a new church. They named their congregation Mt. Hebron after the geographic location in Palestine. Their building would be dedicated the following year with a sermon in German and another in English. This reflects the strong German heritage of the area which continues to this day. This church was a very simple affair which was in line with the Brethren doctrine that highlighted modest living. The frame building had no ornate windows or bell tower. It did have separate entrances for men and women, whitewashed wood boards, and a single stove for heat. The community around the church grew quickly during the following decades. A Sunday School and Missionary Society, for men only, were established during the antebellum period. These groups, the church, and the Women’s Missionary Society which was founded after the war, were the center of the community. Social activities, yard parties, educational programs, and regular meetings were held in the church building. Over time the congregation became known for its food, both in quality and quantity. Several annual United Brethren Conferences were also hosted by the church. This event brought ministers and lay persons from around the country to the area for several days of meetings, worship, and socializing. During the Civil War the church continued to meet the needs of their community which included visiting soldiers. Local records indicate Confederates often camped on the church grounds and attended services. Whether Union forces were offered the same opportunity is unknown. Mt. Hebron would remain almost unchanged until the early 20th century when the congregation renovated and modernized the building. This project, completed in 1915, resulted in an addition in the rear of the church, instillation of stained glass windows, and construction of a bell tower. These changes are a marked difference from the original, humble appearance of the church. Other changes came in the later part of the century. Electricity arrived in 1941 and plumbing in 2000. The church’s denomination was altered in 1966 when the Evangelical United Brethren Church, with which the congregation had been aligned, joined with the Methodist Church to become the United Methodist Church in America. After which Mt. Hebron Brethren Church became Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church. Today the church, like many small congregations in the county, suffers from a declining congregation and support. However, they remain active in the community and regularly host social and spiritual events. For more (including 2 images), view the original article.