2026-04-29T17:36:09-04:00 Zend_Feed_Writer https://shenandoahstories.org/ Shenandoah Stories https://shenandoahstories.org 2016-06-03T12:27:50-04:00 2018-12-18T12:13:23-05:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/93 Shenandoah County Library During the late 19th century, this was the site of Wisman and Dellinger, dealers in dry goods and general merchandise. Sometime in the 1920s, it became known as Walker’s Cash Store. At one point a gas station, clothing department, and garage were operated along with the general grocery store. Despite several closings in the late 20th century, the store continued to reopen. During the early part of the 21st century a restaurant was added. However, economic conditions led to the closing of the store in 2015 and it remains abandoned. For more, view the original article. 2016-06-03T12:17:35-04:00 2021-08-12T15:43:59-04:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/92 Shenandoah County Library The first school in the St. Luke community dates to before 1841. That year the school building, and a parcel of land, was deeded to a group of school trustees who agreed to use the building and land as a Union Church and school. This original school and lot was located between the current Lutheran and Brethren Churches and is now a parking lot. It was used until sometime in the 1880s when a new, two story, four room public school was built to replace it. In 1932 the community saw the need to build a new school to replace what was then a deteriorating structure. Locals donated the land, many of the materials, and labor to help build a new brick school across the road from the existing building. This facility was a one story, three room building complete with a large auditorium/cafeteria used for school and community events. A School League existed here in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. They held regular plays, skits, recitations, and musical events at the school to raise money for projects and to expand the student’s experience. In 1963 the Shenandoah County School Board voted to close the St. Luke School. For several decades the consolidation effort had led the local school system to eliminate community schools in favor of larger, more centralized schools in the county’s towns. However, St. Luke residents protested the school closure leading the school board to rescind their vote. They agreed to keep the school open, and with the help of the school league, install indoor bathrooms. This allowed the school to remain open until 1965 when the School Board decided again to close the school, this time for good. In 1967 the building was sold to the St. Luke Lutheran Church who converted it into a parish hall. It remains in use in this capacity today, hosting church and community events while the school lot is utilized by local little league baseball and other sports teams. For more (including 4 images), view the original article. 2016-06-03T11:58:40-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:21-04:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/91 Shenandoah County Library Lutheran Ministers began preaching in St. Luke in 1878 when locals formed a congregation separate from the Woodstock Lutheran Church. Their first minister, P. Miller, had a congregation of 42 who met in the Union Church and the local school. One year after they were organized, the St. Luke Lutherans laid the cornerstone of a new church. It was dedicated in November 1879. Originally the building was made of stone with a mortar made of sand, gravel, water and lime. This was a popular building material in the area. The church was drastically altered by two 20th century renovation projects. In 1925 the interior was remodeled and an altar, pulpit, and lectern were added. Previously many Lutherans felt these items were too ornate to be used in a church service, but later attitudes welcomed them. In 1961 the exterior of the church was renovated and a brick veneer and narthex was added. This project was designed to replace the unstable stone/mortar mixture that had left the church building in danger. For more (including 2 images), view the original article. 2016-06-03T11:41:01-04:00 2018-10-19T11:46:21-04:00 https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/90 Shenandoah County Library Though technically a part of the St. Luke Lutheran Church, this cemetery has served local community members of all denominations since it was founded in 1889. Local families, including the Wismans, Cooks, Gochenours, Shrums, and Clarks are buried here. It contains approximately 150 graves. For more, view the original article.