Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-07-19
&C., &C., &C.
Reported for the Staunton VIND1cAToR. !


Sixty years ago, the first Methodist ser
mon ever delivered in Waynesboro' was
preached in the old Presbyterian church.
(now destroyed). by the Rev. VIM. Fagg, of
Tennessee, (uncle of Mrs. John B. Taylor.
There were at that time but two members
of the Methodist church in Waynesboro'.
one a white woman, the other colored
woman. Mr.. F.. was powerful preacher
and soon had the congregation pretty we'll
aroused, the old colored woman being car
ried back to her old Methodist fevivals, in
Eastern Virginia, soon became ''happy"
and created such a sensation among the
congregation, the majority of whom had
never witnessed anything of the kind, that
the services were speedily brought to a
close.
THEIR PLACE OF WORSHIP.
This sermon was the birth of Methodism
in Waynesboro. For several years after
this, preaching was held once month
always on Thursday, at the residence of
Mr. John Taylor, the father of Mr.. John
B Taylor, our present townsman, who then
lived in a house opposite where the Acad-
envy now stands. He was then building
himself a new house, which though not
entirely finished was often used as a
church. On some occasions the upper
floor, being not more than half finished,
was used as gallery, to WHICH persons as
cended by means of a ladder. AT this
time young men from Staunton frequently
came down and held prayer meetings,
which must have been quite successful, as
numbers were converted by them. Among
the earliest circuit riders that visited
Waynesboro, was Rev. Thos Kennerly.
who held services in private houses. His
circuit included Front Royal, among other
points far distant from Waynesboro.
THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING.
Some years after this the erection Of a
church was commenced, which was several
years in course of construction, as nearly
all the work was done by the members Of
the church. The circuit riders who then
preached here also had appointments the
dav previous to preach at Runnels, two
miles below Waynesboro, on South river,
near where Koiner's Mill now stands. At
the time the old Methodist church was
commenced, the site of the church dedica-
ted on last Sabbath was covered with trees
and chincapin bushes. Although it was
never intended that the ground around the
old church should be used as a burying
ground, yet five persons are buried under
the shadow of the church, whose graves
70 dau Tvrn huvi ol
there at their own request, the other three
were their children. The first person in
tered there was man named Roder, who
was among the first to connect himself
with the Methodist church here. We have
thus hastily endeavored to give cur readers
some idea of how the first seeds of Meth
Odism were sown in and around Waynes-
boro. seeds that have brought forth an
hundred fold and also to note the contrast
in the services held sixty years ago in a
little Ing house and those held on last Sab
bath in an elegant building complete with
all the modern improvements.
THE NEW CHURCH.
The question of building new church was
raised first in this congregation in May '73
and also of changing the site. This latter
gave rise to very decided difference of
opinions. but at a subsequent meeting it was
stated that Mr. T. FL. Antrim had generous
ly agreed to give lot to the congregation
provided. it would erect substantial
house of worship thereon. This proposition
was at once accepted, a building commit
tee composed as follows was appointed :
John Huff, ]. B. Roder, Jonathan Koiner
J. H. Fitch and J. FL. Austin, with DR.. J
S. Myers as Treasurer, who went to WORK
at once to raise means and push the work
The building was commenced on May lst
rs. and four days afterwards the corner
stone was laid by the Masonic fraternity
of Staunton, DR.. A. M. Fauntleroy con
Quoting the ceremonies, and an address:
being delivered by Rev. J. l.. Gilbert, P
E. The work assteadily pushed as means
permitted and in August, IA, Rev. A
Weller preached the first sermon in tn,
new church. The congregation resolved
to do nothing further, the building having
been put under roof, until, the debt, (som,
Twelve or fourteen hundred dollars) wa
paid. At the last General Conference i
was stated that this debt had been paid
The total cost of this church is abou
800.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
1t is a neat, substantial brick structure
situated on the north side Of Main street
s,,,,,od;ofo1u 11nnn the ton of tho hill anf