Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-04-19


CATION-DEsCRIPTIoN OF IT,
&C., &C.. sc.
Last Sunday was a bright, pleasant day,
and at an early hour vehicles of every des-
cription began to pour into the little viii
lage Of Churchville, in this county. The
occasion was the dedication Of the new
United Brethren Church at that point,
and when the time arrived for service to
begin there were not many less than 1000
persons congregated in and about the
church. Every neighborhood in the
county was well represented 1.-THE atten-
dance flom StauntOn was so numerous
that every livery vehicle had been hired by
Saturday night, the interest of the oc-
casion being increased by the fact that the
building to be dedicated was the finest
church belonging to that denomination in
the State.
The United Brethren for nearly three
quarters of century have had members
in and around Churchville, but until wiGh-
in the last ten years they have been few in
number and too weak pecuniarily to have
building of their own. They have here
tofore owned, together with the Metho-
dsts, the old church building which gave
to the village its name, and have only had
the use of the house half the time. About
Is months ago they succeeded in dispOsing
of their interest n the old church to the
Methodlsts, and at once set about erecting
a Cpit "a h1a nj
desirable lot, centrally located, was do
mated by Bishop Glosbrenner, who also
contributed $500 toward the building fund
One or two others gave almost as much,
ana all made liberal contributions. After
$4,000 had been raised the work began, the
brick-Work being contracted for by Messrs.
Tinsley & Jordan, Staunton firm, and
the carpenter-work by Mr. John S. Craver,
of Churchville. The church was COM
pleted only day or two before it Was dedi-
Gated. 1t is indeed very handsome edi-
lice. Its tall, graceful spire reaches far
above its neighbor on the Presbyterian
Church, and gives to the village very
dlgnifed appearance. The interior of the
building is beautiful. Mr.. Rupp, of New
Market, who did the frescoing, succeeded
IN executing a job which could not be ex-
celled in neaJness. The windows are of
stained glass, of very pretty pattern.
The church is neatly furnished and the
floor handsomely carpeted. The cbande-
liers, window-glass, carpet, &C., were pur-
chased, we believe, by the ladies of the
congregation. The pulpit-stand was made
and presented to the congregation by Mr..
Craver, and is fine piece of work. It is
of black walnut, covered by marble slab,
which was paid for by an Ohio friend. The
pulpit furniture was presented by Mr..
Theo. F. Shuey, of Washington, and a
handsome silver set was donated by Mrs.
VIM. A. Reid, of Staunton.
At 10a A. M. the tones of ponderous
bell rang out, for the first time, from the
belfry and as they mingled with those of
the Presbyterian bell, the residents Ewere
made to believe that their village was be-
ginning to assume the importance of a
town. In very short time every pew in
oiio NiuASu Wco ClOWoOu ctuu Uut d1Sl6S
were filled with benches. At least 500 per-
sons were damned into space intended
for the comfortable accommodation of
something over 800. Those who could not
get in attended service at the Presbyteri-
an church where the Rev. Mr.. Holt offici-
ated. The pulpit of the new church was
filed morning and night by the Rev. Y.
Warner, of Parkersburg, W. Va. His
M rning sermon, preached from Eph: v. 2,
was such as proved him to be man OF
much ability. After the conclusion of the
preliminary services, Bishop Glosbrenner
g We a short history OF the church and it's
financial condition. He said the entire
cost of the building had been $4,000 and
that one-fourth OF that sum had still 10 be
raised. He said that he could not feel
that he would be doing right in offering
to God house that had not been fully
paid Tor, and declined to proceed to the
dedication until 81, 900 had been sub
scribed. He then produced subscription
paper and in addition to what he had pre-
yiously given, obligated himself to pay
500. Mr.. Hupman and his wife each gave
500, others gave as literally, In proper
tion to their means, nearly all of whom
were giving the second time. At last
when persons began to think refreshments
for the inner man were necessary before
proceeding further, it was found that
over $500 had been subscribed.
The dedication was then postponed until
night, or until the deficiency had been
made up.
AT night Mr.. Warner preached an able
sermon from Heb: XII. IS, 20. In the course
of his remarks, he said that he had often
been asked by youthful members of the
church If he thought it wrong for Chris
tians to dance or to attend the theatre &C.
casionally. His answer Invariably was
that neither the ball room nor the theatre
had any attractions for Christians. He
said that such dissipation might not hurt
the religion of some people, but it would
hurt very seriously the religion he pro-
feSSed.
At the close Of the sermon small sub
began to be made and finally
the payment of the whole of the $1,000
debt was provided for. Then in simple,
but solemn and impressive manner, the
church was dedicated by the Bishop to the
worship Of God.
Notice was given that Rev. J. E. White
sell, the pastor, would occupy the pulpit
next Sunday, and we will venture to say
that nc congregation in the land will feel
more comfortable next Sunday morning
than the United Brethren in their pretty
little church at Oh urchville.
There are four churches in the village,
and the fifth, an African church, has been