The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-05-20
Churchville Items.


We really think this little village of
Churchville, with its four brick churches,
its neat dwellings, whitewashed fences
and pretty flowers, is as attractive in APP
pearance as any little place we have ever
seen in our wanderings over the State
There is pleasing absence Of dilapidated,
Weather-beaten structures, tumbled-dOWn
enclosures and che general evidence OF
neglect which make some of our country
villages look like the wreck-work of cy
clones which came along about the time of
the Revolution. Looking from one of the
neighboring hilltops upon the little town
melting in the valley below, with its
church spires reaching above the tops of
the tall oaks around the old mill in the
distance, with the water sparkling in the
sunlight as it falls from the messy wheel :;
the green meadows and the flowery cliffs
beyond-we think we should have to go
far to find a prettier picture.
Churchyille is attractive, also, in other
respects. The people are hospitable, So
ciable. intelligent and strictly sober.
Temperance is one Of the shining virtues
of the community. In all the history of
the village there has never been place
where intoxicants were sold, and although
the effort has several times been made to
establish a bar-room here, the attempt has
always been discouraged. In order to
counterfeit outside influences of an evil
nature, aprosperous lodge of Good Tenn
plars is maintained here.
The spirit of improvement has taken
possession of good many of our citizens.
One new dwelling is being erected and
others repainted. The Lutherans have
greatly improved the appearance of their
church by the addition of a cupola. and
have hung therein new bell. On Sunday
morning last, when for the first time, the
sounds of three church-bells floated out in
mingled music on the air, the natives
stepped about with a prouder mein. more
stately dignity. and with the characteristic
air of townspeople.
During last week the Southern Confer
ence of the Lutheran Synod of Virginia
was in session here four days. The meet
! ings were very pleasant and profitable and
were largely attended. Favored as we
are with religious privileges, we can al,
ways hear at least two sermonsa week and
we have good preachers too. Rev 7. M
Jones, the Methodist minister recently
appointed to this circuit, is a young man
Of ability and is very acceptable to the
people.
The Churchville road, being the avenue
to market for such an extensive area of
country, has probably as much travel over
it as any other thoroughfare in the State.
AT certain seasons of the year there are
almost continuous trains of Highland
wagons going and returning from Staun
ton. Notwithstanding the great imppr
lance of this ROAD it has heretofore been
sadly neglected, and has at times become
almost impossible for heavy vehicles
| Often, too, for days, communication Will
| Stanton has been cut oft by high water
Now we are looking forward to great I'M
prOvements in that direction. A commits
sion, appointed by the Comfy Court tt
examine the road and report upon its con
dition, will recommend change of loca
tian at certain points and reducing Til
grade at otherg, and we presume this WORT
will soon lie done. We are to have. also
the long talked of bridge across the rive
at Dudley's mill, and for this we iii,
mainly indie ted to Mr.. ID. n Wilson, tn,
Road Commissioner tor this district
through whose tireless Energy the aslm q
$500 has been attained by sIiiseriptiu n =
This sum. added to the aprr"priH lon +,
the county for the purpose. will he sufli
cient to secure Il substantial cnves.,
bridge. The whole will be done during
the coming summer.