125th Anniversary of Roanoke First Church of the Brethren

Post date: Sep 6, 2018 7:41:37 PM

In 1892, gentlemen under the leadership of Jonas Graybill, T.C. Denton, I.N.H. Beahm, and Newton Eller gathered to organize a city church for those Brethren who lived in Roanoke in 1892. This new congregation, led by the first pastor, P.S. Miller, was known as the Roanoke City Congregation, which started with thirty two charter members. In September 1893, this group gathered in Melrose Hall in the northwest section of the city and met until the plans for their first meeting house could be built. For a quarter of a century, this congregation grew with several additions added to the original building. After World War II, the first building was sold to Loudon Avenue Christan Church and the congregation moved to their building on Carroll Avenue, where they have remained for the past seventy years.

This congregation has always been mission minded. It was evident by a decision in 1894 to have each member pay one cent a week for foreign mission, by supporting the work of Dr. Fred Wampler in China with $2,000 for a new hospital, by the sending of two native daughters, Rebecca Skeggs Wampler and Elsie N. Shickel as foreign missionaries, and by planting the other churches in the area, namely Ninth Street, Central, Hollins Road, Vinton, and Summerdean. They were one of the first churches in the Church of the Brethren to reach out in their neighborhood and begin Vacation Bible School, which continues to be a vital part of the outreach in this community of Northwest.

Pastors who have served this congregation have included B.B. Garber, George W. Flory, Rufus Bowman, C.G. Hesse, Russell G. West, Ralph White, S. Earl Mitchell, Paul M. Alwine, Michael Chandler, David R. Miller, and present pastor Dave Hensley. Interims included Russell Showalter, Charles M. Cameron, Emma Jean Woodard, Cindy Barnum-Steggerda, and Harold Moyer.

For 125 years, this congregation has met the challenges of sharing the gospel in their neighborhood and continues to listen to God's voice and direction for what God has in store for them in the coming years. We celebrate all those who have been a part of this congregation and for the presence and willingness to take to heart the mission of sharing Jesus in the world.

The article is based on information in Roger E. Sappington's book, "The Brethren in Virginia". Park View Press: Harrisonburg, VA 1973.

PLEASE JOIN US ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2018, TO CELEBRATE OUR ANNIVERSARY! CELEBRATION WILL BEGIN AT 2PM, MEAL WILL BEGIN AT 4PM.