Botetourt County Church

(Old Valley) 

(1851-1912)

The Gospel Messenger Jan. 18, 1913 page 34 Vol. 62 No.  3

A Brief History of the Botetourt Congregation, Va.

BY D. N. ELLER.

In the year 1780 a colony of Brethren and others came to Botetourt County, Va., took up land and built a little village called Amsterdam. Among the colonists that settled here and in the surrounding country, were the Graybills, the Gishes, the Kinzies, the Stovers, the Hartbergers, the Huffs, the Beckners, the Peters, the Rileys and the Wingers. Near this time the church was organized. The territory then included Roanoke and all the country this side of the Ohio and Kentucky State lines on the west, and Franklin County on the south. The first love feast recorded was held at Kinzie's in 1793. Matthias Snider and wife were baptized at the time of this feast, and Bro. Snider was called to the ministry in 1796.

  In the year 1818 Eld. Abraham Crumpacker moved in, followed a little later by John and Joel Crumpacker, both ministers. It is said that John did not preach much, but that Joel was the ablest preacher in the county, and performed nearly all the marriage ceremonies in the surrounding country. About ten or twelve years later John Crumpacker died and Joel moved West. Then the church was cared for by Matthias Snider, Abraham Crumpacker, Jacob Peters and others. Bro. Snider died in 1836. Near this time Peter Nininger and William Gish were called to the ministry. In 1843 Peter Nead moved into the congregation, and about this time the first churchhouse was built, known as the Valley church. It has since been replaced by a more modern house of worship. Next, Bro. B. F. Moomaw and Andrew McClure were called to the ministry. In 1848 William Gish went west, followed a year later by Bro. Peter Nead. Bro. George Bear was then elected to the ministry, who sometime afterwards also went west.

  About this time Brethren D. H. Plaine and John Click were given authority to preach the Gospel. Others, who were elected to the ministry here later, were Brethren J. C. Moomaw and Jonas Graybill, in 1863. Then followed Brethren D. C. Moomaw, S. Crumpacker, Geo. H. Graybill, T. C. Denton and J. H. Graybill, at different times. The dates I do not have. Some ministers, who moved into this congregation during the next few years following, were Brethren J. A. Dove, I. N. H. Beahm, J. C. Bealim, D. N. Eller, J. W. Ikenberry, J. Z. Gilbert, C. D. Hylton and L. D. Ikenberry. Some of them have moved away, while a number are still living here. The following have been elected to the ministry, by this church, in recent years: In 1896, Brethren C. A. Williams and J. T. Layman; in 1901, Brethren J. S. Showalter and O. O. John; in 1903, Brethren D. P. Hylton, L. C. Coffman and C. S. Ikenberry ; in 1906, Brethren J. M. Henry and J. S. Crumpacker; in 1908, Bro. E. C. Riley. Bro. E. C. Crumpacker was elected while engaged in school work at Union Bridge, Md.

  At the time of the opening of the school at Daleville, there was a membership of about 250, with five 'ministers. At the close of the year, 1912, our records show a membership of 735, with sixteen ministers, besides some student ministers at the college. Since our membership has become so large, it was thought that we could better organize our forces and come nearer accomplishing the greatest good, in future work, ; by forming several congregations out of the original one. So, with the kindest spirit prevailing, the entire church community, including the college, by mutual consent, the Botetourt congregation ceases to exist, and in its stead three congregations have been organized, to be known as the Troutville, Cloverdale and Daleville congregations, respectively. Troutville has four ministers, Cloverdale four, and Daleville eight, besides the student ministers at the college. The Botetourt Memorial Missionary Circle continues, under its present name, with the three congregations jointly responsible for its promotion. Its officers, for 1913, are as follows: C. W. Kinzie, President; Lena Mae Eller, Secretary; J. W. Shaver, Treasurer. We trust and pray that each of these new congregations may follow the example of the present church, and be a continual power for the furtherance of primitive Christianity in their respective fields.

Daleville, Va.