Nokesville Church

(1895- )

The Gospel Messenger Jan. 15, 1895 page 37 Vol. 33 No. 3

From Midland Church, Va.

Dec 26 we met in council in the Valley house. Considerable business came before the meeting,— come of great importance. It was decided to build a meetinghouse in the northern part of our congregation and a committee of five brethren was appointed to look at different sites and report at our next council.

  It was also decided to divide the Midland church into three new churches. As our church at present comprises nearly a dozen Counties in northeastern Virginia, it was thought better for the advancement of the cause to make three churches and then cultivate the field better. Bro. Dennis Weimer recently closed a series of meetings in the Auburn schoolhouse, one of our regular meeting places on the outskirts of the church, where eight members lived. Five dear souls were made willing to accept Christ as their Savior.

  Sunday, Dec 30, we closed our Sunday school at Cannon Branch for the next three months. I hope till another year we can have an evergreen school. On the third Sunday of every month we took up a collection for missionary purposes. Enough our school averaged only thirty-two we gathered $7.43 for that purpose. We decided to give half to " The Sisters' Aid Society," of Washington, and the other half toward erecting a meetinghouse in Washington. Two of our young sisters also solicited about $7.00 for the Denver Mission. May God bless our weak efforts at spreading his Gospel! Dec. 26 we had the first snow of the season,—several inches,—and some real cold weather since then, and a little sleighing.

J. E. Blough,  Va., Jan 1.

The Gospel Messenger September 17, 1895 page 604 Vol. 33 No. 38

From the Manassas Church, Prince William Co., Va

  We met in special council at Cannon Branch schoolhouse, July 31, 1895, for the purpose of organizing  ourselves into a new church organization. As previously stated in these columns, the Midland church was divided into three churches last Spring. – Midland, Nokesville and Manassas.  Our is the Manassas church, and consists of three minister in the second degree, two deacons and about fifty members, with fair prospects of more moving in. It comprises of part of Prince William, all of Fairfax, Alexandria and Loudoun counties. With the Blue Ridge on the west, and the Potomac on the east, a large field is opened to us in which our church is practically unknown.  The Brethren church is comparatively young in Eastern Virginia.

 On the above occasion, elders E. L. Brower, L. A. Wenger and J. P. Zigler, from the “Valley,” were with us and we had a pleasant and agreeable meeting.  the principal business of the meeting was the organization. Eld. J. S. Holsinger, of Nokesville, remains our elder for the present; Bro. J. E. Blough is Clerk. Isaac K.Harley is our Treasurer, and sister Martha Holsinger and Alice Conner solicitor.  We also decided to hold quarterly councils, beginning with the first Saturday in October. We held our Harvest Meeting Aug. 17, at Cannon Branch.  Bro. M. G. Early, of Nokesville, delivered a practical discourse. A collection was taken up for the purpose of buying a Bible and lamps for our new church.

  The carpenters are now at work on our new church at Cannon Branch. We hope to have it ready for dedication early in November.  Eld Geo. S. Rairigh, of Johnstown, Pa., expects to begin a series of meetings in the new church Nov. 6.  During these meetings we will dedicate the church and hold a love feast.  Exact dates will be given later.

  We still lack some funds to complete the house, and any contributions from our friends will be gratefully received.  Those who have so nobly responded have our sincerest thanks.  Elders Wenger and Zigler gave us several able sermons while with us, - one on “The Prayer-covering.” And one on “Baptism”

  Many home-seekers have been to this county this summer, - among them a number of members.  We have a desirable country and invite all who are looking for homes in a milder clime, to give this part of the South a visit before buying elsewhere.  I am no real estate agent and hove no land for sale, but know that cheap and desirable land can be brought close to the railroad and within ten to thirty miles of Washington, D. C.   J. E. Blough.   Aug. 29