Roanoke: First (City) Church

(1893-)

The Gospel Messenger Oct. 31, 1893 page 684 Vol. 31 No. 43

Roanoke, Va.—We have finally succeeded in organizing a church in the City of Roanoke, numbering about forty members. All of them seem to be inspired with the intention to work in good earnest. They are now using a hall for which they pay rent, but propose at once to make an effort to build a good meetinghouse in a respectable part of the city. It is intended to organize a Sunday school at once. I think that the prospect is bright for success. The members appear to mean business. They are in full sympathy with the Brotherhood, with a firm reliance upon God. There are three ministers and three deacons within the corporate limits, and they have elected an elder from an adjoining church to assist in the work.—B. F. Moomaw.

The Gospel Messenger April 26, 1924 page 266 Vol. 73 No. 17

FROM THE SOUTHEAST SECTION

The Beginning and Progress of the Church of the Brethren in Roanoke City, Virginia

In the early part of the summer of 1892 the few members then living in and near the city, urged making arrangements for the holding of public worship in the city of Roanoke. This, after due consideration, led to the renting of a hall in which meetings were held each Lord's day for a period of about three years. On the 3rd day of September, 1893, the church was organized and named Roanoke City Church of the Brethren.- At the time of the organization there were thirty-two charter members, nineteen of whom are now living. Fifteen of the numbers are now living in the territory of the Roanoke City congregation. In the early part of the year 1895 the building of a church was undertaken by the little band of believers. This church building was completed and dedicated to the worship of God on the 5th Sunday of August, of the same year. From the day of the dedication renewed energy seemed to be aroused in the minds and hearts of the members. The unsaved were also aroused as was evidenced by frequent calls for baptism, which was administered in near by streams where much pure water was to be found. For several years only one service was held each Lord's day. Revival or evangelistic services were frequently held, the congregation calling to its assistance able ministers to do the preaching during the series and the combined efforts resulting in many additions to the church. From forty to fifty often joined during a two weeks' effort. Besides the numbers received by baptism many who moved into the city joined by letter; thus the membership increased in numerical strength and growth as well as in spiritual strength and growth. An idea of the increase during this period can be gotten from the following statistics: From the organization in 1893 until May, 1922, 560 were received by letter, 580 by baptism, and 47 reclaimed, making a total of 1193. During the period of time mentioned above, 35 died, 36 resigned and 156 were transferred by letter, a total of 227. This leaves the net membership in May, 1922, at 966. The greatest and most successful evangelistic series of meetings enjoyed during the .history of the church, was in the fall of 1914. Bro. Geo. W. Flory, then of Covington, Ohio, was with the church during a revival effort during which 221 gave evidence of desiring church fellowship. However, the number actually added from the effort at the time was 171, those not joining deciding to wait awhile. A number of these have since joined the church. Brother Flory is now, and has been for the past three years, the pastor of the congregation, He has been successful in adding several hundred more to the membership by baptism and by letter.

Present Sunday-school

The present enrollment of the Sunday-school is as follows: Adult Department 989, Home Department 90, Cradle Roll 133, total enrollment 1212. 

Necessary Enlargement of Buildings

The growth of the church has been such as to make provision for more room a necessity from time to time. Thus in the years 1901, 1906, and in 1922 substantial additions were made, the latter being an entire new building for the Sunday-school with a capacity of 1160. At the present time a new church auditorium is being builded that will afford when completed comfortable seating for 750. The auditorium now in process of building completes a combined plan for a modern and up-to-date equipment for Sunday-school and church services at a cost of from  $51000 to $54,000.

Dividing into Four Congregations

Within the territorial boundary lines of the congregation there is an area of about eight miles square. As a result the question of dividing into four congregations has recently been considered by the membership, and the conclusion formed was that it would be advantageous for the membership to divide into four congregations, provided, of course, that it could be done in a satisfactory manner. The effort being made with unanimous agreement the propositions recommended for division were bonded to the District Ministerial Board and the organizations effected to the satisfaction of all concerned. In Roanoke, Virginia, there are now four congregations of the Church of the Brethren, instead of one, as formerly. The one existing since 1893 embraces the northwest section of the original territory. The second church to be organized embraces the southeast section of the original territory. This membership now enjoys the advantages of a comfortable little church wherein are held regular services each Lord's day. However, this congregation contemplates building a larger and more modern house in the near future in order to better accommodate a growing membership. The third church to be organized embraces the southwest section of the original territory. This group of members is without the advantages of a church to worship in at the present time, but is now beginning the building of a modern church, of considerable dimensions. This is being done at a cost, including the interior fixtures, of $60,000 to $65,000. The fourth church to be organized embraces the northeast section of the original territory. This membership has the advantages of a comfortable little church, of sufficient size for present needs, but is contemplating additions. This congregation has enjoyed the advantages of regular services for the past few years. Further there is no church competition in the community served. These are a few of the facts briefly and modestly told, relating how it has gone in Roanoke church work since the year 1892, a period of a little less than 31 years. On the average the workers have been a congregation of young people all the while. They have had the courage to do the noble, consistent and manly deeds of life while endeavoring to live consistently the teachings of the Holy Scriptures. P. S. Miller. April 7, 1924.