Valley Bethel Church

(1900-)

The Gospel Messenger Oct. 20, 1900 page 673 Vol. 38 No. 44

Valley Bethel.- Our meetings, which began Sept, 24, closed last night. Brethren Jacob Thomas and Hiram Miller were with us and labored faithfully for the Master's cause. Many encouraging words and soul-cheering sermons were spoken by these brethren as well as by our home minister. There were no additions to the church yet we know there were good impressions made, Thursday, Sept. 27, was our council. We are now a duly organized church known as the Valley Bethel congregation, Bro. J. M. Kagey, of Dayton, Va., was nominated as our elder, Brethren A. A. Miller and C. B. Gibbs were elected as delegates to represent us at District Meeting. Bro. C. B. Gibbs was also elected to the ministry to assist Bro. Miller in his work, Communion, Sept. 2q, Twenty-seven communed.— Vena S. Bussard, Bolar, Va., Oct. 1

The Gospel Messenger May 3, 1914 page 272 Vol. 63 No.18

Valley Bethel and Chimney Run

Churches, Second District

of Virginia.

 The above names are quite familiar to many, and I think it will be appropriate, at this time, to write something concerning their history.

  The Valley Bethel part of the congregations was, for many years, a mission point of the Beaver Creek and Sangerville congregations.  It represents the result of many years of labor.  It was started  and carried on by many of our older brethren of sacred memory. – Jacob Thomas, Martin Miller, George Wine, Daniel Miller, Samuel Driver and Solomon Garber. – all familiar to the writer.  Eld. John Cline, in company with Bro. Daniel Thomas, labored there in 1850. In his book, page 425, he speaks of preaching in the home of Bro. Hinegardner, as he was returning from a preaching tour through West Virginia.

  During later years the work has been place in the hands of younger brethren, and in 1900 the little flock was organized into a congregation, with Eld. J. M Kagey, of Dayton, Va., as her first elder.  Two years later Bro. A. A. Miller was ordained, and chosen as elder in charge.

  The Chimney Run congregation is the result of about twenty years of labor. It was started in response to a call by Brethren Josiah Beverage and Joseph A. Miller at Rocky Ridge school-house, about five miles from where the Chimney Run church now stands.  At their meeting Bro. Perry Ginger, the only minister at Chimney Run, with several others, was taken into the church.  from this nucleus the work seemed to grow. A few years later Bro. Ginger secured the use of a sawmill shanty and opened a Sunday-school. Here the work was carried on by the assistance of ministers of the Valley Bethel congregation and a few others who were called from time to time to hold series of meetings.

  By the generous gifts of brethren, sisters and friends of the Second District of Virginia we now enjoy a good, comfortable house of worship at each place.  Finally7, however, the question of division had to be considered. At a late council the majority voted in favor of division.  By this decision, when ratified by the District, Chimney Run mission will become a separate congregation.

 And now since the division has been made, may the Lord add his blessing, and may each congregation open new fields for the expansion of the Kingdom!

Bolar, Va.   Chas. B. Gibbs.