The church was probably started
in a private home when early ministers such as Bowman and Lasley preached
in the area in 1806-07. Lasley mentions setting up an appointment
at the Wiggins home. Church tradition states that William Whatley
(who had moved to the area several years before and had married Wiggins’
daughter) was appointed as leader of the society. It also states
that his son Uriah (1802-1864) was later licensed to preach and served
as the first pastor after a log church was built. The church was
made of logs with a clapboard roof and an oak “punching” floor. It
was located on Haw Branch.
The congregation decided to
relocate to be closer to the Harrisonburg-Alexandria road and built another
church along Bay Branch. That church burned down (and the branch
is now known as Burnt Meeting House Branch). Another church, called
the Aunt Ruth Riley Meeting House, was built along Raleigh’s Branch.
The church relocated one last time in 1850, when a new church was built
a mile away.
In 1891, the Whatleys gave the church land on which to
build a church. Since some records say that the church burned down in the
1890s, that may be the reason for the land donation and new church building.
A new church was built. Though it has been remodeled over the years, that
structure is still in use today.
The cemetery is located behind
the church. |
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