The following article appeared on the front page of the December 10, 1942 edition of the Sandy Valley Enquirer: METHODIST CHURCH WAS YANKEE STABLE In the year 1861, the Yankee troops were stationed in Grayson, occupying most of the town. At the time of the war between the states the Methodists were unable to use their church as the Yankees seized possession of it and used it as a stable for their horses. During the last years of the war, that spirited Southern gentleman, Rev. John Martin, drove the horses out and cleaned the building and defied the Yankees to return. Thus, services were definitely resumed in the Methodist Church of Grayson. Parties were plentiful during this era. The boys in their best and the girls in their Calico looked forward to the nights that a party was to be held at a neighbor's house, some walking ten miles just to dance to the tune of the Virginia Reel.