Thank you. Missed you this morning. Pastor Ric <>< -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 5:40 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [VAFLOYD] Early History of Methodism in Floyd This is long so I will try to send it in two parts. It may contain info that is useful to someone. -------- Early History of Methodism Given The Floyd Press July 1, 1976 America has experienced three great historic religious awakenings 1734, 1800 and 1858 respectively. Some pre-sent day religious leaders seem to think there is much evidence to show that our country may be entering a fourth Great Awakening of religious interest. It is believed that during the second period of religious movement that Methodism moved into the area which is now Floyd County. As the people moved into the unset-tled hill country they brought with them a culture which included certain religious be-liefs. Since Methodism had its origin in England through the inspiration and leadership of John Wesley and others their followers were chiefly English speaking groups. In 1811, when the Rev. John J. Miller, a Lutheran Missio-nary was traveling in the area of what is now Floyd County he made the following entry in his Journals of (he Missionary Of Virginia; "the English people are here, as in most parts of our country, a divided people - Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian and no regular minister among them." >From the various early writings there is much evidence to lead one to believe that there were many early religious groups organized in Floyd. They worshipped in various types of buildings as barns, school buildings and the home long before the first churches were constructed. In many cases more than one denomination used the same building. Bennetts history of Methodism in Virginia states that Thomas and Samuel Kennerly, Methodist itine-rants preached in Christiansburg about the beginning of the nineteenth century. They are believed to be the first Methodist ministers to preach in Montgomery County, which then embraced all of Floyd County. The Rev. Lorenzo Dow was one of the most colorful figures in Methodism. According to tradition, he preached at Major Goodson's at a place known as Turtle Rock. This is considered the starting point of Methodism in Floyd County. It is known that the same Rev. Dow preached in the camp meetings as early as 1804. He was a most forceful speaker. Francis Hogan. as a small boy, heard him preach to some soldiers of the War of 1812 on the town square in Christiansburg. Even though he was only five or six years old he grew up with vivid memories of the experience. This same Francis Hogan came to Floyd County from Montgomery County to live in 1837. According to court, records he is listed as a leader in establishing one or more churches in the early history of the county. A deed dated Oct. 26, 1837 was made by Henry Link and his wife. Polly, to these Trustees: George Godby, Henry Link, William Thomp-son., Jacob Douthat and Francis Hogan for the sum of $1.00. .... "in trust for who may be called upon or sent to preach agreeably the Metho-dist Discipline." The site is still marked by the grave of Henry Link. This location is in Little River District, north of EI-Tenedor on State Road 608. This is believed to be the site of Friendship Church. It is also thought to be the first attempt by the Methodist to construct a church building in (he newly organized county. The Methodist and Lutheran had joint ownership. Destitute circumstances during the Civil War period kept the Church from flourishing. The mem-bership was later absorbed in the Stonewall Congregation. Some of the members were William McNeil and daughters. Lydia, Nannie and Jane. The camp meetings of the 1800's still flourished and the fruits of them are yet seen today in many families. The first camp meeting was held in Floyd County about 1833 or 34 on the land of George Goody Koontz (William Goody Koontz lived there later). The second and third were held on (he farm of Joseph Kennerly who was an older brother of the Rev. Samuel Kennerly. These were in the neighbor-hood of the Falling Branch Church. The seventh and eighth were held in the east end of the county near Locust Grove. The first Methodist con-gregation organized in the more eastern part of the county was Iddings Chapel in the Locust Grove community. It is believed to have been an outgrowth of the camp meet-ings. The exact facts are not known. . The legendary story says that the church services were held in a log tobacco barn on the land of Henry Iddings. The land was later owned by the late G. W. King and then by his son, the late Albert F. King. After 1850 or the third great awakening there was some movement in the county to establish more Methodist churches. Early court records .examined show that leaders for (his movement were Francis Hogan and son Abram Hogan. George Godby, George Goodykoontz, Joseph Kennerly. Isaac Goodykoontz, Samuel Dobyns. Court record verify that the church in the town of Floyd. then known as Jacksonville, had its beginning in 1854. A deed was recorded in the Clerk's office of Floyd County June 16. 1854 in which Henry J. Jones conveyed one parcel of land to Francis Hogan, James B. Headen, ___ Clark and Hamilton, Trustees. "For use of the Methodist Episcopal Church South so long as said ground shall remain within bounds of a conference recog-nized by said church or relation to the Baltimore Conference." The earliest pastor recorded was the Rev. Bland. In 1860 the foundation was laid for erection of a church. The building was not completed at this time. Local history states that the incom-plete structure was used for storage of hay during the Civil War. On June 15, 1867 Andrew Stephens and wife, Mira. granted to Trustees: Francis Hogan, Samuel Dobyns, Nel-son B. Stimpson, Abram Hogan and Calohill M. Stigleman "one parallelogram of land for church erected and not yet finished." The church building was erected by Henry Dillon, completed in 1871 and dedicated in 1872. This church ; building has been replaced by the present United Methodist Church on Main Street com-pleted in 1966. The first service was held in July 1966. The court records show that on June 15. 1854 Robert and Margaret Caldwell as grantors deeded for $1.00 to the following Trustees: William Litton, Lewis Weeks, Isaac Goodykoontz and David Howell - "to hold in trust for use of the Methodist Episcopal Church South one lot of land on Indian Creek and Greasy Creek to be used as a place of religious worship and a school house." No records are available as to the use of this building for a church. In some communities more than one denomination shared in the construction and use of the church building. One church of this type was; Bethlehem shared jointly by the Methodist and Lutheran. In the deed dated Jan. 1. 1857 Peter S. Moore of Raleigh County and James T. Law-rence, George Epperly, Jacob E. Lawrence, Benjamin Phlegar, John Basham, Nathan Basham, Samuel Dobyns are named trustees for the Luthe-ran and Methodist church. In 1890 another deed. was recorded for the same church in which trustees are named for three congregations in the Bethlehem church as follows: For Methodist Episcopal Church South. James E. Lawrence and James A. Sowers; for Methodist Episco-pal Church. Jubal L. B. Anderson and Benjamin Basham. The Lutheran trustees named were Henry Wells and Jacob E. Lawrence. The Lutherans no longer worship at Bethlehem. The congregation is now known as Camp Bethel as it is consoli-dated with Camp Creek United Methodist Church. The 1880s were fruitful years for the establishment of small Methodist Churches in different sections of the county. Another article will appear in The Floyd Press giving the history of these churches at a later date. During the Second Great .Awakening of the early 1800's Methodism was rapidly spreading westward across the Appalachians. Court records reveal that deeds were record-ed for the construction of three Methodist churches during the period 1837-1857. They were: 1837 Friendship, 1854 Floyd. and 1857 Bethlehem. It is reasonable to assume that many classes were organized in different parts of the county and regular services held in homes long before deeds were recorded -- "The Churches of Asia salute you. Aquilla and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house'. I Cor. 16:19. In the local organization of the .church the first unit formed was the class. The class was made up of interested persons and from this group a leader was selected. The class leader was a very important factor in the organization of the early Methodist congregation. The leader kept the group ready for the circuit rider who made regular visits to each class organized. The class leader sometimes became an exhorter or even a local preacher. An excellent exam-ple of this is the record of the late Rev. Peter R. Vest who united with the church in 1852, was appointed class leader in 1866. licensed to exhort in 1871, licensed to preach In 1873 and continued until 1917. Most of his work was done in the eastern part of the county. Probably the most vital person in the spreading of Methodism through the early settlements was the circuit rider. He was a dedicated, hardy soul with his wardrobe in one side of his saddle bag and in the other side, a Bible, hymn book and a copy of the Methodist Discipline, which was a very strong document. He rode horseback many miles through fair and inclement weather in order that the word of Christ might reach the most distant pioneer. He was required to study so he read books as he rode. The Methodist Book Concern was established in 1789 to furnish literature to all circuits. It was not uncommon for a rider to have so many appointments that it would take four or. five weeks to cover his circuit. In 1803. the New River circuit ranged from Giles County to North Carolina, from Montgo-mery county to WytheviIIe. This embraced the area which is now Floyd County. The Salt of the Widemeac by Jess Carr which tells (he story of Robert Sheffey depicts the rugged life of the circuit rider. He visited and preached in Floyd County on a few occasions. Marriage was discouraged for preachers. Most circuits were too poor to support a wife and family. In 1800 the voted to raise the salary from $64 per year to $80. The first churches in Floyd County were organized as a part of the Baltimore Conference which had its beginnings Dec. 24, 1784. At this great Christmas Conference the Methodist Church organization was created and the name Methodist Episcopal Church was adopted. As the church grew other conferences were organized, the Holston Conference in 1824, the Virginia Conference in 1857. The Floyd County churches today are governed by these two conferences. Each confe-rence is divided into districts which in early days were under the leadership of a presiding cider, (1792) now known as the district superintendent. One of the duties assigned (he pre-siding elder was to keep his preachers supplied with books for study. The early part of the nineteenth century brought growing dissatisfaction with church government. The result was secession from the church. The first group to separate themselves was the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Another group under the name of Methodist Protes-tant was formed in 1830. The Methodist Episcopal Church stand on abolition led to the establishment of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Political issues continued to threaten the church and the final break came in 1844 over the ownership of slaves. The church then became known as Methodist Episcopal Church South and Methodist Episco-pal Church. Sometimes the word. North, was added to the last group mentioned to clearly distinguish between the two groups. The Methodist churches in the eastern section of Floyd county were known as Methodist Episcopal. The Floyd church and those west and north of the town of Floyd were known as Methodist Episcopal Church south. From 1865-1939 two Holston Conferences occupied the same territory and each governed churches in Floyd county, since this area was transferred out of Baltimore Conference to Holston in 1860. -- Jack Spangler Ellicott City, MD To contact Listowner: Rena Worthen [email protected] View the Floyd County Virginia Website at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~vafloyd/floyd.htm ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message