Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509210013
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROANOKE LENGTH: Medium
It will be a major attraction when nearly 300 people are expected to gather Saturday and Sunday to recall the olden days of one of the Roanoke Valley's pioneer congregations.
Betty Lou Vinyard Carter, a third-generation member of the congregation, proudly showed off the collection recently. Included in the room near the church entrance is a hardwood bedstead and cradle once used to sleep those who came from nearby farms to the "big meetings" of sacrament and fellowship held each spring and fall at the old meeting house.
A quilt frame is there too, along with photographs of pastors dating back to before the Civil War. At that time Brethren - or Dunkards as they were known for their practice of "dunking" into water three times at baptism - did not pay their ministers. Men served their church for free while earning a living as farmers or woodworkers. Showing two photos, Carter said they are the only ones available of pastors who, like the Pennsylvania Amish today, did not approve of the "worldly" practice of photography.
Handmade bricks and nails from the part of the church that has been in continuous use since 1845 may be seen on display along with printed materials detailing events.
An unusual pew, hinged so it can serve the dual purpose of seating and eating the Love Feast is there along with a black hat still worn by the Church of the Brethren's more conservative cousins the Old German Baptists who have a meeting house not far away.
Carter is the historian of Peters Creek as well as its choir director. She serves along with her mother, Estelle Vinyard, the 86-year-old organist. Many choir members of an earlier day will return to the church to sing at its anniversary celebration.
Peters Creek Church, which outgrew its rural meeting house in 1957 as Roanoke's northern suburbs pushed outward, does not look especially old today. Yet its original structure is still in use as the fellowship hall. Nearly 40 years ago a new worship center with steeple, offices and other modern amenities was built for $122,000. Unwilling to destroy the historic plain little church, the congregation decided to build around it. While the old building cannot be seen from Cove Road today, its 18-inch thick walls of handmade local brick and windows of rippled glass are plainly visible from the interior.
Carter noted that fireplaces and stoves formerly heated the building, and in the museum room the evolution of lighting can be seen from candles with their handmade adjustable sticks to kerosene lamps and finally electrical fixtures.
The congregation's new pastor, the Rev. Jack Lowe who arrived from Indiana in early July, is learning such history as Peters Creek's role in the Civil War. At one time it was thought that Confederate Gen. Jubal Early made his headquarters in the meeting house during the battle of Hanging Rock in 1864. However, the research of Carter and others shows that this is legend. What did happen is that a Confederate battalion camped at the church the winter of 1862-63 with wounded cared for in the spacious attic. Another detachment of the Confederates stayed at the church several months later.
Because Brethren are opposed to war and tried not to take sides, their churches appear often to have been commandeered for hospitals, Carter noted.
From the Peters Creek Church - once known as Green Ridge Church of the Brethren - grew congregations at Poages Mill, Oak Grove, Green Hill of Salem, Mason's Cove and First and Central in Roanoke City.
The anniversary celebration will include a reception Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. followed by a 10 a.m. informal gathering on Sunday and worship at 11 a.m. Preaching for the service will be the Rev. Dr. Albert L. Sauls, now retired and living in Madison County; he was pastor from 1960 to 1966. The Rev. Paris "Pete" Bain, who retired from the pastorate last year, also will take part. A luncheon will follow outdoors, weather permitting.
Memo: NOTE: Also ran in September 21, 1995 Current.