You are like a building that was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building and that whole building is joined together in Christ. He makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Christ you, too, are being built together with the Jews into a place where God lives through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-22
The Beginning
The Lutheran Church, the church of the Reformation was the first Protestant Church, and is world wide, the largest Protestant denomination. The Lutheran Church can be traced back to 1517 when Martin Luther, a German priest and professor of theology, initiated the Protestant Reformation. Luther strongly disputed the claim that redemption could be purchased with money. He affirmed that salvation is a free gift of God, received only by grace through faith in Jesus the redeemer from sin. Luther taught that the Bible is the only source of divinely revealed knowledge. His translation of the Bible into language of the people, rather than Latin, made it more accessible. His hymns influenced the development of singing in churches and his marriage to Katharina von Bora was a model for clerical marriage. Today, the Lutheran Church is still based upon the teachings of Luther. Lutherism came to America in about 1630. Twenty German-speaking families brought Lutheranism to Virginia in 1717.
A Historical Sketch of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
Researched and compiled by
Virginia Griffith Melton
1983
St.Peter had its beginning when Adam Mueller (MIller), a German Lutheran, the earliest German settler in the valley, had a log church built on his land near Naked Creek. Some people believe the church was built near Bear Lithia Springs, near Miller's Green Meadows home - as a cemetery with markers for Adam Miller's two daughters and the husband, Jacob Bear, of one daughter, Barbara Miller, are there. The inscriptions are in German and have been translated into English by historians. A plain marker, fallen to the ground, may mark Adam Miller's resting place. He died in 1783 at 80. One descendant says Adam's remains were moved to Elk Run Cemetery in Elkton.
In 1747, the log church was dismantled and forded across the Shenandoah River (there were no bridges) to a site near Humes Run, west of the river where there was a large concentration of people. An upper floor was added to be used by Negro slaves. Some slaves are probably buried in the cemetery as it was instituted as a “free for all” cemetery. Weatherboards were used to cover the logs, and shingles used on the roof.
Under the old pulpit was found the name of the builder, Christian Konrad, and the names of the building committee, John Mueller, William Biederfisch, John Ziegler and Gerhard Koyte (Kite).
The land the church was placed on had been granted to John Rhodes, a Mennonite minister, March 15, 1744 and later sold to Daniel Sinks. The Rodes (Rhodes) family moved to Bixler’s Ferry where “totally without warning,” on August 13, 1746, most of the family became victims of the last Indian massacre in that section of the Shenandoah Valley about a year after the peace treaty had been signed at the close of the French and Indian War.
In 1747, the log church was dismantled and forded across the Shenandoah River (there were no bridges) to a site near Humes Run, west of the river where there was a large concentration of people. An upper floor was added to be used by Negro slaves. Some slaves are probably buried in the cemetery as it was instituted as a “free for all” cemetery. Weatherboards were used to cover the logs, and shingles used on the roof.
Under the old pulpit was found the name of the builder, Christian Konrad, and the names of the building committee, John Mueller, William Biederfisch, John Ziegler and Gerhard Koyte (Kite).
The land the church was placed on had been granted to John Rhodes, a Mennonite minister, March 15, 1744 and later sold to Daniel Sinks. The Rodes (Rhodes) family moved to Bixler’s Ferry where “totally without warning,” on August 13, 1746, most of the family became victims of the last Indian massacre in that section of the Shenandoah Valley about a year after the peace treaty had been signed at the close of the French and Indian War.
The name of the church was changed from Naked Creek Church to Lower Peaked Mountain Church to distinguish it from Upper Peak Mountain Church at McGaheysville. The Massanutten Peak in sight inspired the names. (The latter church was begun about the same time). From their records, members paid two shillings sixpence for each child the minister baptized, five shillings for a confirmation, and similar sums for each burial and Eucharist.
From old records, we find births, baptisms and sponsors from February 25, 1776 and onward. The earliest record is for the birth of David Bens (Pence) to Wilhelm Bens (Pence) and his wife Elizabeth – and then records of nine other children of the same family.
Itinerant preachers served the congregations for years.
There was some dissension in the church with the arrival of Peter Mischler in 1776, and “Peter’s Church” was organized in June 1777.
After the Civil War the church became thoroughly disorganized.
When the Rev. Irenaeus Conder began holding services in 1873, he found the church in a bad state of repair. He effected a reorganization and had the church extensively repaired. In 1884, under his ministry, twenty-five of the members transferred to the town of Milnes (now Shenandoah) and continued the organization under the name of St. Peter’s.
From old records, we find births, baptisms and sponsors from February 25, 1776 and onward. The earliest record is for the birth of David Bens (Pence) to Wilhelm Bens (Pence) and his wife Elizabeth – and then records of nine other children of the same family.
Itinerant preachers served the congregations for years.
There was some dissension in the church with the arrival of Peter Mischler in 1776, and “Peter’s Church” was organized in June 1777.
After the Civil War the church became thoroughly disorganized.
When the Rev. Irenaeus Conder began holding services in 1873, he found the church in a bad state of repair. He effected a reorganization and had the church extensively repaired. In 1884, under his ministry, twenty-five of the members transferred to the town of Milnes (now Shenandoah) and continued the organization under the name of St. Peter’s.
A church building on Third Street was completed two years later and dedicated the third Sunday in August in 1886.
The old church at Humes Run continued in use by remaining Lutherans, Pentecostals, Congregational Christians, Methodists, United Brethren, and maybe others. In about 1915, Mrs. Lilly Gibson had the church renovated. The men who did the work roomed and boarded in her home. The lumber used was sawed from her trees. In 1947 the property was bought by St. Peter’s United Brethren Church. The Lutherans of Shenandoah had the land surveyed on December 22, 1947 and relinquished all rights of the land, thus ending the connection with the old St. Peter’s. A blueprint of the land is on hand. The trustees were Dr. B. C. Shuler, J. L. Foltz, and Clyde Griffith. The old church was torn down when St. Peter’s U. B. was built on Route 602 in 1953.
A record of the establishment of a Sunday School is taken from an old record book. It was organized the 29th day of July in the year of our Lord 1900 – to be held in the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church at Shenandoah Page Virginia. The following officers have been elected: D. F. Roudabush – Superintendent; G. W. Shuler - Assistant Superintendent; Jack Sindlinger – Secretary and Treasurer; Grover Kite – Librarian. The meeting was called to order by Rev. Crickenberger with an address to the school on its principle. The teachers elected (were) Jack Sindlinger – Junior Lesson Book; D. Casper Printz – The Little Ones Male; Miss Alice Sindlinger – Female Junior Lesson Book; Miss Lee Kite – Female The Little Ones. On a motion of the Superintendent collection was taken up. Receipts $.83. On the next page is this entry: Sunday July 29 School opened by order of Service. With prayer by the Superintendent followed by the reading of the lesson “The Transfiguration” Weather – Hot.
The following teachers were present: D. F. Roudabush acting teacher Male Class 1 – 4; Casper printz, acting Male Class 2 – 10; G. W. Shuler acting teacher girls – 12; totaling 26. Attendance 30; Collection 16 cents. This Sunday School soon “died.” Another was organized, 4th Sunday in May, 1903. Scholars enrolled: Mamie Printz, Marie Griffith (Powell), Minnie Printz, Annie Karnes, Lizzie Coughlin, Ruth Griffith, Cleva Long (Dobbs), Charlotte Kite, Sallie Kite, Lena Foltz, Annie Mae Kite, Gertrude Kite, Elmer Printz, Ashby Printz, Willie Printz, Fred Karnes, James Karnes, Clyde Griffith, Venie McDaniel, Eula McDaniel, Alfred Dovel, John Karns. This Sunday School lasted through 1909.
Many church members have recollections of later Sunday School. All classes, except beginners, had to be conducted in one room. There was a hum like so many bee hives! The church on Third Street was soon found to be inadequate.
The old church at Humes Run continued in use by remaining Lutherans, Pentecostals, Congregational Christians, Methodists, United Brethren, and maybe others. In about 1915, Mrs. Lilly Gibson had the church renovated. The men who did the work roomed and boarded in her home. The lumber used was sawed from her trees. In 1947 the property was bought by St. Peter’s United Brethren Church. The Lutherans of Shenandoah had the land surveyed on December 22, 1947 and relinquished all rights of the land, thus ending the connection with the old St. Peter’s. A blueprint of the land is on hand. The trustees were Dr. B. C. Shuler, J. L. Foltz, and Clyde Griffith. The old church was torn down when St. Peter’s U. B. was built on Route 602 in 1953.
A record of the establishment of a Sunday School is taken from an old record book. It was organized the 29th day of July in the year of our Lord 1900 – to be held in the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church at Shenandoah Page Virginia. The following officers have been elected: D. F. Roudabush – Superintendent; G. W. Shuler - Assistant Superintendent; Jack Sindlinger – Secretary and Treasurer; Grover Kite – Librarian. The meeting was called to order by Rev. Crickenberger with an address to the school on its principle. The teachers elected (were) Jack Sindlinger – Junior Lesson Book; D. Casper Printz – The Little Ones Male; Miss Alice Sindlinger – Female Junior Lesson Book; Miss Lee Kite – Female The Little Ones. On a motion of the Superintendent collection was taken up. Receipts $.83. On the next page is this entry: Sunday July 29 School opened by order of Service. With prayer by the Superintendent followed by the reading of the lesson “The Transfiguration” Weather – Hot.
The following teachers were present: D. F. Roudabush acting teacher Male Class 1 – 4; Casper printz, acting Male Class 2 – 10; G. W. Shuler acting teacher girls – 12; totaling 26. Attendance 30; Collection 16 cents. This Sunday School soon “died.” Another was organized, 4th Sunday in May, 1903. Scholars enrolled: Mamie Printz, Marie Griffith (Powell), Minnie Printz, Annie Karnes, Lizzie Coughlin, Ruth Griffith, Cleva Long (Dobbs), Charlotte Kite, Sallie Kite, Lena Foltz, Annie Mae Kite, Gertrude Kite, Elmer Printz, Ashby Printz, Willie Printz, Fred Karnes, James Karnes, Clyde Griffith, Venie McDaniel, Eula McDaniel, Alfred Dovel, John Karns. This Sunday School lasted through 1909.
Many church members have recollections of later Sunday School. All classes, except beginners, had to be conducted in one room. There was a hum like so many bee hives! The church on Third Street was soon found to be inadequate.
A lot was bought in 1927 on land which is now between Central Avenue and Route 340. Due to the illness of the pastor, C. L. Hunt, building was postponed until 1936 – when the ground was broken and the cornerstone laid. The church was completed in 1937 and was dedicated with services from October 24 to 31.
The parsonage was bought in 1949.
Much renovation of the interior of the church was completed in 1956, the fifth major building project in the history of the church. At this time the choir and organ were moved from the chancel to the balcony and the chimes were added to the organ. The communion rail was moved to a lower level and extended the entire width of the nave. The altar was set apart by being raised on a platform backed by an oak rerdos with the cross of carved wood.
The parsonage was bought in 1949.
Much renovation of the interior of the church was completed in 1956, the fifth major building project in the history of the church. At this time the choir and organ were moved from the chancel to the balcony and the chimes were added to the organ. The communion rail was moved to a lower level and extended the entire width of the nave. The altar was set apart by being raised on a platform backed by an oak rerdos with the cross of carved wood.