| History of Mt Grove |
| Mountain Grove Church of the Brethren |
Mountain Grove Church of the Brethren had its humble beginning in the mid 1800’s. It started
with a gathering of folks from the community at the Oak Grove School, located near Fulks Run
Virginia. The congregation’s founding fathers included; Brother Isaac Meyers, Brother Jacob
Garber, Brother David Ziegler and Brother David Hayes.
In 1877, with the help of the Linville Creek Church of the Brethren in Broadway, a building was
built. It was a simple structure with two entrances, one for the men and one for the women. In
those days the men sat on one side of the sanctuary and the women on the other. Heat was
from a wood stove located in the center of the building. Seats were nothing more than simple
wooden benches with no back and no padding on which to sit. The décor was very simple and
plain according to Church of the Brethren beliefs and teaching.
In 1898, it was the elders of the church who did the preaching. These elders included; Brother
George Fulk, Dr. J. J. Hulvey and Dr. Michael Wine. This early church was extremely strict in
their beliefs. A member's name could be removed from the roll for lack of faith or numerous
other sins.
On December 13, 1919, Church elders purchased the lot and building where the church was
meeting, for $101.00. Shortly thereafter, J. J. Hulvey was installed ad Mountain Groves first
deacon. In nineteen hundred and twenty-two, a pulpit was added, along with curtains which
were pulled to make Sunday School Rooms.
In nineteen hundred as twenty-eight, a Ladies Aid Society was formed, and in nineteen
hundred and twenty-nine a well was dug. Mountain Grove was growing and things were
happening. In nineteen hundred and thirty-nine, the church trustees insured the building with
the Brethren Insurance Company.
On October 30, 1949, ground was broken for a new church building. The structure that was
built is part of the existing structure in which we now worship. It consisted of a moderate sized
sanctuary, a basement, and stained glass windows. It was quite an improvement over the old
structure, and was built over a newer and more modern design.
In 1956, Sunday School rooms and overflow seating was added to the sanctuary. By 1974, the
congregation had increased to the point that additional room was needed and the church
expanded yet again, increasing the sanctuary and seating capacity and the basement. Today
Mountain Grove continues to thrive and grow, with an average Sunday school attendance of
121 and an average Worship attendance of 221 for 2005. Two thousand and six looked to be a
greater average number as attendance has been in the two hundred and fifties for worship.
Historical dates of interest:
1919 - J. J. Hulvey was installed as Mountain Grove’s first deacon
1922 - Pulpit was added
- Curtains for separate rooms were added
- A sliding door was added
1928 - Ladies Aid Society was formed
1929 - A well was dug
1939 - The church was insured by Brethren Insurance Company
1949 - Ground was broken for new Church building
1953 - First Paid Minister
1956 - Sunday school rooms and additional seating was added
to structure
1974 - Sanctuary was enlarged
- Bus ministry was initiated
2005 - Handicap restroom was installed
- Men’s fellowship was started
- Women’s fellowship was started
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Paid Pastors:
1953 - Rev. Max Fisher
1059 - Rev. William Willoughby
1960 - Rev. Pete Wymer
1961 - Rev. J. Emmett Detra
1964 - Rev. Carl Yoder
1967 - Rev. James “Sonny” Dodds
1975 - Rev. Lloyd Hildabrand
1977 - Rev. James “Sonny” Dodd
2004 - Rev. Donald “Don” Guthrie
| Cemetary |
| Sunday School |