ANTIOCH CHURCH - 1873

The Church of the Brethren began in Franklin County under the name of The German Baptist Church. The first organized group was the Germantown Congregation (Brick Church) which erected the first church building in 1848. In 1870 the church leaders thought it wise to divide the territory and it was decided to form three separate groups, thus creating the Antioch and Bethlehem congregation.  Each of these new congregations built church houses in 1873 on the present sites. It is not known what took place with the Antioch membership from 1870 until 1873.

Joel H. Flora served as chairman of the building committee for the Antioch Church house and Henry Anderson, assisted by members, was the builder. The ground was given by Jacob Flora, Jr., who later served as a minister in the Old German Baptist Church. The hand written deed, presently preserved by the trustees and still in good condition, was made the fifteenth day of January, 1873 between Jacob Flora and Mary, his wife, and Abram Flora, Joel H. Flora, Andrew Jackson and Joel Montgomery, trustees of the German Baptist Church of Franklin County, Virginia.

The Antioch Church building was a large one room frame house with a kitchen attached. There were two stairways leading to the second floor of two rooms which were used to house guests attending the annual two day love feast occasions. Great numbers attended these meetings which were held on the first Saturday and Sunday in November. Each family looked forward to entertaining and providing for those attending this meeting with some families having been known to care for as many as forty guests in their homes.

These occasions were known as “Big Meeting Day.” During the seventy-five year period of “free ministry” a visiting minister always officiated at the love feast on Saturday and delivered the message on Sunday.

Jacob Flora, Jr. seems to have been the only minister at Antioch at the time of its organization. At this time Joel Naff from Bethlehem was presiding elder. Four ministers were elected soon after the organization of the church. They were Jerry Barnhart, Riley Flora, Benjamin D. Flora, and Joel B. Flora.

DIVISION

The division of the Brotherhood in 1881 had its effect on the Antioch Church. Two men from Ohio were present at a council meeting to explain the difference of thought of the following points: dress reform, education, paid ministry, single mode of feet-washing, evangelistic services, Sunday Schools and missions. After much discussion, those who were opposed to the seven points were asked to withdraw to the kitchen. Eleven withdrew, three of whom were ministers, namely; Jacob Flora Jr., Benjamin flora and Joel B. Flora. Two ministers Jerry Barnhart and Riley Flora remained. The two groups were officially named The German Baptist Brethren and The Old German Baptist Brethren, but more commonly called The Brethren and The Old Order Brethren. The Brethren name was officially changed to The Church of the Brethren by the 1908 Annual Conference. Both groups held services in the Antioch Church house until 1919 when the Old Order Brethren sold their interest for $175.00

A new Antioch Church building was erected in 1919 and dedicated the first Sunday of November in that year, with B.B. Garber as speaker. A small debt was paid off in 1921. During this period of construction, services were held in a warehouse at Dugwell owned by G. Curtis Flora. Sunday School classes met in his home.

The cost of the building was $7,800.00. The building committee members were: John A. Naff, Chairman; Henry Allen Flora, C. J. Clingenpeel, Secretary and Treasurer; G. Curtis Flora, Joseph Bowman, John W. Flora.

CHURCH IMPROVEMENTS - 1941

The following additions were made to the church building in 1941: a basement under the entire building, including six classrooms which could be opened into one large room, a women’s work room (Aid Society room) and kitchen combined, a furnace room, a storage room for the trustees, a baptistery, two rest rooms, and a choir loft in the main audito­rium. A well and water system were also added. The total cost of these improvements including a furnace, was $6,012.22. On November 2, 1941, a dedication service was held with the following as speakers: J. Cephas Flora, H. Wilford Peters, and Samuel H. Flora.

The building committee members were: Jonas Flora, Chairman; Wesley W. Naff, Sr., Treasurer; and Alva O. Brubaker. The furnace committee members were: Joel L. Laprade, Dorus I. Bowman and Ezra Wood, Treasurer.

CONSTRUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL UNIT,

FELLOWSHIP HALL AND REMODELING OF

SANCTUARY - 1960

In 1956 a proposal was made to study additional needs of the church. This study was made by the Board of Christian Education and the Trustees with a look at expansion of the building to meet the expanding church and Sunday school program. The following additions and changes were made with construction beginning on March 28, 1960. The total cost of construction was about $51,000.00.

A new wing was built with a full basement consisting of ten class­rooms and a nursery.  The main floor consisted of a narthex, fellowship hall, kitchen and rest room. The women’s quilting room, storage space and library were located on the second floor. Stained glass windows were used to replace the windows in the sanctuary. The sanctuary was reversed and remodeled with new lights installed.

Dedication services were held November 5, 1961 with Dr. Warren D. Bowman as speaker.

The building committee members were Jonas Flora and Fred Barnhart, Co-Chairmen; Wesley W. Naff, Sr., Richard Flora, and Newton Flora.

BUILDING FUND TREASURER

Abner H. Myers was appointed Building Fund Treasurer of Antioch on December 3, 1957. He served in this capacity until his death in 1971. This treasurer handled the finances for the building of the educational unit, fellowship hall, and the remodeling of the sanctuary in 1960. He also served as treasurer for the building of the picnic shelter in 1968. He was succeeded by Russell Boitnott who held this position until it was discontinued in June, 1982.

CHURCH IMPROVEMENTS 1973-1998

In 1980, siding was added to the exterior of the building and the sanctuary was insulated. At that time, both the exterior and interior of the building was painted.

In July 1981, a beautiful scene was painted in the baptistery by Betty Bowman. The scene was taken from a picture on the baptismal certifi­cates that were presented to those who were baptized here for many years.

In 1983, the major area of the parking lot was paved and lined, as well as roads through and beside the cemetery. Cost: $17,932.55. The paved parking area was extended in 1993 for an additional $9,401.00.

Heat pumps for heating and cooling of the sanctuary and fellowship hall were installed in 1983, along with additional insulation and storm windows. Cost: $18,430.00. Air conditioning was installed in the nursery in 1992, and in the kitchen and women’s quilting room in 1993.

In 1984, a new public address system was installed. Several improve­ments and additions to this system have been added through the years, including a small sound room for the operation of the system.

In 1985, the front entrance steps were replaced with a ramp to accommodate all those who wish to worship with us. Cost: $1,684.31. A wall and walk were built in the back of the church in 1989 to provide a handicapped entrance to the basement.

In 1986-87, additional main floor restrooms, with access for the handicapped, was completed. At this time a major remodeling of the old basement was completed. Included in these improvements were the pastor’s study, office, reception room, library, two classrooms, music room, children’s choir robe room and updated restrooms.  Furnishings for the library and office were purchased at this time also. Approximate cost: $52,013.71.

Building Committee members for this project were Eugene Bowman, Chairman; Albert Ashworth, Sevilla Bower, C. A. Flora, William H. Walker, Jr.

All of these improvements were dedicated October 4, 1987.

Floors in the sanctuary were refinished and new carpeting was installed in 1988.

Ceiling fans were installed in the Fellowship Hall in 1989.

New tile flooring was installed in the narthex and Fellowship Hall in

1990.

Additional recessed lighting in the sanctuary and an emergency lighting system were installed in 1992.

New landscaping around the church was completed in 1995 when most of the old shrubbery was removed and replaced with new plants.

New folding doors were hung in the Fellowship Hall in 1998.

The installation of a new Rodgers organ was completed in 1998.

FURNITURE

In the original church, built in 1873, a long table was used in the pulpit area. The ministers sat on one side facing the congregation. The deacons of the Church sat on the other side. It is not known when the first pulpit came into use. This first pulpit, which at some time was lowered to be used as a storage cabinet in the children’s department, is still being used in the classroom above the narthex.

The pulpit furniture in the 1919 building consisted of a pulpit, three chairs, and four offering plates. Two of these offering plates are still being used in the choir lofts. New pulpit furniture was placed in the sanctuary in 1953 and is being used at the present time. This furniture consists of a pulpit, five chairs, and a communion table.

The pews in the present church are the original pews purchased for the 1919 church sanctuary. They were refinished in 1952. In 1990, the pews were refinished again and padding was added.

Historical cabinets were placed on the mezzanine in 1991 to display the many memorabilia items that have been preserved through the years.

Other items, too numerous to mention, have been donated by Sunday School classes, organizations, and interested persons.