Tragedy Strikes October 29, 1917 Gretna Christian Church Anniversary Blog

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary

Minister:  Dwight Mays

111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557

On October 29th, 1917, at around 10:30 p.m. in Pittsylvania County, Virginia a tornado moved north-northeast two miles near Gretna killing a baby and injuring least four other people.  It arrived north and dissipated east of Motley. Fifteen buildings including six homes were destroyed.  One of  those buildings was Gretna Christian Church.

Thank you to:

Mark E. Poole  photos

Disciples of Christ Historical Society 

Gretna Christian Church

Gretna Christian Church February 25, 2010

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary

Minister:  Dwight Mays

111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557

Christmas Eve Picture of Gretna Christian Church as it is now.  

Since I have been posting stories about the beginning of the church, I thought it would be nice to show some pictures of the church as it is now.   This is inside the church on Christmas Eve in the morning.  Isn't it beautiful.  Notice the Chrismon Tree.  Most of the decorations were made by the church members.  Below is a close-up of some of the ornaments.  I have other pictures of the tree ornaments which I will be posting in later days.

The exterior of the church on this sunny Christmas Eve.

Next week I will continue the beginning of Gretna Christian Church with stories from Reverend H. D. Coffey.

Many Thanks to:

Mark E. Poole  photos

Disciples of Christ Historical Society 

Gretna Christian Church

The Beginning Reverend H. D. Coffey February 24, 2011

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary

Minister:  Dwight Mays

111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557

This is the third portion of the article written by Reverend H. D. Coffey for the Christian Standard Magazine 

 December 2, 1911  page 36. 

Building a Church in a Day  October 18, 1911

We want to thank the carpenters, and men and women also, for their faithful work in erecting this building.  Beside the many efficient and hustling men of that section  and county, we had J. C. Leake, contractor, from near Charlottesville, with four carpenters; J. E. Carter of Spray, N.C., with Mr. Harris, of same place; Messrs. Lipscomb, Leake, Goode and Mahew from Virginia Christian College; Mr. Parker, from Rocky Mount; Mr. Davis, from Sandy Level, and many others.  None of these men asked or received any pay for the two days’ work.  It was given to the Lord.  We are planning to build several other churches in the same way in Virginia.  We commend this plan to ministers and congregations desiring to build a good house hurriedly and cheaply.  The cost of material is about the expense of the building.  Men will contribute and help on a building of this kind who would not aid in any way to build a church in the ordinary way.

But it takes forethought and continual writing and vigilance of the leader to have everything in place and all the men ready at the appointed time.  I will gladly aid in any way, give any information or do anything that is in my power to aid in this work of building up the Master’s Kingdom and especially in “building” a church in a day.

While working for Virginia Christian College, besides the work done in securing funds, students and introducing the college generally, the writer had more than three hundred additions to the church, organized two churches, two Bible schools, led in erecting two good church buildings, beside reviving some other churches during the past four months. 

Virginia Christian College is rapidly becoming a factor in evangelistic and ministerial work in the East.  Besides more than six hundred added to church of Christ by the writer during the past two years while working for the college, the students and professors are doing good work along these lines.  More than fifteen hundred have been added to the church by ministerial students.  More than a dozen churches are supplied with preaching by these students, some of them going more than one hundred miles to preach.  Professors preach for Gordonsville and Charlottesville, besides supplying other places.  By the help of God and the support of the people, this school will soon exert an influence over the eastern part of our beloved country that will strengthen the stakes and lengthen the cords of our Master’s kingdom.  With such men at Willis, Records, Davis, Shackleford, Kernegie, Hughes, and the other faithful teachers, we hope for great things in the Master’s name.  Let the people support this school and soon we will have buildings erected, churches organized and sustained all over Virginia and the East.  This school will be a great auxiliary to the State Board or Virginia Christian Missionary Society, if properly managed.

H. D. Coffey,  Evangelist for Virginia Christian College  Lynchburg, Virginia

I included these last passages to show what a strong tie was and is between our church and Lynchburg College.  

Special Thanks to the following:

Mark E. Poole  photos

Disciples of Christ Historical Society 

Christian Standard Magazine

Gretna Christian Church

The Beginning Reverend H. D. Coffey February 23, 2011

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary

Minister:  Dwight Mays

111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557

This is a portion of the article written by Reverend H. D. Coffey for the Christian Standard Magazine on December 2, 1911  page 36. The third portion will be published tomorrow.

Photo above:  10:30 a.m.   Busy   Rear View

On October 17, though it rained incessantly until late in the night, several of us went to be in place.  The morning of the 18^th was fair, and that day we cut timbers, laid foundation and had all things ready.  Early on the morning of the 19^th we met and began work in earnest.  Though the house was 50x34 feet, the entire side of framing was put together and then raised and fastened and braced.  Then the ends of the rafters had been shaped and dressed the day before and a neat “rake cornice” was put on.  Then sheeting.  A splendid and bountiful dinner was served by the ladies, which was enjoyed by all.  After dinner, work was resumed immediately, the tinners set to work and building rushed until darkness closed our labors for the day.  Part of the pews were made, temporary seats arranged for the rest of the house, and W. R. Motley preached a fine sermon to a large congregation that night.

This house, which is 50x34 feet, with eight large windows, two doors in rear and double doors in front, large platform for pulpit, and eighteen foot pitch inside, was practically built in a day.  Part of the scaffolds were not taken down and a little weatherboarding therefore could not be done until the next day.  As the day was so short and the tinners so late getting to work, part of the tin on one side had to be put on next day.  Also the pews, a splendid set, were put in, and now the church is being ceiled and finished inside.  A good, large Bible school has been organized.  Standard literature ordered, B. F. Sublett, who is a good preacher as well as a splendid singer, employed to preach for them, and the prospects are very bright for this place.  The”Sunbeam" choir is attracting the attention of the community.

I will publish the rest of his article tomorrow

Special Thanks to the following:

Mark E. Poole  photos

Disciples of Christ Historical Society 

Christian Standard Magazine

Gretna Christian Church

The Beginning Reverend H. D. Coffey February 22, 2011

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary

Minister:  Dwight Mays

111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557

This is a portion of the article written by Reverend H. D. Coffey for the Christian Standard Magazine on December 2, 1911  page 36. The second portion will be published tomorrow.

B. F. Sublett

Christian Standard Magazine

December 2, 1911

By H. D. Coffey

Evangelist for Virginia Christian College

Lynchburg, Virginia

Building Another Church in a Day in Virginia

The Beginning of Gretna Christian Church

Another church has been built in a day in Virginia, where two months before we had only four or five members.  At Franklin Junction we held a meeting in the Episcopal Church.  The people of that place said it would be impossible to get a congregation or have any success there.  For several years the different churches located there had tried to have revivals with very little success.  But with A. B. Hodges, a faithful disciple, in the lead, we planned the meeting.  B. F. Sublett led the song service, assisted by H. O. Crow.  A choir was organized and soon we had plenty of music.  Then a “Sunbeam” choir was organized that did most excellent work.  The children sang as I never heard children sing before.  We had solos, duets and special music.  The interest was good from the beginning though the weather was unfavorable.  We visited the people and preached the simple “Old Jerusalem gospel.”  Soon the house was packed, the aisles full, and the windows blocked with people standing outside.  Also every available space around the pulpit was filled with “Sunbeams” until there was scarcely standing-room for the preacher.  We had conversions early in the meeting, and during the two weeks a congregation of seventy-five people of the town and surrounding country.  This has been increased by several additions since.  The congregation numbers about eighty now.  More than fifty of these were by primary obedience, ten were found in town and surrounding country who were disciples, and the rest were from the denominations.  The gospel was preached in love and it was the power of God.  The success of the meeting was due largely to the splendid song service and personal work.  Arrangements were made to build, a lot secured, money subscribed for material and the date set for building. 

Special Thanks to the following:

Mark E. Poole  without him I would not be able to get the pictures on the site.

Disciples of Christ Historical Society -  I would never have found these articles without their help.

Christian Standard Magazine.

As I read these articles I realize how many people contributed to the establishment of Gretna Christian Church.  Anyone that has any information or an article or pictures, please feel free to contact me.  

The Beginning Reverend H. D. Coffey

Blog Date: February 21, 2011
Gretna Christian Church 100h Anniversary

Minister: Dwight Mays
111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557


This is an article about a Disciples of Christ Church being built in Pittsylvania County, Virginia and how this started the interest in Franklin Junction/Gretna.

Christian Standard Magazine September 23, 1911 page 30
By H. D. Coffey

Evangelist for Virginia Christian College
Lynchburg, Virginia

A Church in a Day in Pittsylvania County

It is down in “Old Virginia” where three months before we had only one member. The Lord uses many agents to do his work. A Bro. Parker of Rocky Mount, induced a consecrated man by the name of George W. Reynolds of Pittsylvania County, to spend a week with him and hear Brother Hendershot preach. When a sermon on Christian Unity was preached, Reynolds with others accepted it and united with the Christian Church. He went back home and asked the privilege of having a Christian preacher use the Baptist Church for which he had given the site and contributed largely to the building and support of for many years. This was denied, and Reynolds arranged seats in the grove nearby and invited A. F. Ramsey to preach there once each month. The interest was good. Brother Parker and Brother Reynolds bought fifty copies of W. H. Book’s sermons on “What Must I do to Be Saved? And put them to work. Hendershot was to hold a meeting there, but as he could not hold it at the time desired, and as J. Hopwood had recommended the writer in case Hendershot could not be gotten, arrangements were made for the meeting and Ms. May Leake of Virginia Christian College, was engaged as organist, soloist and chorister. Gasoline torchlights were hung in the grove, and the work began.

During the first week we had a few converts. The church being locked against us gave us the sympathy of most of the people. We preached the gospel in love. On the second Sunday of the meeting we preached Christian unity. About forty took their stand with us that day. The meeting continued for another week and closed with 101 additions. Much of this was due to the solos and song service conducted by Miss Leake. We had more than five hundred people at the service several nights. We had the best order and attention to the outskirts of the congregation. Among the converts were many of the best people of the community.

We then began to plan for a church. Brother Reynolds proposed to give the site. We had read in the Standard of building churches in a day, so we decided to undertake it. Many said it could not be done. We thought that what was being done in other States could be done in Virginia. So, with only two weeks from the time we set the day to build, we got busy. Some of the framing timber had been cut. We secured lumber, windows, doors, etc. had hauling done and all things ready. Being acquainted throughout the State, I invited carpenters from different places. On August 23 a few of us met and cut part of the timber and laid foundation. On the morning of the 24th we met and had photographs made at 6:00 a.m. Then we went to work in earnest. We had carpenters enough to manage each department of the work. The frame went up rapidly. Then on each side a number of carpenters began putting on weatherboards, while two other sets of carpenters put on sheeting. It was two o’clock before the tinners could begin. Burt the roof was put on, and lumber dressed, and seats made and put in the church, and we had preaching there that night and several converts. The ladies furnished a splendid dinner. It was estimated that a thousand people were on the ground that day. At night 412 were counted on the seats in the church while more than one hundred could not get seats. The next day we had some little finishing and to take the scaffolds down. A little weatherboarding for one of the gables was lacking, and part of the roof had to be seamed the next day, but the house was built and put under roof and seated in one day.

This is not a “box house” covered with paper or rubber, but a good building 34x35 feet, 19 foot pitch inside, with self-supporting roof, covered with tin, seamed the next day, but the style. All the work is done in workmanship order.

Among the carpenters and tinners who came from other points were J. G. Leake and two sons, with Mr. Pritchett and Mr. Irving, from Albemarle County; J. E. Carter, with his son and a Mr. Fry and Mr. Harris from Spray, N.C. ; John Greer, George W. Harris, Willie Jones, C.G. Campbell, H.O. Crow and the writer from Lynchburg, Va; W.R. Davis, Hampton Oaks and Adison Adkins from Sandy Level; Mr. Parker, from Rocky Mount; Mr. Fox Shelton, Mr. John Shelton and Mr. W. F. Motley, from Sheva; Mr. Tuck and two Messrs. Perdue from Franklin Junction, and B. F. Sublett, from Christiansburg, besides some others whose locality was not known to the writer. I never saw men work better or seem to be happier. Several said, “We would not have missed that for fifty dollars.” All the work of these two days, cutting and building, was given free of charge. This can be done and will be done again in “The Old Dominion.”

We are now in a meeting at Franklin Junction, Va. Ten miles from where this church was built. We are using the Episcopal Church. B.F. Sublett and H. O. Crow singing for me, and we have fine interest. With only to or three members here, we have had about fifty conversions in the days. The Interest is fine. We were told that it was impossible to get a congregation here. But, with the splendid music and the simple “Old Jerusalem” gospel preached in love, we have the church packed and many outside. The people seem anxious for the truth. We hope to build a church here also.

Truly the harvest is ripe in the “Old Dominion” and in the East. During the months of July and August we have had more than 250 conversions. This is only a beginning of what can be done. What are we doing in Virginia.

H.D. Coffey
Evangelist for Virginia Christian College
Lynchburg, Virginia
September 23, 1911

Disciples of Christ Historical Society found this article written by Reverend H. D. Coffey along with another article about the building of Gretna Christian Church which I will post tomorrow.

As you may already know, Virginia Christian College is now called Lynchburg College. A very fine college which is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Mr. Josephus Hopwood was the founder of Lynchburg College and was the person who had recommended Mr. Coffey for the job as preacher in replacement for Brother Hendershot who could not be there. Lynchburg College has always maintained a close association with the Disciples of Christ Church since it was through the support of Disciples of Christ ministers and businessmen that the school was established. For more information on Lynchburg College see their website http://www.lynchburg.edu/collegehistory

If anyone has information about the other gentlemen in the above article, please contact me and I will in include our blog.

Many thanks to the following:
Disciples of Christ Historical Society
Mark E. Poole Photo
Christian Standard Magazine

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary Blog February 20, 2010

Gretna Christian Church
Minister: Reverend Dwight Mays
111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24577

Stained Glass Window in Gretna Christian Church dedicated to the memory of Reverend H. D. Coffey.

From the Book, My Life With God, by Reverend H. D. Coffey,

All this was done because we took the Lord in the work at the beginning and He does not fail. To Him, belongs all the glory. Coffey could not have done it.








Contributions and Thank yous to:
Disciples of Christ Historical Society
Mark E. Poole, photographer
My Life With God by Reverend H. D. Coffey

February 18, 2011 Gretna Christian Church Anniversary

Gretna Christian Church
Minister: Reverend Dwight Mays
111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24577


I found the following in the Chesapeake Evangelist Magazine 1938


State Evangelist Served 36 years

H. D. Coffey, State Evangelist of Virginia, retired from active service on April 30. He had worked for the Virginia State Board since March 1, 1902. During the 36 years he held more than 400 revival meetings, organized a number of churches and youth groups, donated more than 7,000 copies of the Bible or New Testament, and led in erecting more than 30 church buildings.
Mr. Coffey states that he will continue to preach for free-will offerings as long as possible. He is nearly 77 years old, but still active. He has just published a book, describing his many experiences, and illustrated with 10 pictures.


EDITORIAL

H.D. Coffey Retires

After more than thirty-five years in consecutive service as evangelist under the Virginia Christian Missionary Society, H. D. Coffey retired from this service on April 30th. No man ever served more faithfully nor touched more lives for God than has this faithful servant of the Kingdom. The State Board regrets that his years prevent him from carrying full time service. The Board is recommending to the convention that a reasonable pension be paid Brother Coffey and that he continue to do such evangelistic work as his strength may permit.

This retirement from the State Board’s service does not mean that he has retired from his ministry. On his own initiative he will plan and conduct such meetings as he chooses. In such a relationship he may continue for many years, telling the story that he loves so well.
Brother Coffey has produced a book, his autobiography, which is just off the press, in which he presents a small part of his many achievements as State evangelist. It is impossible for even him to tell the whole story. He organized scores of churches, directed the building of probably fifty “meeting houses”, raising thousands of dollars for these enterprises, turned many young men to the ministry, and led thousands to accept Christ and Savior. In practically every town and city church, to say nothing about the many rural churches, there are persons leading in the work of the Kingdom, who were gripped for God by this great servant of the Kingdom.

We love and honor him for what he is and for his complete surrender to the services of his Lord. May God rest him and still use him for the glory of his Kingdom.

It was during this service with the Virginia State Board that he helped found Gretna Christian Church. In the next few days I will be blogging stories written about the beginning of Gretna Christian Church which were written by Reverend H. D. Coffey.

I would like to thank the Historical Society of The Disciples of Christ. Without their kind help I would not have found this information.

Remember anyone that checks in please feel free to comment or contribute. My e-mail is poolejanice@gmail.com

 

Reverend H. D. Coffey

Gretna Christian Church
Minister: Reverend Dwight Mays
111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24577

We cannot start this story without beginning with the Reverend Henry Davis Coffey. The Reverend Coffey was born on the Tye River, Nelson County, Virginia on November 16, 1861 to Andrew J. Coffey and his wife Rebecca Campbell Coffey. He was the grandson of Henry B. Coffey a pioneer preacher who rode horseback over mountains preaching the Old Jerusalem Gospel, visiting the sick, marrying people and burying them without pay. Reverend Coffey credits his grandfather with teaching him to commit scripture to memory which was a great help in his service to God.
According to Mr. Coffey’s autobiography, “My Life With God”, his father was forced into the army during the Civil War leaving his mother for four years. While his mother attended her duties, he would read aloud from their Bible and primer and she would correct him. Quoting him from his book, “My mother was the best woman that I ever knew. From an earthly point of view, I owe all that I am, or have done to her.” The young Henry Davis Coffey and his mother lived the hard scrabble life, but after the war his father returned, he built them a log house and went to work for his family.
Naturally books were scarce and when Schools were open in his section, he would be the first one to get up in the morning to make fires, feed and cut wood for the home before he went to school. There were many duties to do at home and he would stay up until ten or twelve o’clock at night studying. One year there was no school in his district so Monday he had to walk across the mountain to Augusta County and then three miles to school. Then on Friday evening walk home in the dark and on Saturday cut wood for the family for the following week.
Reverend Coffey attended school until he obtained a certificate to teach. He taught at the school where he had attended until the school closed. After that he attended the Louisa Male Academy taught by Z. Parker Richardson. Reverend Coffey had wanted to attend college, but the circumstances of the time prevented him from doing so. But he was active in the Evergreen church and diligently studied the Bible. He was a teacher at the church, Superintendant of Sunday School and a leader. Evangelist E. R. Perry of the Piedmont District, Virginia, held a meeting at Evergreen Church and came back for another meeting. At that time, he announced that Reverend Coffey would be ordained to preach.

Tomorrow I will continue with articles I found and stories of the Reverend H. D. Coffey.

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary Blog February 16, 2011

On October 16, 2011 Gretna Christian Church in Gretna, Virginia will be celebrating their 100^th Anniversary. Through pictorial history and memories contributed by fellow members and visitors, we hope that you can share and enjoy Gretna Christian Church’s centennial celebration.

Gretna Christian Church is a member of the Disciples of Christ denomination. 

Disciples of Christ

The Disciples of Christ Church began at the beginning of the 1800s through three inspirational leaders: Thomas and Alexander Campbell, a Scottish Presbyterian Father and Son in Pennsylvania and Barton W. Stone, a Presbyterian in Kentucky.

Excerpt from Disciples of Christ website at http://www.disciples.org/AboutTheDisciples/HistoryoftheDisciples

Thomas and Alexander Campbell, a Scottish Presbyterian father and son in Pennsylvania, rebelled against the dogmatic sectarianism that kept members of different denominations - and even factions within the same denomination - from partaking of the Lord's Supper together.

Barton W. Stone in Kentucky, also a Presbyterian, objected to the use of creeds as tests of "fellowship" within the church, which were a cause of disunity, especially at the Lord’s table.

Christians," the name adopted by Stone's movement, represented what he felt to be a shedding of denominational labels in favor of a scriptural and inclusive term. Campbell had similar reasons for settling on "Disciples of Christ" but he felt the term "Disciples" less presumptuous than "Christians."

The Campbell and Stone denominations merged in 1832 after over a quarter century of separate development.

Since 1832, the Disciples of Christ church has developed into a church known for its cooperative and ecumenical work. In 1910, the Disciples established the Council on Christian Unity, the first denomination in the world to have an organization devoted to the pursuit of Christian unity.  The Disciples also helped organize the national and World Councils of Churches.  The Disciples gave leadership to the establishment of a new ecumenical venture called (CCT) Christian Churches Together.   CCT brings together Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox Evangelicals and Pentecostal Christians.

In 1911, the Gretna Christian Church was founded.  During that time, they have followed the practices of the Disciples of Christ to be a faithful growing church that demonstrates true community, deep Christian spirituality and a passion for justice.

Join us this year, as we share remembrances from the past and hope for the future.  Anyone that wishes to contact me can write me by Google e-mail  poolejanice@gmail.com or by commenting on  the blog.

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary Blog February 9, 2011

The official beginning of this blog will be February 16, 2011.  If anyone has any pictures, stories or memories they would like to share, just write a comment below.  Thank you.
Keep reading each day for more updates.