Monday, July 25, 2011

More Memories from Gretna Christian Church

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary
Minister:  Dwight Mays
111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557


When the church parsonage was completed in 1953, a bulldozer was brought in to backfill the basement walls and grade and level the parsonage and church yards.  Brother Edgar Mayhew said the job would not be complete until we got a grass sod on it.  He came up with the idea of removing the sod from his pasture and placing it on the yards, if the men of the church would help.  Many of the men didn't think much of the idea but all agreed to help.  Brother Mayhew not only had ideas but usually made them work.

Jake and Perry Jefferson had a one and one-half ton truck and Vaden Aylor loaned us his.  We started early one morning loading the sod and placing it on the lawns.  At the end of that day both yards were green with grass!  Today when we look at those lawns, we should think of them as being more than a grass sod; but also a memorial to two devoted Christians and church members, Edgar and Belle Mayhew.

Edrie "Pete" Shelton


Thank you to:

Mark E. Poole  photos
Disciples of Christ Historical Society 

Gretna Christian Church
Atha Bailey
Linda Dalton



Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Some Memories from Charlie Ellis Pastor of Gretna Christian From 2000 to 2005

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary
Minister:  Dwight Mays
111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557

I served Gretna Christian Church from March 2000 to March 2005. In 2001, the town of Gretna celebrated it's centennial, and we observed our 90th anniversary with many members dressing in the style of 1911. I am sure someone must have a few pictures of that event.

In July 2001, Mike and Jenny Dellis, and Kathy and I went to the General Assembly in Kansas City. This was a joint gathering with the United Church of Christ General Synod. [I think I have pictures from this which I can share.] It was at this Assembly that we Disciples accepted the 20/20 challenge to establish 1,000 new congregations by the year 2020. As of last week's 2011 General Assembly, we have over 700 new congregations established toward that ambitious goal.

Gretna Christian hosted the District IV Assembly on the Sunday following the 9/11 attack. Regional Minister Lee Parker was our guest speaker.

I hope the churches still have the Holy Week mid day worship and lunch. That was a wonderful time for all of us to gather for common worship. Our cooks at Gretna Christian are so good that even Glenn Graves, pastor at First Baptist, was bragging on us. Two of the five years we were at Gretna, we held a Maundy Thursday service which echoed the Seder Feast at which Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper. We had many guests from the other congregations in town.

I particularly remember one year on Palm Sunday when we told the entire Holy Week story through Scripture readings, music and acting. The service ended with the crucifixion and burial of Jesus (anticipating the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.) As we left the sanctuary in silence, then 3 year old Hannah was sitting next to Kathy in tears, saying, "He's supposed to get up! Why doesn't he get up?" Kathy explained to her that the story isn't over, and that we will continue it on Easter.

One of the vital ministries we took part in was the Northern Pittsylvania Co. Food Center. About once every quarter we would collect food, and every month we had quite a few volunteers helping out with the distribution at the American Leagion. We also took part in the packing of boxes at the site down near Chatham.



Reverend Charlie Ellis





Mark E. Poole  photos
Disciples of Christ Historical Society 

Gretna Christian Church
Atha Bailey
Linda Dalton

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Story by Ms. Nell Bolling

I'm afraid the little bit of history that I can contribute with regard to the church will not be worth very much, as it is already well known to most of the present members.  However, I do feel that special emphasis should be given to Brother Henry Davis Coffey, because without his devout leadership the original building of this church never would have been erected, and following the tornado of October 29, 1917, the church here might never have been restored.  Brother Coffey was a unique individual who took God as his "partner" early in life, and there is every evidence that he remained steadfast throughout his life.  His sincerity could be seen, felt and admired even by people who were not professed Christians.  He "launched out on the promises of God, backed by the Bank of Heaven."  It was this quality of devoutness and deep faith that drew masses to his revival meetings, and to work on the building of churches under his leadership.

The gentleman who became by step-father in 1926 never united with a church, but he did believe, and I have heard him tell about the pleasure of "helping to build" the church in one day and having food carried out to feed the workers.  Brother Coffey, whenever holding a revival in Gretna, would walk the three miles to our home often spending the night, to proclaim the Word to my step-father.  I'm not sure when was the last time he was in Gretna, but I do recall that he showed the infirmities of advanced age.  He was born November 16, 1861.  It was in 1928 that I became personally acquainted with him, although I had heard my mother expound on his genuine piety and the excellence of his ministries.  She would tell of how she and my father walked from Piney Fork to Gretna, carrying a one year old baby (the third of their six children) to attend the revival which preceded the building of the Gretna Christian Church.

Brother Coffey was very strong in his teaching about the evils of intoxicating liquors.  For many years when he would hold revivals here, he would bring a projector and slides depicting a little boy in a saloon begging his father to come home, where he was badly needed and the father rejecting his son's pleas.  Of course, these were not moving pictures, and instead of background music, Brother Coffey would sing "Oh Father, Dear Father, Come Home With Me Now."  It was very touching! I'm sure I can't recall all the words, but it went something like this:

Oh Father, dear Father, come home with me now,
The clock in the steeple strikes one.
You said you were coming straight home from the shop,
As soon as your day's work was done.
Our fire's gone out, and our house is all dark,
And Mama's been watching since tea,
With poor little Benny so sick in her arms,
And no one to help her but me.


Chorus:  Come home, come home, please Father, dear Father come home.


O Father, dear Father come home with me now,
The clock in the steeple strikes two.
Poor Benny is worse, and he has been calling for you.
Ma says he will die, perhaps before morning shall dawn,
And this is the message she sends me to bring,
Come quickly or he will be gone.

O Father, dear Father, come home with me now.
The clock in the steeple strikes three
Poor Benny is dead, and gone with the angels of light,
And these are the very last words that he said,
"I want to kiss Papa goodnight."

The revival held in late August or early September of 1928 is my first memory of Gretna Christian Church.  Brother Coffey conducted this revival and had a large number of additions to the church.  I was one among them, and he baptized us in the baptistery at First Baptist Church.  He took a special interest in the children.  He had us line up down our church aisle and passed out candy to us.  And he gave all the coverts New Testaments.

Nell Bolling
Ms. Nell Bolling a long time member of Gretna Christian wrote this article for their 1996 Memories Book.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Memorials/Gifts to Gretna Christian Church

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary
Minister:  Dwight Mays
111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557


In the 1970's the brass communion set was given by Claude and Mae Owen.  The brass offering plates were given by the Christian Youth Fellowship. In the 1980's the brass cross and candlesticks were given in memory of Irene Crawley by Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Crawley and their children.  In 1986, the walnut cross was given by Dan and Edna Love.


Mark E. Poole  photos
Disciples of Christ Historical Society 

Gretna Christian Church
Atha Bailey
Linda Dalton

Friday, July 15, 2011

Memorial Gifts to Gretna Christian Church

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary
Minister:  Dwight Mays
111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557


In 1966 the communion table was given in memory of Virgil Atwell Motley by the Peoples Bank of Gretna, Virginia.

Virgil A. Motley was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia on August 14, 1893.  He was the son of Josiah Coleman Motley and Nellie Catherine Bennett.  Mr. Motley was the President and Chairman of Peoples Bank of Gretna.  He was a member of Gretna Christian Church, a veteran of World War I and a Mason.
Mr. Motley was married to Alice Lamkin.

Mr. Motley died on September 14, 1966.  The funeral service was conducted at Gretna Christian Church by the Reverend Roy L. Parker and Reverend Robert Ripley.  The pallbearers were J. G. Aylor, E.B. Fitzgerald, A. R. Ramsey,W. G. Vansant, George W. Jones, R. C. Vaden, Jr., R. S. Love, Obie Minter, Melvin Bolling, Melvin Yeatts and E.F. Ramsey.


Mark E. Poole  photos
Disciples of Christ Historical Society 

Gretna Christian Church
Atha Bailey
Linda Dalton

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Disciples of Christ 2011 General Assembly

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary
Minister:  Dwight Mays
111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557


Last Monday I attended the 2011 General Assembly for the Disciples of Christ.  I passed out business cards with the Gretna Christian Church blog and told people about Gretna Christian celebrating their 100th anniversary this year.  Below are some pictures of some of the attendees and some of the merchandise that was being sold.


















Mark E. Poole  photos
Disciples of Christ Historical Society 

Gretna Christian Church
Atha Bailey
Linda Dalton

Friday, July 8, 2011

Ode to the Builders

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary
Minister:  Dwight Mays
111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557


I found this poem written for the Builders of the First Church in 1911.  This poem was written by Ms. Nancy B. Love.

Ode To The Builders of the Gretna Christian Church
October 19, 1911

A band of Christians needed place
To Meet and thank their Lord for grace;
They vowed to raise a house where they
Could praise their Maker each Lord's day.

So early one October morn
They came with plans all laid
To raise the Lord's house in a day,
A goal for which they prayed.

Their minds and hearts with Spirit filled,
They came to labor and to build;
They knew that God would bless their task
Because His blessing they had asked.

With rule and hammer, saw and nail,
With fervor they their task assailed;
From early morn to sun's last light
They worked against the coming night.

With brawn and sinew, might and main,
They laid foundation, shaped the frame,
Then added walls and window sills;
They built for strength without the frills.

And when at last the day was done
Their determined hearts had won;
Their house of worship stood as planned,
Built on the Rock, not sinking sand,

On that eventful day and since
This church has stood as evidence
Of their devotion to their God
And faith in His eternal Word.

And although once destroyed by storm, 
This house of worship carried on;
It was rebuilt on old foundation
Of faith in God and dedication.

                                                                                              Nancy B. Love



Mark E. Poole  photos
Disciples of Christ Historical Society 

Gretna Christian Church
Atha Bailey
Linda Dalton