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