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Boyhood home of Rev. Robert Sheffey, “The Saint of the Wilderness”, legendary circuit-riding frontier preacher who gave up wealth and social position to spread the Word and Spirit of God. Built in 1820 by James and Elizabeth White. Partially burned in 1864 during the Civil War. Restored 1866. ♦ _____ ♦ The story of the Colonel James White House Read more...
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The A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home is a place closely tied to the memory of one of the most beloved figures in Appalachian religious history, Robert Sheffey. Known affectionately as “Uncle Bob,” Sheffey was a nineteenth-century Methodist circuit rider whose life of prayer, simplicity, and tireless ministry left a lasting impression across the mountains of Virginia and surrounding regions. Read more...
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The Dissenter’s Glebe of Samuel Davies occupies an important place in the religious history of colonial Virginia. Closely associated with Samuel Davies, one of the most influential early American Presbyterian ministers, the glebe represents both the challenges and the gradual expansion of religious freedom in the eighteenth-century South. In colonial Virginia, the Church of England was the established church, supported Read more...
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The Old Briery Church holds an honored place in the religious and educational history of central Virginia. Though modest in appearance, this historic site is closely associated with the early development of Presbyterianism in the region and with the founding of what would later become Hampden–Sydney College. It stands as a reminder of a time when church, education, and community Read more...
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From Judson, the Pioneer: “HI, boys, there goes the Bell Rock alarm! Come on !” The boys of Maiden, Massachusetts, in the old Colonial days were always listening for the Bell Rock alarm. It was a church bell, but it wasn’t in a church tower. It was swung in a wooden frame on a rounding ledge of rock, where now Read more...
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From Willard Barbery in 1950: It was Mrs. Suiter who showed us the sheepskin, in the Davidson home, formerly used by Bro. Sheffey and made mention of in another place in these writings. That sheepskin was given to Rev. Peter Rayburn Suiter, local preacher in the Methodist church for many years in Bland county and an associate of the itinerant preacher. Bro. Sheffey Read more...
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The story of the Four Chaplains disaster remains one of the most moving accounts of courage and self-sacrifice in modern history. Often referred to as “The Four Immortal Chaplains,” these four men—George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, John P. Washington, and Clark V. Poling—gave their lives during World War II in an act of extraordinary compassion and unity. On February Read more...
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SunTimes: She recounted that Jefferson at first doubted Beamer because he was so calm. She explained, “Todd loved his life but he knew that his life was much more than his 32 years on this Earth. His soul was secure, even when his body wasn’t, because Jesus was his savior.” The children of Todd and Lisa Beamer, David, Drew and Read more...
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Hymn History: The Nail Scarred Hand Author: Baylus Benjamin McKinney “The radiant and gentle life of B. B. McKinney exemplified his Christianity… always so modest, never wanting any credit.” (Robert Cottrill) The life and legacy of Baylus Benjamin McKinney reflect the deep musical and spiritual traditions of early twentieth-century American Christianity. A gifted composer, pastor, and educator, McKinney made Read more...
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Hymn History: He Lives Author: Alfred Henry Ackley “He once said, ‘The thought of His ever-living presence brought the music promptly and easily.’” (Bruce Creswell) The Origin of the Hymn “He Lives” (I Serve a Risen Savior) Few gospel hymns capture the joy and assurance of the resurrection as powerfully as “He Lives”, also known by its opening Read more...
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Hymn History: How Can It Be? Author: Avis Marguerite Burgeson Christiansen “Avis B. Christiansen is the gifted author of many of our sweetest gospel songs. By means of these, her name is known around the world, for many of these delightful lyrics have been translated into various languages. She is a modest, retiring person… With a very keen apprehension of Read more...
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Wikipedia: He composed many tunes, including those for “He Leadeth Me”; “Just As I Am“; “Sweet Hour of Prayer” (attributed to William W. Walford, 1772–1850);[4] “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” and “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less“, all of which can still be found in hynmbooks and songbooks today. The Life and Legacy of William Batchelder Bradbury William Read more...
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From his autobiography: “Aside from the Bible, a few school text-books, and collections of song, I cannot recall a single volume of literature of any kind in our home, until my older brother and sisters grew up. My father was a subscriber to one weekly newspaper, which he would read and lend to some less fortunate neighbor. As the years Read more...
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From the Cemetery: Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1851-1920), Section I, Lot #89-90 Eliza Hewitt was a songwriter who penned numerous Christian hymns. As a young woman, Hewitt taught at a Philadelphia public school, but after becoming ill with a spinal condition, she was confined to her bed. As her health improved, she began to write lyrics to songs, including “Sunshine in Read more...
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The Life and Legacy of William Howard Doane William Howard Doane (1832–1915) was one of the most influential gospel composers of the nineteenth century, a man whose life joined commercial success with deep and active Christian commitment. Remembered especially for his collaborations with leading hymn writers of his day, Doane helped shape the sound of evangelical worship in America during Read more...
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The Life and Legacy of William Augustine Ogden William Augustine Ogden (1841–1897) stands among the industrious and gifted church musicians of nineteenth-century America whose work strengthened congregational song during a time of revival, expansion, and missionary zeal. Though not as widely remembered as some of his contemporaries, Ogden’s hymns and gospel songs were sung in churches, Sunday schools, and Read more...
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Hymn History: Blessed Be The Name Author: William Henry Clark “All praise to Him who reigns above,In majesty supreme…Who gave His Son for man to die,That He might man redeem.” (William Henry Clark) William Henry Clark (1854–1925) was a faithful minister of the gospel and a hymn writer whose words have endured in Christian worship long after his Read more...
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Although President Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, the tomb bears an art deco style, from the renovations done by the State of Illinois in the early 1930s. This tomb is the third and final resting place of Abraham Lincoln (the original is down the hill, where Lincoln was in the vault for a few months, the second is marked by Read more...
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The Luther Monument is a significant religious and historical landmark located in Washington. Situated on the grounds of Luther Place Memorial Church near Thomas Circle, the monument commemorates the life and influence of Martin Luther, whose actions helped spark the Protestant Reformation. Dedicated in 1884, the Luther Monument was the first statue of Martin Luther erected in the United States. Read more...
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The Foundry United Methodist Church is one of the most historically significant Methodist congregations in the nation’s capital, known not only for its long-standing ministry but also for its association with James K. Polk. During his presidency from 1845 to 1849, Polk regularly attended this church, making it an important landmark in both religious and political history. The origins of Read more...