A publication of the Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren

March 13, 2024

According to D. H. Ziegler, author of the 1908 book, “A History of Brethren in Virginia,” Brethren from Pennsylvania and Maryland began moving into the Northern Shenandoah Valley in the latter half of the eighteenth century. As revolutionary fervor emerged, Brethren residing in Pennsylvania were increasingly scrutinized for their peace position. Eventually, their property was confiscated, and some were beaten. This dilemma caused individuals and families to disperse into western Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

One such individual was Elder John Garber, who left York County, Pennsylvania, in 1775 and traveled to the northern Shenandoah Valley. He eventually settled in southern Shenandoah County. In 1783, his sons Samuel and Marvin and their wives joined him from their home in Maryland. Some consider Elder Garber the first Brethren minister to settle in the Northern Valley.

Elder Garber and his wife, Barbara, were blessed with ten children: six sons became preachers, and another was a deacon. Their daughters were also a part of the church, and two became wives of distinguished ministers. One of their sons, Abraham Garber, and his wife, Elizabeth, migrated from the Flat Rock congregation in Shenandoah County to Augusta County near New Hope. There, they began meeting in homes until 1824, when they constructed the original red brick church building, establishing the first Brethren congregation in Augusta County known as Middle River.

Middle River was the host congregation for the Annual Conference in 1851, and reportedly 500 people attended. Three years later, the congregation had grown, so additional meetinghouses were constructed in Weyers Cave in 1854 and near Hermitage, located east of Staunton, in 1856. These congregations eventually became independent churches. The Weyers Cave congregation became Pleasant Valley, and the other congregation east of Staunton was Barren Ridge.

Another important meeting was held at Middle River in 1862 after several Brethren and Mennonite men were taken captive and sent to Richmond for being unwilling to bear arms in the Civil War. A General Council meeting was called at Middle River to discuss what should be done about the incarceration of these men. The Virginia legislature had already enacted the Exemption Act to allow dissenters to pay a $500 fine and 2% of the value of their property. Benjamin F. Bryarly and Christian Kline were chosen at this meeting to go to Richmond and secure the men's release after the Brethren raised the necessary funds to pay the fines.

Top: Middle River Museum feetwashing display.

Bottom: Middle River museum family in worship display

(Photos by B. S. Diehl)

When the tide turned in the Civil War in 1864, Union forces marched through the Valley, and Confederates engaged them on June 5 at Piedmont, a small settlement just north of New Hope. During this battle, the Confederate troops sustained 1,600 casualties, and Union troops had 875. The Middle River church served as a hospital, and at least one soldier was buried in the cemetery there.  

The original red brick church burned down and was replaced in 1884 with a white wooden structure. Later, the building was expanded, and the entrances reconfigured. In 1964, a new brick building was erected on portions of the old foundation of the original church. It was located near the present-day cemetery and was used for fellowship meals until a wing was added to the new church building in 1975. The wooden church building was torn down sometime afterward.

At 4:30 a.m. on Election Day in 2006, the sanctuary in the new brick church caught fire. Through Divine Providence, a mail carrier was out on his route and noticed the smoke. He contacted the fire department, and the remaining structure was saved. Until repairs could be made, the congregation met in the local fire hall and later in a gymnasium.

Donna Hurst and Doug Meyers grew up in the Middle River congregation and have some stories to tell. Meyers remembers being in the chancel choir, where he met many friends. He was mentored by Oliver and Weldon Cline. He remembers his dad, who was employed by J. S. Mathers Construction, serving on the 1964 building committee. Myers followed in his father’s footsteps by serving on the building committee when the fellowship wing was added to the church in 1975. The wing was built by his father's company.

The missionary fervor at Middle River did not subside with the establishment of new congregations in the nineteenth century. In the twenty-first century, missionary focus has turned international. Trips to Haiti and San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala, gave those who went a sense of continuing the mission.

Missionary work is not the only thing that has evolved. Pastor Kathleen Michael noted that the pathway to ministry is changing. A student in the Shenandoah District’s Christian Growth Institute, known as CGI, Michael transitioned from a secular career into the ministry. Being a ministry intern under Pastor Bob Johnson solidified her pastoral skills. As an intern at Middle River in 2018, she reflects, “I certainly did enjoy that time because ... he was very open to me to come in and do my internship there with him.” 

Middle River is proud of its history as the first Brethren church established in Augusta County. They have created a museum that will be open to the public as the first in a series of 200th Anniversary celebrations on April 14, from 5-9 p.m. The museum features pictures of their pastors dating back to the early 1900s, displays of clothing from an earlier era, historic quilts and objects that have been used in various capacities through the centuries. The day will include an open house with a performance by the One Family Band, and snacks will be served. A homecoming service is scheduled for August 11, and the community anniversary celebration will take place on October 19 in conjunction with the Apple Festival.

Regarding serving as pastor at Middle River as they mark this milestone in ministry, Michael concluded, “It has been a great joy, and I feel very grateful to be a part of this great celebration of the church’s 200-year anniversary.”

Above and right: Quilts on display at the Middle River Museum.

(Photos by B. S. Diehl)

This article was developed through consultation with the following resources:

Interviews with Doug Myers, Donna Hurst and Kathleen Michael, February 27, 2024.

_____, “Battle of Piedmont.” Virginia.org, accessed on March 11, 2024.

Ziegler, D. H. “A History of the Brethren in Virginia.” Elgin, Brethren Publishing House,1908.

If you have questions or comments about this article, please Contact Director of Communications Brenda Diehl at brendadiehl@shencog.org or call 540-234-8555.