Winchester News, April, 1954.
Photograph By Cousins, Shannon & Greg Hinshaw.
The first church built at the present location of the Buena Vista church was erected in 1870 by a united effort of all classes of people. Previous to this, religious services had been held at various locations in the community including a "meeting house," as it was called, erected probably 1842 to 1850, and located on land owned at the time by Robert Starbuck, this being south and west of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Slack.
After the church was completed in 1870, it was given into the charge of the Poplar Run Friends, meeting and ministers of that denomination came by appointment to conduct services for the community.
On June 16, 1925 the Poplar Run Friends meeting transferred the deed for the property to the trustees of the Buena Vista Christian church.
In March of 1885, Rev. I.V.D.R. Johnson (known as the alphabet preacher), organized a Christian church there. There were 100 charter members, and by a rising vote the name of Buena Vista Christian church was adopted for the new organization. This church became a member of the annual conference of the denomination this same year. Rev. Johnson, who organized the church, was chosen first pastor.
In December a committee was appointed to solicit money for the purchase of carpeting. The names of the contributors are still on record. Contributions varying from one cent to one dollar amounted to $12.75. Twenty-eight yards of carpet were purchased at a cost of $12.60, leaving 15 cents in the hands of the committee.
From that time until 1906 the church was served by the following pastors: Rev. I.V.D.R. Johnson, Rev. J.R. Cortner, Rev. N.W. Gray, Rev. George Johnson, Rev. Harvey Thornburg and Rev. Christopher Brown.
In 1906, during the ministry of Rev. Brown, the church being badly in need of repair, committees were appointed, laborers and material obtained and the west wing of the church was built. This doubled the seating capacity thus making it adequate for funerals and large congregations. Much labor was donated and contributions were generous, so that on January 20, 1907 this new church was dedicated by Revs. Ora Harris and Harvey Thornburg.
Since that time the following have served the church as its pastors: Rev. Harvey Thornburg, Rev. Zelma Mills, Rev. Bertha Driver Helbig, Rev. John A. Johnson, Rev. Lou Keener, Rev. N.E. Grile, Rev. Earnest Pursley, Rev. A.E. Gilmore, Rev. George Vanderburg, Rev. Morris James, Rev. Joseph H. Thornburg. Rev. Ruby Oren and the present pastor, Rev. A.B. Thornburg.
In the spring of 1947 it was found that the church was again in need of repair, this time being caused by termites, to the extent that it was declared unsafe for public services. A meeting of the church and community was held soon after this ti discuss the matter and decide what should be done. A committee consisting of Park Pegg, J.A. Holaday, Herman Slack, Estel Hutchison and Walker Reed was appointed to solicit and investigate.
The community again responded generously by donating labor, material and finance and the work was begun early in May of last year, the church being closed from the first of May until the first of December. A basement was made under the entire building, a new heating plant installed, newly decorated inside and out, new outside doors and other repairs at a cost of $8,784.04.
The rededicating services were held on the beautiful Sabbath day of July25, 1948.
In December a committee was appointed to solicit money for the purchase of carpeting. The names of the contributors are still on record. Contributions varying from one cent to one dollar amounted to $12.75. Twenty-eight yards of carpet were purchased at a cost of $12.60, leaving 15 cents in the hands of the committee.
From that time until 1906 the church was served by the following pastors: Rev. I.V.D.R. Johnson, Rev. J.R. Cortner, Rev. N.W. Gray, Rev. George Johnson, Rev. Harvey Thornburg and Rev. Christopher Brown.In 1906, during the ministry of Rev. Brown, the church being badly in need of repair, committees were appointed, laborers and material obtained and the west wing of the church was built. This doubled the seating capacity thus making it adequate for funerals and large congregations. Much labor was donated and contributions were generous, so that on January 20, 1907 this new church was dedicated by Revs. Ora Harris and Harvey Thornburg.
Since that time the following have served the church as its pastors: Rev. Harvey Thornburg, Rev. Zelma Mills, Rev. Bertha Driver Helbig, Rev. John A. Johnson, Rev. Lou Keener, Rev. N.E. Grile, Rev. Earnest Pursley, Rev. A.E. Gilmore, Rev. George Vanderburg, Rev. Morris James, Rev. Joseph H. Thornburg. Rev. Ruby Oren and the present pastor, Rev. A.B. Thornburg.
In the spring of 1947 it was found that the church was again in need of repair, this time being caused by termites, to the extent that it was declared unsafe for public services. A meeting of the church and community was held soon after this ti discuss the matter and decide what should be done. A committee consisting of Park Pegg, J.A. Holaday, Herman Slack, Estel Hutchison and Walker Reed was appointed to solicit and investigate.
The community again responded generously by donating labor, material and finance and the work was begun early in May of last year, the church being closed from the first of May until the first of December. A basement was made under the entire building, a new heating plant installed, newly decorated inside and out, new outside doors and other repairs at a cost of $8,784.04.
The rededicating services were held on the beautiful Sabbath day of July25, 1948.
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