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History of Summit Church of the Brethren

 

Summit Church

 

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Summit stems back in history to the years following 1770, when families of Brethren people came into the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia from Pennsylvania and Maryland, settling in Rockingham and Augusta Counties. From these settlers developed the Middle River Congregation. We are told by 1850 the membership at Middle River had increased to more than five hundred members, scattered over a large territory. Out of the need for other places of worship, the Pleasant Valley Church was built in 1854 and the Barren Ridge Church was erected in 1856. During the early eighteen-seventies the western side of the Valley Congregation was divided into two other church communities, where the Summit (organized in 1874) and Lebanon church houses were built. Five or six Brethren families living in the community had already met in the first old Harmony school house near Seawright Springs, where preaching services were held. Interest increased and the church grew. Prior to the erection of the Summit Church house there was discussion around the Milnesville Community as to where to build. The people finally decided upon a location in a grove of trees on top of a hill, two miles east of Milnesville, which is now called Centerville.

Original Summit Church of the Brethren Building

 

Original and New Summit Church of the Brethren Buildings Side by Side

 

 

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History of the Church of the Brethren

 

 

 

Seal of Alexander Mack

 

The seal is believed to have been used by Alexander Mack, founder of the Church of the Brethren. It contains several religious symbols. The cross is central. A heart is placed upon the cross that suggests sacrifice. The vine and grapes grow forth from the heart and represent the fruit of the spirit that is made possible by the gift of Christ upon the cross. The fruit of the spirit comes forth from the discipleship of the believer. The entire symbol provides a close unity of several important aspects of Christian life as believed and practiced by the early Brethren.

  © Summit Church of the Brethren
314 Summit Church Road, Bridgewater, VA 22812
(540) 828-6262