About Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren

1901

 The first Sunday School and Worship services are held on June 9, with

 P.S. Thomas in charge of the service and J.M. Kagey in charge of preaching.

1906

 A new sanctuary is constructed at a cost of $15,000. The new sanctuary is first used for worship on December 9.

1909

 Cooks Creek, Greenmount and Mill Creek congregations release control of the Harrisonburg congregation. P.S. Thomas, who has served as pastor since 1901, remains pastor of the new congregation.

1918

 Additional Sunday School rooms are added to the original building on High Street.

1923

 N.D. Cool becomes the first pastor to be hired to a full-time position

.1927

A second addition is added to the original building, this addition includes more Sunday School classrooms.

1951

The Harrisonburg First Church congregation moves across High Street to a larger building.

1971

 Membership reaches an all-time high of 741 members.

1978

 A 5.4 acre plot of land is purchased and a new building is constructed on Dogwood Drive. 

The new building has a sanctuary, 12 Sunday School classrooms and a kitchen.

1995

 An addition and renovation to the existing building on Dogwood Drive begins. The renovation creates 4 new Sunday School classrooms and the addition adds a new fellowship hall, 4 additional Sunday School Classrooms and a full service kitchen.

2001

 Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren celebrates its 100th anniversary.

2005

First Church sends member to Mobile, AL to help rebuild homes after Hurricane Katrina.

2007

 First Church becomes influential in “Project Nimule” helping the village of Nimule, Sudan. First Church donates money for school scholarships, kids toys and sports equipment through New Community Project and First Church member Emily Young.

2007

 First Church becomes one of three area churches to serve weekly meals at the Harrisonburg area Salvation Army Shelter.

2008

 First Church sends 3 members to Sudan to continue work on “Project Nimule”.

2009

 First Church continues its outreach on a global scale by sending supplies and 1 member to Nimule, Sudan. First Church also sends two groups of members to Chalmette, Louisiana to help rebuild houses that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

2010

First Church of the Brethren wins 3rd place in the Salvation Army Bell Ringing Campaign for money raised during

 the 2010 Kettle Drive. The Children’s Christmas Parade Float wins 1st place for Best Float in the Churches/Religious category in the Harrisonburg Christmas Parade.

2011

First Church sends 3 members as part of a team on a mission trip to Nepal.

2013

First Church hires Beth Jarrett as full-time Pastor.

2013

Derek Young celebrates 25 years as Director of Youth and Adult Ministries.

2021

First Church hires Paul Roth to serve as Interim Pastor.

2021

 First Church reaches out to children whose parents are incarcerated and are from disadvantaged homes through

 the Extra Mile Project.

2022

 First Church engages with the community in Meet Your Neighbor Event. Continues partnership with the Extra Mile Project.
Praize Kidz organizes a fundraiser for the children in Ukraine sent through the District to the Brethren Disaster Ministries.
Focused Prayer gatherings commences in December 2022.

2023

First Church hires Marty Doss as full-time Pastor on October 1.

2024

First Church hosts Shenandoah District Conference, welcoming delegates and guests from COBs around the District. Pastor Marty is installed as Conference Moderator for 2025.