AMISSVILLE UNITED

AMISSVILLE UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH

Inside the church, warmed by sunlight filtered through the stain glass windows, the lighting is more modern and toilet facilities have been upgraded.

“It was not until the 1%0’s,” Mrs. Chandler added with amazement in her own voice, “that modem plumbing was added. But we did fine,” she said, adding that the house behind the trees was only really busy on Homecoming Sunday.

“The only difference is on the outside where a small door was covered, a door that went to the balcony,” Mrs. Chandler said, explaining that wrhen aluminum siding w'as added in the early 1970’s the door w'as removed, though the steps remain. “Through this door, the slaves would enter and sit in the balcony.”

New pews were installed, though the ones previously used can be found in the church’s fellowship hall. An education building was added.

But some things are missing.

The church once had an old school bus, bought from the Culpeper County schools, which gath-^ ered young children and brought them to Sunday School. It ceased as insurance rates skyrocketed and the church could no longer afford such.

Earlier, in the 1940’s, Irvin Holmes used his flat-bed truck for the same purpose.

“It was an old pick-up truck with slats on the sides,” Mrs. Chandler said, laughing and adding that the roads were rough back then and she hoped he was a gentle driver, as he delivered the young minds to worship.

People like Irvin Holmes will be remembered on Sunday, Aug. 13.

“We are planning an early worship,” Mrs. Chandler said, adding that the 10:30 a.m. worship will kick off the anniversary celebration, also a church homecoming. “We have one of the oldest living members — 93-year-old Robert Walter of Charlottesville — and one of the oldest members — Julia Poe of Amissville — attending.