“The revival meeting was certainly a glorious meeting.

“I preached my farewell sermon in Mt. Pleasant M. E. Church on the last Sabbath evening of the Conference years September 30th, 1883. At the close of the sermon I received a beautiful Oxford Bible. The presentation speech was made by Mr. John W. Bailey. A response was made by the pastor.

 “May this church and all succeeding Pastors have abundant prosperity in the work of the Lord.”

“Otho Brant—Pastor”

“Oct. 19th, 1883.”

 (Note—The following is written on the margin of the page: “Text—Revelation 2nd Chapter, part of 10th verse;” “Be thou faithful until death and I will ive thee a crown of life.”)

The Clarksville record book contains many records of Probationers, Baptisms, and Marriages which give the “Residence” of the person or persons. The entries made during 1872 to 1877 give Mt. Pleasant as the “Residence.” From 1877 to 1885 the “Residence” is New Virginia.  These records would seem to indicate that the settlement was first called Mt. Pleasant and later became New Virginia.  

Other records in the Clarksville book which concern New Virginia are:

Trustees

1873—Wm. Buzza, Joel Frazier, G. J. Jewell, John Delhridge, Caleb Sweet

1877—James Rollinson, Thomas Davis, Joel Frazier, John Bailey, Geo. Manning

1882—Wm. Louks, Richard Ellis, John Bailey, John Baker, Joel Frazier

1883—J. W. Bailey, John Baker, Joel Frazier, James Young, John Harrison, Geo. Manning, Geo. Harrison  

Stewards

1873—John Delbridge, Joel Frazier, Wm. Buzza 

S.S. Supt. 

1877—James Rollinson

1882—John Bailey  

Class Leaders

James Rollinson, John Delbridge, G. J. Jewell, John Ellis, Wm. Lee, Thomas Davis, Geo. Manning, John Bailey, Wm. Gilson, Richard Ellis, Zacheus Wills  

Local Preachers

G. J. Jewell, James Rollinson, Zacheus Wills, James Hayes, Edward Wilton  

On the wall of one of the class rooms there hangs a picture of Rev. James Rollinson. Included in the frame with the picture is a brief outline of Mr. Rollinson’s church life. He was born February 22, 1832, near Dudley, England, and was converted at the age of fifteen. He came to America and arrived at Niles, Ohio, on May 16, 1865. He moved to New Virginia later in 1865 and began preaching there the same year. He preached 2000 sermons here and died August 8, 1909, at the age of 77.

The New Virginia church building when first constructed was built close to the ground and no basement. It was heated by two barrel-shaped stoves. The clear-toned bell was obtained through the efforts of Mr. William Lydel in 1890.  

About 1928 some remodeling was done and the building was raised four feet and now [1959] sits on a 36x54 foot cement-block foundation. The basement was excavated to provide a furnace room, two rest rooms, a kitchen, and a large room for Sunday School space, social activities and a nursery. A brick chimney was built on the outside of the building.

A second remodeling program was started in 1938 and continued for about ten years. During this period the sanctuary received considerable attention in that the ceiling was plastered, the siding on the inside walls was removed, a new hardwood floor was laid, a new pulpit and a new choir loft were provided and new pews were purchased. 

The sanctuary was further beautified by the addition of stained glass windows. Additional space was provided for Sunday School rooms.  

History Continued

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