St. Paul Lutheran Church Cedar Creek Grade Fawcett's Gap, Virginia

St. Paul Lutheran Church

In the year 1856, The Reverend J. F. Fahs, who was then serving the Lutheran Church as pastor in Newtown (Stephens City) began missionary work in this community. He performed certain ministerial duties and gathered together the few Lutheran families here at that time and planned the building of St. Paul Church.

The Lutheran families, residents of the community at that time were members of Lutheran churches in adjacent communities such as Lebanon Church, St. John, St. James and Hebron in the Capon-North River Parish. After a few month pastoral efforts and missionary work. Rev. Fahs succeeded in arousing enough interest to begin the erection of a Lutheran Church and the cornerstone was laid in the latter part of 1856 with Pastor Fahs officiating and Mr. Philip Preffitt performing the mechanical duties.

The land on which the former church and this present one now stands was donated by Henry Snapp, along with a cash contribution of $100.00, which was regarded as very generous at that time, especially as he was not then a member of any church.

When the congregation was first organized, it consisted of eight persons. The church was dedicated the latter part of 1857 with the Reverend Levi Keller preaching the Dedicatory sermon. The first council was of Elijah Rudolph, Henry Snapp and Benjamin Frye. The first Trustees were Ben Frye, Elijah Rudolph and Martin Snapp. The erection of the church was made possible by many sacrifices on the part of those contributing.

Six or seven years after the erection of this church, it was greatly mutilated by United States troops, which camped in the community. It was said that much of the weather-boarding and all of the floor was torn up and used by soldiers for which no damage has ever been recovered.

During a Synod meeting after the war. The Reverend William Rusmisell, pastor at that time, expressed with dignity, resignation and courage the attitude that prevailed in defeat. He wrote, 'Though our once beautiful Valley, the of armies and battles, have been desolated and laid waste: though our churches have been desecrated and many of them destroyed; though many of our sons and brothers sleep in death; yet, whilst we drop the tear of affection upon their honored graves, and feel their loss to us is not such as we desired and prayed for, we accept the issue, and in the fear of god, will adjust ourselves as citizens of the United States, promptly and in good faith, to all our duties and responsibilities."

Owing to the very high cost of labor and material just after the Civil War, the cost of repairing the church was almost equal to the original cost. After being in service for 46 years, the church was torn down and preparations made for the building of a new church. It was also around this time that St. Paul became a part of the Stephens City Parish, after having been joined with Lebanon Church since 1869.

The cornerstone was laid on October 1,1902 with The Reverend J. W. Strickler performing the official rites, and Mr. Philip Preffitt again using the trowel, as he had 46 years before. The Reverend J. E. Bushnell, D. D. delivered the address in the schoolhouse nearby. The present church was erected at a cost of $2800. And dedicated free of debt on September 6, 1903. Pastor Strickler had charge of the ceremonies and The Reverend George S. Bowers preached the sermon from the text, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; They shall prosper that love Thee." Psalm 122:6.

It was during the pastorate of Pastor Cassell that the system of weekly offering for the regular support of the church through the duplex envelope system was adopted. The Daily Vacation Bible Schools were most likely the first of their kind to have been held in any rural church in Frederick County and were under the direction of The Reverend E. 0. Graham.

After a period of 29 years, outstanding improvements were made during the pastorate of The Reverend Snyder Alleman. The entire interior was completely redecorated: an annex (sanctuary) added to the church and a new altar built. In the concrete foundation of the sanctuary is a stone from the one time foundation of Memorial Lutheran Church which stood west of St. Paul a short distance.

A rededicatory service was held September 18, 1932 and The Reverend R. Homer Anderson, Missionary Superintendent of the Synod of Virginia, preached the sermon, also performing the official act of Dedication. Vespers followed every night during the week with three of the former pastors bringing the message. Speaking were The Reverends R. H. Cline, C. W. Cassell, and E. 0. Graham.

On the first Sunday in December of 1937, the picture panel with the photographs of all the pastors serving from the date of organization until that time was placed in the church. This picture panel has been enlarged to hold the additional pastors and still hangs in the rear of the church. In later years, the Women of the Church was organized; a rotating Council was begun; the pastor started wearing a robe; an altar boy instituted and a Junior Choir organized. An automatic heating system was installed in the winter of 1955 for the first time, as wood had been used since 1856.

The one-hundredth anniversary of St. Paul was celebrated on October 7.1956. Services began at 11:00 a.m. with The Reverend R. Homer Anderson, Supt, of Virginia Synod, delivering the sermon and former pastor, Raymond L. Boozes serving as liturgist. St. Paul was without a pastor at that time, but several former pastors spoke at the afternoon service, following dinner at the Community Center. Attending were: Pastors A. Hayne Boozer, Frank L. Roof, and Snyder Alleman. The Reverend J. B. Cassell, son of former pastor, C. W. Cassell, reminisced about having to open the gates coming from Stephens City in the horse and buggy. Another former pastor's son, R. R. Richard, being unable to attend, wrote of driving buggy and being the sole listener, as his father Asa Richard rehearsed his sermon.

During The Reverend William McCray's pastorate, the church was redecorated and on March 1, 1959, the congregation laid aside the Common Service Book for the new Service Book and Hymnal.

In February of 1962, a Building Committee that had been appointed earlier, met with Mr. J. L. Rogers, a local contractor, to have him draw preliminary plans for an Educational Building. This was due largely to a contribution received from the will of J. W. Richard (Supt. of the Sunday School for many years). The congregation approved the plans at a cost of $16,000.00 and additional land was given by the H.T. Snapp family. November of that same year, the new building was dedicated with Dr. J. Luther Mauney officiating. This provided Sunday School rooms; restrooms and kitchen facilities, eliminating using the sanctuary for classes. The Reverend Ralph W. Hoffmeyer was pastor during the construction and was instrumental throughout all aspects.