Reclaimed Memories

ometime in December of 1956, David Glovier, the pastor of "Glovier Evangelical United Brethren church,' in Waynesboro, Virginia, had a serious heart attack. He had been on the Board of Trustees of Shenandoah College, while Troy was president, and was one of Troy's loyal supporters. At that time we were living in Singers Glen and working, as much as possible, on the remodeling of our recently acquired home.

Troy had preached for a revival service of two weeks, in the Waynesboro Church, in 1955. Rev. Glovier was anxious for Troy to be the supply minister at Glovier Church, until he was able to return to the pulpit. The church was built during his pastorate there and named for him. He was never able to return to active duty.

Floyd Fulk was the district superintendent and had used his power, as such, to block the move of Shenandoah to Winchester. So he and Troy were on opposite sides in that controversy, but he was willing for Troy to act as supply pastor in Waynesboro. Troy agreed to take it, provided they were willing to let him hold two revivals, which he had promised to conduct. One was a two week series in Pennsboro, West Virginia. The other was a ten days series at Singers Glen. The congregation was more than willing to accept him on his terms. He preached his first sermon there as supply pastor, on January 6, 1957. His subject was, 'A Text For The New Year," from Galatians 5:25, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

We had a very happy eight months at the Glovier Church and after thirty-four years we still have very dear friends there. We would have liked to have stayed on as their assigned parsonage family, but in spite of the sincere efforts of the congregation, Fulk would not consent to that. A delegation visited him in his home in Broadway, and he was given a petition signed by almost every person connected to the church, asking that Troy be assigned. His excuse was that if he assigned Troy to the church that he would have to leave out someone who belonged to the Virginia Conference. This was clearly an untruth, for he accepted later a man from the Pennsylvania Conference who was wanting to transfer to Virginia and one or two of the smaller charges were left to be supplied after conference. The church in Waynesboro lost all faith in their district superintendent because of his actions.

From January until the end of the school term I continued to teach in Harrisonburg. During the week I stayed at home in Singers Glen. On Friday after school I would drive to Waynesboro and stay until Monday morning when I would drive back the 27 miles to Harrisonburg. Alone during the nights at Singers Glen, I would go to bed many times, afraid that the highway might be icy the next morning, for my ten mile drive to my school. After my school was out we spent most of the time in the parsonage at Waynesboro.

But the Lord was looking after us! Rev. Richard Brill, for whom Troy had held two revivals while we were in Elkins, had transferred to the Florida Conference of our denomination. At that time he was the superintendent of the twelve churches which composed the Evangelical United Brethren Conference in Florida. The first year we were at the college he had been in charge of recruiting students. He wrote to Troy and asked if he would be interested in coming to Florida, as pastor in Bradenton at the end of the conference year.

We really did not know what course we should take. Troy belonged to the West Virginia Conference and could return there. I was teaching in Harrisonburg and could continue there. In the last case we could live in our own home in Singers Glen, and Troy would continue in the evangelistic field.

We made a trip to West Virginia to talk to Rev. Miles. He said, "You folks worked up in the conference once and there are not going to be any major changes in the better churches this year. Why don't you go to Florida until I have a good opening for you here?" He ended by saying, "I'll tell you frankly, Troy, if I had a chance to go to Florida I would go." I guess that was what we needed to have confirmed. We knew the move to Florida would benefit us, but we did not want to let our own desires be the deciding factor in the move to be made.

Lanny, who was just short of ten years old, was with us that summer for an extended visit. He and my sister, Elma, went with us to Bradenton to look the situation over. We decided to take the appointment, so while we were there I secured a position as fourth grade teacher in the old Central School in the city.

We enjoyed the trip to Florida, because we combined business with pleasure. We took the trip through the Smokey Mountains. Lanny sported an Indian head dress and had his picture taken with the chief (?) of the tribe.

The rain came down in torrents the second day we were in Florida, but between downpours the sun would shine and we would leave the motel for more sightseeing. The newspaper the next morning informed us that it had rained over six inches in Bradenton in twenty-four hours.

Howard was in college, at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, in Blacksburg, Virginia, in 1957. Marion was teaching in Cleveland, Ohio. It looked as though the family would be widely separated.

The church at Waynesboro had a tearful farewell party for Troy. I was already in Florida. We had not been there long enough for them to find fault with us! There is an old saying among ministers that the first year on a new charge the pastor is idolized, the second year he is criticized and the third year crucified. So, we have only friends left in the Waynesboro Church. One of the men gave a little speech, then handed his notes to Troy. I put them in my current scrapbook. His notes: "Rev and Mrs. Brady came to us January 1. 1957, as supply pastor to complete the term made vacant by the retirement of Rev. Glovier. Though they were with us only 8 months, a great work was accomplished. We paid over $5,000.00 on our church debt. Kneeling rails were installed at a cost of $136.00. He received nine members into the church, which is more than one a month for the time he was with us. His farewell message was on the eighth anniversary of the church. There was not a dry eye in the house. Our roots were really watered and nurtured by Rev. and Mrs. Brady. Their ministry calls them to Florida. We thank God for them." I do not know who gave this farewell message. Troy probably told me when he gave me the notes, but we have both forgotten.

 
Troy drove me to Cleveland and we had a short visit with Marion’s family before I flew to Florida and Troy returned to Waynesboro. 1 had to go before time for conference, because of preschool meetings. Troy stated at the church until time for conference, so he could send in all reports. When he came he brought his dad and step-mother with him, expecting them to spend to spend the Fall and Winter with us.

NEXT - BRADENTON, FLORIDA  1957 - 1968