HOWARD — Forty people were in attendance last Saturday when the Hopewell United Methodist Church hosted the Schenck Creek Revival.
This revival worship service was envisioned as an opportunity to celebrate the Christian beginnings at the Brown Meeting House along Schenck Creek. It is believed this spot, in the 1830s, is where several area Methodist congregations had their start.
Among those who gathered to celebrate and worship were five pastors, who spoke or gave brief testimonies. At least six area churches were represented by those present, said organizer Don Newland.
The Rev. Michael Padula of Hopewell Church served as host pastor. Bob Joseph was the song leader. The Rev. Jim Magaw gave an inspirational message.
The revival took place one-quarter of a mile from the hall’s original location.
“None of this could have happened without the kind offer of location — the property of Jerry and Elaine Stull. The Stull property is only one-quarter of a mile from the original Brown Meeting House site,” Newland said.
Following the revival, guests returned to the Hopewell Church for refreshments and fellowship where many took the opportunity to ride a horse-drawn wagon, symbolic of the manner in which neighbors traveled to small rural churches in the past.
