Rev. G. C. Zeigler Now Has One Of Strongest Churches In Entire Area – Other Locations Come Later.
From the 1938 centennial edition of The Times-Register
According to G. C. Zeigler and B. F. Callaway, the first Christian church in Roanoke County had its inception in what is now South Salem about sixty-three years ago.
F. Ammen, who had moved to Salem, started a little Sunday School in South Salem, which developed rapidly and within a short time the decision was reached to construct a church building. After much hard work and effort on the part of the little group who belonged to the Christian denomination, the church was completed on the hill where the South Salem cemetery is located. here the building remained for a number of years, when as a result of the “Boom” in 1890, the level land along the river was rapidly built up, and a movement was started to move the church from the hill to the lower section, where it would be more accessible to a large number of citizens. Some time after 1900 the church was torn down and rebuilt on its present location.
The early church records having been destroyed, the correct dates have been difficult to ascertain, however, it is stated that the first pastor of the South Salem Church was B. F. Abbott, who was followed by John Haymaker. For a number of years various pastors preached at the church without holding a definite charge.
In 1916 B. F. Callaway accepted a call to preach at the South Salem Christian Church and remained for seven years, when he was succeeded by George C. Zeigler in 1923, who was pastor for the next five, resigning to go to Blacksburg in 1928. He. B. Worley took Mr. Zeigler’s place and remained for two years when he resigned and Mr. Zeigler consented to return to the South Salem Church, where he as been since 1930. The congregation numbers 620 and plans are being considered to construct an addition to the building.
- Main Street Church
About 1895, Medie Ammen, brother of B. F. Ammen, was instrumental in organizing what is now the East Main Street Church of Christ, in Salem, which has a membership of about 175. Among the pastors who have filled the pulpit of this church are: R. A. Helsebeck, G. W. Headen, B. F. Callaway, H. C. Weaver, C. E. Elmore. Mr. Headen, who formerly served as pastor of the church, again took over the work in 1935 and is serving at the present time.
Other churches of the Christian denomination in the county include the Edgewood church founded about thirty years ago by A. H. St. Clair, which has served continuously as pastor. The church has a congregation of about 100 members.
There is also the Piney Grove Church, organized about twenty years ago by Mr. Thomas, of Roanoke. G. W. Headen formerly preached there, but Dean Callaway is the present pastor with a membership of approximately 150.
The latest Christian church to be established was founded at the Fort Lewis in 1926 by G. W. Headen, and two years later B. F. Callaway organized the congregation and led in the erection of the present church building, which was dedicated in 1928. Mr. Calloway’s son, Dean Callaway is now in charge of the work with an enrollment of 135 members.
– Prepared by Lingjie Gu
