Our Story

Any listing of the many historic churches located in the Valley and, most assuredly, in  Rockingham County, would have to include Trinity United Church of Christ in Timberville.  This lovely old Church is located most appropriately on "Church Street" in the middle of town  and stands next door to the Church of the Brethren. Trinity United Church of Christ traces its  beginnings to the early 1700's when Reformed and Lutheran families were settling in the Valley.  This eventually resulted in 3 acres of land being given to this organized congregation in  Timberville and the deed was recorded in 1773. The first structure on the property was a log  church constructed in 1765. A new frame structure was erected on the site according to the best  sources on or about 1806. 

Throughout this early period, the church was served by a variety of short-term pastors as well  as various circuit- riding ministers. 

In 1848, the “Mill Creek Charge” included the following Reformed congregations: Zion's, Pine,  Rader's, Solomon's, Jacob's, and Turleytown. Apparently, there was also a Trinity Reformed  congregation at the County Line site of what was later called St. Luke's Reformed Church, but it  was not included in the Mill Creek Charge yet. The records are a little 'fuzzy' in this matter. In  1860-1868, and 1872-1874, the Rev. Henry St. John Rinker was Pastor for Rader's Reformed  congregation and the St. Luke's (Trinity/County Line) congregation. The Rev. Barton R.  Carnahan served these two congregations, from 1877-1882. During his tenure, the Reformed  congregation at Rader's began using the Timberville schoolhouse as its worship place. 

On Dec. 10, 1881, the cornerstone was laid for the new  

Trinity Reformed Church of Timberville. In 1882, the  

Mill Creek Charge was divided, and the "Timberville  

Charge" was created, consisting of St. Luke's (formerly  

Trinity)/County Line church and the new Trinity  

(formerly the Reformed part of the Rader's Church) in  

Timberville. On June 01, 1884, the new Trinity church  

was dedicated, free of debt; the congregation ceased all  

connections with Rader’s Church, selling its share of the  

property to the Lutherans.