JUN 3, 2005
Herald-Standard
During the month of June, Woodbridge Union Church in Smithfield is celebrating 215 years since its founding in 1790. Information provided by a church history explained that the church was formed by Samuel Woodbridge, who migrated from New Jersey with his wife, Ann, and several others.
The first service of the Seven Day Baptist Church was held on June 6, 1790. Woodbridge acted as the first minister and served until his death in 1814. Another early preacher was Enoch David, a well-known local Seven Day Baptist who died in 1798 and whose remains are in the church cemetery not far from the site of the first church. An interesting note is that descendents of David still worship in the church.
The church was instrumental in licensing many men to preach at Woodbridge and other local churches. The church rigorously enforced worship on the Sabbath (Saturday) and one early licensed preacher, Lewis Sammons, was excommunicated for “abandoning the Sabbath.’
Over the years, the pastors at Woodbridge included Thomas Hersey who was a chaplain in the army in the War of 1812.
More recently, the church was served by Fred Zuginlak, beginning in 1979; Kevin Roberts in the late 1990s and the Rev. Robert Warholak, who was called in June 2002.
The first house of worship was a log building constructed in an area now near the center of the cemetery in 1795, heated by a stove, and was approximately 20 by 26 feet. It was used until 1848 when replaced by a small wooden church.
By 1883, the growing congregation saw the need for a newer and larger and more modern church.
A fund-raising drive by subscription was started by Martha Robinson Conn, a schoolteacher and a member of the board of trustees. The size, material and location were formed with the representation of the three churches in Smithfield, the Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian.
Lumber was cut in Ruble’s Run by Mr. Stenta and hauled to the site by Charles Woodfill. J.I. Griver and William Dils were the carpenters and they were aided by local residents.
On Aug. 17, 1884, dedication services were held with the Rev. Cork of the Methodist Church holding the morning service, H.O. Robinson of the Presbyterian, the afternoon service and the evening service led by the Rev. Ross Ward of the Baptist Church. The new building could not accommodate all who attended.
The cemetery was enlarged in 1924 by purchasing land from Joseph Farr.
Beside the early ministers, their wives and families, the cemetery is also the final resting place for soldiers from the Indian uprising to veterans of most all wars up to World War II.
One honored solider was Civil War Capt A.F. Duncan, whose mother was Ann Woodbridge Oliphant Duncan and in whose memory a monument was unveiled in 1879. Last known interment was in 1990, due to no more space.
Church records for the year 1932, during the Great Depression, saw attendance weekly between high 50s to nearly 80. Yet the weekly offering was anywhere from 60 cents to $1.43.
But the church struggled thorough hard times and by 1980 property and need for room saw a Sunday school addition plus indoor restrooms were built.
One of the problems facing not only Woodbridge but also many small rural churches was a decline in the availability of ministers, both full- and part-time.
Many denominations began licensing lay pastors, usually men who were retired or had full- or part-time jobs. Warholak studied for more than three years before graduation.
Warholak has served in various Baptist churches as a Sunday school teacher and eventually every church office. He toured Israel in January 1998.