History of the Locust Valley Bible Church. By Dr. Curvin D. Stambaugh
The Locust Valley Bible Church was founded on Sept. 20, 1879 as a denominational church by Dr. George Sigler. The cornerstone was placed on that date. Dr. Sigler was born on June 9, 1834. He grew up on the place of his birth, the farm his father, Henry, owned. That land is adjacent to the current church property. He began serving in the ministry when he was 20 years old. He was known for being pastor at the church that John Brown attended when he conducted his raid on the Harper's Ferry Arsenal.
Twenty-five years after Dr. Sigler entered the ministry, the church at Locust Valley had its beginnings. Dr. Sigler had traveled on horseback from central Pennsylvania, where he had been serving some churches, to Virginia, to start a church there. While in Virginia, he was arrested by the Confederates and accused of being a Northern spy. He persuaded his captors of his real mission and was released to return home without having founded a church. However, when he arrived at the Virginia border, his horse was confiscated, and he had to return on foot to his father's farm in Locust Valley. He started a church, but in a location different from the one he had envisioned.
At first, the congregation met in a small building about one fifth of a mile south from where the church would be built. Henry Sigler gave the land for the original church building, which is the main church today.
There were several building programs over the years. In 1948, an annex was added; it was dedicated to the memory of Downye Marker. In 1952, a parsonage was built; then Governor Theodore McKelden spoke at the dedication. A Sunday school wing was added in 1957, donated by M. Fern Marker.
In June 1966, the church became an independent work without denominational affiliation.
Another wing was added in 1974, for more classrooms and an office area. A portion of the funds for this project was made available through a bequest from Daisy Coblentz, given in memory of her mother, Eliza House. In 1991, a second floor was added to the 1974 addition, which provided six classrooms that can be opened to make a large fellowship hall.
In 1997, the interior of the sanctuary was renovated in an earlier American style, and a new Allen organ was installed.
The pastor of Locust Valley Bible Church is Dr. Curvin D. Stambaugh; he has served the congregation since Dec. 7, 1969.