The Botetourt County Historical Society, Inc. is honored to announce the donation of a historic ledger book from Brick Union Church—an invaluable piece of local history that offers a window into the life of one of Botetourt’s earliest shared congregations.
Originally known as the Howerytown congregation, Brick Union Church once stood near Troutville before it was lost to the construction of Interstate 81. The church’s roots reach back to 1796, when Reverend John George Butler organized the first congregation. The brick church itself was likely built around 1837 on land deeded by Christian and Eva Housman. True to its name, Brick Union served multiple denominations—including Lutherans, Dunkards (now Brethren), and Methodists—reflecting the cooperative spirit that shaped early Botetourt communities.
The newly donated ledger records the activities of this once-vibrant congregation, capturing details of meetings, membership, and stewardship that help illuminate the lives of those who worshiped and worked together nearly two centuries ago. Many of the earliest pages are in German and were translated and transcribed in 1977. Artifacts like this ledger are vital in preserving and understanding the shared faith and perseverance that built the county’s earliest institutions.
Before being donated to the museum, the ledger was lovingly restored through the generosity of John “Jack” Rader, Sr., a long-time caretaker of Brick Union Cemetery and a descendant of families connected to the church. Mr. Rader personally funded the professional restoration of the volume at Cat Tail Run Bookbinding in Winchester, Virginia, ensuring its preservation for generations to come. Thanks to his dedication, the fragile pages—once at risk of being lost to time—have been stabilized and beautifully rebound, allowing researchers and visitors to safely explore its contents.
The ledger was graciously given to the museum by the surviving great-great-great grandchildren of George W. Rader, Joseph Bean, Cathy Bean Gregory and Judith Landers Harne, whose commitment to preserving local history helped bring this important artifact into the public trust.
David Robbins also recently brought in parts of a chandelier from Brick Union, along with photos showing Brick Union in the landscape of the Howerytown area. The historical society is grateful for the history of Brick Union that is being preserved through the donations from the community.
Though the church building no longer stands, its cemetery remains—a quiet resting place for nearly 200 early residents, including members of the Camper, Kessler, Nace, Rader, Shay, and Snider families, among others. The cemetery also includes a section dedicated to enslaved individuals who labored on nearby properties, an enduring reminder of the complex and intertwined histories that shaped the community.
Today, descendants and local volunteers continue to honor Brick Union’s legacy through the preservation of its cemetery, with the Botetourt County Historical Society proudly serving as the pass-through organization for ongoing maintenance funds.
The addition of the Brick Union Church ledger to the museum’s collection ensures that the story of this remarkable congregation—its faith, its unity, and its endurance—will not be forgotten.
The trustees of the cemetery, associated with Brick Union church, are now seeking to raise funds for its continued upkeep. If you would like to make a gift, please make checks to Brick Union Cemetery and mail to Botetourt County Historical Society, PO Box 468 Fincastle, VA 24090. Contact Kevin Smith at 540.521.5235 if you have additional questions.
~ Botetourt County Historical Society
