Roda Church

By Dorla Goins

From The Heritage of Wise County and The City of Norton - Volume I

            The Stonega Coke & Coal Company built the Roda Church in 1921. The pastors were supplied by the Methodist Holston Conference. I was enrolled in Sunday School in 1931. The pastor at that time was W. H. Simpkins, and the Sunday School Superintendent was Henry Quillen. The church wasn't just for spiritual training, but was the hub of our social life. The upstairs of the old theater building was used for cake walks, box suppers and other parties.

            The time of revivals was a big event. We would attend the one in Roda, and then go down to Osaka for theirs. The boys stayed outside and when the service was over, walked the girls home.

            During one of the revivals, I was among the mourners at the altar. Christians gathered around on their knees, praying, while the congregation sang the old hymns that we still love to hear. There was a lot of crying and shouting when a sinner rose to his feet. One of them was John Fields. He was a grown man, and I was only twelve years old, and through the years, I always found John to be a true Christian. We were baptized the following Sunday in the cold water that passes down by Slabtown in lower Roda.

            The old building still stands, and a few local residents attend. But I think it spirit is still alive in the hearts of those who grew up there.