NEW BETHLEHEM (RVO) – “We are beyond proud to congratulate Colin Wood, Christian Mumpower, and Jacob Battle for their groundbreaking historical research on St. Mary’s Redbank Church and the New Bethlehem & Redbank Valley community, which has been officially accepted for publication in a prestigious, peer-reviewed academic journal,” shared the Rev. Dr. Gordon V. Barrows, Pastor of the St. Mary’s Redbank Church and Mayor of New Bethlehem.

Their paper, “They Looked at Us Like an Astronomer Would View Pluto’: The Redbank Mission and the Case for Rural Episcopalians, 1872-2021,” will appear in Anglican and Episcopal History, making it one of the first sociological case studies on rural Episcopalianism ever published in a scholarly journal. This tremendous academic achievement not only advances their careers as future doctors of academia and scholarly researchers, but also ensures that our local history is preserved and recognized on a national level—bringing honor to New Bethlehem, Redbank Valley, and ultimately, God’s Kingdom.

Left-to-right: Christian Mumpower, Jacob Battle, Colin Wood, and Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows

Colin Wood, Christian Mumpower, Jacob Battle – Liberty University – New Bethlehem

Hear from the scholars themselves:

➡️ Colin Wood: “I want to thank the peer reviewers for their comments and the community at Redbank for their hospitality and trusting us as historical researchers. I also want to exult Christian and Jacob, who will be published in a peer-reviewed journal for the first time, for their hard work, dedication, and mastery throughout the project.”

➡️ Christian Mumpower: “What fantastic news to receive this afternoon! I am likewise thankful to my fellow researchers and our project supervisors—especially Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows—for making the RVHRP a success. Look out for our published article in Anglican and Episcopal History, or watch my page for updates.”

➡️ Jacob Battle: “After months of review, I am proud to announce my first major publishing! This work has truly been groundbreaking and would not have been possible without the guidance of Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows, who has been a key figure in this project’s success.”

Colin Wood, Christian Mumpower, Jacob Battle – Liberty University – New Bethlehem

A Community Effort – Thank You!

This achievement was made possible through the Unveiling History Summer Internship Program, hosted by the Redbank Valley Historical Society and St. Mary’s Redbank Church, in collaboration with Liberty University’s History Department.

A special thank you to Mr. Jim Shuster and St. Mary’s Redbank Church for their unwavering support of this project, as well as to all those who contributed to its success:

✨ Debra Huffman – Redbank Valley Historical Society
✨ Don & Brenda Shillings – Lead Researchers, RV Historical Society
✨ Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows – Pastor of St. Mary’s Redbank Church & Mayor of New Bethlehem
✨ Jim Shuster – President, St. Mary’s Redbank Church
✨ Josh Walzak – Leader-Vindicator Editor
✨ Sandy Mateer – The Gallery, The Inn, and NB Town Center
✨ Matthew Green – Green Digital Innovations
✨ Dr. Michael Davis & Dr. Samuel Smith – Liberty University Professors
✨ Rev. Kimberly Karashin – Pittsburgh Archivist

We are incredibly proud of these young scholars for their dedication, faith, and passion for preserving the history of our local churches and community. Their work will have a lasting impact for generations to come, and we know this is just the beginning of their journey.

Please join us in wishing Colin, Christian, and Jacob the best of luck and prayers as they continue their education, pursuing a path toward becoming future doctors of academia and scholarly researchers. May God bless them as they continue to honor Him through their academic and historical contributions! RedbankValley.org/RVHRP