One of the oldest Lutheran churches in Shenandoah County, which is now in Page County, was Mt. Calvary, or "Hoxbiehl." Hoxbiehl is Pennsylvania-German for "Hawksbill." The beginnings of this church seem to date from 1765, or thereabouts. Another old establishment was Stoneberger's, which was located on Stony Run, near Stanley. A deed for the real estate at Stoneberger's was made in 1795. The old log building, erected about 1801, stood until the 1920's. Rev. Jacob Stirewalt of New Market served this church from 1837 to 1869. Later Stoneberger's was deserted and St. Luke's was organized at Alma. Bethlehem, four miles east of Luray, dates back to 1848 or 1850.

On October 22, 1788, Rev. Paul Henkel confirmed a class at Gomer's (Comer's?) Church on the Hawksbill. Later in the same year, he held confirmation services in Powell's Fort.

Excerpted from John W. Wayland's A History of Shenandoah County, Virginia

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