| The most recently formed, and probably the least known, church in the history of Wilbur was the UIWU. According to Jacob Luther Dillon, the Wilbur group was formed in 1950. | |
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It is not known if
the group was associated with the UIWU at its origin or if the
association came later. Letters written by Dr. Howard L. Werner of
Glencoe, IL indicate that he had corresponded with Jacob Dillon and had
supplied books and encouragement to the group in the early years of its
formation. What was generally known in Wilbur at that time was
that the group had built an Altar off of Duckworth Ridge Road.
The group seems to have been very active in the 1950's and early 1960's, and brought several prominent individuals to Wilbur. The United Israel Bulletin (published in New York City) of September 1961, contained an article about the "Ark Dedication at Wilbur Height." It concerns a ceremony that was to take place to dedicate “their |
| Worshipers standing on the "Altar of Whole Stones," holding their Torah. The photo was taken about 1955. | |
| first Ark to house the movement’s first Torah on this mountain-ridge.” The ceremony was to be held in the UIWU Building and a special delegation from New York and leaders of other UIWU units were to be present. | |
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Another article, from March of 1962, concerning Passover festivities and the 19th anniversary of United Israel notes that “UIWU members from various parts of the nation are expected to join the West Virginia brethren…..” “Dr. Israel Ben Zeev, President of the Israeli World Union, is expected to attend, as also Prof. Abraham S. Kotsuji, head of the Institute of Hebrew Culture, Japan.” Similar groups were located in West Union WV, Salem WV, Mt. Olive MI and Levittown PA. By 1963, however, the Wilbur group was dwindling. In a letter written to Dr. Abraham I. Shinedling, a rabbi and author who was seeking information about the group, Jacob Dillon states: “This group at Wilbur is small. Some have moved away to seek employment. This is a small farming community . We aren’t very active now. We are so few in number."
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| Jacob Luther Dillon receives a Torah from Peter Shimon Olin Moyle and Dr. Jacob Rubin | |
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Back row left to right: Francis Norman, Peter Moyle, Jerry
Lowe, Dr. Jacob Rubin, Rudy Perysian, Bill
Goodin, Jacob Luther Dillon and David Paul Davis. Front row left to right: Randy Lowe, David Dillon, Lonnie Chapman, Tom Dillon, Nelson Forester, and Andy Cavins. |
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