Sam Black (1813-1899) was an influential Methodist minister from Greenbrier County. He was known as a circuit rider, which meant he traveled on horseback across many counties, spreading the word to more people than most ministers of his time. He was affectionately nicknamed "Uncle Sam." He even helped build churches using money earned by selling socks and deerskin gloves that were made by the women of his churches. He also played a prominent role in splitting the Methodist in West Virginia between North and South before the Civil War (he was for the South).

In 1902, a white frame church was built in Greenbrier County and named Sam Black Church. His name is written in large letters across the doorway of the building. Today, the small community that surrounds the church is also named Sam Black Church. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.