The first families to settle
nearby (in Tioga) built a church and worshipped there for many years.
It was later moved to another location. In 1936, three people (Rev.
H.B. McCann, Rev. J.B. McCann, Todd Hollingsworth) led the effort to build
a new church in the area. This church was later enlarged, with cinder
blacks being added to the outside walls.
After continued growth, the
congregation made plans to build a larger sanctuary. Construction
began in 1964 and was finished by February 21, 1965 when the first service
was held in the new church.
It wasn’t long before tragedy
struck the new building. On Labor Day 1970, a fire destroyed the
pastor’s study, the pulpit area, and the front of the church. Most
of the furnishings suffered smoke and water damage. The congregation
immediately began plans to rebuild. During the construction, they
met for worship in the education building and met at the Immaculate Heart
of Mary Catholic Church for Church School. The rebuilt church was
consecrated on March 14, 1971. Bishop Aubrey Walton and District
Superintendent Clyde S. Clark led the service. Bishop Kenneth Shamblin
led the dedication service on October 3, 1982.
The congregation decided in
1974 to build a new education building on the location of the cinder block
church and education building. The new building contained classrooms,
a parlor, a kitchen, and a large open area with a stage. Four members
of the church have entered the ministry: Raymond Crofoot, Ed Pickens, Odell
Simmons, and Lewis Morris, Jr. |
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