Through the years, members have written down their memories to preserve the history and heritage of our church. Here are a few of those brief histories that have preserved some of those memories.
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History – Logan Church of the Nazarene – 1935-Present (2010)
by Jean Hannah
Rev. W. V. Thompson came to Logan in 1935, with a tent, to establish the Nazarene Church. He used the tent at McConnell where Mrs. Mabel Wallen was saved. He also went to 5 & 6 Holden and “Cat” Stapleton was saved and those two individuals became charter members.
Dora Canterbury came to the church around 1936 bringing her four children. I have been coming to the Logan Church of the Nazarene for 60 years. My mother, Dora Canterbury was saved while attending Marshall College (University). The lady responsible for her conversion said, “I’m going home with you to find the Nazarene Church.” How she located this band of worshippers I’ll never know because there was no church building but only an abandoned bakery building located near where the Logan Banner Building is presently located.
There was a dispute about ownership and we found ourselves locked out. We worshiped in homes; Mollie White enlarged a doorway in her home and we set up church there. This was located in the Draper edition so we picked up a few kids for Sunday School, including Dallas Thompson. We also used Mrs. Decker Toney’s home. I remember as a child sitting on the edge of her bed for Sunday School. God has a special reward for those two ladies I’m sure. We worshipped in an abandoned church at McConnell. One night the rains came and the building leaked EVERYWHERE. We, at one time, were allowed to use a room at the Junior High School on the hill. A church at Chapmanville let us use their church for our night services. Finally, we rented a place on Cole Street where the Charm Beauty Shop was and the taxi stand are now located. Again a dispute over the property put us out.
At this time Rev. John R. Browning, who was saved during our time at Mollie White’s house, deeded to our church a piece of property located on Dingess Street at the top of the hill going to Central City. You talk about excitement—we were excited! We finally had a church! When it was only under roof, this little band of gypsies gathered for prayer and Rev. Thompson put a board over to the window and helped us kids get in. It was here that real history began to be made. Sally Childers was the first person saved in the new church. Later we had a revival and my dad Frank Canterbury, Arnie Childers, and Gerald Bias were all saved. In 1945 Rev. W. V. Thompson left to take another pastorate. Following this we had two other pastors to come, Rev. H. P. Huff (1945—47) and Rev. John R. Soloky (1947—1955). At this time the Chrislip family came to us and Asberry has been deeply involved in the work of the church along with his wife Betty. It was after moving into this building we formed what was then called the “Nazarene Women’s Missionary Society” (NWMS) and the “Nazarene Young People’s Society” (NYPS). Dora Canterbury was the first NYPS President. While worshipping here we gained the Egnor family, Mr. & Mrs. Bert Rucker and Ray Harless and many others.
In 1955, Rev. Robert Salser came as our pastor. Rev. Salser was a real prayer warrior and saw the need for us to get off the hill. God also saw our need and opened the doors for us to purchase the Presbyterian Church, now known as the Wallen Auditorium. This purchase was made through sacrificial giving…nothing in their lives was more important that the Lord. The Egnor’s gave the money they were saving to buy themselves a house and within the month Mr. Dorsey Egnor went to be with the Lord. Mr. & Mrs. Bert Rucker loaned the church money to help make it possible to buy the Presbyterian Church. They let us use the church for Mr. Egnor’s funeral. Following our move Rev. Salser and the men of the church remodeled the old church turning it into a parsonage so Rev. Salser could move out of an apartment and into the parsonage. We continued to grow and bring in new families like the Nelsons and Helen Spears, who brought in Margie Craddock, a daughter of one of the women from the Chapmanville Church were we had worshipped at one time. Rev. Salser moved on to answer God’s call to another church. Following Rev Salser was Rev. Merlin Provance who served as pastor from 1960—1964.
In 1964, Rev. J.O. McCaskell came to us and led the church through the purchase of the parsonage located at 108 Elm Street.
Rev. Allan Woolums came in 1966 and constructed the recreation room now known as the Kiddie Kollage kitchen. Rev. Marshall Copen pastored from 1970—1974.
In 1974, Rev. B. W. Hambrick came to us with a vision that we could hardly comprehend. Through his foresight the church began to get excited. We began to buy up property and build the secretary, pastor, and associate pastor’s offices. All this growing began to get the town excited. In July 1981, ground was broken for a new sanctuary. In February 28, 1982 we moved into our new sanctuary. Our church was dedicated on May 16, 1982. Upon our move to the new building a number of members were taken into the church, Hazel & Harry Gartin being two of them. In 1986 Rev. Hambrick answered God’s call to the Ephrata, PA Nazarene Church.
In 1986, Rev. G. Ervin Shrekengast came as our pastor and at this time we purchased what was called the A. J. Building. In 1992, Rev. Shreckengast accepted a call to Elkins.
Rev. Philip Boweer came to us in 1992 and under his leadership we were able to pay off both the A. J. Building (April, 1994) and the sanctuary (April 16, 1996). We had a GREAT service as we burned the mortgage on that property on July 28, 1996. A new parsonage at 144 Sayer Circle was purchased later.
DON’T FORGET WHERE THE LORD HAS BROUGHT US FROM!
Jean Hannah, 2010
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Continuation of the story!
by Irene Rucker
Rev. Bower accepted a call to the Hurricane 1st Church. He preached his last message to our congregation on Easter Sunday, April 4th, 1999.
Rev. Dayton Lockhart served as our interim pastor until July 4, 1999. On Thursday, July 8, 1999, Dr. Mervin Smith conducted an installation service for Rev. Bill & Susan Truesdale from North Carolina. During his pastorate (1999—2004), our new Chrislip-Smith kitchen was built, the Kurtzweil instrument was purchased, and the front foyer of the sanctuary was refurbished. The Truesdales elected to return to North Carolina as their field of service.
The Logan Church was strengthened and nurtured during the 10-month interim service of Rev. Lee “Tom” Cook (2004—2005). He was a true shepherd of our little flock. Our latest church directory was readied and published during this time.
On February 17, 2005 our present pastor, Rev. Larry Cale and his wife Donna and family began pastoring the Logan Nazarene Church. Several accomplishments and improvements for the church during the past five years have been: new metal roofing on the church, the Gas Building, the Wallen Auditorium, six new air conditioners purchased and installed; evangelist’s quarters remodeled with new windows; updated computers in church offices; video projectors in the sanctuary; remodeled the old Kiddie Kollege into a ‘children and teen’ center; and on December 1, 2009 our associate pastor, Rev. Gary Henry and wife Brenda were added to our ministry staff—filling in wherever needed— pulpit supply, office work, visitation, teaching classes, working with youth and teens, and involvement with our music ministry.
In her brief history of our church, Jean Hannah closed with a reminder for us not to forget where the Lord has brought us from—the Lord has surely brought us from a tent to this beautiful sanctuary that we worship in today. All praise and glory belong to Him! In 1935 our church began with 10 charter members. In 2010, we have 228 members on our roll.
During the past 75 years many families have moved into our area, and then too, many have moved out of our area—many dear saints have moved on to their eternal home. Imagine the names of all the precious souls that have been touched by the Lord—only God knows each and every one of them. And each one of the spiritual victories won around our altars during the 75 years of services and revivals has been worth it all!
To God be the Glory!
Irene Rucker, Oct 17, 2010
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And the Story Continues…
by Irene Rucker
In December of 2013, due to health problems, Rev. Larry Cale resigned as pastor of the Logan Nazarene Church but he and Donna continue to make their home in Logan.
Rev. John Anderson began his pastorate at the Logan Nazarene Church on January 26, 2014 and served until October 23, 2016. During his tenure here a new sound system was installed and a church van was purchased. He is now serving the Nazarene church in Ravenna, KY.
Pastor Larry Cale agreed to return to the church as interim pastor during the calling of a new pastor. He has supervised and brought to completion many improvements to the Chrislip-Smith kitchen, the Wallen auditorium and the parsonage at Mitchell Heights—painting and revamping the kitchen; drywalling, painting and carpeting the Wallen auditorium, classrooms, both entrances and foyers; and laying hardwood floors, installing new windows, and painting rooms in the parsonage. Pastor Cale has truly been the example of a servant for Christ – a sincere shepherd of his flock.
Words fail us when we try to express our love and appreciation to our best friend, Major Cal Clatterbuck , Retired from the Salvation Army, who has so graciously given of his time and talents to fill the pulpit on numerous occasions when the church really needed him – our heartfelt thanks!
It’s amazing to think how that small membership roll of ten names has grown in 1935 to our present roll of 228 members and of how the many lives have been touched and changed over 82 years.
Original Ten Members ( as listed on church records ):
- Mr. William Clark 7-14-1935
- Mrs. Sidney Jean 8-17-1935
- Mrs. Homer McCallister 7-14-1935
- Mrs. M.O. Shawver 7-14-1935
- Mr. Arvil Stapleton 7-14-1935
- Mrs. Arvil Stapleton 7-14-1935
- Rev. W.V. “Blue” Thompson 7-14-1935
- Mrs. Mason (Mabel) Wallen 8-17-1935
- Mr. Richie Yates 7-14-1935
- Mrs. Richie Yates 8-25-1935
Organizational service was held on July 14, 1935 with the charter held open for forty-five days until September 1, 1935.
Maybe you remember one of the original ten members, maybe two or three, or maybe none—but we each owe a debt of gratitude to each one of those ten who established a church for all who followed – where we have been able to worship our God without fear and in the beauty of His Holiness!
To God Be The Glory! July 2017
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Logan Church of the Nazarene 