History

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THE HISTORY OF COAL FORK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Michael H. Skiles, Church Historian

On April 4 1878, John Dearien, Joseph Wallace and James Belcher were designated as trustees of the newly organized Methodist Episcopal Church at Coal Fork of Campbells Creek. Land was purchased from the Lewis family near the present day site of the home of Virginia and the late Wilbur Reynolds on Coal Fork Branch. A frame structure, including a bell donated by Wyatt and John Blackburn, was completed in 1880 and dedicated as a place of worship for its membership. Worship continued at this place for the next twenty years, as the church grew.

Apparently in need of a more convenient location, the congregation purchased the site of the present church on January 11 1899. The church building on Coal Fork Branch was disassembled, moved by wagon and reassembled at the new location and repainted. The two remaining trustees, Mr. Dearien and Mr. Belcher sold the old church property August 27 1910.

As industry grew in the Kanawha Valley, the coal mines on Campbells Creek multiplied as well. The large mines of the Campbells Creek Coal Company at Putney, Point Lick and elsewhere and dozens of smaller operations from Dana to Putney attracted hundreds of new residents to the area. Many of these folks were immigrants from various parts of the world who came to live and work with those whose families had been here for several generations. They labored together both in and out of the church and their efforts brought forth a thriving church and community. Revivals conducted by Frank Peters and Harvey Hysell under the pastoral leadership of D.H. Estep and M.E. Hively in the late 1920s and early 1930s resulted in scores of people dedicating their lives to Christ. These people or their descendants comprise the bulk of today’s church membership.

By the 1940s, the old church building had seen 15 ministers, from B. W. Darlington in 1879 to Waldo Bennett in 1945. Included in that roster was Mamie Keplinger, who served from 1940 to 1945 as the only female pastor in church history. In 1940, during her tenure at Coal Fork, a drive was begun to raise funds toward the construction of a new church. After all, hundreds of people had worshipped God and faithfully attended and supported the church and they had literally outgrown the old frame structure. So, beginning with the first $100 donation by Mary Mead Leftwich, Sunday School Superintendent Morris Burke began the efforts.

On Sunday, March 10 1946, the last worship service was held in the old white church building. That day, a photographer was present to capture the images of over 200 women and children and 70 men in Ted Bostic’s Men’s Bible Class as they gathered in front of the old church. The next day, the 66-year-old church was demolished as a new steel, brick and concrete structure was begun in its place. During construction of the new church, worship services were held at Midway School until November 24 1946. Services were held in the basement of the new building starting December 1 1946, with 231 people in attendance. By late 1948, the new church had been completed, with the exception of basement classrooms. A parsonage was built in 1949 on property formerly owned by the Dean family two doors above the church. Also in 1949, during the pastorate of Waldo Bennett, successful revivals brought many new Christians into the church, many of whom are very active to this day.

During the 1950s and early 1960s, the church experienced unprecedented growth. As an example, over 400 people were in attendance for Easter services in 1957 and 1958. Groups of men, women, and youth were all very active in the life of the church. This activity became more diverse and prompted the church trustees to consider the need for a separate building to accommodate the work of the women’s groups and the youth. In 1972, plans were developed for the construction of the Activities Building. Located on property behind the church donated by Frederick Wills, the building was completed in August 1974.

Since then, many physical improvements to our church have been completed.  The parking lots were paved in 1978 using the proceeds of a bequest from the estate of Adam Blake. The vestibule to the church was built in 1980-81 and the present parsonage was bought in 1981 with a large addition constructed in 1990.  During the celebration of the Bicentennial of American Methodism in 1984, extensive remodeling of the church sanctuary and the basement chapel took place.  Included was a visit from Bishop William B. Grove on April 1 1984, as he helped dedicate the work to God’s glory. In 1995 and 1996 generous donations from the church circles and various members, some choosing to remain anonymous, provided a new heating and air conditioning system, basement windows, sound system, roofing and choir loft repairs. On July 20 1997, the church gathered to dedicate 24 beautiful stained glass windows placed in memory or honor of many faithful and dedicated members.

God has richly blessed our church and its people in many ways for 121 years. As we move into a new century and new millennium, we do so with continued faith in our Lord and the firm belief that His blessings have only just begun.