Westminster Presbyterian Church Centennial Book

Celebrating 100 Years to the Glory of God Westminster Presbyterian Church An Evangelical Presbyterian Church 2005 Washington Street

Bluefield, West Virginia 24701

www.wpcbluefield.com

I hated history! All through school, and even college, the importance and appeal of history did not interest me. As far as I had experienced it, history was confined to reading a section in a textbook, answering a few questions, defining a few terms, taking a quiz, and then -- we were done. There was no discussion to explain the content or to show its relevance to today. Sadly, I never knew anyone who was passionate about history. English was different. The best teachers in high school and college were the English teachers, at least in my humble opinion. They were genuinely and sincerely passionate about what they taught. They had a love for certain authors and certain works of literature. When I went to college, I wanted to become one of those passionate English teachers. Good literature has interesting characters, an intriguing plot, an influential setting, and, of course, great conflict. Even though English was my major, I was required to have a minor. I could never have tackled Science, Math, Fine Arts, Phys. Ed., but anybody could handle Social Studies, so I reasoned. I took those classes and prayed I would never have to teach history. For some reason, in many schools, Social Studies teachers prefer to teach U.S. History, versus World History, so I was given World History. At my first teaching job, I taught eleventh grade English, American Literature, which I loved, and World History. I had to study a lot! During those first years, I really struggled to teach history, until it dawned on me – what history really is. History is a collection of stories, with fascinating characters, important setting, a complicated plot, and definitely many layers of conflict. Once I had this “ epiphany, ” and started teaching World History as a collection of stories, I fell in love with history. Whether it ’ s Ancient Greece, Renaissance Italy, or Bluefield, West Virginia, there is a wealth of stories that have made up the wonderful tapestry that has created the present - day world in which we live. Over the years, I have learned the benefit of being curious and asking questions. Everyone has a story to tell. I ’ m no expert on anything, but I enjoy asking questions. Not that long ago, I was a new - comer to Westminster, a senior at Bluefield State College, happily surrounded by many, many “ pillars of the faith ” who were living out their daily lives in obedience to One greater than self. Somehow, 45 years have elapsed, and I am no longer that young man, starting out a teaching career, yet I hope I am still curious and willing to ask questions. History is important. The stories of those who have lived before us matter. We would not be who we are without the sacrifice and determination of those from previous generations. We would not be the church we are today without the ministers and church members who have been faithful to God ’ s Word, who have given sacrificially, who have enthusiastically taught Sunday School classes and led Children ’ s and Youth Ministry. This year is an important year. 2023 marks one hundred years for Westminster, the Presbyterian church plant in South Bluefield. Along with our neighbors, College Avenue Baptist and Trinity United Methodist, we all celebrate a centennial together. To say that things were booming in Bluefield in 1923 is an understatement. What you hold in your hands was not written to be a summary of the past 100 years. For six Sundays that led up to our Centennial Celebration Sunday, April 2, 2023, this material was presented verbally to the congregation, as a way of hearing some important details from our church ’ s wonderful story. Thanks to the wonders of google and the internet, there are many photos that illustrate the narrative. These historical segments were divided into six chapters, one chapter for each Sunday. This is far from complete. There are many details and names that have not been included, primarily because they have been forgotten. That ’ s sad, but true. It ’ s not a complete story. How could it be? I have striven to be accurate. If something stands to be corrected, I sincerely apologize; but by all means, let ’ s correct it, so that we can be more precise next time. Whether you ’ ve been a part of our Westminster church family for a brief time or more decades than me, may the names and faces included here help give you connection and an appreciation for the wonderful and deep legacy of faith that is ours at Westminster. It is our hope that this printed history will provide a way for some names and some stories not to be forgotten.

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

Wayne Pelts Centennial Committee Chairman

1

Chapter One

Three days ago, it was February 16, just a regular day on the calendar, but for the Pelts family, it was not just any day. Ten years ago, our one and only daughter, Bethany, walked down the aisle, and married Matthew, our wonderful son - in - law. Our own, Julie Hurley did an amazing job catering the reception -- five hours away from here. On Thursday, through a series of text messages, our family relived some of those many details that made that day so special. God answered a lot of prayers that day. It just seemed right that we honor Him by remembering those specific details. February 16 is more than just a day on the calendar for me – because of those events that are now cherished memories. events. Fortunately, we have some of those details that we can share – perhaps for the first time. And in so doing, we ’ re not just recalling dates, facts, and information. We truly are seeing how God was at work – long before we started sitting in our chosen pew and calling Westminster our church home. When we told the church history 25 years ago, we did it during one worship service. We divided it into chapters based on the different pastors, and there was special music between each chapter. The Centennial Committee decided to take advantage of the weeks preceding our Centennial Celebration weekend by presenting one chapter at a time. I really liked that idea, because that allowed for a little more detail to be shared. Certainly the details all add up to this church ’ s anniversary, a 100 year milestone, but the story -- really can ’ t just start there. Can it? There ’ s a bit more to the story that just helps put it in a better historical context. So, bear with this retired history teacher -- who has had a lot of fun working on this, by the way -- as we think about not just our church, but also what events were going on -- that led to the development of our church – and a whole lot of others. I will caution you. I will be throwing a lot of dates around. So, if we ’ re ready? Let ’ s begin. Mercer County was established in 1837, so back then, we were still technically part of Virginia, since we didn ’ t secede and become West Virginia until 1863. Forty - five years later, in 1882, the railway extended to the Pocahontas Coal Field bringing the possibility of a new way of life to the area. By 1885 the community of Summit was formed. 1923 – it ’ s just one year that took place -- 100 years ago, but to us, it is a pretty important beginning for our church ’ s history, yet, none of us was around back then to experience any of those

In times of grief and life crises, laughter (there was lots of that!) and celebration, brokenness and failure, restoration and new beginnings, this church knew well and clearly modeled what it means to be the family of God... As is true for so many others, Westminster truly became our home and the people of church looks back on her first 100 years, I pray that the next years will blossom and flourish with even greater fruit as this body of believers continues building on the legacy of faith we celebrate. Westminster our family. As this

Jeff Chadwick

Surprise! We did not start out as Bluefield . We were Summit, West Virginia, and we had approximately 500 people. While filling out papers for the establishment of our very first post office, the name of this new post office needed to be supplied on the form. The residents had a long discussion about selecting a new name.

2

As the story goes, they observed the beautiful fields across the Higginbotham farm, blue from the blossoms of the native chicory. Someone suggested calling the post office “ Bluefields, ” (with an S) and that name was written on the form. On January, 11, 1886, the post office, established as Bluefields, opened. Later, the S was dropped, and we were known as Bluefield. On November 16, 1889, Bluefield was incorporated as a city,

with the census showing a population of 600. Twenty - one years later, by 1910, Bluefield had a population of over 11,000 making it the fifth largest city in the state. The substantial growth in twenty years can be attributed to the coal and railway business.

Although we ’ ve lived “ all over ” and traveled the world, Westminster Church is where we gathered lifetime friends and left our hearts.

Donna Chadwick

All across the country, populations, businesses, and churches were being established in downtown areas. Only the extremely wealthy owned their own automobile back then, so everything needed to be close by – as was true in downtown Bluefield – the stores, the schools, the churches, and the nicest homes, too. I think it ’ s wonderful to see that in the midst of this booming city, churches were being established. I ’ m sure that wasn ’ t the case in all cities. I ’ m sure there were those where there were no churches, or very few. But in downtown Bluefield, during those early years, I count twelve churches that were established, and ten of them are still in existence. Twelve downtown churches (and I could be wrong, I may have unintentionally left out one.) Now the year that I ’ m including with each church does not necessarily indicate when the church building (that is pictured here) was constructed. The date I ’ m referencing is for when the church was organized. Most churches did not immediately have a building when they started, and several of them had major fires and had to be replaced. As I drove around and took some of these photos, I was very thankful for cornerstones and historical markers that had the dates listed. Four African American Churches were established in the early years of Bluefield –

Since leaving, I have never attended a church that felt as much like “ home. ” People at Westminster spent time together, loved each other, served each other, knew each other, and allowed themselves to be known.

Rusty Chadwick

Scott Street Baptist

John Stewart U.M.C.

First A.M.E. Zion

Mt. Zion Baptist

1890

1888

1907

1922

3

And then if we travel back across that bridge, right on the corner, across from the Municipal Building, there are four churches all located right together --

Through the hard work and dedication of the staff members over the years, Westminster Preschool grew to become a quality program worthy of accreditation by the Association of Christian Schools International... and became the first preschool in West Virginia to receive the honor of ACSI accreditation.

Immanuel Lutheran

First Presbyterian

First Baptist

Christ Episcopal

1887

1889

1902

1889

Immanuel Lutheran Church has the distinction of being the very first church established in the City of Bluefield.

A few streets over is Grace Methodist Church, and you can see the

majestic towers of Beaver High School in the background.

Linda Mullenex

Grace Methodist 1896

Down the road a bit on Bland Street, and back then, hardly anyone had cars, so none of these churches had to think about parking areas, we find Bland Street Methodist Episcopal Church, designed by Bluefield ’ s most famous architect, Alex Mahood. This was his family ’ s home church.

The Lord knew the desire of my heart was to worship Him with my guitar and He brought that about through Westminster Presbyterian Church. I will always be grateful to God and to Westminster.

Bob Mahood

Bland Street Methodist Episcopal 1888

First Christian Church also had its beginnings downtown. Then, kind of on the outskirts of the city, was Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Jewish Synagogue was established in the year 1902. Downtown Bluefield was truly booming 100 years ago.

First Christian

Sacred Heart Catholic

1921

1895

4

Now, let ’ s focus our history on one particular church – but not our church. It ’ s not time yet for South Bluefield to be a vision for developers. The downtown is still the main focus. The Presbyterian church of Bluefield was organized in May 24, 1889. It ’ s not called First Presbyterian Church yet, because there is no second Presbyterian Church. It ’ s the Bluefield Presbyterian Church.

May the breath He gives us daily give all praise, honor, and glory to God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

The Norfolk and Western Railroad had run its lines as far west as Williamson, WV. People were migrating to the city from other sections of this state, from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other states. Situated 2600 feet above sea level, this truly was the most rugged and majestic section of the Appalachian highlands, and consequently, Bluefield grew rapidly from the beginning.

Larry Mutter

People of sturdy stock have guided the progress of the community. Much of the leadership of the city ’ s business, civic, and religious life has been furnished by the descendants of the pioneers of Southwest Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.

Still, without a permanent building, the new downtown Presbyterian church had a membership of 64 in 1893. Seventeen years later, in 1910 the membership was now 242, and they occupied their first location at the site of the Federal Building. They would eventually hold church in a wooden frame structure on Scott Street until 1907, when that building was sold to Jewish congregation Interestingly enough, the Methodists and the Presbyterians were getting along well, and Bland Street Methodist Church invited the

Westminster has always been our North Star from the day to day joyous and difficult times … The building and the people are home; we are family.

Presbyterian congregation to meet at their church. And it was there that the church voted to authorize a permanent location and construction of a church for this downtown Presbyterian church. The land purchased for their present location cost $750, and the building was approved in 1903 at a cost of $12,000 for a sanctuary that would seat 325. And it would be completed in 1912. This photo of our “ mother church ” painted white, versus the original brick look featured on the facing page.

Jane Pfau

5

Now, it ’ s time for our part of the story. It was in the summer of 1914 that the Bluefield Presbyterian Church, established something like a long range planning committee – they couldn ’ t help but see the new rapid growth of another part of the city -- South Bluefield -- as a residential area, so they decided to act, and bought three real estate lots at the corner of Washington and Albemarle with a vision, a plan, a dream of starting a Sunday School - not a church - but a Sunday School . (I don ’ t know about you, but I ’ ve never heard of a church plant before that started with a Sunday School. They always seem to start with worship services.) And this is only two years after they have built their own impressive brick church downtown. South Bluefield ’ s growth continued at a rapid pace and on March 27, 1921, the downtown church authorized the construction of a Sunday School building on the property they had wisely purchased seven years before. first building, the one directly behind the sanctuary, was completed in 1922. This new brick building was a perfect place for Sunday School classes. It even had a gymnasium on the second floor for social or athletic events, but, there was no sanctuary. Certainly, individuals started dreaming of a space dedicated to the worship of God. If you think about it, the side entrance by the Pastor ’ s Office is a pretty impressive entrance, and at one time, this was the main entrance to that Sunday School building. Under the expert design of highly - respected Bluefield architects, Garry and Sheffey, the building was started in August 1921, and April of the following year saw its completion. So our

I am filled with overwhelming gratitude as I think back over the last 50+ years of the saints who modeled a zealous love for Jesus, who invested in my knowledge and growth, who sang joyously, gave generously, loved deeply, forgave willingly, and prayed fervently. My love of worship, music, hospitality and serving was, and is still, fostered by my WPC family.

Julie Hartzog Hurley

We never see the side of the building when we ’ re driving through the alley, but doesn ’ t it have a distinctive style to it, too? All this beautiful detail, just for the back of the building that faces an alley. It ’ s likely that the other side of the building, facing Albemarle, would have had this same impressive style to it.

How I wish we had a photograph when it was just this, just the Sunday School building. We ’ ve looked, and I haven ’ t given up hope. We know that photos would have been taken. They would have been so excited about this. More than likely, this building would have had a cornerstone, too. My guess is that it was on the side of the structure that was eliminated when the

Christ grew our appreciation for His Body, the church, during our time at WPC. The Lord filled the void we felt at the loss of family be revealing to us the “ family ” He was providing us with at WPC.

sanctuary portion was added, since a cornerstone on the original building is nowhere to be seen now. Appropriately enough, the South Bluefield Sunday School was officially organized on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1922, with the encouraging enrollment of 147 . In a few months, attendance was averaging 200 each Sunday. It was easy for the downtown church to see that they had truly made a wise decision that this new church plant was going to work, and indeed, work very well. By the fall of 1922, it became apparent that steps should be taken to expand the work to include regular preaching services, and not just a Sunday School.

Dwain and Janet Harwick

6

Dr. Warner DuBose 1923 - 1925

At a congregational meeting on March 25, 1923, a call was extended to the Dr. Warner DuBose, a pastor of historic Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, WV. Our very first minister, Dr. DuBose was born and reared in China, where his father was a pioneer missionary. It is recalled that the entire congregation of the downtown church was invited to the new Sunday School building on Sunday, April 22, to welcome Dr. DuBose to hear his first sermon in the new Sunday School building. That gymnasium must have been packed. And just for fun, how much did our first minister get paid? His annual salary was $4000. In comparison, the average salary in the U.S. was $3200, so not too bad. He also had a manse provided on North Street. Within a year and a half, there was talk of organizing a separate Presbyterian church for South Bluefield. The proposal was for those members of the “ mother church ” who lived in this part of the city, to leave their beloved downtown church and form something new. Now here ’ s something I had not heard of before. Originally, it was proposed that Bluefield Presbyterian Church abandon the downtown location and replace it with the new one in South Bluefield. According to observations that were made that day, it seemed that the men favored the idea, but the women voted down that plan – so, “ we ” were born -- but we still didn ’ t have a name. Of our 239 charter members, 208 were received from the downtown church, 23 by letters from other churches, and eight on profession of faith. After the church clerk had finished documenting all these membership changes, the downtown Bluefield Presbyterian Church still had 548 members. Think about the reality of this decision – the downtown church was giving up over 200 of its members, probably some of its most active members, and giving up hundreds of dollars from regular contributors -- losing that many people all at once would be a major loss for any church. And this wasn ’ t some unfortunate group of upset members leaving their church. This was an authorized plan, an elaborate dream, a plan costing a lot of their money – and it was done with the blessing of their church leaders and members. At a meeting of the congregation on Oct 21, 1923, the downtown Presbyterian church gave the proposed new church (without a name) the Sunday School building it had built and the manse it had purchased on North Street. The two properties represented an investment of $40,000. And if that wasn ’ t enough, Bluefield Presbyterian Church also agreed to assume the entire remaining indebtedness on the two properties, $29.000. Talk about wonderful generosity! They didn ’ t want us, the new South Bluefield Church (still without a name), to start off with any debts to pay. Was that not an extravagantly generous gift to us at our beginning? And all this was done, with “ no strings attached. ”

While the world and its increasingly backward ways are constantly having an impact on our desires and rubbing off on us through the enemy ’ s creative schemes, the church is here to remind us that we have been cleansed and that our hope remains in a Savior who is here to rescue us.

Paul Wilkinson

The prayers of the people of Westminster were a great encouragement to us as we know they played a large part in our protection from harm, good health, open doors for the Gospel and bearing varieties of fruit.

Steve and Charlotte Newcomb

7

Meeting in the new Sunday School building on December 2, 1923, the commission formally organized the newest church in the Montgomery Presbytery, with 239 charter members. And at last, the congregation was invited to suggest names for the new church and -- Westminster, popular with Presbyterians the world over -- was chosen by popular acclaim. The Westminster Confession of Faith, drawn up in 1646, has been the backbone of the Reformed tradition. And with this milestone, Bluefield Presbyterian Church would now change their name and adopt the proud new designation of -- First Presbyterian Church. Elders were elected at the new church (now with a name of its own ) and they wasted no time to start planning for a church sanctuary to be built. On the following Sunday, a building committee was named – the following Sunday! Herbert L. Cain, a Richmond architect who specialized in designing churches and buildings for college campuses, was engaged to prepare plans and supervise the construction. On June 14, 1924, H.A. Lucas, a Bluefield contractor, was given a contract for the building and to make “ certain alterations ” in the Sunday School building so that it would “ fit gracefully into the finished church plant. ” Work was started two days later – two days later! A Bluefield bank handled the financing, an easy matter, since Bluefield was in the midst of a building boom. Lucas also built another church in our neighborhood.

Looking back, we had a few rough years financially but somehow, we had raised four children with very little debt and our children learned to value work and be frugal. I have learned to deal with situations with the help of Jesus...

Isabel Simmons

As a session, we had struggled through some difficult times in the church, but God was faithful to the church as a whole and to us as a family.

David Hopper

Have you noticed any similarities in College Ave Baptist Church and our main church building? The next time you ’ re in the hallway directly behind the sanctuary, think about it. The church library, the church office, Patterson Chapel, the Pastor ’ s office, upstairs, the men ’ s Sunday School room, 214, 216, that ’ s where the gymnasium was -- all that was the original building. When they were doing the renovation, the hardwood floors from the gymnasium were found under the carpeting in several rooms. It ’ s interesting to note that the plan was for the two buildings to “ fit gracefully together. ” However, there ’ s one place where it just may not seem to be all that graceful. You may have wondered about that before. At the top of the staircase by Jonathan ’ s office,

As a teen, having attended Westminster since a small child, week after week at Wednesday evening prayer meeting, Mr. Bishop quoted Micah 6:8. It is emblazoned in my heart and soul.

there ’ s a landing, where to go in either direction you have three steps you ’ ve got to climb. Have you ever wondered about that? It ’ s just kind of weird. Well, that ’ s one of those places where the Sunday School structure (building one) was joined to the church sanctuary structure (building two).

Angelina Giampocaro Spencer

8

God is still weaving and intertwining the events of our lives to create a story that ultimately gives Him glory, one day at a time ...

Wayne Pelts

The cornerstone was laid by Montgomery Presbytery on June 16. 1924, and the building was completed in June, 1925, with the first service held in the sanctuary on June 14. Dr. DuBose did not occupy the pulpit of the imposing new church very long, as he resigned October 21, 1925 to become pastor of the First Pres Church in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Dr. George West Diehl, at that time president of Concord College,

served as Westminster ’ s supply pastor until May, 1926.

And that, my friends, is the end of chapter one.

I promise you that the other chapters are not this detailed.

From our balcony perch overlooking the pulpit, my family heard the truth of the gospel in numerous settings throughout the week. No greater gift or experience can be provided for a young person than a meaningful exposure to Jesus through his Word and Spirit, the truth and life for which we all hunger.

It just takes a while for a new beginning to be explained.

We hope. We pray -- that through these details, though these events -- past, present, and future, we get a deeper perspective on what our wonderful God has been, and is, up to -- here at this wonderful church – a church that now has the name of -- Westminster.

Jim Funari

9

Chapter Two

There are three different dates that could technically be used for the

beginning of our church.

April 16, 1922

There ’ s April 16, 1922, Easter Sunday, for that very first meeting of the Sunday School on the new property, purchased by the Bluefield Presbyterian Church.

While my grief, confusion, and anger have not totally disappeared, I am confident God has been present every step of the way and has seen every tear … as we continue to rely on God ’ s Word and character as our hope.

December 2, 1923

December 2, 1923, when the name -- Westminster -- was officially adopted, and a new church was formally organized, and they were still meeting in the gymnasium in the upstairs of the building behind the sanctuary.

June 14, 1925

Abbey Le Roy

And June 14, 1925 -- the first official worship service in the wonderful, brand new sanctuary – right in these very pews that are still in our sanctuary today. Many decades ago, it was decided to go with Dec. 2, 1923 as the beginning date for our church. In Chapter One, we mentioned a lot of dates. In

Chapter Two, we ’ re going to repeatedly mention one year, 1923. In America, in the 1920s, the popular architectural style was Greek Revival with beautiful tall columns,

I am so grateful that Mom and Dad raised my brothers and me in a church that made a priority of “ contending for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. ”

pediments, and capitals.

Isn ’ t this just beautiful? Back in the 1920s, architects just loved to have the freedom - and

Grady Davidson

the funds, to add these beautiful elements to Greek Revival structures that they were designing. That ’ s

the style of our church, the style of College Ave Baptist, and lots of homes that were built in Bluefield in that era, like the house across the street where the pastor ’ s family lives, what was historically known as the Mitchell house. When we bought our old brick South Bluefield house 37 years ago, it also had some elements of Greek architecture in it, and surprise, it was built in 1923. Over the past months, as I ’ ve done some research, I ’ ve just felt a kinship to 1923 – it ’ s even the password for my phone – probably too much information here. Sorry!

1 0

Colleges and churches are often examples of the most beautiful architecture in a community. Lots of areas have no colleges nearby. We have two. How thankful we can be for the benefit and blessing of Bluefield State University and Bluefield University. May I interrupt our story with a bit of Bluefield Trivia? Before Bluefield College was established in 1922, College Avenue would not have been College Avenue. In this neighborhood, there were three streets named for our first three United States Presidents – Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. Originally, College Avenue was named Adams Street. After the college was established, it became College Avenue. Now that BC is now BU, it is unlikely that the street will be upgraded to University Boulevard. Back to our story. For a number of decades, the city of Bluefield was truly was experiencing a Golden Age.

Millions of lives of Ugandans were touched and changed by the love of God because WPC was mission - minded, Spirit - filled and Spirit - led around the gospel ministry partnership with the ministry of Web Carroll.

You can ’ t drive through downtown Bluefield today without realizing that -- at one time, this place had tall buildings and stores -- everywhere. Many cities have a downtown area where there is one main street for business. Downtown Bluefield has seven streets in its commercial area. Today, sadly, most of that is just a shell and a memory, but at least we did have an era when it truly was a Golden Age – thanks to coal and the railroad. There ’ s lots of communities that have never had such a thing.

Geoffrey Mayimba

For example, Bluefield has a skyscraper. Constructed in 1923, Bluefield ’ s West Virginian Hotel is still the tallest building in the state south of Charleston. Designed by Alex Mahood, this Renaissance Revival 12 story structure was built as a symbol of the wealth and power of the southern West Virginia coalfields. It cost over one million dollars, and that ’ s a hundred years ago. One of those investors behind this project was Lee Anne Green ’ s great grandfather, William Jacob Cole. And this wasn ’ t known as the Bluefield Hotel. It was the West Virginian Hotel.

I moved to Bluefield not knowing anyone in town, but knowing Westminster had a heart for world missions, like my prior churches. And a welcoming spirit that greeted me from my first visit.

Beautiful large homes were built in downtown Bluefield. Sadly most of them are gone now, or just a shell of them remain, or just the stone wall and steps that lead to an empty lot. Let ’ s put this in perspective and reflect what else was going on in this

Mike Judge

neighborhood. There ’ s not just one new church that is being built here in South Bluefield, but three churches -- all located right here on these nearby corners, and not a new church affiliation, but another Baptist and another Methodist and another Presbyterian Church – now to enhance the ministry of those downtown churches. Imagine the construction that was going on in 1923 – three large brick churches, all within a stone ’ s throw of each other, being built in this neighborhood right here. You almost have to wonder when they were looking for the lots to build our church, did they originally want a location on College Avenue too, or did they intentionally prefer the street behind College Avenue?

1 1

For Trinity Methodist, ground was broken in 1920, while the building was being constructed, services were conducted in the nearby Fairview School.

We, along with our four daughters, were drawn close to the Lord during the great revival at Westminster during the early 1970s. The Lord used this awakening to spread the Gospel throughout the area in addition to Westminster. Bluefield seemed to come alive!

Any former Fairview Falcons here? Can you imagine Sunday morning

church services in that school gymnasium?

Hazel and Charlie Cauthen

When was the last time you reflected on Westminster ’ s legacy to you, our church body, and the community locally and throughout the world? I was blessed to have been taught about the love of God and His grace by truly exceptional individuals during my youth at Westminster … Today, reflect on those who came before you, who God used to form your foundations for following Jesus Christ, your Savior. Praise God with a thankful heart for these blessings.

Membership quickly grew to 600. The new Trinity Church building cost $150,000 and was dedicated in 1923. It was originally known as the Adams Street Methodist Church, but later, it was named Trinity, partly because it was the third Methodist Church in the city.

We mentioned College Avenue Baptist in Chapter One. What a fascinating story! In 1917, five men had a dream of their own for the spiritual development of South Bluefield. On their own, these five men purchased land -- hoping that one day, a Baptist Church would go there. And, surprise, in 1923, College Avenue Baptist Church was completed, and it began with 211 charter members. Okay, a very random observation – technically, College Avenue Baptist Church faces Jefferson Street.

Laura Rush

1 2

This photo just warms my heart – Vacation Bible School – a combined ministry of the three neighborhood churches. I don ’ t know a date, probably mid - 1920s. Will you look at all those children! And more than likely these were all neighborhood kids, since most of these families would not have had their own vehicle for a car pool to get the kids to VBS. And if you look at the top right, you see trees and homes – and no Fellowship Hall in the 1920s.

Through the years we have come to love and be loved by our church family... I have learned so much through the teachings of many people... For now we will bloom where we are planted and let God show us.

Janet Phipps

In Chapter One, we saw that the Sunday School building was constructed in 1922, then the sanctuary was completed in 1925. The combination of the two buildings is pretty impressive. There are really no clues at all that this was one building with another one added. After Chapter One was presented, I heard more than one person say that they had absolutely no idea that this was two separate buildings put together. H.A. Lucas, the Bluefield contractor in charge of that transformation, would have been very pleased to hear that observation. Did you know that there were two separate buildings to start out with? And how on earth did the sanctuary addition actually take place? Did they have to tear down the outside brick walls to get down to the studs so that a whole new building could emerge? Oh, to have a photograph of that! How on earth did they still hold Sunday School classes in the midst of all that construction? They didn ’ t have a Fellowship Hall to use as a convenient substitute. I wonder what their first impressions were when they walked in this sanctuary for the first time. Take a minute and reflect on the beauty of this sanctuary – the columns on each side of the front area, the beautiful plaster dentil molding at the top of the walls, the pleasing colors of the stained glass windows. And aren ’ t you glad we still have the beautiful original light fixtures? They built things to last 100 years ago.

At just the right moment, with no earthly explanation, we received an answer to a prayer we had not even prayed … This was a gift – a God ordained moment that had no other explanation besides Him being good to us. He was not early – He was not late. He was on right on time.

Carrie Mullins

1 3

Our first pastor, Dr. DuBose served for just two years and resigned October 21, 1925, Dr. George West Deihl, president of Concord College, served as supply pastor until May 2, 1926.

Dr. Charles G. Gunn 1926 – 1943

A call was extended to the Dr. Charles Groshon Gunn, then assistant pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee. He accepted and preached his first sermon on May 9 and was formally installed on June, 1926. Dr. Gunn, a native of Missouri, served as Westminster ’ s pastor for more than 17 years, until November, 1943 when he resigned to become pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Some decades end up with names. As you know, this decade, when all this construction was going on, was known as the “ Roaring Twenties, ” a time of great economic

God had a plan for my family and it started when my Mother decided one Sunday to go to Westminster Church. God put His plan in motion and the rest is history. Westminster continues to inspire us through the preaching of Pastor Rockness and all that have come before him. We have God to thank for and he used my mother to accomplish His plan.

development, as we ’ ve highlighted, the building of lots of new businesses, new colleges, and new homes. But as you well know, that prosperity came to a sudden halt on Black Tuesday, October 24, 1929.

Angie and Ron McCall

I thank God for a church that opens their doors and welcomes anyone who is hungry for His Word … and I know that as long as Westminster continues to welcome our neighbors and support our missionaries, God will be with us, to the end of the age.

Dr. Gunn headed the church during the troublesome Depression years. Even though we started out with zero debt, thanks to First Presbyterian Church giving us the Sunday School building and the manse on North Street, it was time for the congregation of Westminster to make pledges to finance the construction of the sanctuary. Substantial pledges were made by some members who lost almost everything they had in the hard times of the 1930s. Almost immediately, savings and investments were gone. As challenging as this was, imagine if we were still paying off the debt for the Sunday School building and the manse too! Imagine the faith that was needed. Imagine the depth of their prayers. Imagine the challenge of living through those ten years of a desperate situation that was completely out of their control.

Jenny Carriker

1 4

I knew right away that Westminster had something different, and I wanted to be a part of what was going on there. I am so thankful for the solid reformed teaching I have enjoyed here. God used the women of Westminster to love and nurture me in so many ways.

Eighteen faithful men had endorsed the church mortgage with the Life Insurance Company of Virginia for the amount of $60,000, with annual payments on the loan of $6000 – plus interest. This certainly became a burden on the church since times were so bad. Originally, it had been a ten year loan. Now, it would have to be renewed several times. Despite all the penny pinching by the congregation, payments sometimes were skipped, and at times it looked like Westminster would lose the property through foreclosure. Some of the affluent men who had signed their name to this note, and other members who made substantial pledges in the prosperous days of 1927, lost heavily during the Great Depression. Still others died or moved out of town, adding to the back breaking job of paying off the mortgage. The church, with the debt constantly hanging over its head, tried all sorts of economizing. At one time any church long - distance calls had to be authorized by the chairman of the deacons . Do you remember, back in the day, when calling someone long distance cost a lot of money? Endorsers on the note have been heralded as heroes by a grateful church. Today, they might be known as the “ Rock Stars ” of our Church History. Do you recognize any of these names? J. E. Nelson would have been grandfather to Jim and Kathy Nelson. Clyde C. Sarver would have been grandfather to Pete and Steve Sarver, and Dr. Albert H. Hoge was Charlie Hoge ’ s great uncle. Do you recognize other names? Unless one lived back then during the Depression years, there ’ s no way to adequately describe it. The average American family lived by the Depression - era motto: “ Use it up, wear it out, make do or -- do without. ” Potluck suppers -- often organized by churches, became a popular way to share food and a cheap form of social entertainment. Board games like Scrabble and Monopoly were invented for folks spending all their time at home. Listening to the radio was a common way for a family to spend an evening. If you did have an extra 25 cents to splurge, you might go to one of 30,000 miniature golf locations that had sprung up all across the country. Average life expectancy in 1935 was 60 years for men, and 64 for women. There is no final paragraph to the church mortgage story. The conclusion will be shared in Chapter Three, with the chapter that focuses on Dr. Patterson. Dr. Gunn, Westminster ’ s second pastor, served Westminster for 17 years, from 1926 - 1943. You know, the same God we serve and love today in 2023 is the exact same God these men and women, and boys and girls loved 100 years ago in 1923, and during those ten years of terrible economic Depression. “ Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me! ” And this concludes Chapter Two of -- Our Story, Your Story, His Story.

Lana Hartzog

Many of the folks we worshiped with are now in heaven, but we still treasure the memories, pray for Westminster daily, and are thankful for the teachings as passed along to our family.

Ray and Jackie Williford

I feel thankful that my journey brought me to this church family at Westminster and excited to know that the Lord is using all of us here to proclaim His good news and to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ in our community.

Harriet Warf

1 5

Chapter Three

In our first two chapters of Centennial History, perhaps we ’ ve introduced you to a pair of names that you may not have been familiar with – Westminster ’ s first pastor, Dr. Warner DuBose, and Westminster ’ s second pastor, Dr. Charles Gunn. And perhaps, there ’ s a date or two that will be stuck in your mind, like 1923. This week I was reminded of an insightful story. Back for the 80 th anniversary, we did a series of interviews with some of our “ senior ” members. Charter member, Mary Wheeler shared that she grew up on North Street, and before Westminster was built, and when most families did not own a vehicle, that she, and her mother, and four young siblings would walk all the way from North Street to the downtown Bluefield Presbyterian Church -- every Sunday morning. You know, I wish we had drawers full of documents and photographs in a church archive that would further illustrate those wonderful early chapters of our church ’ s history. Sadly, we really do not have much.

If we know that God loves us and we trust that he has our best interest in mind, we won ’ t need to compare what others have with what we have or worry about what others think of us.

Roger Gulick

You may be in the midst of very difficult times right now. You might be facing troubles or temptations (from the world, the flesh or the devil) that are subtle and strong. But know that God is not so busy wherever the latest earthquake or famine hit that he has forgotten about you.

But oh, the photographs we do have are a wonderful treasure, like this Vacation Bible School group shot. The man standing on the far left is Dr. Gunn, and the lady standing next to him is his mother, who lived with his family. I ’ m going to assume that this was another combined VBS with College Avenue and Trinity, and that those three men there with suits may have been the other ministers.

One of the most valuable documents we ’ ve had to work with is this – the publication that was printed for Westminster ’ s 25 th Anniversary in 1948. Bless you, Charlie and Pat Hoge for loaning this to me.

Joy Gulick

Sometimes it ’ s fun to look at the numbers. From the Silver Anniversary edition of Westminster ’ s history, we learn that in 1948 -- in the growing city of Bluefield, West Virginia, Westminster had 633 active members on the church roll, 208 on non - resident inactive roll. Our Sunday School had an enrollment of 325.

1 6

But to put things in perspective, back in 1950, Bluefield had a population of over 21,500. Today, Bluefield ’ s population is significantly different, about 9,500. The church ’ s budget for the year 1948 was $27,000, and according to this document, Westminster had “ one of the most modern and best equipped church plants in the city. ” As we saw in Chapter 2, Dr. Gunn headed the church during the troublesome years of the Great Depression, and after he went to Louisville, Kentucky, Westminster had a supply pastor for more than two years, from 1943 to 1946 during the critical time period of World War II. Someone was commenting to me on Wednesday night how she was reflecting on the reality that in these very pews, our predecessors prayed during those Depression years; they were praying during the World Wars; they were praying during the Vietnam War, as we pray now -- for our community -- and our world. It was during the war years, that at Beaver High School, students began meeting before the school day started -- to pray for those who were fighting in the World War– specifically, those soldiers who were BHS graduates. Those Morning Devotions continued at BHS for many decades after that.

And only at the cross of Christ can we really know who we are, where we are, and where we are going.

Phil Peterson

Dr. Craig H. Patterson 1946 – 1972

I truly believe that through our testimonies it enables “ other to face their challenges ” rather it may be (spiritually, physically, emotionally, and even financially). Our testimonies give other believers the confidence that our God is no respecter of person. For there is nothing too hard for God to do. He makes the impossible possible. For God is still a miracle working God. He is the same God yesterday, today and forever.

When World War II was over, the church ’ s opportunity for service was much greater, and on December 2, 1945, a call went out to the Rev. Craig Houston Patterson, then pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Williamson, West Virginia. Dr. Patterson was the son of a prominent Presbyterian family on the mission field in China. He was installed as Westminster ’ s third regular pastor on Feb 17, 1946. Dr. Pat was born in China, but educated at Washington and Lee University and Union Theological Seminary. Dr. Patterson previously held pastorates in Grundy and Tazewell.

And doesn ’ t it warm your heart to see a photo of the young people at Westminster? And included in that group of young people, is a very young Charlie Hoge, on the far right.

Rev. Mike Barnes

1 7

Early in 1948, under Dr. Pat ’ s leadership, a kindergarten was begun with 21 pupils and two teachers. It was so successful that a first grade was added the next year. The kindergarten was now a means of bringing new families into the church, and it still is today, 75 years later. There ’ s really no way to measure the impact and the blessing of our past kindergarten program and our present pre - school program. The teacher in the center is the mother of former member, Robert Gruver, and the lady to the right is Dr. Patterson ’ s wife, who was also a teacher in the preschool.

Lord, thank you for Westminster Church. May it continue to stand strong in faith and practice in the teaching and preaching of Your Word, to be a beacon of Your light and Your truth to this next generation.

A station wagon to transport the students was donated by friends of the preschool.

Mary Ann Pelts McElmurray

Someone commented this week on the church ’ s Facebook page that it was in this very sanctuary that he, as a member of Westminster Preschool learned to read his very first word – Exit.

Another recent successful expansion of the church ’ s work is the broadcasting of Westminster ’ s services over WHIS. This radio program

We first learned about Westminster from Joan Moore … We were like parched souls who drank deeply at the good preaching and teaching there. What a vision WPC had: to be disciple makers globally in missions and locally in small groups!

brought Dr. Patterson ’ s sermons to thousands of families in the Bluefield area, and these were very popular. In the previous chapter, we concluded with a cliffhanger – the church mortgage on the newly built sanctuary. Dr. Pat had only been here nine months when the note, that had oppressed the church since 1927, was finally paid off. It had been 19 long years. When the note was finally burned on November 27, 1946, there was great rejoicing. Originally, the loan for our new sanctuary was only supposed to be for ten years, but that was before the Depression hit. Some important dates that we haven ’ t mentioned yet include the

Ruth and Jerry Goodson

beginning of the Women ’ s Auxiliary in 1924. In 1929, we transferred to the Bluestone Presbytery. And in 1933, the church started a rotation cycle for elders and deacons – three year terms – just like now, with a year off before one can be re - elected.

18