Westminster Presbyterian Church Centennial Books

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

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