Westminster Presbyterian Church Centennial Books

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

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