LOUDENDALE FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH

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LOUDENDALE FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH The Loudendale Free Will Baptist Church was organized in 1908, and the following information was taken from a booklet put together by the church in 1998.

1 LOUDENDALE FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH The Loudendale Free Will Baptist Church was organized in 1908, and the following information was taken from a booklet put together by the church in In the year of 1904, Joseph Shrewsbury, father of Luna Nutter, moved to this community. Being a man of God, he started a Sunday school in the old school located at the mouth of Kanawha Fork. Most of the time Joseph Shrewsbury would be the only one present who was a Christian and could pray. He prayed for God to send a preacher. Then in the year of 1907, an evangelist, named Jeff Thomas moved to the community from Boone County. He held a revival in the school house. Rev. Jeff Thomas came to the community riding a mule, looking for a place to hold a meeting. He spent hours pleading and begging people to come to the school house to hear the gospel. Rev. Thomas was short of stature, about 5 feet-6 inches tall, he had a long white beard, dressed in overalls, a long tail coat and boots. He looked like Santa Clause. He called himself the old ox driver. He started preaching for sinners to repent. He preached Hell-fire and brimstone, something the people had not heard, more and more of them came to hear him preach. This preacher had to do his own singing, praying and preaching.

People began to be saved, the revival had started.

many were saved. This meeting lasted three months.

The people, under the leadership of Rev. Jeff Thomas, decided to organize a church. Rev. Thomas was the founder of the Kanawha Fork Free Will Baptist Church in the year 1908.

2 People began to be saved, the revival had started. Men stayed home from work to be in the meeting, school closed early, everyone wanted to hear this little man of God preach. many were saved. This meeting lasted three months. Ella Comer, mother of Jobe Comer, was one of the first converts and the first to be baptized. The people, under the leadership of Rev. Jeff Thomas, decided to organize a church. Rev. Thomas was the founder of the Kanawha Fork Free Will Baptist Church in the year Old School House where they met on 1908 Charter members were: Ella Comer; Bertha Comer Woods; Willis and Lucinda Comer; Cathryn and Maggie Selbe; Maggie and Jim Love; Dan and Millie Pridemore; Harrison McCormick; Allen Thomas; and Ben Selbe. Lucinda & Bertha Comer Wood Maggie Love & Son, Henry

Dan & Millie Pridemore Ella Comer, (seated) Willis Comer Ben and Mary Selbe Pictures not available Jim Love,

During the late teens and early twenties no records are available, but we know Rev. Jenkins, Rev.

In 1925 the school burned and services were held in the homes.

The Black Band Coal Company, located in what is now Kanawha State Forest, were selling the old company houses.

3 Dan & Millie Pridemore Ella Comer, (seated) Willis Comer Ben and Mary Selbe Pictures not available Jim Love, Cathryn and Maggie Srlbe, Harrison McCormick and Allen Thomas. During the late teens and early twenties no records are available, but we know Rev. Jenkins, Rev. Isem Mullins, and Rev. Irons pastored during these years but no dates are known. In 1925 the school burned and services were held in the homes. Willis Comer purchased an acre of land to build a church on. The Black Band Coal Company, located in what is now Kanawha State Forest, were selling the old company houses. Willis Comer bought three of them from a man named Joeland Sterns, who was handling the sale for the coal company. The houses were dismantled and hauled to the church site by a man called George Holstein, using a yoke of oxen. There was no road to the church site and the children of the community carried most of the lumber up

the hill. The site was filled with timber and rocks. Bertha Comer Woods and Bud Elkins cleared the grounds, using a cross cut saw to cut the trees.

The building cost very little, compared to today's prices, and it was a pay as you go plan and everybody contributed what they could in both money and labor.

They contributed the seats, windows, doors and roofing for their sue of the building. James Duncan... was the school teacher. The building was completed in 1929 and still stands today.

4 the hill. The site was filled with timber and rocks. Bertha Comer Woods and Bud Elkins cleared the grounds, using a cross cut saw to cut the trees. Then in 1926 a frame building was erected and services were held in the unfinished building. The building cost very little, compared to today's prices, and it was a pay as you go plan and everybody contributed what they could in both money and labor. The 1st Church The Board of Education rented the church for three or four years while the school was being completed. They contributed the seats, windows, doors and roofing for their sue of the building. James Duncan... was the school teacher. The building was completed in 1929 and still stands today. If has been remodeled into a parsonage. Rev. Willis Comer severed as first pastor of this church. Carter Clark, Sr., John George and Rev. Willis Comer were the leaders in getting the James Duncan building done. On September 16, 1928, John George was appointed deacon, and served for fifty four years, until his death in Henry Comer was also appointed deacon and Sam Thomas appointed as trustee. The early thirties were a great time of revival and rejoicing at this church, you could hear the people praying back in the hills during the daytime. This was also during the Great Depression and many were not only spiritually

5 hungry but also physically hungry. Rev. McKinley Trail and Rev. Carter Clark held the revival. There were 32 or 33 saved and were baptized on March 6, 1932 in the creek in front of Jim Comer's house. Berta George, Mamie Comer, and Jobe Comer were three of those baptized. After Jobe Comer was saved he paid the pastor and the church expenses until men went back work after the depression years. We know Jobe will have his reward in heaven. Prayer meetings were held on both Tuesday and Thursday nights in that one room building, with a pot belly coal and wood burning stove in the middle of the floor and oil lamps hanging on the walls. The toilets were outside. Other preachers who never pastored but preached during the thirties were James Duncan and Frank Stevenson. Re. Clyde Dorsey and Rev. Arthur Ryan also preached but no records are available. Rev. Henry Scott pastored in but we have no record of what was accomplished. Rev. James M. Herrald was called as pastor in September, 1939 for one year. Active deacons were Jobe Comer, John George, and Edward (Ed) Clark. Rev. Herrald was elected for another year, November 1940 until December Ministers who were members were James Duncan, Carter Clark, and Willis Comer. The church went through a trying time at this time and fellowships were broken and several left the church. December 7, 1941, brought more heartaches to our people. The beginning of World War II and most every family had loved ones in the services. The ladies set aside one morning each week to meet at the church and pray for the servicemen. There was a plaque in the front of the church listing all the boys in the service. All but three returned home safely. In 1942 Rev. William O'Conner pastored the church for a few months. He left in 1943 and Rev. John Henson filled out the unexpired year and then was called to pastor for another year. In about three months after Rev. Hensen came, almost all of those who had left the church were back and fellowship had been restored. Brother Henson remained as pastor until Rev. Sharp Estep served as pastor during This was when Virginia and Bob Brown first came to our church. No other records are available. Rev. Roy Parsons pastored the church in Flossie Songer was saved that year. Rev. McKinley Trail served as pastor during part of 1949 and During this time we had a five week revival. Rev. Ballard Daniels was the evangelist. Several were added to the church during this time.

6 Rev. John Henson was called to pastor again in 1950 and served until Deacons who served were Charles Songer, Bob Parsons, Homer Comer, Jobe Comer, and John George. Junior Deacons were Donald Mooney. Clerk was Ina Comer. Uncle John, as most of us called him, came back to visit many times preceding his death in May Rev. Lester Hunter pastored from Ina Comer was clerk and Cathryn Hall was assistant clerk. Rev. Hunter remembers the Comer Quartet who sang at the church while he was pastor. The quartet was made up of Home and Clara Comer, Roy Comer, and T.D. Snodgrass. Some of our present members were saved during this time. Rev. Fleetwood Chapman was elected pastor in July 1954 and served until January Several successful revivals were held while Rev. Chapman was pastor and some of our present members untied with the church at this time. The people who served as clerk during this nine years were Emery Siegrist, Lloyd Holstein, Carter Hudson, Freda Chapman Hall, Doris Cormer, and Ella Bokey. Deacons who served were, Homer Comer, William Sizemore, Harold Martin, Bob Brown, Ira Totten, Wesley Comer, and David George. Willard Songer was a junior deacon. Cecil Woods and Harry Shaffer were ordained to preach in Joe Williams also preached during this time. Bill Bird was piano player. The late fifties and early sixties were also a time of trouble in the church and some of the deacons and trustees either resigned or were set aside. Several families left the church. It had been the practice to elect the pastor every year, in July 1960 the rule was changed and the pastor was elected for an indefinite period. The church under the leadership of Rev. W.F. Chapman began to plan for a new building. The site was approved March 19, 1959 and the completed plans were approved April John George was elected chairman of the building committee, and James W. Comer as his assistant, and the building began to go up. Rev. Charles Caincross served as assistant pastor in The first general board was set up January 13, The first service was held in the basement of the new church on February 1, The name of the church was changed to Loudendale Free Will Baptist Church in July Rev. Chapman resigned effective January 27, 1963, and the church voted to elect its first full time pastor. It was decided to convert the old church into a parsonage.

Rev. Albert Halbrook of Missouri was elected the first full time pastor in July 1963.

7 Rev. Albert Halbrook of Missouri was elected the first full time pastor in July In September 1964 plans were made to go ahead with the building, and build the sanctuary of the church (on top of the basement). A building fund was started and soon the walls began to go up. The trustees during this time were Bill Jones, Jim Comer, and Charles Songer. The clerk was Jobe Comer and Ella Bokey was assistant clerk. Cathryn Hall was Vacation Bible Scholl director, a job she held several times over the years. During the first years as pastor Rev. Halbrook established a Monday morning prayer meeting. All who wished were invited to attend. Some who were faithful were Mary Clements, Rose Sherwsbury, Luna Nutter, Rose Mooney, Jobe Comer, Jim comer, Cathryn Hall, John George, C.P. McDorman, and Charles Songer. As the years passed and the new pastors came, the meeting continued. They prayed for the lost ones, the sick, adn other needs of the church, and community. As time passed many of the ones who came were called home to be with the Lord, or became unable to attend. When Jim Comer became disabled, the group, now being all men, decided to meet with him at his home to pray, and study the Bible (and at the time of this publication {1989} they were still doing so). Additional cemetery property was bought in The work on the church progressed nicely and the pews were bought in April 1966, a nursery started about that time, and Garnet Marks and Mildred Pickens helping staffed the nursery. Ira Totten was treasurer and Mrs. Ethel Totten was assistant choir leader. In 1966 Lester Hall was elected treasurer and Cathryn Hall was elected assistant treasurer. Juanita Means was elected clerk, a job she still held at the time of this publication (1989). The baptistery was completed and the first to be baptized was Douglas Holden and Edward Pennington.

The dedication of the new church sanctuary was held March 26, 1967. Rev. Carl Vallance of Huntington, W.V. preached the dedication service.

8 The dedication of the new church sanctuary was held March 26, Rev. Carl Vallance of Huntington, W.V. preached the dedication service. The Church in 1989 Fred Thomas was elected trustee July 13, 1968, and was elected chairman of the trustee board April Leroy Mullins was choir leader, being elected in The Ladies Auxiliary was also very active. They redecorated the kitchen in the parsonage basement and purchased many things for the church including the communion table. They were also busy sending boxes to our servicemen involved in the Vietnam War. Boxes were sent to them on their birthdays, Christmas, and Easter. C.P. McDorman was elected to the trustee board to replace Raymond Duncan who had resigned. Rev. Halbrook resigned March 1970, after serving seven years of which most would say was a successful time and much was accomplished. Rev. Harold Burton (H.B.) Hall, who was born, saved, licensed, and ordained in this church, was called to pastor it on May 2, During the seventies many were added to the church and the Sunday School reached record numbers. This was due mostly to the bus ministry and the ones who worked so that many could hear the Gospel. Charles Songer was re-installed as a deacon and James W. Comer was ordained as deacon October Ray George was a trustee and in 1971 Virginia Brown was choir leader, and Donald Mooney was her assistant. Jean Ray was piano player, and Jeanne Eye was he assistant piano player.

9 In April 1971 the brick was put outside of the building, making it a beautiful place to worship. In 1973 the church purchased a trailer on the Willis Comer property for a parsonage. Sunday School classes were held in the old parsonage, because there wasn't enough room in the church. Eddie and Betty Richardson lived in the parsonage, while they were here to assist the pastor in Romie Comer served as treasurer and Rose Mooney and Ann Ballard each served a time as assistant clerk. Karrie Hall played the piano after Jean Ray and Jeanne Eye moved away. During this time the Helping hands were vey active, doing whatever they could to spiritually and financially support the church. All and all these were good years in attendance and finance. Rev. Hall resigned January 1976 to accept a church in North Carolina. Rev. William Smith, who later married Tera Mooney, served as interim pastor. In June 1976 Danna Booth was elected pastor. He immediately saw the need to bring the buses up to safe standards and to carpet the sanctuary, which was done. In July 1977, John Hudson was ordained to preach and Rev. Burt Hall united with the church, needing a home church so he could work under the Mission Board, as a Home Missionary, in the Wheeling, W.V. area. Rev. Booth resigned December 1977 and the trailer was sold and the original parsonage (the old church) was prepared for the new pastor. Rev. Glenn batten was elected February 8, The church added several members during Rev. Batten's term here. September 1978 the parking lot was paved. In February 1979 Romie Comer was elected as youth and bus director. January 1980, Alice Mooney was elected as treasurer. The church voted to start a Christian School in January The basement was remodeled and the school opened in the fall of 1980 and grades Kindergarten through Twelve were taught. Rev. Batten was the administrator and Edgar Holstein was teacher. Charlene Batten, Connie Comer, Kelly Shannon also taught, and Ann Ballard was secretary. In November 1982 the church decided to build an activity building, or multipurpose building. In 1983 the building was started and the roof put on. June 6, 1984, Rev. Batten submitted his resignation as pastor, and on June 24, 1984 Rev. Harold Burton (H.B.) Hall was elected to serve as pastor for the second time.

In November 1984 the trustee board was increased to a five man board. The five being; Fred Thomas, C.P. McDorman, Carl Chandler, George Selbe, And John Puckett.

10 In November 1984 the trustee board was increased to a five man board. The five being; Fred Thomas, C.P. McDorman, Carl Chandler, George Selbe, And John Puckett. August 14, 1985 Thomas Williams, Darrell Lockhard, and Thomas Dyer were licensed to preach. The first gradates of Forest Christian School were Brock Comer, Patrick Ballard, and Glen Golf, in may Due to declining enrolment, the school was closed after the 1987 term. In the meantime work continued on the activity building, the bathrooms wee completed and the helping Hands purchased the cabinets for the kitchen and the kitchen was completed. The State Meeting of The West Virginia State Association of Free Will Baptist was held here in June Although several were added to the church, the Sunday School attendance was down due to the declining population of our community. The cemetery was improved to make room to bury our dead. Virginia Brown was choir leader and Kelly Shannon piano player. Rev. Hall resigned effective November 1, Rev. Fleetwood Chapman was elected as interim pastor from November 1988, until December 31, Rev. Tom William elected as pastor January 1, Pastor Williams and wife Wanda were members of this church when God called him into the ministry. At the time of the publication (1989), his two children are currently members of the church. His grandfather, Joseph Williams. Uncle Joe, as he was know, never pastored the church, but preached many a heart

11 stirring message for the pulpit of the old church, and his father and mother, Jodie and Kathleen Williams, were also faithful members of this church. February 8, 1989, Romie Comer was elected as assistant to the pastor. As of this date, June 12, 1989, this has been a good year. Sunday School and church attendance are up; twenty one have been added to the church membership. The Loudendale Free Will Baptist church is a member of the Kanawha Conference of Free Will Baptist, the West Virginia State Association of Free Will Baptist, and the National Association of Free Will Baptist. Ministers who have pastored the Loudendale Free Will Baptist Church are as follows: Rev. Jeff Thomas to 1911 Rev. Willis Comer to??? Rev. Jenkins (records not available) Rev. Isem Mullins (records not available) Rev. Clyde Dorsey (records not available) Rev. Arthur Ryan Rev. Henry Scott to 1938 Rev. James Herrald to 1942 Rev. William O'Conner to 1943 Rev. John Henson to 1945 Rev. Sharp Estep to 1947 Rev. Rot Parsons Rev. McKinley Trail to 1950 Rev. John Henson to 1952 Rev. Lester Hunter to 1954 Rev. Fleetwood Chapman to 1963 Rev. Albert Halbrook to 1970 Rev. Harold Burton Hall to 1976 Rev. Danna Booth to 1977 Rev. Glen Batten to 1984 Rev. Harold Burton Hall to 1988 Rev. Thomas Williams to????? Rev. Bob Legg -----???? Rev. Larry Young ----???? Rev. Harold Burton Hall --- (records not available)???? to present

12 Jeff Thomas Willis Comer McKinney Trail James Herrold Bill O'Conner John Henson

13 Lester Hunter Fleetwood Chapman Albert Halbrook Harold Burton Hall Danna Booth Glen Batten

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14 Thomas Williams Arthur Ryann NOTE: Many more pictures were given - but not placed with the article, due to the space it would have required. I did place those which seemed of the most important to preserve the history of the Loudendale Church NOTE: This information was given to the Historical Committee of the West Virginia State Association of Free Will Baptist, sometime in, or around August The information came from a booklet the church put together in June of

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