Our History
South Parkersburg United Brethren In Christ Church, 1925-1945
South Parkersburg Evangelical United Brethren Church, 1945-1968
South Parkersburg United Methodist Church, 1968
South Parkersburg Evangelical United Brethren Church, 1945-1968
South Parkersburg United Methodist Church, 1968
Fulfilling a desire for a United Brethren in Christ Church in the South Parkersburg area, an organizational meeting was held on Sunday afternoon, September 6, 1925. Six charter members attended: Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Johnson, Mr. W. E. Atkinson, Mr. W. M. Davis, Mrs. C. M. Neptune, and Mr. E. H. Braham. Under the direction of Rev. George Burdette, Superintendent of the West Virginia Conference, a note had previously been executed (July 25, 1925) for the purchase of a one-acre plot of ground on Rayon Drive. The money was borrowed from the Preacher's Aid Fund of the West Virginia Conference of the United Brethren Church. With the leadership of their first pastor, the concrete block basement section of the church was constructed. During the time when the Church and Sunday School were being organized, and until the basement was completed, services were held in the Fairplains School House near the Porcelain Plant.
Dedication Day Services were held February 16, 1941, for the new brick sanctuary with Art glass windows. A new wing was added to the sanctuary in 1956. There were eight new Sunday School rooms and one large room extending into the sanctuary to take care of overflow crowds. In 1965, improvements were made to the original basement and three air-conditioning units were installed. The church is continually updating their facilities - elevette, organ, modern integrated sound system, hearing devices for the hearing impaired, new carpet, new front doors, improving the back entrance of the church and landscaping.
Lovingly and faithfully our church will continue to serve as a lighthouse by the side of the road to give comfort and spiritual strength to all who are in need.
Pastors and their families who have served the congregation:
Dedication Day Services were held February 16, 1941, for the new brick sanctuary with Art glass windows. A new wing was added to the sanctuary in 1956. There were eight new Sunday School rooms and one large room extending into the sanctuary to take care of overflow crowds. In 1965, improvements were made to the original basement and three air-conditioning units were installed. The church is continually updating their facilities - elevette, organ, modern integrated sound system, hearing devices for the hearing impaired, new carpet, new front doors, improving the back entrance of the church and landscaping.
Lovingly and faithfully our church will continue to serve as a lighthouse by the side of the road to give comfort and spiritual strength to all who are in need.
Pastors and their families who have served the congregation:
- Rev. J. O. Potts - 1925-1927
- Rev. L. R. Collins - 1927-1933
- Rev. W. H. Harrison - 1933-1939
- Rev. R. L. Kelbaugh - 1939-1949
- Rev. C. C. McCullough (Assistant Pastor) - 1947-1949
- Rev. K. J. Scott - 1949-1952
- Rev. J. C. Foster, Jr. - 1952-1958
- Rev. C. V. Tate - 1958-1963
- Rev. Bill Angel - 1963-1968
- Rev. Denzil Proudfoot - 1968-1974
- Rev. Hugh Boone - 1974-1980
- Rev. Parker L. Kerns - 1980-1983
- Rev. Carrol L. McCauley - 1983-1992
- Rev. Peggy Scharff - 1992-1997
- Rev. Kermit Poling - 1997-2004
- Rev. Rick Brown - 2004-2013
- Rev. Phil Prunty (Associate Pastor) - 2007-2011
- Rev. Jim Plyburn - 2013-2021
- Rev. Edward Craft - 2021-present
- Rev. L. R. Collins - 1927-1933
- Rev. W. H. Harrison - 1933-1939
- Rev. R. L. Kelbaugh - 1939-1949
- Rev. C. C. McCullough (Assistant Pastor) - 1947-1949
- Rev. K. J. Scott - 1949-1952
- Rev. J. C. Foster, Jr. - 1952-1958
- Rev. C. V. Tate - 1958-1963
- Rev. Bill Angel - 1963-1968
- Rev. Denzil Proudfoot - 1968-1974
- Rev. Hugh Boone - 1974-1980
- Rev. Parker L. Kerns - 1980-1983
- Rev. Carrol L. McCauley - 1983-1992
- Rev. Peggy Scharff - 1992-1997
- Rev. Kermit Poling - 1997-2004
- Rev. Rick Brown - 2004-2013
- Rev. Phil Prunty (Associate Pastor) - 2007-2011
- Rev. Jim Plyburn - 2013-2021
- Rev. Edward Craft - 2021-present
