About Immanuel Baptist ChurchHISTORY OF IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH PRINCETON, WEST VIRGINIA It was the will of God the WMU of the First Baptist Church of Princeton, West Virginia, start circle meetings in the homes of some of the people in the Johnson town area. Some of these homes were Mrs. Clyde Dove, Mrs. Mac Waddell, Mrs. W.W. Wood, Mrs. J. R. Guard, Mrs. Henry Mulkey, Ann Guard, Ruby Faulkner, and Mrs. John Gunnoe. In 1948, the first missionary meeting was held with members from the First Baptist Church organizing the mission called Davis Chapel. Serving on the Advisory Board of Davis Chapel were: Mac Waddell, Henry Morrison, George Mathena, Raymond Guard, Henry Mulkey, O.E. Hylton, Chester Lee Blevins, Jr., and Mr. John R. Guard, Sr. The Davis Chapel was built on land given by Chester Lee Blevins and most of the block for constructing the building was donated by Henry Morrison. Labor was provided by members from the First Baptist Church and the Chapel, and in July, 1949. "The Davis Chapel" was dedicated in honor by Rev. Davis, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Princeton. The building was heated by a coal stove and curtains were used to divide the room into Sunday School rooms. The Sunday School was organized in 1949, and the first revival was held by Brother C. D. Sweet, Sr. In the fall of 1949, sixty- five decisions were made and on August 7, 1949, these were baptized at the First Baptist Church by Brother Sweet. The first pastor was Johnny Bradley, a student at Bluefield College. The second pastor, also a student at Bluefield College, was Charles O'Roark, Jr., who served as pastor from July 7, 1949 until July 13, 1951. The third pastor was Anthony Morgan, who served as pastor from February 13, 1952 to December 5, 1952, and the fourth interim pastor was Dr. Edward Stubblefield. The fifth and last pastor of the chapel was Brother Harry Sisk, who came to the Chapel in 1952, and in 1953 organized the Immanuel Baptist Church with 67 members coming into the church from the Chapel. Under Brother Sisk's leadership, who served as pastor until April, 1957, an addition to the building was completed for Sunday school rooms. James (Jimmy) Hubbard was the first minister to be ordained by the church and served as pastor from 1956 to 1958. Clatyon D. Sweet, Jr. was the second minister ordained in July of 1959. Brother Clayton D. Sweet, Sr. was called as pastor in the fall of 1958. Under his leadership, a building program began and the the present church, Immanuel Baptist, was built. Ground breaking ceremonies were held April 12, 1970, and in the summer of 1971, services were held in the new building. The dedication of Immanuel Baptist Church was held October 17, 1971, with Dr. Walter Johnson serving as interim pastor. Following Brother Johnson, David Armbrister served as interim pastor. In October 1973, under the leadership of Missions Director, W.D. Sharp, Immanuel Baptist Church was affiliated with the Mountain State Baptist Association and the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists. Brother George Bulson came as pastor, June 17, 1973, and served until July 3, 1978, followed by Brother Jim Hendricks who seved as pastor from April 29, 1979 until August, 1990. Under Brother Jim's leadership, the church sponsored a mission, Grandview Mission, now called The First Southern Baptist Church of Grandview. Our church entered in the "Together We Build Program" in November, 1984. January 1986 we licensed Bro. Gerald McKinney to preach. In April of 1988, a new $600,000 building, including a sanctuary, Sunday School rooms, and fellowship hall were dedicated. In 1989 we celebrated our 40th anniversary and also hosted the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists annual meeting. In September, 1991, the church agreed to sponsor the Northgate Mission in Beckley and the Glen Daniel Mission in Raleigh County under the leadership of Bro. Lawrence Stewart. On July 28, 1991, Dr. Jim Henderson came as our pastor. During that time we completed the former sanctuary into 3 classrooms, 3 offices, and a parlor. In June 1993 Everette Marshall was elected to serve as a part-time youth director until January 1994. September 12, 1993 we licensed Bro. Steve Hendricks to preach. Brother Henderson left in August 1993 to work with a mission church in Arizona. May 26, 1994, Richard Sadler was called to be the new Pastor. In April 1995, Johnny Zeboskey came as our Youth Pastor and in July 1995 we completed a Youth Department directly above the offices. In the fall of 1995, Willowbrook Baptist became the sponsoring church for the Glen Daniel Mission in Raleigh County. March 31, 1996 Northgate Mission was constituted as a church. March, 1996 after the resignation of Johnny Zeboskey, Mike Smith came as an interim youth pastor. He served until April 30, 1997. October 1997 Brad Beckham came as youth pastor. July 1998 Rick Sadler resigned as pastor. June 1999 Brad resigned as youth pastor. & held our 50th Anniversary Celebration, July 11. March 2000 Rev. Dan Jividen became our pastor. April, 2004 Jonathan Johnson came on staff as part-time youth pastor. 2001- Called Rev. Ron Geary to be youth pastor beginning April 1. Hosted the First state women's prayer retreat, August 17 & 18 2004 – Called Jonathan Johnson as part time youth pastor in March July 30 – August 6, 2005 – 25 youth and adults went to St. Louis, MO for a first time out of state mission trip April 2, 2006 Jonathan Johnson became full time Associate Pastor to Youth. Began cutting trees and moving dirt to prepare land for new building. Respectively Submitted, Jennie Hughes Church Historian |
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