THE HISTORY OF LITTLE COUNTRY CHURCH
As an answer to much prayer and a vision for a Holiness church, Rev. Virgil Engler started Sunday school in what is now Kirk’s Restaurant at the intersection of 43 and 44. Services began October 1955, and the name? The Little Country Church.
Services were originally held on Sunday afternoon and soon moved to Sunday morning and evening. It was not long before a larger building was needed. Through prayer and God’s direction, Mrs. Mary Hahn gave the first dollar towards the building fund, and Mr. & Mrs. Park Welker donated the land. A building committee was formed with William Brechbuhler, Howard Diehl, Rev. Virgil Engler, Delbert Warner Jr., Bill Welker, and Park Welker. The ground breaking was May 1959. The men of the Church gave their time and energy working long and hard to complete the building.
The first service in the new building was held on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1960, with 33 in attendance.
World Gospel Mission and the Missionary vision of the church was introduced to the Little Country Church by the Waynesburg Prayer Band consisting of Mary Welker, Martha Warner and Genevieve Seran. Missionary pledges have grown from $60.00 a year to approximately $50,000. The Missionary vision has been with LCC from its inception and has been a vital strength in our continued growth.
With Rev. Engler resigning as pastor in April 1961, there was much prayer for a spiritual leader in the church, and February 1962, prayers were answered. Melvin Truex, a student from Malone College came for four Sundays which stretched into a twenty-five year ministry.
Because of the steady growth they needed additional space. An education wing, sanctuary overflow area and a new foyer was added in 1971. A steeple and bell were also added and was rung for the first time December 5, 1971.
Again, faced with the need for additional room, the board voted in 1981 for a major building program which would include a new sanctuary. Then in 1990 a second building project to build a Fellowship Hall was underway.
The Little Country Church has had 7 Senior Pastors in its history: Rev. Virgil Engler (1955-1961), Rev. Paul Dear (1961-1962), Rev. Melvin Truex (1962-1987), Rev. Dale Boston (1988-2002), Rev. Terry Stivers (2002-2004), Rev. Bill Carter (2005-2013). Now our church has been blessed to have Rev. Cameron Ury.
The Little Country Church is grateful for the many hours of donated labor, without this demonstration of love, the project would be impossible!
The Little Country Church has a wonderful heritage, based on the foundation of God. We pray for God to continue to grow and use this church for His Glory!
Services were originally held on Sunday afternoon and soon moved to Sunday morning and evening. It was not long before a larger building was needed. Through prayer and God’s direction, Mrs. Mary Hahn gave the first dollar towards the building fund, and Mr. & Mrs. Park Welker donated the land. A building committee was formed with William Brechbuhler, Howard Diehl, Rev. Virgil Engler, Delbert Warner Jr., Bill Welker, and Park Welker. The ground breaking was May 1959. The men of the Church gave their time and energy working long and hard to complete the building.
The first service in the new building was held on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1960, with 33 in attendance.
World Gospel Mission and the Missionary vision of the church was introduced to the Little Country Church by the Waynesburg Prayer Band consisting of Mary Welker, Martha Warner and Genevieve Seran. Missionary pledges have grown from $60.00 a year to approximately $50,000. The Missionary vision has been with LCC from its inception and has been a vital strength in our continued growth.
With Rev. Engler resigning as pastor in April 1961, there was much prayer for a spiritual leader in the church, and February 1962, prayers were answered. Melvin Truex, a student from Malone College came for four Sundays which stretched into a twenty-five year ministry.
Because of the steady growth they needed additional space. An education wing, sanctuary overflow area and a new foyer was added in 1971. A steeple and bell were also added and was rung for the first time December 5, 1971.
Again, faced with the need for additional room, the board voted in 1981 for a major building program which would include a new sanctuary. Then in 1990 a second building project to build a Fellowship Hall was underway.
The Little Country Church has had 7 Senior Pastors in its history: Rev. Virgil Engler (1955-1961), Rev. Paul Dear (1961-1962), Rev. Melvin Truex (1962-1987), Rev. Dale Boston (1988-2002), Rev. Terry Stivers (2002-2004), Rev. Bill Carter (2005-2013). Now our church has been blessed to have Rev. Cameron Ury.
The Little Country Church is grateful for the many hours of donated labor, without this demonstration of love, the project would be impossible!
The Little Country Church has a wonderful heritage, based on the foundation of God. We pray for God to continue to grow and use this church for His Glory!