Celebrating 84 Years and Growing

The year was 1919. The place was the corner of East Liberty and North Boundary. The event was an old-fashioned tent meeting conducted by the Rev. S.M. Stikeleather and the Rev. Cicero Ludwig. Crowds attended and many prayed to definite victory. As a result, Rev. Stikeleather, with the support of Rev. C.W. Hartman, Rev. Clem Pence and others, organized the Pilgrim Holiness Church on June I, 1919.

In October of 1919, Rev. C.W. Hartman purchased two lots on the corner of East Liberty and North Green. The congregation erected a tent and continued to worship there until 1921 when construction of the church building began. It took several years to complete the building.

Among those who faithfully supported the church with their prayers, attendance, and offerings were the following who are believed to be charter members: Rev S.W. Hartman, the first pastor and his wife, Luzina Hartman, Mrs. Mary Brady, Mrs. Liza Jane Kepley, Mrs. Pauline Hunt, Mrs. Sallie Blackwelder, Ms. Lizzie Leach, Mrs. Mary Corn, Mr. & Mrs. Lake, Mr. Cal Eagle and Mr. & Mrs Albert Eagle.

Receiving only a token salary, Rev. Hartman served as the pastor for a number or years while he held down a full time job at the Spencer Shops. He left the ministry for a while, but he maintained his membership in the Iocal church. During that time Rev. Wray, Rev. Pence, and Rev. Stanley served as interim pastors. After a few years, Rev. Hartman assumed duties as pastor again and served until 1936. During this time another very saintly member, Mr. J.D. (Daddy) Armstrong, captured the hearts of the children by handing out candy. He was fondly referred to as 'the candy man'.

In 1936, Rev. Coleman Avery became the pastor. He served until 1939 when he was called to the mission field in Peru.

Rev. Roy Phillips served from l939-1944. His salary was fifteen dollars per week. This was during World War II, and attendance increased. Seating space became inadequate, but lack of funds prohibited building a new building. Rev. Phillips, being a master of improvisation, introduced a plan to build a balcony over the existing Sunday School rooms. This added three Sunday school rooms and additional sanctuary seating. The Sunday School continued to grow.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the church was in 1944. Rev. Brown Barger came that year and served faithfully until 1952. In 1944, there were eleven Sunday School classes. The same year, the polio epidemic occurred and greatly affected Sunday School attendance. From June 25 until September 10,1944, children were not allowed to congregate in public places. The average attendance during those months was 48. For the remainder of the year, average attendance increased to 111. In 1949, the church decided to rebuild at the same site. The white frame structure was rolled to the back and used for worship while a new brick structure was built in its place. Mr. A.P. Richardson donated the trees, and other members hauled them to the sawmill. Build largely by volunteer labor, the church was completed in 1951.

Rev. George Farah was the pastor from 1952-1956. During this time a new parsonage was built under the supervision of Gene Beaver. The old parsonage was used for a fellowship hall and was loving referred to as the "annex".

Rev. J. Harold Loman blessed the congregation with his inspirational sermons and his beautiful singing from 1956-1962. He left to enter full time evangelism.

Rev. D. R. Saunders served faithfully from 1962-1972. In 1968, the Pilgrim Holiness Church merged with the Wesleyan Methodist Church and adopted the name, Wesleyan Church. The local church chose the name Trinity Wesleyan. In 1969, the church celebrated its fiftieth anniverary. There were fourteen Sunday School classes and the average attendance was 131.

Rev. Wilson Harris was the pastor from 1972-1982. In 1979, the church decided to consider relocation. The church purchased a ten-acre tract on Hwy 150.

Rev. Tommy Albertson served from 1982-1986. The building fund grew during his ministry to $135,000.

Rev. Lee Cockerill became the pastor in August 1986. Under his guidance and leadership the present building was erected in 1988 at a total cost of $995,000. The first service in the new building was on November 13, 1988 with a worship attendance of 209. The Day Care Ministry began in May of 1989 under the direction of Sharon Kerr. One year later the daycare was changed to a preschool. The present director is Barbara Mitchell, who came in November of 1989. Enrollment is 90 children.

Eric Trail, a student at Bethany Bible College, joined the pastoral staff as a summer intern to direct the youth ministry in the summer of 1990. Martha Richardson was called as an Assistant to the Pastor in November 1990. Her job description included being Director of Youth. Martha became Director of Christian Education in the summer of 1993 when Rev. Charles Moretz was called as Assistant Pastor. He served as Minister of Youth and Music until 1996.

Pastor Troy and Joy Carruthers joined the pastoral staff in 1996. Pastor Troy served as Assistant and Youth Pastor while his wife Joy, served as church office secretary and Director of Music.

Pastor Ernest G. Mullins and his wife Susan, accepted the call to Trinity while in Kansas City, Missouri and began their ministry here August 30, 1998. Their son Aaron is presently employed in the Washington office of US Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), and Josh is a golf pro residing in Fort Worth, TX.   Under the Lord's direction, Pastor Mullins continues to lead the church forward by utilizing various outreach ministries. Emphasis on prayer, the family and missions are part of Trinity's focus now as well as the need for new space for our ministries.

In August 1999, Pastor Blair Lyseski joined the pastoral staff as Assistant & Youth Pastor. His wife Rosie, and children, Ashley and Brandon are an invaluable part of his ministry. Pastor Blair assists Pastor Mullins as needed and preaches and visits those in the hospital and homebound. He leads the youth leadership team and supervises eight full-time youth sponsors and 18 as needed. He also teaches the Senior High Sunday school class.

Pastor W. Lee Cockerill retired from full-time pastoring in 1998 and accepted the position of Visitation Pastor in June of 1999. He and his wife Virginia, conscientiously and faithfully visit our guests and take them a loaf of homemade bread. They also visit those who are hospitalized and homebound. Pastor Cockerill teaches a Sunday school at Carillon Assisted Living each week and assists Pastor Mullins with the Wednesday night Bible studies as needed. He and Virginia conduct weekly chapel services for our preschool.

The church has grown to a membership of 272 as of October 1, 2001, and continues to grow at an incredible pace. Average attendance is 329 per week, and the annual income is $299,000.

Through the years, the church has provided a sound, fundamental Christian environment. Many young men and women associated with the church heeded God's call and entered the ministry. Among those who have served or are presently serving as pastors are Charles Williams, Billy Walker, Carl Lain, Charles Beck, Charles McHargue, Donald Richardson, Carroll Upton, Steve Saunders, Lane Loman, and Gene Beaver. Mary Cloer did missionary work in Taiwan, Margie Richardson worked in missions in New Mexico, and Scott Miller traveled to Albania in October 2001 to assist in building a community church. Jessica Fink is currently serving a two year term in China. Martha Richardson is currently serving as Directory of Christian Education.

A number of young ladies from the congregation became ministers' wives. Included are the following: Thelma Cloer married the late Rev. Wayne Brown. Alice Richardson married the late Rev. Charles Beck. Ernestine Phillips married the late Rev. Clyde Parker. Carolyn Richardson married Rev. Carroll Upton. Faye Richardson married Rev. Ralph Clayton. Janice Loman married Rev. Max Allman.

The record of the past 82 years has been indelibly written in the lives of our people. Their witness has gone out through all the earth. They have made an eternal difference. Now as we look to the future, we know that the challenge has never been greater or the call of God stronger. Surely it is true again that God has prepared us "for such a time as this." We celebrate the past but our heart is set on entering the open door before us.