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The history of First Church of the Nazarene in St. Joseph, Missouri is rather unclear from 1929 until 1938. There was a Church of the Nazarene presence in the city beginning in 1929. Rev. J. J. Steele, who planted several churches in this area, was the first pastor of the church, first located at Massachusetts and Pryor street in South St. Joseph. Another pastor during this period was Rev. Mays. The church was also located at 9th & Edmond and at 11th & Monterey. However, this church apparently closed and disorganized in the mid 1930's. Rev & Mrs. Albert Neese, and Ruth, their daughter, came to St. Joseph while Rev. E. S. Hale was the Kansas City District Superintendent. Revival services began on Nov. 28, 1938 at 1805 Olive St., adjacent to and across from two saloons. The people purchased a seven room brick house, tore it down, and salvaged and cleaned brick during the winter. The church building at 11th & Olive was completed in March, 1939. Dr. J. G. Morrison, General Superintendent, officiated at the dedication of the building on April 16, 1939. The church was organized with 12 charter members including theses families: Jeffrey, Staples, Pepper, Wessel, and Whited. In his report to the Herald of Holiness, Rev. Hale termed First Church in St. Joseph "a new venture in Home Mission work. For the first time, a building has been built before a church was organized." Relocation to 22nd and Pacific streets came as ground was broken for the first phase construction in May, 1955. Rev. E. M. Elrod was the pastor. Services were first held in the present location July, 1955. Dr. Jarrette Aycock, the district superintendent for 17 years, preached at the dedication of the first building on October 2, 1955. The congregation purchased a beautiful parsonage across the street from the church in the summer of 1959. By this time, Rev. Keith Taylor was the pastor.
In September, 1971 the indebtedness was erased and the a mortgage burning service followed on Nov. 28, 1971. Then ground was broken for the second phase: a lovely, 350 seat sanctuary and basement classrooms on August 5, 1973. Rev. Don Bell was now the pastor. The first services were conducted in the new sanctuary on April 14, 1974. Dr. Orville Jenkins, General Superintendent, preached at the dedication service on June 2, 1974. The present property of First Church in St. Joseph, is free of dept and the congregation continues to thrive. God is continuing to bless this church in this city.
Other pastors (not previously mentioned) include Rev. Ralph Simpson, Rev. Ronald Ellington, Rev. Eldon Shields, Rev. Adam Hoffpauir, and Rev. Ken Kirk, Jr. who recently retired Dec. 31 2006. Rev. Jonathon Tipton became our new pastor in Jan. 2008. We look forward to a great time with Pastor Jon. |
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First Church of the Nazarene |
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Saint Joseph, Missouri |
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