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Anderson First Church Of Nazarene
Histroy
The First Church of the Nazarene in Anderson was organized on January 28, 1915 with 48 Charter members present."Seeing the need of a stronger organization, one whose ministry is made up of only such men as know the saving and sanctifying power of God and because the Christian Congregation did not stand for this kind of doctrine, they decided to unite with the Nazarene Church, which they believed to be the cleanest and strongest church of its kind on Bible holiness in existence." (Quote taken from official minutes of that meeting).The first pastor to serve the church was Rev. J. A. Williams. After uniting with the Nazarene Church, services were held in the home of Mary Hampton until the congregation purchased a building in Alexandria and then moved it to 2300 Jackson St. In 1917 the Tabernacle was taken down and a white frame structure was built by men of the church at a cost of $31,000. This building was added to in 1927.In 1954 under the leadership of Rev. Myron Morford, the white frame structure was taken down and a new sanctuary was built on that same location and served as the Sanctuary for the growing congregation until 1984.In 1965 a three story education unit was built for Sunday School classes and fellowship hall. Rev. Dexter Westhafer was the pastor of a growing church and Sunday School.In 1978 when Pastor Dunlop came, plans were made for another sanctuary. The old sanctuary became too small to hold the people and to grow. In 1984 a beautiful new sanctuary was dedicated. This sanctuary seats 1200 with classrooms, fellowship area and music room. Because of this adventure of faith and a miracle of God, the church doubled in the size of the congregation.In October 2003, the children and youth areas of the church were remodeled and highly decorated including all new furniture in order to better meet the ministry needs of the children and youth and allow for growth.More than 30 ministers have gone out into full time service as pastors or missionaries during these 76 years of existence. Many souls have been won to Jesus Christ. Anderson First is one of the largest churches on the northeastern Indiana District and among the top 50 of the denomination.
The First Church of the Nazarene in Anderson was organized on January 28, 1915 with 48 Charter members present."Seeing the need of a stronger organization, one whose ministry is made up of only such men as know the saving and sanctifying power of God and because the Christian Congregation did not stand for this kind of doctrine, they decided to unite with the Nazarene Church, which they believed to be the cleanest and strongest church of its kind on Bible holiness in existence." (Quote taken from official minutes of that meeting).The first pastor to serve the church was Rev. J. A. Williams. After uniting with the Nazarene Church, services were held in the home of Mary Hampton until the congregation purchased a building in Alexandria and then moved it to 2300 Jackson St. In 1917 the Tabernacle was taken down and a white frame structure was built by men of the church at a cost of $31,000. This building was added to in 1927.In 1954 under the leadership of Rev. Myron Morford, the white frame structure was taken down and a new sanctuary was built on that same location and served as the Sanctuary for the growing congregation until 1984.In 1965 a three story education unit was built for Sunday School classes and fellowship hall. Rev. Dexter Westhafer was the pastor of a growing church and Sunday School.In 1978 when Pastor Dunlop came, plans were made for another sanctuary. The old sanctuary became too small to hold the people and to grow. In 1984 a beautiful new sanctuary was dedicated. This sanctuary seats 1200 with classrooms, fellowship area and music room. Because of this adventure of faith and a miracle of God, the church doubled in the size of the congregation.In October 2003, the children and youth areas of the church were remodeled and highly decorated including all new furniture in order to better meet the ministry needs of the children and youth and allow for growth.More than 30 ministers have gone out into full time service as pastors or missionaries during these 76 years of existence. Many souls have been won to Jesus Christ. Anderson First is one of the largest churches on the northeastern Indiana District and among the top 50 of the denomination.