Our Church History

A rich Christian heritage precedes us. It is one of dedication to the Lord and commitment to His promises—lived out in a community of faith simply called the “church”.

On the night of May 6, 1941, a group of Christians met in J.E. Williams home for the purpose of organizing a Free Will Baptist church that would serve the thriving coal community of Glamorgan, near Wise, Virginia. The vision of the charter members resulted in immediately appointing trustees and a building committee.

At that time, they came together with a common purpose of sharing the message of the gospel and encouraging one another in the faith. This underlying mission of our founders, is simply restated as ENTER a relationship with Jesus Christ, EMBRACE the body of Christ and EQUIP to serve Christ in the world. Their committment shapes our purpose today.

Driven by love and trusting God in prayer, the charter members set forth the task of organizing a church. Every endeavor that God blesses begins with prayer, and this praying band of charter members (Catherine Williams, Dona Wampler, Beadie Williams, Blanche Roberts, Ava Arnold, Wayne Wampler and J.E. Williams, and Lloyd Roberts) trusted God for property. God provided a tract of property through the kindness of Glamorgan Coal Land Corporation’s donation of the property that the church now is located upon. The small, but passionate band, pooled together in giving and the church treasury flourished with $9.00 and a commitment to build

Rev. Mack Fisher from Calvin, Virginia was elected as the first pastor and Wayne Wampler was the first deacon. The foundation for a church building was laid by Lloyd Roberts, Wayne Wampler, and Bob and Isaac Gilliam. Their efforts were blessed by God where there is unity of heart and vision. Wayne drove the first nail and Lloyd held the board, and up went the church. The chapel’s very humble beginnings became threatened on a cold winter morning on December 14, 1946. A pot-belly stove was perched in the corner left of the pulpit, heated the small white frame structure. The community joined together forming a bucket brigade and fire department. The vision however was not dimmed. Steven’s Chapel became the place of worship until the sanctuary was rebuilt, and a commitment to Sunday School grew stronger as people met in the teacher’s homes for classes.

The church grew in purpose and commitment. A commitment to the educating youth grew through-out the years with W.F. “Hoolie” and Pauline Wright and Kyle and Gretta Easterling were selected on January 9, 1949 to begin the youth program. Then it was called “Young People’s League”. Though the name has changed through the years, the youth program has been an active and a vibrant part of this church. Through the years many faithful and dedicated leaders worked with youth—from teaching, leading, outings, fellowships, concerts, etc. Under the leadership of Paul and Faye Sams teaching and training the youth and young couples provided influential leadership for the future growth of the youth programs. Through-out the years numerous influential leaders simply “did their part” for the kingdom work. Some are with us today, some are in different places of ministry and some are with the Lord.

Glamorgan Chapel stands today from the vision and commitment of her founding members and from the dedication of faithful people through the years.

Charter Members:

Catherine Williams, Ava Arnold, Donald Wampler, Wayne Wampler, Beadie Williams, J.E. Williams, Blanche Roberts, Lloyd Roberts

Pastors:

Rev. Mack Fisher - October 1942-April 1943

Rev. Ray Gardner - April 1943-November 144

Rev. Wade Powers - November 1944-March 1946

Rev. Mack Fisher - March 1946-May 1946

Rev. Paul Harry Miller - May 1946-March 1954

Rev. Leonard Fields - March 1954-March 1960

Rev. Bobby Stanley - March 1960-March 1963

Rev. B.R. Powers - March 1963-March 1969

Rev. Denver Dean - March 1969-December 1974

Rev. Harold Kilgore - December 1974-July 1981

Rev. Hobart Addington - July 1981-December 1983

Rev. Harold Kilgore - December 1983-August 1986

Rev. David Kilgore - August 1986-July 1988

Rev. Jim Cox - July 1988-August 1991

Rev. Greg Sergent - September 1991-Present