Local history

THE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

One of the largest holiness denominations of this century is the Church of the Nazarene. From its beginning in the early nineteen hundreds, the Church has grown to a world membership of well over one million people. There are over 10,000 organized churches located throughout the world. The Church of the Nazarene maintains eight liberal arts universities and colleges in the U.S.A. and one in Canada. A part of the educational arm of the Church also includes a Bible College, a seminary and colleges in Europe and Great Britain. The Church of the Nazarene maintains and supports over 610 missionaries working in many areas of the world.

Several missionaries have come from our own congregation, including our present missionary to South Africa, Kandess Dunewood. Kandess has started an adult education program and is involved in establishing a church ministry among the poorest people in the area. John and Sheila (Smith) Hall are our "retired" missionaries. Now living in Mount Vernon, Ohio, the Halls have served in Equador, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Sheila grew up in our church while John was the son of a missionary family living in Cuba before the Castro Revolution. A past director of our Seminary in Costa Rica, John currently teaches at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Sheila is a registered nurse.

The Warren First Church of the Nazarene was organized September 3, 1922 with 13 members. The congregation first worshipped in the Armory on High Street. A tabernacle was soon erected on the corner of Buckeye and Mulberry Streets. A three-phase building program was implemented and the Buckeye Street Church was dedicated on February 4, 1951.

In 1975 our present location was chosen and ground broken for this present facility. Our current church building was dedicated May 3, 1981. This present facility has been remodeled twice since being built. A picture of the present facility is shown lower right.

Warren First Church of the Nazarene: a church with a mission to evangelize every person within our area of outreach and to provide discipling to those who accept the provisions of the Gospel, and glorify God according to His Word. We shall preach, teach and witness of God's saving grace. We are committed to spreading Christian Holiness in our area of endeavor. Under God's divine help we pledge that the church will remain true to its initial mission and calling. Warren First Church: "Building the Church to Reach the Unchurched"

Present Building - Parkman Road - Warren, Ohio