By

Molly May,
Juanita Gibson,
Peggy Ousley,
Belinda Baker

Historical Consultant

Jerry Watson,
Mildred Wireman,
Irene Salyer,
Mollie May

A historical record of Floyd County Seventh-day Adventist Churches and Prestonsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church, Prestonsburg, Kentucky.

September 17,  1988

The
History of  the
Prestonsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church

Today, September 17, 1988, is an event that we have been looking forward to for some time for on this day we are dedicating the Prestonsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church to the glory of God and for services to others in the world.  This is why we want to share with you some history that has led to this day.

Church Family & Historical Events

So we go back a few years in memory to earlier Adventist churches in the area.  Pastor Jim McConnell held a tent meeting at Wheelwright, at an earlier date, and there was once a church at McDowell.  Also church and Sabbath School have been held in the home of Elbert and Juanita Gibson, at Lucy Kitchen’s and in the home of Jerry and Judy Watson.  In 1972, Jerry and Judy Watson came from California to Floyd county, and they and Mildred Wireman had Sabbath School in Chester Wireman’s rent house, in rural Floyd County, near Waldo.  This seems to be one of the fore-runners of the Prestonsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church, for in 1975, Elder Hugh Leggett was the Conference official who officiated at the organization which formed a company which later became the Prestonsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church.  The meeting was at the Prestonsburg Presbyterian Church.  The pastor at that time was Forest Howe.  He and Mrs. Howe, Marvin and Lelia Adams, Randall and Judy Reed, Fern Pennington Wood, Ray, Mildred and Vernice Wireman, Dewight and Ella StClair, Jerry and Judy Watson and Carl and Mollie May were the first members.

The church met at the Presbyterian Church in Prestonsburg until September 1, 1984, and Rev, Jessen, the Presbyterian Minister, and Mrs. Jessen sang a beautiful song at the opening of our new church on September 15, 1984.  From the small beginning of membership other faithful members have been added to the church.  Also several who have met with us through the years have moved away and Gladys Rowe, Ray Wireman, Grandma Haughton, Ella Sisco, Lucy Kitchen, and Peggy Lloyd have fallen asleep in death.  Others who worshipped with us meet with us no more.

Our appreciation and thanks are given to Jerry Watson and Mildred Wireman who helped us with the historical events, and to Patti Hoover whose story, “Another Light in Eastern Kentucky”, published in Southern Tidings, January 1985, which we are using in The History of the Prestonsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church.  The Prestonsburg, Kentucky, church officially opened its doors September 15, 1984.  It was the realization of much dreaming and work covering 40 years.

Prestonsburg is nestled in the Appalachians of eastern Kentucky,   For many years, poor roads, winding through mountainous country, guaranteed few visitors.  For this reason the people had strong family ties and held onto simpler ways of life, which in many ways are still seen even though new highways have opened the area to growth. Many still have a garden each year and do a lot of canning and freezing.  Like their fathers before them, many work in the coal mines or railroads that transport the coal.  Their handcrafts are sought after for the beauty and detail of bygone time.

Adventists began meeting for Sabbath School in Wheelwright, a small town near Prestonsburg, in the 1930s.  They began saving for a church and eventually purchased a small, one-room building.  An explosion nearby caused extensive structural damage so the property was eventually sold adding to money being saved for a church.

“It is hard to name those who have been responsible for the church we have now.  There are so many, over so many years who worked in this area,” says Juanita Gibson, one of the charter members.

In 1980, the Southern Union gave special emphasis to the work in Appalachia when task force workers, under the direction of R.H. Lloyd concentrated on reaching people with the Adventist message.

Construction of the Prestonsburg Church

After years of saving and planning, construction began in September, 1982, when Robert Haughton was pastor.  “One Sunday we planned a big work day at the building site.  We promised the rest of the members we would be there to lead out but it was really raining when we left home,” remembers first elder Walter Snyder.  “All the way to the church (an hour and 15 minutes) my wife, Meredith and I questioned if it was worth the drive as the rain kept coming down.  We decided we couldn’t expect the Lord to answer our prayers if we weren’t willing to trust Him.  As we got closer to the church the rain slowed.  I got out of the van with my shovel and began working.  The rain stopped. We had a full day of work and as soon as we stopped to leave the rain started up again.”

In July, 1983, Helping Hands, volunteers from churches throughout the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference assisted in the church-raising.  The building was put completely under roof in two days.  “We are indebted to everyone involved with Helping Hands, especially Elder and Mrs. Jim McConnell and Conference Treasurer Dwight Hilderbrandt, for all the time and support they gave us.  Without them and others like the Business and Professional Foundation, we would not be in our church today,” says Paul Hoover, pastor of the Prestonsburg church,  The foundation, made up of businessmen and professionals in the Conference, offers low-Interest loans to qualifying churches.

Prestonsburg members did much of the work themselves, working on Sundays and often during the week.  “We were able to save $40,000 by doing much of the work ourselves and by the help we received from other people,” says Hoover.  The church building, in addition to the sanctuary and mother’s room, has a kitchen, fellowship hall, and four classrooms, with the intention of one day housing a school.

First Sabbath in New Church

On September 1, 1984 members met for the first Sabbath in their new church.  It was a memorable day for everyone, especially since three new members were welcomed through baptism.

Clayton R. Farwell, president of the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference, spoke at the Open House on September 15.  The sanctuary, which seats 100, was filled with guests from the community and other Adventist churches.  Following a fellowship buffet, a special musical program was enjoyed by everyone.  The sun setting over the Appalachians lit the sanctuary that evening for vespers and the Adventist Book Center held a food and book sale after sundown.  Celebration of the day continued with a fun-filled social.  Said one member smiling,   “We may even spend the night!  This is the day we’ve been waiting for!”

Although we have come to another mile-stone in our church history we still remember the ministers who served the churches of Floyd County and the Prestonsburg Church. They are Haram Dukes, Jim McConnell, Mark Van Tugh, Forest Howe, Bob Haughton, Rufus Lloyd, Paul Hoover, Howard George and our pastor, at the present, is Joe McCoy.

Others who have contributed to making our church beautiful are Ed Ousley, who donated equipment and time in making the church parking lot. David Baker, our electrical engineer, who helped with the lights and electric appliances.  Peggy Ousley, our church treasurer, who has given the church the beautiful ever-greens and flowering plants located near the church.  Tivia Lyon, the church elder, who is also an artist in wood work, has designed and made the church sign marker.  Elbert Gibson, our church deacon, who keeps the church lawn beautiful.  Also the pianist and musicians who have served the church are Mrs. Howe, Ella StClair, Barbara Haughton, Howard George, and Meredityh Snyder, but they have moved away.  Our pianists are now Irene Salyer, Margret Taylro, Melissa and Pastor Joe McCoy.

Eastern Kentucky Camp Meeting

The Prestonsburg Church is host each year for the Eastern Kentucky Camp Meeting.  Formerly we met at May Lodge, in Jenny Wiley State Park, in January.  The last few years we have been meeting at the Presbyterian Church, in Prestonsburg, in March.  We thank them both for their hospitality in granting us the privilege of meting there and also thank the Floyd County Superintendent and Board of Education for the use of their dining hall at Prestonsburg High School.  After such small beginning in membership we are glad for the church’s present 68 members and for the ones who are baptized each year.

Burning the Church Mortgage

Today, we are thankful to our  Creator who made the tall pines and forest trees that reach sky-ward at the back of our church. He has given power to men to build the modern highway, Route 114 and the Mountain Parkway, that stretches east-ward toward the town of Prestonsburg, and west-ward toward Salyersville, and Paintsville. We now observe the burning of the mortgage that is held on our church and we will be thankful again to our God who makes all things possible to those who believe.