In 1938, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Grantier of Eldred, PA with the assistance of Mrs. Hazel Soules, started a Sunday school in a home. After much prayer, Mr. Grantier and several others built the the first mission chapel in McCrae Brook Valley on the old Grantier farm. Somewhat later the Rev. and Mrs. G. I. Norman, pastors of the Olean church, held evangelistic meeting in the area. Mrs. Norman [Biography] continue to oversee the work until 1942 when the family moved out of the area.
After Mr. Grantier decided to attend Bible School, he deeded the chapel to the congregation. In 1942, building enlargement began. Several district figures and G. I. Norman participated. That June the church was organized with 13 charter members. The congregation bought the Grantier home as a parsonage for $1,200.
With growth came the need for a larger building. The old chapel was sold for $1,500 and a new 24 by 36 foot cement block building was constructed. Dedication was held Palm Sunday 1955 with Dr. Oliver G. Wilson, editor of The Wesleyan Methodist as speaker.
Throughout the 1960's the congregation grew, the church outreach grew, particularly its Vacation Bible School ministry. The Sunday School rooms were refurbished and many other facility improvements were completed, including a parsonage remodeling. Much of this work was performed by supply pastor Robert Miller.
A new parsonage was built in 1974 during the pastorate of Rev. Ray Reed. There was significant growth during the four years before he died in 1978. Four years later, the church had a mortgage burning for the parsonage. Subsequently further improvements have been completed. In 2009, Larry Miller donated land behind the church property for future projects.
After Mr. Grantier decided to attend Bible School, he deeded the chapel to the congregation. In 1942, building enlargement began. Several district figures and G. I. Norman participated. That June the church was organized with 13 charter members. The congregation bought the Grantier home as a parsonage for $1,200.
With growth came the need for a larger building. The old chapel was sold for $1,500 and a new 24 by 36 foot cement block building was constructed. Dedication was held Palm Sunday 1955 with Dr. Oliver G. Wilson, editor of The Wesleyan Methodist as speaker.
Throughout the 1960's the congregation grew, the church outreach grew, particularly its Vacation Bible School ministry. The Sunday School rooms were refurbished and many other facility improvements were completed, including a parsonage remodeling. Much of this work was performed by supply pastor Robert Miller.
A new parsonage was built in 1974 during the pastorate of Rev. Ray Reed. There was significant growth during the four years before he died in 1978. Four years later, the church had a mortgage burning for the parsonage. Subsequently further improvements have been completed. In 2009, Larry Miller donated land behind the church property for future projects.
Pastor |
Years Served |
Kenneth Grantier |
1938-1942 |
Mrs. G. I. Norman |
1942 |
Lloyd Binkley |
1942-1944 |
Mark Larson |
1944-1946 |
Roy Gibbs |
1946-1948 |
Theodore Pagett |
1948-1950 |
Harold Burchel |
1950-1954 |
Ray Strauser |
1954-1957 |
Howard McKenzie |
1957-1958 |
Paul West |
1959-1961 |
Arthur Fish |
1961-1962 |
Robert Stone |
1962-1968 |
Jim Moore |
1968-1972 |
Larry Lutz |
Short Term |
Robert Miller |
Supply |
Ray Reed |
1974-1978 |
Clint Pearsall |
1978-1981 |
Robin George |
1981-1984 |
Bruce Allen |
1984-1988 |
Paul Lawrence |
1988-1994 |
Roy Devries |
1994-2005 |
Jim Bretzinger |
2005-2006 |
Bill Nace |
2006-2016 |
Dale Argot |
2016-2021 |
