BELIEFS AND HISTORY
Get to Know our History and Beliefs at Centralia Church of the Nazarene
In 1920-21, a small group of believers began to meet in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Babb of Galvin. The Church of the Nazarene was first organized in Centralia by Rev. Hunt in 1922. The initial group grew, moving from one rental hall to another, until the congregation built its first permanent worship facility at 811 N. Tower Avenue. The church received its official charter as a Church of the Nazarene in 1923 under the leadership of D. P. Henry, the first official Nazarene pastor of the infant congregation.
In 1944, the church moved to the old Poundstone home on Locust and Silver and, finally, in 1960, they moved to the present location at 1119 W. First Street in Centralia. At the dedication, the members were so thrilled with their new church facilities that they could scarcely imagine that a larger building would ever be necessary.
Church membership continued to grow and in 1980, under the leadership of Rev. Earl Wheeler, the church added 12,000 square feet of educational space. The 'Outreach Center' enabled the church to minister more effectively with a full-sized gymnasium, 14 additional classrooms, a chapel and expanded kitchen.
Beginning in 1998 and continuing through 2002, Centralia Church of the Nazarene began implementing some long range plans for the facility to meet the needs of the growing congregation. Under Rev. Mark Goodwin's leadership, the church received a much needed 'facelift' including new roofs, renovation of the chapel, foyer and office wing, expansion of the lower lot, installation of sidewalks and exterior lighting, and much more. The beautiful Cross Tower, a landmark of Centralia Nazarene, was constructed in 1999; paid in full by individual donors.
Down through its 100 years of ministry, Centralia Church of the Nazarene has been served by a total of 20 pastors. These include D. P. Henry (1923-24, 1927-28), Ralph Gray (1925-26), Guy McShane (1929-31), Samuel Linge (1932), Milo Arnold (1933-36), Hollis Grubb (1936-38), L. Wesley Johnson (1939-42), Newton Kendal (1943), Ira True (1944-47), Paul Thoreen (1948-50), Harold Little (1951-53), Allen Fisher (1954-57), J. C. Pultz (1958-64), Bob Denham (1964-73), Earl Wheeler (1974-85), James Spruce (1986-91), Jeff Baughman (1991-92), Mark Goodwin (1993-2003), Rick Ryding (2003-11), and David Bach (2012-2021). Matthew Bissonnette (2022-current)
Our History
Centralia Church of the Nazarene is part of the Church of the Nazarene. A global denomination in the Wesleyan tradition.
We believe in one God who has expressed himself in personal ways. We know God’s personality as Father, Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit.
We believe the Bible communicates God’s saving message and is our reliable authority in all matters related to faith and Christian living.
We believe that all humankind struggles with a downward pull.
We believe that unless we experience God’s help and salvation through a faith commitment to Jesus Christ, our future is one of eternal separation from God and all that is good.
We believe the love and grace of God is extended to every person in the provision Jesus Christ made in his death and resurrection. By turning from our own selfishness and trusting Jesus Christ, we experience a new life, being freed from the old patterns of self–destructive acts called sin.
We believe our new life in Jesus Christ is the gateway to transformation. Following our moment of faith in Jesus, we believe there is another moment in which we present our life completely to Christ in order to live under his authority and to experience his transforming power.
We believe that Christian experience is more than a change of mind. It is accompanied by assurance that is grounded in both the Scriptures as well as the inner witness of God’s Spirit.
We believe that all who live for Jesus Christ have an eternal future. Our belief in such a future includes both the fulfillment of God's creative purpose as well as the accountability of all persons endowed with the power of choice.
