WHEELING
ISLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ)
"Sometime in 1897, Claude G. Hart,, seeing some street urchins at play, invited them to his home and began a Sunday School. Here, the Island Christian Church had its humble origin." This was the opening sentence of the 50 year history of the church entitled "50 Years in the Faith. The remainder of the opening chapter of this centennial history is based on information received from that report.
First Christian Church of Wheeling played a large supportive role in establishing the Island Church.. They furnished supplies and helped conduct a canvass to ascertain the sentiment in regard to organizing a new church on Wheeling Island. Nearly all of the fifty-two homes visited expressed themselves heartily in favor of the enterprise. Through the influence and financial help of First Church members W. H. Colvig and Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Hart the venture moved ahead. Mr. Colvig proposed that a room be rented for permanent quarters and Mr. and Mrs. Hart rented a house, reserving a room for the Sunday School and prayer services. Interest in the work grew rapidly, and converts were made.
The above mentioned canvass was made on October 18, 1897, and on December 6 of the same year, the following signed a declaration of their desire and intention to organize a new Church: Mrs. G. W. Grimm, Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Hamilton, Hiram Teater, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Hart, Claude G. Hart, Fay Hart, Holly Sayre, M. C. Anderson, W. H. Anderson, F. Ray Anderson, Clarence Adams, Lillian Adams, Mrs. Ella Adams, W. H. Colvig, Mrs. Will Colvig, Ella A. Atkinson, and John Richardson. Five months later on March 30, 1898, about one hundred persons signified their desire for a series of gospel meetings. The room was enlarged. It ran back to the end of the lot, and was rudely constructed with straight vertical boards covered with muslin and papered. Chairs were purchased and a
great meeting was begun on April 10th of the following year under the preaching of A. B. Griffith. This meeting was so encouraging that in July of 1899, S. G. Naylor was secured as pastor and regular services were held.
The double dwelling and lot where Mr. Hart lived was purchased and the congregation grew to a membership of 125 during the pastorate of Rev. Naylor who eventually had to give up the work because of illness. In May of 1901, T. J. White was called to serve as minister and it was during this ministry that the congregation developed and prepared to build a new house of worship. The new church was completed and dedicated on April 17, 1902. In a short while new Sunday School rooms were added and by 1918 the membership had grown to 272 faithful members with E. K. Van Winkle as minister. In 1923 under L. P. Clark's ministry a gymnasium and more Sunday School rooms were built. During Lee M. Moore's ministry the Week Day church School began. Every Wednesday, pupils from Madison School, grades two to eight, were taught Bible by members of the church.
The most traumatic event of the first fifty years was the 1936 flood. Occurring during the two year ministry of Professor I. T. Green of Bethany College, the flood was devastating to the church. Lost were the pipe organ, two pianos, carpet, pews, and all the church's records. In addition, considerable damage was done to the building itself.
Besides those already named, the following ministers served the congregation and contributed to its success during the first 50 years. J. N. Scholes, C. Manley Rice, C. A. Hill, Alvie Muldoon, Rufus Finnell, Charles F. Hutslar, R. E. Carmen, Rev. Manifold, W. P. Fowler, Rev. G. Lynn Pugh, Rev. J. Edgar McDonald, Dr. Kenneth C. Spaulding, Richard C. Smith and at various times students and professors from Bethany College serving as supply preachers.
