The following was published by Rev. Ray L. Henthorne, Pastor, during the 25th Anniversary Celebration of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Cumberland, which was observed on Oct. 21, 1945.

In a public announcement made through the local papers by Mrs. W. C. Light late in 1919, an invitation was extended to persons be-interested in organizing a Disciple church in Cumberland. The first person to contact Mrs. Light was H.H. Doak. Several others showed interest, so a meeting was called for Monday evening, September 26, 1919, in City Hall. They were thirteen persons present at this meeting. They were: H.H. Doak, Charles R. Keyser*, C.G. Neupert, P.A. Smith, J.H. Kerns*, L.E. Alley, R.W. Fox, E. A. Reed, Mrs. C.G. Neupert (Mrs. W.C. Light), Mrs. J.O. Kerns, Mrs. E. A. Reed, Mrs. C. H. Hendell, and Cleora Hendell*. [ed. note: * indicates deceased in 1945.]

Interest in the meeting was good so another public announcement was made through the local papers inviting all persons of Disciple background to meet in the City Hall on the following Lord’s Day. On October 2, 1919, the first regular preaching service was held with the observance of the Lord’s Supper. Rev. Frank M. Field, later called to be the first pastor, delivered the messages and so satisfying were the interest and attendance that the fellowship of the Lord’s Supper and regular services have continued to the present time without omission.

Services continued to be held in City Hall until the formal organization of the church on the first Sunday of February, 1920, at which time the church was regularly constituted and organized with twenty six chart members and elected officers. The charter members were the thirteen listed above and the following additional: Dr. H. V. Deming, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Herbaugh, Miss May Kernes*, Mrs. S. V. Frey*, Mrs. T. Mountain*, Mrs. Thomas Imes*, Mrs. C. W. Voorheese, Miss Vale Hatt*, Mrs. Elsie Workman*, Mr. Samuel Stubblefield*, Mrs. Samuel Stubblefield, and T. W. Dignan.[ed. note: * indicates deceased in 1945.]

The Congregation continued to worship in the City Hall for about four months, at which time they moved to the hall over the Commercial Savings Bank. Later a lot was purchased at 211 Greene Street and a temporary tabernacle erected.

Playing a very important part in the development of the church at this time was state secretary H. F. Lutz, who conducted a six weeks tabernacle meeting in June-July of 1921, which resulted in substantial gains in many ways.

The financial assistance granted during these early days by the Maryland, Delaware, and District of Columbia Missionary Society was a real boon to the congregation. Supply preaching was often provided by this Society during the early years.

On February 6, 1921, the first real church home of the congregation was dedicated. The high hopes of the congregation were short lived for it had been led into an investment beyond its means. Finally it was deemed best to move from that location and the earnest workers met for a few months in what is now the Public Library, from which they moved into the present church home at 312 Bedford Street on November 1 1927.

From this latter date until early in 1942 the congregation rented it’s present home from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. In 1942 the building was purchased and a remodeling program began. Soon afterwards, in January of 1943, the new church sanctuary, the most beautiful in the city, was dedicated in a week of special services. Dr. Paul Henry Packard was serving the church as pastor at this time.

The services of other ministers who served the church are to be highly commended. Rev. Sapp was the pastor when the congregation moved into its present home in 1927. Preaching during the years followed was often on the supply basis, but since 1934 the church has had regular pastoral care.

The ministers who have served the church are listed below with their dates only approximate. (Any corrections that can be made will be appreciated). Frank M. Fields 1920-24, Lutz 1024-25, Sapp 1926-28. Carpenter 1929, Floyd Dick 1930, Van Voohris 1932, Grant Slagle 1934-35, James H. Lilley 1036-Dec. 1040, Paul Henry Packhard Jan 1941-Aug. 1943, Ray L. Henthorne Nov. 1943—present [1945].

The membership of the church is now 296 with a budget for the fiscal year of 1945-46 of $6,445.00. The budget of the Bible School and organizations (including the church) is in excess of $7,500.00.

Charter member still in the church [1945] are: Mr. H. H. Doak, Mrs. W. C. Light, Mrs. J. O. Kerns, Mrs. C. H. Handell, Mrs. Molly Stubblefield, and Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Herbaugh.

One of the high point in the observance of the Silver Anniversary was the dedication of the Christian Service Flag. The flag was made by Mrs. George MacDonald. It has a crimson border, and two blue crosses on a white background. The crosses honor the two young men that First Church has sent into the Christian Ministry: Mr. Caude R. MacDonald, and Mr. Don K. Spangler. Mr. Spangler delivered the message at the dedication and [a]letter from Claude R. Mac Donald was read...

The state board [now known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia], in conjunction with the United Christian Missionary Society [then the overseeing organization for Disciples congregations in the U. S. and around the world] continued assisting the paying a large part of the minister’s salary in the early years. Without this help any adequate investment of this field would have been impossible. (Directory of 1923 by Rev. Burnette)

Ministers since Rev. Henthorne's History:

Rev. Ralph Miller April 18, 1948-January 23, 1949
Rev. Edgar Gearhart March 6, 1949-May 1, 1953
Rev. Carl Johnson, Jr. May 3, 1953-June 28, 1957
Rev. Ralph Burnette September 2, 1957-September 1, 1962
Rev. William Frank November 4, 1962-June 9 1968
Rev. Ronald Clark October 1, 1981
Rev. Everett Millard
Rev. Daniel Arciaga
Rev. Norma Jean McClung
Rev. Kay Barmoy
Rev. Daniel Taylor
Rev. Herman Goede
Mrs. X. Rae Browning(present)

Interim Ministers:
Rev Herman Goede
Rev. Harold Crabtree
Rev. H. B. Rittenhouse-1988
Rev. Harold King