The Complete Story
Rev. Robert H. Doan, Founding Pastor
Robert H. Doan was told that a church was needed in Kilsyth (which is now within Mount Hope city limits). He preached the first sermon in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Crawford.
The meeting to organize the church was held May, 1942, after several successful tent meetings were conducted by Rev. D.W. French and Rev. Robert H. Doan. At that time the grade school building (now the Catholic Church) was secured from the New River Company for church services.
The Kilsyth Free Will Baptist Church was formally organized, September 6, 1942, with 17 members.
The first Sunday School organized August 24, 1942, was held the following day, with an attendance of 41. Officers elected were: Rev. Doan, pastor, Mrs. Hallie Keatley, clerk; Dewey Keatley, Treasurer; J.L. Payne, Sunday School Superintendent; Basil Godbey, song leader; and Lucille Styers, pianist.
In the midst of World War II, on July 15, 1944, construction of the limestone block church began. New River Company allowed the church to demolish 3 houses in Oswald and use the lumber for the church construction.
The New River Company donated the land on which the building now stands, and later J.A. Blackburn gave the land for a parking area.
The first church services in the new building were held November 5, 1944, and Rev. Doan used as his text Psalm 12 – “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.”
The debt-free church was dedicated July 29, 1945. Donations from the people of Kilsyth, Mount Hope and the church members paid all costs of construction.
Deacons of the new church were Burleigh Styers, Nathan Elliott, George Schutt, Dewey Keatley, and Norman Arthur. Trustees were Mr. Doan, Dewey Keatley, and Norman Arthur.
The Ladies Auxiliary of the church was organized January 3, 1943. The first meeting was held January 7, 1943 in the home of Mrs. Lelia Martin. The following officers were elected: Mrs. Lelia Martin, president; Mrs. Virginia Elliott, secretary; Mrs. Hallie Keatley, treasurer. Others attending were: Mrs. Leona Godbey, Mrs. Leslie Peyton, Mrs. Lottie Arthur, and Mrs. Martha Halstead.
Under the leadership of Rev. Doan the following took place:
• Three additions were made to the church.
• In 1945 an auxiliary building was constructed. It included a fully equipped kitchen and large room where the Ladies Auxiliary, Young People’s League, and class meetings were held. It was in this building that members of the congregation quilted and made various other crafts to pay for the church and its furnishings.
• The second addition in 1946 consisted of a choir loft, a pastor’s study, an office, and two Sunday School rooms.
• The third addition, in 1950, was added to the front of the church. It furnished more Sunday School rooms and increased the seating capacity of the main auditorium. The church property was then valued at $30,000.
Under the leadership of Rev. W.C. Combs, Kilsyth Free Will Baptist Church hosted the 14th annual session of the WV State Convention of Free Will Baptists June 12 – 13, 1959.
Under the leadership of Rev. Earl Buckley, the following took place:
• 1982: Borrowed $12,000 (plus an additional $2,000 for repairs) to tear down existing fellowship building and build a new addition onto the church. This new 2-story addition houses 2 kitchens, fellowship hall, large multi-purpose room, restrooms, janitor’s closet, and sitting area.
• 1983: Entire church building bricked.
• 1984:
• Rev. Buckley made a motion for Brother Bill Bennett to be licensed as a Free Will Baptist minister. •
Parking lot paved.
• 1985: The sound booth in the sanctuary was moved from the front of the church to the back.
• 1986: A new ceiling was installed in the sanctuary.
Under the leadership of Rev. Ottis Hensley, the following took place:
• 1991: Sanctuary renovated and a new baptistery was installed.
• January 7, 1991: Rev. David Parent went to be with the Lord. In his memory, a mural was painted behind the new baptistery. On Saturday, March 23, 1991, the Reverends Kenneth Parent and Ottis Hensley led the Celebration Praise Service in which the mural was unveiled and dedicated.
• October 4, 1993:
• Rev. Hensley went to be with the Lord.
• Rev. Bill Bennett, currently serving as associate pastor, was immediately appointed to the role of senior pastor. Officially elected as pastor in April 1994.
Under the leadership of Rev. William R. (Bill) Bennett, the following renovations were made to the church:
• 1994: Downstairs classrooms remodeled, new sound system installed, construction of church library, property purchased from Rev. Earl Buckley to enlarge parking lot (formerly Tivie Tyree’s house which had to be demolished), awnings installed over front entrances of church building.
• 1995: Parking lot expanded, excavated, and graveled.
• 1997: Purchased church van for $5,700, constructed nursery and installed video monitor to allow viewing of the sanctuary.
• 1999: Constructed very large landmark cross on front lawn (made of block and brick – suitable for planting shrubs), church lawn excavated and landscaped.
• 2000: Altar in sanctuary enlarged, metal roofing installed on church, parking lot completely repaved, and Free Will Baptist Rejoice Hymn Books purchased for sanctuary.
• 2003: Construction of church media center which houses audio and video recording equipment for use in outreach ministries.
• 2004: Video projector installed in sanctuary along with video camera system to video record church services.
Being situated in a flood zone, there have been several occasions in which the church basement flooded. The most detrimental flood occurred in July 2001 when the entire church basement flooded with over 6 inches of water. Following cleanup, the basement was completely renovated with block walls and vinyl flooring.
In February 2007, a hot water pipe ruptured over the sanctuary resulting in over $60,000 in damages. Under the leadership of Rev. Orville Setliff, the entire sanctuary and classrooms were remodeled. A new sound system was also installed during this time.
Through the years, weekly activities have included Sunday morning and evening worship services, mid-week prayer service & Bible Study on Wednesday evening, choir practice, Happy Hour & C.T.S. on Tuesday evening, Ladies Auxiliary (WNAC – Women Nationally Active for Christ) on the first Monday of each month, and Hope Outreach (Kilsyth FWB Church outreach program).
Under the leadership of Rev. Doug Burdette, the following has taken place:
• Fall 2008: The church transferred from the Beckley Conference to the Fayette Conference. The church members unanimously voted to do so.
• November 2008: An internet presence was established: www.kilsythchurch.org.
• January 2009: Hope Outreach formally introduced to be the church’s means for reaching into the community. Hope Outreach includes: Hospice bottled water & soft drink ministry, nursing home visitation, Greeneville, TN children’s home visitation, food pantry outreach, and soup kitchen ministry.
The church has consistently been an active supporter of home & foreign missions.
Kilsyth Church has put forth several men into the ministry including: Phil Manning, Yule Tilley, Galen Dunbar, Basil Godbey, James Combs, Nolen Barlow, Robert Beverley, Ernest Barley, Darrell McNeely, Milton Kiddy, Gene Snuffer, Lewis Higginbotham, Bill Bennett, and David Parent.
The church has also had several women graduate from Free Will Baptist Bible College in Tennessee including: Mary Perry, Betty Wall Lambert, Mary Jo Wall Cox, Nancy Combs, and Janet Blackburn Hines. Vicki Clay Bolen attended the college for one year.
Rev. James Combs was sent out as a missionary from this church to Brazil. He and his wife, Shirley, were active in the mission field for over 35 years before retiring. Their commissioning service was held in our church before they left for the mission field in Brazil.
The founding pastor, Rev. Robert H. Doan, served as pastor of the church until 1953 and the effects of his faithfulness can still be seen today.
The following is a list of pastors:
• Rev. R.H. (Bob) Doan September 1942 – April 1953
• Rev. W.C. Combs 1953 – 1963
• Rev. G.E. Huffman 1964 – 1967
• Rev. Gerald Hawley 1967 – 1972
• Rev. Pat Ruble 1972 – 1977
• Rev. Frank McKown 1977 – August 1980
• Rev. Earl Buckley October 1, 1980 – July 1988
• Rev. Bob Thompson September 1988 – July 23, 1989
• Rev. Ottis Hensley October 1989 – October 4, 1993
• Rev. William R. Bennett October 1993 – April 2005
• Rev. Orville Setliff April 2005 – October 2007
• Rev. Doug Burdette January 2008 – 2013
• Rev. James Sturgill 2013 -- Prestent
The meeting to organize the church was held May, 1942, after several successful tent meetings were conducted by Rev. D.W. French and Rev. Robert H. Doan. At that time the grade school building (now the Catholic Church) was secured from the New River Company for church services.
The Kilsyth Free Will Baptist Church was formally organized, September 6, 1942, with 17 members.
The first Sunday School organized August 24, 1942, was held the following day, with an attendance of 41. Officers elected were: Rev. Doan, pastor, Mrs. Hallie Keatley, clerk; Dewey Keatley, Treasurer; J.L. Payne, Sunday School Superintendent; Basil Godbey, song leader; and Lucille Styers, pianist.
In the midst of World War II, on July 15, 1944, construction of the limestone block church began. New River Company allowed the church to demolish 3 houses in Oswald and use the lumber for the church construction.
The New River Company donated the land on which the building now stands, and later J.A. Blackburn gave the land for a parking area.
The first church services in the new building were held November 5, 1944, and Rev. Doan used as his text Psalm 12 – “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.”
The debt-free church was dedicated July 29, 1945. Donations from the people of Kilsyth, Mount Hope and the church members paid all costs of construction.
Deacons of the new church were Burleigh Styers, Nathan Elliott, George Schutt, Dewey Keatley, and Norman Arthur. Trustees were Mr. Doan, Dewey Keatley, and Norman Arthur.
The Ladies Auxiliary of the church was organized January 3, 1943. The first meeting was held January 7, 1943 in the home of Mrs. Lelia Martin. The following officers were elected: Mrs. Lelia Martin, president; Mrs. Virginia Elliott, secretary; Mrs. Hallie Keatley, treasurer. Others attending were: Mrs. Leona Godbey, Mrs. Leslie Peyton, Mrs. Lottie Arthur, and Mrs. Martha Halstead.
Under the leadership of Rev. Doan the following took place:
• Three additions were made to the church.
• In 1945 an auxiliary building was constructed. It included a fully equipped kitchen and large room where the Ladies Auxiliary, Young People’s League, and class meetings were held. It was in this building that members of the congregation quilted and made various other crafts to pay for the church and its furnishings.
• The second addition in 1946 consisted of a choir loft, a pastor’s study, an office, and two Sunday School rooms.
• The third addition, in 1950, was added to the front of the church. It furnished more Sunday School rooms and increased the seating capacity of the main auditorium. The church property was then valued at $30,000.
Under the leadership of Rev. W.C. Combs, Kilsyth Free Will Baptist Church hosted the 14th annual session of the WV State Convention of Free Will Baptists June 12 – 13, 1959.
Under the leadership of Rev. Earl Buckley, the following took place:
• 1982: Borrowed $12,000 (plus an additional $2,000 for repairs) to tear down existing fellowship building and build a new addition onto the church. This new 2-story addition houses 2 kitchens, fellowship hall, large multi-purpose room, restrooms, janitor’s closet, and sitting area.
• 1983: Entire church building bricked.
• 1984:
• Rev. Buckley made a motion for Brother Bill Bennett to be licensed as a Free Will Baptist minister. •
Parking lot paved.
• 1985: The sound booth in the sanctuary was moved from the front of the church to the back.
• 1986: A new ceiling was installed in the sanctuary.
Under the leadership of Rev. Ottis Hensley, the following took place:
• 1991: Sanctuary renovated and a new baptistery was installed.
• January 7, 1991: Rev. David Parent went to be with the Lord. In his memory, a mural was painted behind the new baptistery. On Saturday, March 23, 1991, the Reverends Kenneth Parent and Ottis Hensley led the Celebration Praise Service in which the mural was unveiled and dedicated.
• October 4, 1993:
• Rev. Hensley went to be with the Lord.
• Rev. Bill Bennett, currently serving as associate pastor, was immediately appointed to the role of senior pastor. Officially elected as pastor in April 1994.
Under the leadership of Rev. William R. (Bill) Bennett, the following renovations were made to the church:
• 1994: Downstairs classrooms remodeled, new sound system installed, construction of church library, property purchased from Rev. Earl Buckley to enlarge parking lot (formerly Tivie Tyree’s house which had to be demolished), awnings installed over front entrances of church building.
• 1995: Parking lot expanded, excavated, and graveled.
• 1997: Purchased church van for $5,700, constructed nursery and installed video monitor to allow viewing of the sanctuary.
• 1999: Constructed very large landmark cross on front lawn (made of block and brick – suitable for planting shrubs), church lawn excavated and landscaped.
• 2000: Altar in sanctuary enlarged, metal roofing installed on church, parking lot completely repaved, and Free Will Baptist Rejoice Hymn Books purchased for sanctuary.
• 2003: Construction of church media center which houses audio and video recording equipment for use in outreach ministries.
• 2004: Video projector installed in sanctuary along with video camera system to video record church services.
Being situated in a flood zone, there have been several occasions in which the church basement flooded. The most detrimental flood occurred in July 2001 when the entire church basement flooded with over 6 inches of water. Following cleanup, the basement was completely renovated with block walls and vinyl flooring.
In February 2007, a hot water pipe ruptured over the sanctuary resulting in over $60,000 in damages. Under the leadership of Rev. Orville Setliff, the entire sanctuary and classrooms were remodeled. A new sound system was also installed during this time.
Through the years, weekly activities have included Sunday morning and evening worship services, mid-week prayer service & Bible Study on Wednesday evening, choir practice, Happy Hour & C.T.S. on Tuesday evening, Ladies Auxiliary (WNAC – Women Nationally Active for Christ) on the first Monday of each month, and Hope Outreach (Kilsyth FWB Church outreach program).
Under the leadership of Rev. Doug Burdette, the following has taken place:
• Fall 2008: The church transferred from the Beckley Conference to the Fayette Conference. The church members unanimously voted to do so.
• November 2008: An internet presence was established: www.kilsythchurch.org.
• January 2009: Hope Outreach formally introduced to be the church’s means for reaching into the community. Hope Outreach includes: Hospice bottled water & soft drink ministry, nursing home visitation, Greeneville, TN children’s home visitation, food pantry outreach, and soup kitchen ministry.
The church has consistently been an active supporter of home & foreign missions.
Kilsyth Church has put forth several men into the ministry including: Phil Manning, Yule Tilley, Galen Dunbar, Basil Godbey, James Combs, Nolen Barlow, Robert Beverley, Ernest Barley, Darrell McNeely, Milton Kiddy, Gene Snuffer, Lewis Higginbotham, Bill Bennett, and David Parent.
The church has also had several women graduate from Free Will Baptist Bible College in Tennessee including: Mary Perry, Betty Wall Lambert, Mary Jo Wall Cox, Nancy Combs, and Janet Blackburn Hines. Vicki Clay Bolen attended the college for one year.
Rev. James Combs was sent out as a missionary from this church to Brazil. He and his wife, Shirley, were active in the mission field for over 35 years before retiring. Their commissioning service was held in our church before they left for the mission field in Brazil.
The founding pastor, Rev. Robert H. Doan, served as pastor of the church until 1953 and the effects of his faithfulness can still be seen today.
The following is a list of pastors:
• Rev. R.H. (Bob) Doan September 1942 – April 1953
• Rev. W.C. Combs 1953 – 1963
• Rev. G.E. Huffman 1964 – 1967
• Rev. Gerald Hawley 1967 – 1972
• Rev. Pat Ruble 1972 – 1977
• Rev. Frank McKown 1977 – August 1980
• Rev. Earl Buckley October 1, 1980 – July 1988
• Rev. Bob Thompson September 1988 – July 23, 1989
• Rev. Ottis Hensley October 1989 – October 4, 1993
• Rev. William R. Bennett October 1993 – April 2005
• Rev. Orville Setliff April 2005 – October 2007
• Rev. Doug Burdette January 2008 – 2013
• Rev. James Sturgill 2013 -- Prestent