HISTORY OF WAYSDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
COME AND MAKE HISTORY WITH US!
FINDING CHRIST AND FELLOWSHIP AT
WAYSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
By: Daniel L. Ledford & Tim Taylor
*Wayside Christian Church was founded on April 3, 1963
with approximately 30 members. Most of them had formerly been members of Glades Christian Church in the building
known as Old Silver Creek School. The founding Minister was Watson Caudill who designated the name "Wayside" so as to welcome all those looking for a special Independent Christian Church, not on the ordinary straight path.
This early period was one of steady growth and true
Christian harmony. As a lad of 13, I joined in the summer of 1963 and how well I remember the enthusiasm, the real goodness and kindness then as well as now, which made
"Wayside" something special indeed. The friendships I
formed in this period (1963-64) have never died.
*Brother Caudill was able to begin building a new Church in the summer of 1964 on Menelaus Pike in the Middletown district and with glad rejoicing we began services there on the last Sunday of August '64(August 30th). A strong vibrant youth group and a revival held in Oct. '64 by Keith McCasslin expanded the Church with quicker growth than any other Church in Berea.
*No one is perfect but God. (Mat. 19:17), and as in all
Churches problems, mostly financial, developed after the summer of 1965. This led to the departure of Brother Caudill in December '65. We were unable to find a really full-time minister from 1965-1968. Harrison Sallee and Bobby Maynard were our part-time Ministers.
With the arrival of Scotty Richmond in 1969 things began to improve steadily. In 1971 David Carnine became Minister and things were on the upswing. With the Coming of Minister Jack Prather in 1973 many new changes began to happen beginning with the opening of a Christian School in 1975.
These too, were exciting days but by 1980 financial
hardships forced the closing of the Christian School which existed at "Wayside" as many new expansions were made on our Church building in the mid 70's.
Minister Mike Whittaker and Brady Clark succeeded Jack Prather in the mid 80's. Minister Maurice Dula came to us in 1985 and membership which in
the early 80's began to fall down a bit,
started to reach 1964 figures by 1986.
Walter Ballinger followed after Maurice and was a great asset our Congregation. After the departure of Walter we went a while without a full time minister. We had many fillins and in January of 2000 Ron Lutes became our new Minister until January 05 2010. With the arrival of Ron the Church prospered greatly. Within just a few years our Church grew and we were able to pay the Church morgage off which had been a great burden. We will ever be greatful to all who pulled together and got this done. Ron is a very powerful Preacher of Gods' Word, he is a great inspiration
to all of us.
After Ron left Brother Alan Epperson bacame our new
Minister for the year of 2010. We had a wonderful year with
Alan, his sons Mattthew and Christian and his daughter
Victoria. Alan lives in Winchester and with working two other jobs decided it was taking a toll on him and his family driving so far. We wish Alan and his family the best and will continue to consider them a part of our family.
With the departure of Alan Brother Ron decided to return to
Wayside. He was welcomed with opened arms.
We are a growing Church yet with many exciting prospects
for the future. But most important, we have plenty of love,
kindness, and gifts of the Holy Spirit within our Church
family and we are so eager to share it with others.
I feel if you will give us a visit, you'll find us special and
willingly we extend our hand of Christian love to all,
whoever you may be, to come and join us in worship. The
salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ and the closeness and
caring of Christian fellowship is a gift from our Saviour to
all of us. We are eager for new members always. Please
come! Our services are: Sunday School 10:00
am, Worship Service 11:00 am, Evening services6:30 pm.
Wednesday Prayer Meeting 6:30 pm.
God bless you all.
WAYSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
By: Daniel L. Ledford & Tim Taylor
*Wayside Christian Church was founded on April 3, 1963
with approximately 30 members. Most of them had formerly been members of Glades Christian Church in the building
known as Old Silver Creek School. The founding Minister was Watson Caudill who designated the name "Wayside" so as to welcome all those looking for a special Independent Christian Church, not on the ordinary straight path.
This early period was one of steady growth and true
Christian harmony. As a lad of 13, I joined in the summer of 1963 and how well I remember the enthusiasm, the real goodness and kindness then as well as now, which made
"Wayside" something special indeed. The friendships I
formed in this period (1963-64) have never died.
*Brother Caudill was able to begin building a new Church in the summer of 1964 on Menelaus Pike in the Middletown district and with glad rejoicing we began services there on the last Sunday of August '64(August 30th). A strong vibrant youth group and a revival held in Oct. '64 by Keith McCasslin expanded the Church with quicker growth than any other Church in Berea.
*No one is perfect but God. (Mat. 19:17), and as in all
Churches problems, mostly financial, developed after the summer of 1965. This led to the departure of Brother Caudill in December '65. We were unable to find a really full-time minister from 1965-1968. Harrison Sallee and Bobby Maynard were our part-time Ministers.
With the arrival of Scotty Richmond in 1969 things began to improve steadily. In 1971 David Carnine became Minister and things were on the upswing. With the Coming of Minister Jack Prather in 1973 many new changes began to happen beginning with the opening of a Christian School in 1975.
These too, were exciting days but by 1980 financial
hardships forced the closing of the Christian School which existed at "Wayside" as many new expansions were made on our Church building in the mid 70's.
Minister Mike Whittaker and Brady Clark succeeded Jack Prather in the mid 80's. Minister Maurice Dula came to us in 1985 and membership which in
the early 80's began to fall down a bit,
started to reach 1964 figures by 1986.
Walter Ballinger followed after Maurice and was a great asset our Congregation. After the departure of Walter we went a while without a full time minister. We had many fillins and in January of 2000 Ron Lutes became our new Minister until January 05 2010. With the arrival of Ron the Church prospered greatly. Within just a few years our Church grew and we were able to pay the Church morgage off which had been a great burden. We will ever be greatful to all who pulled together and got this done. Ron is a very powerful Preacher of Gods' Word, he is a great inspiration
to all of us.
After Ron left Brother Alan Epperson bacame our new
Minister for the year of 2010. We had a wonderful year with
Alan, his sons Mattthew and Christian and his daughter
Victoria. Alan lives in Winchester and with working two other jobs decided it was taking a toll on him and his family driving so far. We wish Alan and his family the best and will continue to consider them a part of our family.
With the departure of Alan Brother Ron decided to return to
Wayside. He was welcomed with opened arms.
We are a growing Church yet with many exciting prospects
for the future. But most important, we have plenty of love,
kindness, and gifts of the Holy Spirit within our Church
family and we are so eager to share it with others.
I feel if you will give us a visit, you'll find us special and
willingly we extend our hand of Christian love to all,
whoever you may be, to come and join us in worship. The
salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ and the closeness and
caring of Christian fellowship is a gift from our Saviour to
all of us. We are eager for new members always. Please
come! Our services are: Sunday School 10:00
am, Worship Service 11:00 am, Evening services6:30 pm.
Wednesday Prayer Meeting 6:30 pm.
God bless you all.