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Our history

Beginnings

In 1920-21, a small group of believers began meeting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Babb in Galvin. The Church of the Nazarene in Centralia was officially organized in 1922 by Rev. Hunt. The congregation met in various rental halls before building its first permanent worship space at 811 N. Tower Avenue. In 1923, the church received its official charter as a Church of the Nazarene under the leadership of D.P. Henry, the first Nazarene pastor of the new congregation.

Growth

The church relocated to the former Poundstone home on Locust and Silver in 1944. By 1960, they moved to their current location at 1119 W. 1st Street in Centralia.

Expansion

As the congregation grew, in 1980, under Rev. Earl Wheeler's leadership, the church expanded by adding 12,000 square feet of educational space. This new "Outreach Center" included a full-sized gymnasium, 14 additional classrooms, a chapel, and an expanded kitchen, allowing the church to serve its community better.

Further growth

Between 1998 and 2002, Centralia Church of the Nazarene undertook long-term improvements to accommodate its growing congregation. Led by Rev. Mark Goodwin, the church received significant updates, including new roofs, renovations to the chapel, foyer, and office wing, an expanded parking lot, and new sidewalks and exterior lighting. In 1999, the stunning Cross Tower was completed—a landmark of the church—fully funded by generous individual donors.

Pastoral staff

More than 20 pastors have served Centralia Church of the Nazarene:

  • 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)

  • David Bach (2012-2021)

  • Matthew Bissonnette (2022-current)

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