How it all started...
Early in the year of 1946, Rev. Milton L. Turney began meeting with a small group of people in various homes. By the first of summer, the small group, wanting to be officially organized, called on Dr. L.T. Wells, District Superintendent of the Kentucky District Church of the Nazarene, who organized the First Church of the Nazarene in Mayfield, Kentucky, on June 9, 1946. Rev. Turney was officially called as their pastor and seven others became the Mayfield church’s charter members. Those joining were:
Geneva West, Mildred Martin, Tina Mae Turney, Ida Pick, Rawliegh Fleming, Omia Reed, and Lula Auzment.
The church services were held, at that time, in the Merit Club House, located on the campus of the Merit Clothing Company, at 5th & South Streets in Mayfield.
On August 10, 1946, the church purchased a lot on the corner of 7th & College Streets for $2,000 from Love Sydnor, with a vision to build the first structure for the newly-formed congregation. Later that year, the church called Rev. D.E. Givens as the new pastor. After a December board meeting, it was agreed that Rev. Givens’ salary would be $15.00 per week. By April, 1947, under Rev. Givens’ leadership, the church began construction of a basement on the lot at 7th & College, and by November, 1947, the basement was ready to house the growing
church. Rev. T.E. Jones and his wife, Nellie, were called to be the church’s pastors in August, 1948. He served in that pastorate until September, 1959. During his tenure as pastor, Rev. Jones led the congregation in the
construction of the superstructure of the church, which began in April of 1953. On January 31, 1954, the beautiful new building was dedicated by Dr. L.T. Wells, who still served as the Kentucky District’s Superintendent. A few years later, in 1959, the growing group purchased a home at 812 Mason Street, for the purpose of
maintaining a parsonage.
Geneva West, Mildred Martin, Tina Mae Turney, Ida Pick, Rawliegh Fleming, Omia Reed, and Lula Auzment.
The church services were held, at that time, in the Merit Club House, located on the campus of the Merit Clothing Company, at 5th & South Streets in Mayfield.
On August 10, 1946, the church purchased a lot on the corner of 7th & College Streets for $2,000 from Love Sydnor, with a vision to build the first structure for the newly-formed congregation. Later that year, the church called Rev. D.E. Givens as the new pastor. After a December board meeting, it was agreed that Rev. Givens’ salary would be $15.00 per week. By April, 1947, under Rev. Givens’ leadership, the church began construction of a basement on the lot at 7th & College, and by November, 1947, the basement was ready to house the growing
church. Rev. T.E. Jones and his wife, Nellie, were called to be the church’s pastors in August, 1948. He served in that pastorate until September, 1959. During his tenure as pastor, Rev. Jones led the congregation in the
construction of the superstructure of the church, which began in April of 1953. On January 31, 1954, the beautiful new building was dedicated by Dr. L.T. Wells, who still served as the Kentucky District’s Superintendent. A few years later, in 1959, the growing group purchased a home at 812 Mason Street, for the purpose of
maintaining a parsonage.
On October 25, 1964, the congregation celebrated by having a mortgage burning ceremony, having successfully paid off the parsonage. After several years, the opportunity was presented to the church to purchase adjoining property located at 6th & College, where a Gulf Oil Station had been located for many years. In October, 1973, the
church voted for, and the District approved the purchase of the property and building for $45,000, to use as an Activity Center and for much needed additional parking. Interestingly enough, the Kentucky District Advisory Board provided that approval with the understanding “that the church board first look into the possibility of relocating the church in the light of its needs for the next ten years.”
Under the leadership of Rev. Eugene Figge, many improvements were made on the church and parsonage, as well as the Activity Center located on the newly-acquired property adjacent to the church. The church seemed to always be a flurry of activity, and very important foundations were being laid in the youth of the church with the Bible Quizzing program. The teens were Bible Quizzing champions on the District in 1975 and 1976
— and many of those teens will attest to the importance of “hiding His Word in their hearts” to this day.
During 1979, the church was approached by a local bank who wanted to purchase the entire property. In January, 1980, the Kentucky District Board of Church Properties approved the sale of the property at 105 E College Street for the sum of $450,000, and further approved the purchase of 9.5 acres (+/-) located on West Broadway at 18th Street for the sum of $40,000 for a building site for a new church building and parsonage, where the church and parsonage are presently located. The ground-breaking was held on August 17, 1980, and in October, 1980, construction was underway. The parsonage was completed first and dedicated on April 19, 1981. The first service at 1200 West Broadway was held on September 27, 1981, and a dedication service conducted by Dr. Orville Jenkins, General Superintendent, and Rev. Aleck Ulmet, District Superintendent, was held on November 1, 1981. As a special love offering for the church’s many blessings in the move, the congregation sponsored and sent workers to build a church on a Work and Witness trip to Haiti.
church voted for, and the District approved the purchase of the property and building for $45,000, to use as an Activity Center and for much needed additional parking. Interestingly enough, the Kentucky District Advisory Board provided that approval with the understanding “that the church board first look into the possibility of relocating the church in the light of its needs for the next ten years.”
Under the leadership of Rev. Eugene Figge, many improvements were made on the church and parsonage, as well as the Activity Center located on the newly-acquired property adjacent to the church. The church seemed to always be a flurry of activity, and very important foundations were being laid in the youth of the church with the Bible Quizzing program. The teens were Bible Quizzing champions on the District in 1975 and 1976
— and many of those teens will attest to the importance of “hiding His Word in their hearts” to this day.
During 1979, the church was approached by a local bank who wanted to purchase the entire property. In January, 1980, the Kentucky District Board of Church Properties approved the sale of the property at 105 E College Street for the sum of $450,000, and further approved the purchase of 9.5 acres (+/-) located on West Broadway at 18th Street for the sum of $40,000 for a building site for a new church building and parsonage, where the church and parsonage are presently located. The ground-breaking was held on August 17, 1980, and in October, 1980, construction was underway. The parsonage was completed first and dedicated on April 19, 1981. The first service at 1200 West Broadway was held on September 27, 1981, and a dedication service conducted by Dr. Orville Jenkins, General Superintendent, and Rev. Aleck Ulmet, District Superintendent, was held on November 1, 1981. As a special love offering for the church’s many blessings in the move, the congregation sponsored and sent workers to build a church on a Work and Witness trip to Haiti.
Expanding the vision...
During the Cantrell's second pastoral ship, a group of church members approached Bro. Cantrell about an outreach project for the church that would be possible due to the acreage that the church owned behind the church and parsonage. They wanted to create an outdoor re-creation of the streets of Bethlehem on the night that Christ was born. The details were worked out and the idea was presented to the church congregation, who supported the idea and committed to making it a reality. Thus was born the church’s largest community-and-beyond outreach program: Walk Through Bethlehem. Its first year of
presentation to the community — after months and months of clearing land and preparing props — was the first two weekends of December in 2006. It was a huge hit for the visitors as well as the participants. Each year, members have worked to add to the presentation, and it currently boasts twenty-one permanent structures located in the wooded area behind the church parsonage. With its live music and paths lit with hundreds of torches, it continues to be an annual presentation that has reached literally thousands of people in our four-state area. The church has become known for its “Walk Through Bethlehem,” which is truly a blessing for its participants, as well as its visitors year after year—many of whom make it an annual family
outing, keeping the real meaning of Christmas at the forefront of their holiday activities.
presentation to the community — after months and months of clearing land and preparing props — was the first two weekends of December in 2006. It was a huge hit for the visitors as well as the participants. Each year, members have worked to add to the presentation, and it currently boasts twenty-one permanent structures located in the wooded area behind the church parsonage. With its live music and paths lit with hundreds of torches, it continues to be an annual presentation that has reached literally thousands of people in our four-state area. The church has become known for its “Walk Through Bethlehem,” which is truly a blessing for its participants, as well as its visitors year after year—many of whom make it an annual family
outing, keeping the real meaning of Christmas at the forefront of their holiday activities.
Where we are headed...
While our future is looking bright here in our community and we continue our original missions, we also know that the Mayfield Church of the Nazarene will continue to shine brightly in other areas — specifically, in the lives of those whose ministry began, at some point, right here at the Mayfield Church! They all continue to make the Mayfield church very proud.
Rev. Mike Wilford and his wife, Devonda, currently serve as pastors of the Benton, Kentucky Church of the Nazarene. Mike grew up in the Mayfield church as a child and teenager.
Dr. Mark A. Lindstrom has served in full-time pastorates in Arkansas and Tennessee, and currently serves as the District Superintendent of the Arkansas District.
Rev. Christopher Galloway grew up in the church and has pastored in several full-time pastorates in Kentucky, Indiana, and Texas over the past 25 years. He and his wife, Kristi, currently serve as pastors of the Richardson Church of the Nazarene in Richardson, Texas.
Michelle Noel is currently serving as Worship Pastor at the Columbia Grace Church of the Nazarene in Columbia, Tennessee, where she is working towards her ordination.
Rev. Jacob Taylor has served in a pastoral position at West Side Church of the Nazarene in Decatur, Illinois.
As long as the Mayfield Church of the Nazarene continues to produce second and third
generation leaders in the church, the church will continue to be “a glorious church, without spot
or wrinkle.”
Rev. Mike Wilford and his wife, Devonda, currently serve as pastors of the Benton, Kentucky Church of the Nazarene. Mike grew up in the Mayfield church as a child and teenager.
Dr. Mark A. Lindstrom has served in full-time pastorates in Arkansas and Tennessee, and currently serves as the District Superintendent of the Arkansas District.
Rev. Christopher Galloway grew up in the church and has pastored in several full-time pastorates in Kentucky, Indiana, and Texas over the past 25 years. He and his wife, Kristi, currently serve as pastors of the Richardson Church of the Nazarene in Richardson, Texas.
Michelle Noel is currently serving as Worship Pastor at the Columbia Grace Church of the Nazarene in Columbia, Tennessee, where she is working towards her ordination.
Rev. Jacob Taylor has served in a pastoral position at West Side Church of the Nazarene in Decatur, Illinois.
As long as the Mayfield Church of the Nazarene continues to produce second and third
generation leaders in the church, the church will continue to be “a glorious church, without spot
or wrinkle.”
