FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD

LONACONING, MARYLAND

The establishment of this Church started in a small community known today as Moscow about 2 miles south of Lonaconing Maryland of Route 36. The founders where O. P. Brann and George Burkhart in 1914. They started to have meetings in a small one room School House located within this small mining town.

After the closing of the meetings in Moscow, Harry Clark built a Church and remained as pastor. Later the member decided to move the Church to a larger Community, so they moved to the Lonaconing “Odd Fellow’s Hall” and later services were held in the “Salvation Army Hall”. A. G. Garr and Billy Black sponsored these meetings, and it was decided to become the Pentecostal Church of God.

They moved again to a place called “The Box” on Railroad Street. As this Group grew in size the Rev. Harry Clark (From Cumberland) became pastor for a while. Then Rev. Chester Webster from Ohio followed him.

In the year 1917 the Church on Front Street was built. The “Lot” which the Church was built on was bought and Donated by Mrs. Jean Nichols and her son Joseph Nichols. Part of the Lumber used was from the “Old Church in Moscow”, which they had torn down. Harrison Fazenbaker brought up the lumber to Lonaconing. Rev. Chester Webster was pastor of this Church.

The first Deacons: Joseph Nichols, Harrison Fazenbaker, Fred Stinebaugh, James Teasdale Sr., and Alexander Timney.

Joseph Nichols gave the first Organ to the Church and the Organist was John Wilkes.

The next pastor was Rev. Jacob Kistler from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Following him was Rev. Charles Hart for a short time. Sometime later Rev. Chestnut and Rev. Epsey for the “West” pastured the Church. Neither of these pastors was there very long.

About 1928 Rev. Ivan Shewbridge became the Pastor for a period of about 10 years. The Church grew under his Pastorate. Rev. Shewbridge was there until September 18, 1938.

Following Rev. Shewbridge, the Church voted in Rev. Albert R. Ark on October 14, 1938. He served the Church and addition added on to the existing Church Building in 1940. This addition enlarged the Auditorium. Rev. Ark’s wife “Fannie” was a very active part of this pastorate. Rev. Ark left the Church on November 26, 1946.

On December 1, 1946, the Church voted as the new Minister Rev. Cletus Hunt. While Rev. Hunt was Pastor, the Church in 1950 added more to the building. These additions were additional Sunday School Rooms and a Nursery. Rev. Hunt and his wife “Carmen” left the Church February 1958. Rev. Hunt was a real leader especially with the younger men, because he “Loved hunting and Fishing”. He was one of the kindest men I ever had the privilege to know. God called Rev. Hunt home to be with him, November 11, 1994. He will be missed here on this earth, but memories remain and this is part of his legacy.

The next pastor was Rev. Charles E. Fussell on May 4, 1958. Rev. Fussell and his family moved into the parsonage on April 17, 1958. His wife “Barbara” was a very devoted “Worker and Teacher of the word of God”.

In 1959, Rev. Fussell had a burden for not only his local congregation, but for all the Churches and Congregations in the entire area. He started to have Interdenominational Camp Meetings under a Tent in the upper part of the Church property. This continued for a number of years. During the year of 1966 the attendance ranged from 400 – 600 nightly. Charles published this statement about the Tent Meetings, “God has raised up this Camp as a place of spiritual refreshing for all people of all Churches”.

Rev. Fussell was a real go-getter and in 1960 the Church voted to build a New Church. It was built in the “Lower End of Detmold”. On May 7, 1961 there was a ground breaking Service and those people attending were:

Harrison Fazenbaker, Rev. Charles Fussell, Rev. Lymburner, Arnold Tichnell, Bob Garrett, Rev. Frank Fratto and attorney James Getty.

On June 1961, Contractors with equipment was brought in and the excavation began on the Foundation, Footers and Block. The members of the congregation built the Church except the Plumbing, Electricity and part of the Block Basement Walls. The women of the Church did all of the Painting and Varnishing. The Church consisted of a Main Auditorium and Twenty Five Sunday-School Rooms.

The Church was completed April 1962 and the Grand Opening was on Sunday April 8, 1962. June 4, 1962 they had their Dedication Service, attended by over 30 Ministers. June 12, 1962 the first Marriage was Lawson L. Duckworth and Carolyn M. McKenzie, Rev. Fussell was glad to perform the small ceremony; Lawson was in the Marine Corps at the time. Rev. Fussell resigned on October 19, 1968. He had his farewell Service January 5, 1969.

On February 10, 1969 Rev. W. W. Martin was pastor for six years. Then the Church Voted Rev. Curtis Grant to become the next Minister on November 16, 1975 and he was the pastor until August 19, 1979.

Reverent William Helton was voted in on December 2, 1979 until May 7, 1989.

Reverent Donald Webb was voted in and his first Service was June 18, 1989 and is still the pastor at this time - 2002.

Respectfully Submitted:

Lawson L. Duckworth