Mission:

Sharing God's gifts to make a difference.

History:

The beginning of the church of Clendenin, like the beginning in most any of the early communities of America, dates back to the arrival of the first settlers.  Most all of our early pioneers advanced into the forest with their rifles on their shoulders and in their hearts they carried a belief in God that was as unwavering as the strong sturdy steps that carried them over the mountains and through the valleys.  This faith caused them to seek a common place of worship whenever small groups could get together.   Such was the faith and belief of the early settlers of the Clendenin community.   This heritage handed down to us from our forefathers and foremothers is still the leading influence for good in the community.  It has been the inspiration that has kept alive this Christian organization and made possible the beautiful house of God we have today and of which we are all duly proud.

The first organized Methodist presence was established in Clendenin in 1880 when plans were made to build Haven Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church on the present site of the Kroger Store.   Since this was the only church building in the community, its use was shared by the Baptists and Southern Methodists.  In 1904, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South was organized and erected a building on the same ground where our present church building is situated.  This church was known as Elizabeth Memorial.  In 1914, after experiencing rapid growth, the Haven Memorial Church built a new building presently occupied by the Advent Christians, and the name of the church was changed to Woods Memorial.  The members of Elizabeth Memorial, recognizing the need for a larger building, built the present church building in 1921.