The Presbyterian Church of Kingwood was formally established in 1837, though prayer groups existed and met in members' homes even before that. The earliest worship services were held in a prayer house built in 1840 on the site of our present church. That early congregation was served by a traveling minister, and their Session minutes reflect that sometimes months passed between the celebrations of Communion, making it even more special when it was observed.
In the late 1870's, plans were made for a new sanctuary. In 1877, the prayer house was demolished, and the cornerstone of our present-day church was laid. The congregation met in the nearby Courthouse during the construction phase. In 1878, the finished structure was dedicated and featured the same high rafters and inset pulpit area that grace the sanctuary today. As described in that week's Journal, the bell tower and its spire stretched ninety-six feet high.
In 1924, new, stained glass windows and the impressive painting, The Ascension, created by Lillian Byrne Sincell, were added. These, along with other furnishings in the choir loft and pulpit, create an on-going connection between today's parishioners and those who have come before us. Our continuing, sustaining faith binds us from decades past through today.
That faith has sustained this body of Christ through difficult periods of peril and dearth. In particular, when the American Civil War (1861-1865) carved its ugly way through countless communities and churches, compelling some congregations and families to turn upon one another in choosing sides in the conflict, Kingwood Presbyterian Church remained united and was steadfastly supportive of Union loyalties.
Members such as William G. Brown, Sr., affectionately known as "Uncle B," faced danger and sacrifice throughout the war. Brown was one of two representatives elected from Preston County, Virginia, to speak on its behalf at the Richmond Convention in 1861, where Virginia's secession from the Union was debated. At great risk to his own life, he spoke ardently against secession; then, when, in the final vote taken, secessionists outnumbered Union loyalists, he helped lead the movement which resulted in the creation of the separate, independent state - West Virginia, admitted as the 35th state of the Union on June 20, 1863. It was he who introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives and argued for its need and benefit. He lived to see the merit of his efforts and continued to serve as a legislator from the new state for many years to come.
Other church members were not as fortunate and gave their lives during the conflict. Two in particular died as prisoners of war: John Graham died in February 1865 in Florence, South Carolina, and James M. Cobun died in December 1864 in Andersonville, Georgia.
In years to come, as in years before, members continued to lead within the congregation and community. The church roll parallels the list of those who shaped Preston County's history: father and son Charles and John P. Byrne and later James H. Carroll, who all served as Clerks of the County Court; two generations of Browns - brothers William and Thomas and their sons William, Jr., James, and Charles, were lawyers and civic leaders; businessmen Joseph Jackson and Elias Lantz; Dr. James Manown, who cared for the sick, including the small pox cases in the county - all survived; and from the 1800's into the 1900's, William M. O. Dawson, who served on the church's Building Committee in 1877, was also publisher of the Preston County Journal from 1873-1891. He then entered the political realm and served as State Senator, Secretary of State, and, from 1905-1909, West Virginia's Governor.
The heritage of the Presbyterian Church of Kingwood is rich with even more examples of moral leadership. Those who served in both World Wars, Korea, and Viet Nam, as well as in peacetime expansion and growth of the Kingwood community--volunteer firemen, educators, physicians, school and 4-H chaperones, and more. Whenever a need may have arisen, Presbyterians have been ready to respond.
In the late 1870's, plans were made for a new sanctuary. In 1877, the prayer house was demolished, and the cornerstone of our present-day church was laid. The congregation met in the nearby Courthouse during the construction phase. In 1878, the finished structure was dedicated and featured the same high rafters and inset pulpit area that grace the sanctuary today. As described in that week's Journal, the bell tower and its spire stretched ninety-six feet high.
In 1924, new, stained glass windows and the impressive painting, The Ascension, created by Lillian Byrne Sincell, were added. These, along with other furnishings in the choir loft and pulpit, create an on-going connection between today's parishioners and those who have come before us. Our continuing, sustaining faith binds us from decades past through today.
That faith has sustained this body of Christ through difficult periods of peril and dearth. In particular, when the American Civil War (1861-1865) carved its ugly way through countless communities and churches, compelling some congregations and families to turn upon one another in choosing sides in the conflict, Kingwood Presbyterian Church remained united and was steadfastly supportive of Union loyalties.
Members such as William G. Brown, Sr., affectionately known as "Uncle B," faced danger and sacrifice throughout the war. Brown was one of two representatives elected from Preston County, Virginia, to speak on its behalf at the Richmond Convention in 1861, where Virginia's secession from the Union was debated. At great risk to his own life, he spoke ardently against secession; then, when, in the final vote taken, secessionists outnumbered Union loyalists, he helped lead the movement which resulted in the creation of the separate, independent state - West Virginia, admitted as the 35th state of the Union on June 20, 1863. It was he who introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives and argued for its need and benefit. He lived to see the merit of his efforts and continued to serve as a legislator from the new state for many years to come.
Other church members were not as fortunate and gave their lives during the conflict. Two in particular died as prisoners of war: John Graham died in February 1865 in Florence, South Carolina, and James M. Cobun died in December 1864 in Andersonville, Georgia.
In years to come, as in years before, members continued to lead within the congregation and community. The church roll parallels the list of those who shaped Preston County's history: father and son Charles and John P. Byrne and later James H. Carroll, who all served as Clerks of the County Court; two generations of Browns - brothers William and Thomas and their sons William, Jr., James, and Charles, were lawyers and civic leaders; businessmen Joseph Jackson and Elias Lantz; Dr. James Manown, who cared for the sick, including the small pox cases in the county - all survived; and from the 1800's into the 1900's, William M. O. Dawson, who served on the church's Building Committee in 1877, was also publisher of the Preston County Journal from 1873-1891. He then entered the political realm and served as State Senator, Secretary of State, and, from 1905-1909, West Virginia's Governor.
The heritage of the Presbyterian Church of Kingwood is rich with even more examples of moral leadership. Those who served in both World Wars, Korea, and Viet Nam, as well as in peacetime expansion and growth of the Kingwood community--volunteer firemen, educators, physicians, school and 4-H chaperones, and more. Whenever a need may have arisen, Presbyterians have been ready to respond.