Our History

        Hear the good news! Just a little over 150 years ago, Our ancestors were called to proclaim the gospel of  Jesus Christ and make disciples of people here in West Union and the surrounding region. They came well before Doddridge County was even established as a County. They came announcing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to those who would listen. In 1859, our ancestors erected the Methodist Church on the very land which it now stands. Mr. C. J. Steward, on of the founders of our church in West Union, Felt that helping to build the church was the most important thing he could do in his life. He would later be the man who would name our State "West Virginia."
        In 1909, the West Union Methodist Church became a single appointment. Our ancestors had worked hard. They had grown and found they needed a to build a larger church. They tore down their little brown church building and built the very same church building we worship in today. The corner stone was laid on July 4, 1910. The cost was $13,000.
        The stained glass windows that surround our sanctuary proclaim the gospel message. In 1911 it was written in the conference minutes; "The structure in West Union is a gem; no more beautiful windows can be found in any church. The windows present an attraction that is truly inspiring."
        In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren Church of West Union and the West Union Methodist Church merged and the name of our church was changed to the Emmanuel United Methodist Church, with the continuing mission of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and making Disciples.
        Our ancestors left us a challenge, to continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. As we begin to enter a new decade, century, and millennium, let us always remember the dreams and visions of our ancestors and pray that we too may leave the same legacy for the generations to come. To come to worship our Lord in our church nestled in the beautiful hills of West Virginia surrounding West Union.

        Please Note:    Our History was taken from a piece called "Our Magnificent Years" and was written by our former pastor P. Charles Jerman.