Lebanon Presbyterian Church announces Celebration!
On October 6th, we will celebrate our 60th anniversary. LPC has a rich history in our community. In the 1950’s, when the Appalachia Power Company built a new Power Plant at Carbo, Virginia, many new people moved to the Lebanon area. The Lebanon Manor subdivision was developed and many of the APCO employees built homes there and started families. As a result, the Abingdon Presbytery saw a need for a Presbyterian Church. In 1958, Miss Bessie Mae Stribling, a church extension worker for the Synod of Appalachia, began a survey in the Lebanon community. Seventeen families indicated an interest in starting a Presbyterian Church.
A Steering Committee that included Curtis Hawks, R.W. Berry, Mrs. E.W. Hall and Mrs. Francis Houchins with Bessie Mae Stribling ex-officio member formed and appointed 5 committees to begin the church work. They began meeting in the Appalachia Power building for Sunday School and Worship Service.
On October 11, 1959 the Lebanon Presbyterian Church was organized by the commission of Abingdon Presbytery. While plans were made for the construction of a church building, the congregation continued to use the facilities of the Appalachia Power Company building.
A committee was selected to purchase land for the location for a church and included: A.B. Williford, Chairman; Paul W. Gess, W.T. Manson, Jr., G.A. Wilson, W. M. Gillespie and J.G. Bundy. This group acquired property in the section known today as the Pruner Addition in Lebanon.
When the new Lebanon Presbyterian Church building was completed, a Dedication Service was held on Sunday afternoon May 7, 1961.
In 1989, the church was able to expand the original structure by building a new larger Sanctuary, office spaces, a larger nursery and conference room/Bible study room. The pastor was Reverend Doug Sterrett and funding was provided by the Presbytery’s Tynes Fund that allows churches the opportunity to borrow money at a low interest rate. The dedication ceremony was held January 14, 1990. Faithful congregational giving and a grant from the Latch Key Program allowed the loan to the paid off 3 years early.
Our pastors have included: Dr. Malcolm C. Doubles, Rev. Milton Reid, Rev. Samuel Young, Dr. O. Morton Harris, Rev. Doug Sterrett, Dr. Tom Dendy, Rev. Bob Tolar, Rev. Guy Hunt, Rev. Mary S. Davis and Rev. William Charles.
We are so excited to share with everyone glimpses of our history through social media. We will be updating regularly with pictures and information of the past 60 years. We love our church, our church family, our community and we give all praise to God for our continued blessings.
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20
