Church History
In the 1950s, when the Appalachian Power Company built a new power plant in Carbo, Virginia, many new people moved to Lebanon. The Abingdon Presbytery saw a need for a Presbyterian Church. In 1958, Miss Bessie Mae Stribling, 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, Mrs. Francis Houchins, and Bessie Mae Stribling, an ex-officio member, was formed and appointed five 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 commission of Abingdon Presbytery organized the Lebanon Presbyterian Church. While plans were made for a church building, the congregation continued to use the facilities of the Appalachia Power Company building.
The following committee was selected to purchase land for the location of a church: 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 now as the Pruner Addition in Lebanon.
Lebanon Presbyterian Church 1961
When the new Lebanon Presbyterian Church building was completed, a Dedication Service was held on Sunday afternoon, May 7, 1961.
In 1989, the church expanded the original structure by building a new, larger Sanctuary, office spaces, a larger nursery, and a conference room/Bible study room. The pastor was Reverend Doug Sterrett, and funding was provided by the Presbytery’s Tynes Fund, which allows churches the opportunity to borrow money at a low interest rate. The dedication ceremony was held January 14, 1991. Faithful congregational giving and a grant from the Latch Key Program allowed the loan to be 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. Rev. Thomas Quickel, Jr., and Tracy McGlothlin provide current pastor services.
