On Sunday, October 16, 2005, the Harmar Hill congregation
in Marietta, Ohio, marked her 50th anniversary with a special
afternoon service. This joyful milestone also served as the commencement
to our Fall Gospel Meeting with brother Charles Pugh III.
The special service began at 2:30 PM and lasted
until 4:30. Afterwards, members and visitors, alike, enjoyed cake
and punch. The afternoon program was punctuated with congregational
singing led by Dean Shepherd. Two of the elders, Paul Hickerson
and Paul Wells, led the assembly in prayers whose thoughts embodied
that of thanksgiving for the past and God's continued blessing
for the future. Glenn Briggs, who was in the first group of men
appointed as elders in 1963, presented a detailed history of the
congregation, tracing the Harmar Hill church all the way back
to its conceptive and planning stages. Next, W. Terry Varner presented
a lesson entitled, "The Need for Faithful Christian Service."
At the program's conclusion, Paul Wells made a Power-Point presentation
consisting of both old and new pictures. These pictures included
construction of the original building in 1955 and the new addition
in1988. Seeing old pictures of current members infused the occasion
with levity. The congregation has sixteen charter members remaining.
The day ended with Charles Pugh III preaching a lesson called,
"Sweeter Than Honey."
October 16th was a great day of remembrance. The
balance of the week was equally as great with the Gospel of Christ
being so ably proclaimed. It was a week the Lord's church which
meets atop Harmar Hill will cherish for a long time. May the God
of Heaven bless her with another fifty, rich years.
Preachers who have faithfully served the Harmar
Hill church are as follows: Leon Matheny: 55-58; Jess Nutter:
58-76; Richard Perrault: 76-78; W. Terry Varner: 78-97; Bob Vincent:
97-03; J. D. Conley: 04-present. Associate preachers: Charles
Pugh, III: 70-72; Dillon Bayes: 72-75; Tim Rhine: 80-83; John
Chowning: 83-86; Eric Dougherty: 99-03. 200 Edgewood Dr., Marietta,
OH 45750.