History of Mount Carmel Christian Church - Written by Ernestine Weaver October 1991 (Much of this informationwas furnished by Mrs. Lula Woodward, the member with the most years of service in the congrgation at this time.) In the late 1890s or early 1900s, a group of Christians built a church building on what is now known as the Holiness Church location in Meadowviewl, Virginia. The land had been donated by Mr. Preston. This group took on the name Mt. Carmel Christian Church. The first trustees were J.W. Hanner and C.C. Hanner. J.W. Hanner also became the first minister. Later G.W. Headen beame minister. There were others but no official records have been located. Some of the first evalgelists were John A. Tate, J.W. West, and C.D. Coffey.In September 1923, this faithful group purchased a building from the Lutheran congregation and moved their meetings off the hill to a location on Hillman Highway in Meadowview. At that time, most of the members were farmers and money was scarce. Then came the depression and it beame very difficult to meet the payments for the church building. The women worked hard to help pay what they could. They quilted for people, sold eggs, and any other means to raise money for the church. The church also received a lot of help from Mr. Sam Kestner, who was a Layman from First Christian Church in Bristol. The debt was finally settled. Part of the time there was no preacher. A Mr. Louis would come from First Christian and preach in the afternoons. Later E. E. Vaught came and served several years as the minister. Then some of the students from Johnson Bible College began to come on weekends to fill the pulpit. God took care of the needs and some of these students began to serve in full capacity.On July 27, 1978, approximately two acres of land was purchased on Rt. 80 and in the months that followed a new building was erected to house the Mt. Carmel Christian Church. Many of the members as well as friends and neighbors contributed time and resources to erect a fine new structure. The new building was occupied on July 20, 1980. After a brief meeting in the old building, everyone proceeded to the new building. Sunday School was held at 10:00 AM followed by morning worship service at 11:00AM. The dedication service was held at 2:30 PM with Clay Bailey (former minister) delivering the message. A near capacity crowd attended this most impressive service. On the evening of July 20, the first revival service bergan with Joseph O’Neal, Evangelist, in charge. Services continued through July 27 with 29 persons coming forth either in obedience to the gospel or to redicate their lives. Some of the ministers other than those already mentioned have been Charlie Counts, Sam Flemings, Scotty Webster, Clay Bailey, Tommy Oaks, Larry Schroeder, L.D. Campbell, Troy Allen, Walt Staude, and Faron Franklin. Submitted by: Janie Weaver McNew
In September 1923, this faithful group purchased a building from the Lutheran congregation and moved their meetings off the hill to a location on Hillman Highway in Meadowview. At that time, most of the members were farmers and money was scarce. Then came the depression and it beame very difficult to meet the payments for the church building. The women worked hard to help pay what they could. They quilted for people, sold eggs, and any other means to raise money for the church. The church also received a lot of help from Mr. Sam Kestner, who was a Layman from First Christian Church in Bristol. The debt was finally settled. Part of the time there was no preacher. A Mr. Louis would come from First Christian and preach in the afternoons. Later E. E. Vaught came and served several years as the minister. Then some of the students from Johnson Bible College began to come on weekends to fill the pulpit. God took care of the needs and some of these students began to serve in full capacity.
On July 27, 1978, approximately two acres of land was purchased on Rt. 80 and in the months that followed a new building was erected to house the Mt. Carmel Christian Church. Many of the members as well as friends and neighbors contributed time and resources to erect a fine new structure. The new building was occupied on July 20, 1980. After a brief meeting in the old building, everyone proceeded to the new building. Sunday School was held at 10:00 AM followed by morning worship service at 11:00AM. The dedication service was held at 2:30 PM with Clay Bailey (former minister) delivering the message. A near capacity crowd attended this most impressive service. On the evening of July 20, the first revival service bergan with Joseph O’Neal, Evangelist, in charge. Services continued through July 27 with 29 persons coming forth either in obedience to the gospel or to redicate their lives. Some of the ministers other than those already mentioned have been Charlie Counts, Sam Flemings, Scotty Webster, Clay Bailey, Tommy Oaks, Larry Schroeder, L.D. Campbell, Troy Allen, Walt Staude, and Faron Franklin. Submitted by: Janie Weaver McNew