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Our History |
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In 1980, the Muskingum Valley Presbytery surveyed the Belpre area, and three years later, called Dr. Richard Hasler as organizing pastor. Pioneer Church held its first service in the Belpre Civitan Building on Easter morning April 3, 1983 and in September of the same year a charter was signed by the congregation as a symbol of their commitment to form a new church.
With 69 charter members, PPC was officially organized by the Muskingum Valley Presbytery on November 20, 1983. During the next six years, worship services were held at the Belpre Lion’s Club building. Finally, in November of 1989, our new church building at the intersection of Farson Street and Route 50 was completed and dedicated.
Dr. Hasler retired in the fall of 1990, and Reverend Judith Kolwitz served as interim pastor until September of 1993, when Reverend Jerry Gustin was called. Reverend Gustin served our congregation until March 31, 2002 at which time he retired.
Reverend Donald Whiteman, a retired Baptist minister, served as our interim pastor until our current pastor, Reverend James Story was called in May 2004.
Pioneer Church’s driving force is that of pioneers who are on an exhilarating journey following and serving our Lord, “looking to Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfector of our faith.”
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