Painesville Church of the Nazarene

      The Painesville Church of the Nazarene was organized with seven charter members by Rev. O. L. Benedum in November 1937 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Rigden. At the beginning several member’s homes were used for worship and later on the new congregation worshipped in an office room on North State Street for almost two years. Through much sacrifice and united efforts of members and friends, a beautiful church was erected at Liberty and High Streets. Dr. J. B. Chapman was the speaker at the dedication service on September 15, 1940. 

      

      On October 24, 1965 the first unit of the present facilities was purchased from the Lutheran congregation. Construction of the educational unit, east wing, began immediately. The growing congregation began to worship at the present location on March 1966. Ground was broken for a larger sanctuary on April 17, 1966. The dedication was February 5, 1967 with Dr. G. B. Williamson as speaker. Parsonage A was purchased on May 1, 1967. Painesville Day Nursery and Kindergarten was established as an outreach ministry of the church in the fall of 1967. 

      To meet the needs of the growth to the church, the west educational wing was completed in 1979. Much faith and sacrifice were committed to this tremendous addition for Sunday School. In 1980 eight acres and two additional parsonages were purchased adjacent to the Church property. Painesville Christian Academy was founded after much prayer and preparation in 1983. It grew to complete elementary and middle school, grades K-8. On Palm Sunday, 1986, a Rogers Exeter Memorial Organ was dedicated. November 1, 1987, Dr. William Greathouse spoke for a fiftieth anniversary celebration. Memorable that day was a “Living Word” stained glass window and a 33’ steeple. 

      

      On Sunday, January 3, 1999 tragedy struck the Painesville Church as fire destroyed the sanctuary, offices and foyer. The educational unit suffered extensive smoke and water damage. After several weeks of cleaning and refurbishing; classrooms were ready for occupancy. The gymnasium was used (which had been refurbished in the summer of 1998) as our worship center. A second worship service was held because of severe space limitations. April 2, of 2000 the Church congregation gathered together to stand in the rain and dedicate a new building project to the Lord. The Church Board and Building Committee members as well as many members of our church body led a very moving service. The congregation and friends together and North Central Ohio’s District Superintendent, Dr. David Wilson met to dedicate a beautiful new sanctuary and gymnasium on April 22, 2001.