Deed

⛪ Cummings Creek M. P. Church Dedicated After Years of Effort

BEAVER CREEK, W. Va. – The Cummings Creek M. P. Church, located on the head waters of Beaver Creek, celebrated its dedication on June 30, 1940, concluding a long-term effort by the local Methodist class to establish a permanent place of worship¹.

The class, which originally worshipped in the Cummings Creek school house, was forced to build its own facility after the old school building was sold by the Board of Education to the "Church of God"². Though located near Beaver Creek, the new structure retains the name Cummings Creek Church as it was built by the Cummings Creek class³.

A History of Organization and Reorganization

Though no records exist showing when the class was first organized, a period without a pastor led to its disorganization⁴⁴⁴⁴. However, the class was reorganized in 1912 by Rev. O. Z. S. H⁵.

The new church was formally organized in 1930 and its construction was completed in 1933, seven years before the dedication ceremony⁶.

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🏗️ Community Support Built the Church

The land for the church was a generous donation from J. A. Clarkson and Mrs. Ubie Alderman⁷.

The actual construction was funded by donations from a subscription paper circulated throughout the community by Mrs. Icie Underwood, John Lee, and Mrs. Ubie Alderman⁸. Much of the carpenter work was completed by local members John Lee and Willie Alderman⁹. The current trustees are John Lee, Penich Underwood, and Olive Alderman¹⁰.

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✝️ Dedication and Leadership

The sermon of Dedication was preached by Dr. N. T. Sturm of the Marlinton Church¹¹. The church's current pastor under the United Methodist denomination is D. R. Simpson¹². Families of Willie Alderman and John Lee are noted as leaders in the church at the present time¹³.

Ministers who have previously served the class include Rev. Howard Underwood, Revs. D. S. Boggs, B. K. Summers, J. S. Mathers, O. P. Mowell, H. D. Sloan, J. T. Bee, A. H. Love, G. L. Rhoads, Perry Hogsett, and Fowler¹⁴.

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📜 Early Membership

The oldest available church record of membership is dated 1938 and includes the following members¹⁵:

• Agnes Underwood, Wallace Underwood, Forest Underwood, Lucy Underwood Sharp, Pearl Underwood Sharp, Lee Syms, Fannie Syms, Lillian Webb, I. L. Webb¹⁶.

• John Lee, Goldie Lee, Asta Buzzerd, Icie Underwood, Agnes McComb, Willie Alderman, Ubie Alderman, Mrs. W. M. Meweil¹⁷.

• P. W. Underwood, Olive Underwood, Carnie Underwood, Olive Alderman, Kenneth Schoolcraft, Daisy Schoolcraft, Nora Underwood, Florence Ramsey, Ada Alderman, Dolly Mullens, Mary Gaylor, Elsie Alderman¹⁸.

• John A. Clarkson, Jewel Underwood, Grace Alderman, Veda Alderman, Houle Underwood, Olive Underwood, and Lenna Underwood¹⁹.

The community also maintains a burying ground that is shown "prayer respect"²⁰.