WHITE OAK CHURCH

This information may be freely copied, but not for commercial gain.


The following information pertains to Ritchie County, West Virginia.
It is reprinted here courtesy of:
THE RITCHIE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
September/October 1978 Newsletter  Vol. VI  No. V

WHITE OAK CHURCH

The first White Oak class was probably served as part of the Harrisville
circuit of 29 appointments, a three weeks' circuit.  Rev. James L. Clarke,
pastor in charge in 1844 mentions Mr. Elijah Clayton as one of "the grand
local ministers" within the bounds of the charge, whose homes were open to
worshipers of God.

The Harrisville charge in 1871 consisted of 15 appointments, one of which
was White Oak.

The White Oak M. E. class was organized in 1842, at the home of Elijah
Clayton, and Mr. Clayton, Thomas Ireland, peter Pritchard, and Samuel
Wolfe, with their wives, were among the initial members.

The pioneer church building was erected in 1845.  Mr. Elijah Clayton was
the donor of the grounds, including land also for the cemetery.  This old
time structure gave place to another in 1857, and to the present one, in 1891.