A Brief Church History

Covenant Presbyterian Church started at Riverlawn Presbyterian Church in 1975. During the first quarter of 1975 the minister, members of the session and several members of the congregation began drifting toward affiliation with the Presbyterian Church in America. On February 2, 1975, the Pastor and the session met with the commission from the Presbytery regarding the complaint made to the Presbytery concerning the Session's plan to inform the congregation concerning conditions of unrest in the PCUS.

On March 23, 1975 a congregational meeting was called to vote on a recommendation of the session that the congregation terminate its affiliation with the PCUS and join the PCA. The vote did not carry and it was held in violation of an order of the Presbytery. The Session resigned and the dissenting members left to form their own church. Reverend Williams was divested of office in the PCUS by the Greenbrier Presbytery and also left to form another church outside of the PCUS.

After the vote of the congregation at Riverlawn Presbyterian Church had failed to meet the majority vote, those members wishing to withdraw or leave the church met for the purpose of organizing a new Presbyterian Church in Saint Albans, West Virginia. This church would be organized in affiliation with the Presbyterian Church in America, Terminating all ties with the Presbyterian Church of the United States (PCUS). Reverend William E. Hill presided over this meeting, with the authority vested in him as an evangelist and a Servant of the Lord. Reverend Hill, a personal friend of Reverend David L. Williams, the Pastor of our church, was at that time holding a revival meeting at Riverlawn Presbyterian Church, representing the PEF - Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship.

During this meeting, the first baptism in the new church was performed by Reverend William E. Hill. Also during this meeting eleven elders were elected and installed. These elders were elders and deacons of the session which had resigned from the Riverlawn Presbyterian Church. Later 4 more men were added to this number making a total session of fifteen devout men of God.

After the Session had been elected and installed, Reverend David L. Williams was called as pastor of this new church. Reverend William E. Hill, who was presiding, installed Reverend Williams as pastor of the church.

After prayer the name "Covenant" was selected as the name of the new church.

The first services of Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) were held at the former Cox's Department store at 56 Main Street, in Saint Albans West Virginia on Easter Sunday, March 30, 1975. The store had recently moved to a new location in the recently built Saint Albans Mall and the owner was allowing the church to use the building rent free until the church could find another location. Covenant Church eventually bought the building at 56 Main Street.

The Lord blessed in the months to follow and increased the membership with leaps and bounds. The church became very well known not only in the immediate area but also across the country, being given the nick-name of, "The Store-Front Church."

Early in 1976, The Church of the Trinity made an offer of their church building at 819 Pennsylvania Avenue to the congregation of Covenant. Although not unanimously, Covenant accepted the loving and generous offer of Trinity. The church started using the building in March and by the end of June the move to the new building was complete.

In 1988, Covenant Christian School was established by the church because a number of parents in the church and in the St. Albans area were concerned about the quality of their children's education.

In 1992, unable to secure property appropriate to their needs within the city limits of St. Albans, the church and school moved across the river to 424 Cross Lanes Drive in Nitro, where the church continues to worship today.

Pastors:

• David L. Williams 1975-????
• Dr. Rod Mays 1979-1987
• Rodney T. King 1987-????
• John H. Rollins Jr. ????-Present