Published: October 23, 2009 10:44 pm      

Beech Street Christian celebrates centennial

ASHLAND — Beech Street Christian is the latest in a line of area churches having a centennial celebration.

The church’s 100th anniversary will be celebrated Sunday, according to minister Kenneth G. Vaughn.

“We noticed that ourselves,” Vaughn said of the number of area churches celebrating 100 years. “There must have been a revival going on. Something sure happened.”

Beech Street Christian has served the community and the neighborhood area well over the years, Vaughn said.

“We’ve tried to do our part to contribute to the Kingdom of God,” he said. “Churches have personalities, too.”

Beech Street Christian has about 180 members and a weekly average attendance of about 120, he said. The church is in the process of constructing a Family Life Center.

The church began in 1909 on property Albert Martin bought in 1878. It was then called Cannonsburg Pike.

The original church was a small structure with no electricity or water just 50 feet west of the present building. Heat was provided by a “pot belly” stove in the middle of its single room and light was provided by coal oil lamps.

Baptisms were performed in nearby creeks. The church became known as Martin Chapel, as the Martin family made up the bulk of its congregation. The name stuck well into the 1940s.

In 1955, a new building was constructed as the church grew. Joseph Zavadsky became the first fulltime minister in July of 1957.

Vaughn has been the pastor for 20 years. Originally from Mississippi, he said he now considers Ashland home.

“We love Ashland, got our family established here in the area,” he said. “I was raised in Mississippi but this is my home. I like the Kentucky Wildcats. If you live in Kentucky, you better love the Wildcats.”

Sunday’s Homecoming service will have former member, Tim Stapleton, who has been on the mission field, as speaker. Tracey Lobaldo will be singing. Dinner will follow. Services start at 10:30 a.m.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.