About Us
The Carthage Church of the Nazarene had it’s beginning way back in September 1920, when Rev. G. C. Hesson held a tent meeting at Enoch, near South Carthage. During this
meeting the Christians met and made plans to build a church which was to be Nazarene church,
but other denominations were to worship in it also. However, the church was not built at this time.
In July 1921 almost one year later, Rev. T. B. Dean and Rev. G. C. Hesson held a tent meeting in South Carthage and the Christians met again and organized a Nazarene church as had originally been planned in 1920. In 1921, a building was erected at South Carthage which was a building of the Church of the Nazarene. The actual church of the Nazarene of South Carthage was organized on June 26, 1921, by Evangelist T. B. Dean with 22 members. Bro. G.C. Hesson was elected as pastor on July 22, 1921, and served in that capacity until August 15, 1924. The church was located where the present U.C.E.M.C. substation is and then later moved to the location where the present Smith Farmers Co-op is located.
On the third Sunday in October 1937, the South Carthage Nazarene Church voted to sell the property in South Carthage and to build a new church in Carthage. The move was made into the Church of the Nazarene on Jackson Avenue in Carthage with a church parsonage located next door. The parsonage was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1962, during the time Bro. Merle Mead was pastoring the church. The church rented a house on Morris Avenue in Carthage for a parsonage, but decided to buy property for the erection of a new parsonage and church. The church board voted to buy the property known as the Fisher property on Smotherman Avenue. The new parsonage was completed in a short time. In November 1964 the church board voted to sell the church property on Jackson Avenue to the Church of God of Prophecy. The Church of the Nazarene conducted all their services in the basement of the new parsonage until a new church could be built. The new church, located at 501 Carmack Avenue, was moved into on April 18, 1965, while Bro. Merle Mead served as the pastor.
In March 1983, an education wing to the church was completed. A fellowship hall was added in September 1989. Both additions were accomplished with the labor of many faithful church members who shared a vision. Through the years, the mission of the Carthage Church of the Nazarene has been to present the good news of the Gospel, the love of God for all mankind, and the need for holy living to our surrounding community. Many souls have been won to the Lord through these efforts and it is the prayer of the church that many others will be added to the Kingdom throughout witness. We pray that God will continue to use us as he did those Godly people who founded the church before us.
Everyone is welcome at Carthage Church of the Nazarene. You will find a welcoming and caring congregation, Bible-based preaching and teaching, discipleship programs for all ages from newborn to adult, along with many fellowship opportunities. If you would like to learn more about Nazarene history and beliefs check out nazarene.org.
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