Church History

Chariton Church of the Nazarene

In 1912 there was a revival meeting that was held in the Center School house. The evangelist was Rev. Charles Henderson. A group interested in starting a Nazarene church in Chariton met in a house. Shortly after plans for a building was started but in the meantime they started meeting in a room of the Lucas Co. Courthouse.

The first service in their new church building at the corner of 12th and Braden was June 1, 1913. In 1915 the Third District Assembly of the Iowa District was held in Chariton Church of the Nazarene. In 1936 the Iowa District Assembly was held in Chariton but at the Methodist Church on account of the large amount of people attending.

In 1950 a remodeling and enlarging project was begun with Rev H. E. Hegstrom. The Dedication was held on September 30th 1951.

Rev Homer Max helped the church celebrate its 50th year here in Chariton.

Rev. Houston oversaw the “new” addition in the early 1970’s. This new addition was dedicated to Pastor Clyde E. Stanley. Who served here in Chariton as a pastor for only a few months before Houston.

Pastor Leray Glendenning in his ten years as the pastor here in Chariton procured 10 acres of land on the edge of town for future development.

On September 2nd, 2012 under the pastor Jeff O’Rourke the church celebrated 100 years of ministry as the Church of the Nazarene in Chariton. Most of those 100 years were served in the original building on the corner of 12th and Braden.

On January 31st, 2021 we sold our church building at the corner of 12th and Braden as God called us to. We currently meet on the east side of the square and have hopes to build out on the 10 acre property on the edge of town.