Our History

The Perry Church of the Nazarene (formerly Perry Gospel Mission) was organized on December 24, 1944 by District Superintendent Dr. William M. McGuire. Perry native, the Reverend John M. Smith, was the pastor. Joining the Church of the Nazarene was result of several meetings begun three years earlier.  

In August 1941, during a tent meeting conducted on the grounds of the Perry Elementary School, a group of people united under the leadership of the Reverend Smith and called themselves the “Perry Gospel Mission.” When the tent meetings ended the mission group needed a permanent place to continue worshipping.

Under the leadership of Rev. Smith, the dairy barn owned by Earl Briggs was purchased for $600.  After much cleaning, scrubbing, painting and repairing, the barn was ready for use. It offered space for worship, Sunday School and a parsonage for the Smith family.  Within two years, the congregation had outgrown this building.  During those war years, funds and supplies were limited. One of the newer attendees to the church, Frank Brace, owned a lot on the corner of First and Lincoln Street which he gave to the church.  Another lot with a barn was purchased for $250. The barn was torn down so the wood could be used.  The lot was then sold for the original purchase price. With the donated land, wood from the barn, and through volunteer labor the church was constructed at the corner of First and Lincoln Street. 

In 1951, the church added 25 new members and Sunday School attendance climbed to 87.  The church was outgrowing it’s building.  In September, 1952, additional Sunday School rooms were added and a new flooring laid in the sanctuary. Later, an entry way and bathrooms were constructed on the front the church under the leadership of Rev. Erwin Self. Later, in the early 1960’s, the church expanded the sanctuary with the addition of a choir loft and classroom space under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Polmounter.   

As the congregation continued to grow, the church leaders knew they could not remain at their present location.  Rev. Polmounter led the church to purchase land from the Raymar family on the south side of the city of Perry on Highway M-52, at our current location . Charter members Carol C. Corn and newest member at the time, Duane Whitmer, turned the first shovels of dirt at the site for the new church on April 29, 1973 under the leadership of Rev. George Harris.

The congregation worshipped in the new facility for the first time in March of 1974. Dr. William Greathouse, president of Nazarene Theological Seminary; District Superintendent, Dr. Harry T. Stanley and Rev. Carl Allen, District Sunday School Board chairman conducted the dedication of the facility.

In the early 1980’s, the church added an educational unit (Heritage Hall) providing more Sunday School classroom space and a location for church fellowships. In October 2008, the church celebrated the completion of a 40’ by 44’ expanded classroom and kitchen addition to Heritage Hall. Construction of the new addition was done by Banker Builders owned by Paul and Esther Banker, the grandson of charter members, George and Ella Banker. In 2010, a pavilion was constructed just south of the kitchen.

Perry Church of the Nazarene has a wonderful heritage. Whether worshipping in a tent, a dairy farm, or in a church building our mission remains the same: Make Christ-like Disciples in the nations.