The Oakdale Christian Church, Rig. W will be celebrating the 140 anniversary of the founding of the church (1885-2025) Sunday, June 1, starting with Sunday school at 10 AM; a special worship service at 11 AM followed by a covered dish meal at the Rig Community Center. Former pastors, church members and the public are invited to attend these services.
The Oakdale Christian Church was organized January 1, 1885. The land was given by Mary Catherine Howdershell. A deed is recorded August 2, 1886 in the Hardy County Court House to the trustees G.G. Simmons, John Rumer, Henry Banner, Abraham Crites, John Lambert, William Newhouse and B.C. Wood.
The church was constructed of logs covered with weather boarding. There was a stove both front and back for heating.
Within a few years, the first addition was made. The entrance was reversed from the original, and a platform with an arch was added for the pulpit, organ and podium. Timber for the improvement project was donated by Mr. Dick Chipley. Mort and Henry Riggleman hauled the logs to the mill and Mr. Claude and Bernie Hanlin sawed the lumber. Mr. E.S. (Ebb) Evans and his brother Ted, just young boys helped haul the lumber to the church. A bell tower was added. Mr. Scott Hanlin supervised the building of the bell tower. Fifth, sixth and even seventh generation children still get pleasure from ringing this bell just before services begin.
In the 50s, Sunday school rooms were built. In the 60s, more rooms were added, plus rest rooms, a furnace and air conditioning.
New pews, carpet and stained-glass windows made another lovely improvement in the 80s.
Mr. Charles Bensenhaver donated land for an expanded parking lot. Later Jim and Sis Barr donated more land for additional parking.
The first pastor of the church was A.G. B. Powers; J.W. Shaw as deacon and J.A. Rumors was clerk. Other pastors across the years the Reverends Simon Riggleman (great-great grandfather of Dalton and Mick Carr); Jakie Powers (he traveled here by train from Green Spring, WV); A.P. Swadley; Mr. Brasher; Charley Beard; J.D. Saville; Guy Cook; John Ray Hinkle; Bill Hardy; Andy Moats; James Thomas, Glenn Phillips; Lowell Rogers, Glenn Jones; Don Kesner: Kenneth Smith and Charles Snyder. The present pastor is Lynn Rohrbaugh.
A new sanctuary was added to the existing church in 2003 and later the old sanctuary was divided and turned into additional Sunday school rooms.
The church is a fundamental Bible believing independent church. The Holy Bible our rule of faith and practice; the Lord Jesus Christ the Head of the church, the union of all followers of Christ: no creed by Christ; no Book but the Bible; no law but LOVE.
