Our History
In 1916 the first congregation of the Laurel Church of the Nazarene was ina small church by the fire hall. This church could accommodate 30 people comfortably. In October of 1921, the church received its charter to become the Church of the Nazarene (second oldest church on the district). In 1937 the church moved to a new and bigger building on the corner of Fifth street and Pennsylvania. In 1972, unable to purcahse the adjacent lot, the church moved to its present location at 11th Street and Second Ave.Thomas and Edith Mathis had traded their farm land for the current church property. The education wing and the foyer were built first, using the wood from an old barn.
In 1978, the District Superintendent wanted to close the doors to the church. Daisy Ward, sitting on the board at the time with the agreement, told him that this church was going to stay open--even if there were only two people attending. After that meeting, the church started to pray for five families. In less than five years the church started to build the sanctuary and the basement (1982).
In 1996, we had a 75th Anniversary Celebration. The Church has made its impact on the community of Laurel. And it is still happening today. Since the beginning two ministers have been called into ministry while attending this church: Jim Anderson (retired) and Ron Marak (Formerly of Billings Family Fellowship).
In the last five years the roof has been replaced, the carpet replaced, the pews have been donated to a small South Dakota Church and we purchased pew chairs. The church has been painted inside and out, the kitchen remodeled and the parsonage ungraded. We've seen growth and we're seeing God at work in our midst both financially and numerically.