Pineville Chapel

Historical Overview

In the center of the Village of Pineville, open air services were held at 8 P.M. during the months of July and August in the summer of 1932. People were curious, observing from a distance and only a few timidly sat on folding chairs to hear the Word of the Lord. The next summer, a lawn on the corner of Windy Bush Road and Pine Lane was the site of the next worship meetings. A small tent was purchased and erected and neighbors allowed the drawing of electricity to the tent. The third summer more attended the services. “The Word Went Forth and the Seed was Sown.”

By the summer of 1937, consideration was being given to purchase the old Community Hall in Pineville, a building in need of much repair. On May 15, 1938, a dedication service was held and soon the Chapel was filled to capacity. Mr. Horace L. Houpt was installed as Pastor and served in this capacity for over two decades. The constitution was developed and Pineville Community Chapel became an incorporated church in 1964. Such were the beginnings of Pineville Community Chapel.

Over the course of the next ten years the church was led by two part-time pastors and experienced a rise and fall of membership. In 1970, Village Missions, a missions organization assisting in the development of small local churches, adopted Pineville chapel as one of their struggling churches. The Lord, through Village Missions, sent two full-time Pastors to guide the congregation to grow in the Word. Under their leadership Sunday School grew, Vacation Bible School continued, an AWANA club was formed and eventually the Chapel became fully self supporting.

In 1987, Pastor Bob Joka was called to be the chapel’s sixth pastor. Under his leadership, the Chapel’s Constitution and Bylaws were amended July 1998 and are still in effect. Pastor Joka served the church for over 20 years resigning in 2013.

After much prayer and leadership meetings, Pineville Chapel and More-View Bible Church voted to merge. This merger took place on the first Sunday of January 2014. Pastor Harry Whyte became the seventh pastor.

The Lord laid a burden on one heart more than 70 years ago, and in spite of the ups and downs, this small chapel continues to strive to give God the glory and be a light in the midst of the community.

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