History of the Malvern Church of God

Prayer meetings were helt in the home of Brother and Sister Ross for several months. In 1955 a brush arbor was erected; God Blessed , souls were saved, and people were healed. After three or four weeks a tent was set up and they had a good old fashioned revival. The floor consisted of wood shavings. Many of the people went home with the savings on their clothes and shoes. No one seem  to care because they were so happy in the Lord, and rejoicing over folks being saved and filled with the Holy Ghost.

Brother and Sister Ross wanted a place to worship close to home. They had about 5 cabins rented to people called Dixie Camp. Brother and Sister Ross donated a piece of land for the Church. The Church took on this name and the men begin to work in the afternoon after work building the first Church.

This is where my mom and Dad gave their hearts to God and never looked back. My dad worked on building the first Church. I had grandparents on both sides and a large amount of aunts and uncles going to Dixie Curve.

Services were held in the new building before it was finished. It was lit with kerosene lamps and heated with a kerosene stove. Those were the days.  People filled the building and so numerous that they were standing on the outside.

Sidney Norwood preached for a while, then Brother Homer Cotton took over.

On September 20, 1955, Brother Homer Cotton contracted John Best, District overseer fir the Church of God. State Overseer for the  Church of God G.W. Hodges and district overseer John Best came down and the property was deeded to the Church of God. The Church was organized on Saturday night, September 26, 1955 with 23 charter members of which my dad and mom were part of.

My dad was the last Charter member to died in 2000.

The ladies quilted at 6.00 a quilt to  help with the expenses of the new building. Electricity was put in the small church. Then, Brother Best and Brother Ramsey brought some men and lumber and built on to the front of the church making it larger. Brother Cotton purchased folding chairs and ask all who could to buy a chair or two. Soon there was plenty of chairs. The men built a pulpit and an altar. The Church was called Dixie Corner Church of God.

Brother Cotton resigned in Febuary 19, 1956, Brother Ralph Vick was appointed  as pastor. With donations and Mr. Norwood's lumber Company , work was started on pews, and a new pulpit and altars.

Help was provided by Brother Best and Brother Ramesy, soon we had great seats to sat on.

On July 19, 1957 Brother Vick left and Brother and Sister Carl Cody joined us as our pastor. At this time the church did not have a parsonage

A house was rented on Fairview Street for Brother and Sister Cody and their Family.

At this time we were having Sunday School in the Cabins that the Rosses had. I remember very well having Sunday School class in the cabins it was an adventure.

We also has an outside bathroom there was a water faucet outside close the bathroom.

There were windows down the side of the building I remember my mom would take us 4 children out and put us in the car to sleep if it was getting late. Even outside you could hear the worshiping going on.

Brother Cody had a son that was a minister he helped with teaching the children. Brother Cody was there about 6 years then Brother Mercer came in September 16, 1962.

Brother and Sister Mercer was the son- in law of our State Overseer, H L. Rose. They were good people and a young married couple.

We finished sheetrock on the new Sunday School rooms while The Mercers were there, and painted inside and outside.

In April 1963 our Church was dedicated, by State Overseer Rose. In late spring 1964 the Mercer left to go to Ohio. Our new Pastor was Brother and Sister Henderson. Brother and Sister Henderson were another young couple and ready to go the work for our Church.

While the Henderson’s were there the church was blessed with a parsonage, located in North Malvern. In the latter part of 1966 the Henderson’s left. Brother Tommy and Sister Kathy had become very important to the young people and everyone else. it was hard to see them go.

They were easy people to talk to.  I remember I told them that when I grew up I wanted to be a singer and a song writer.( Still working on that ).

Brother and Sister Abbott came next and more improvements were made to the parsonage. Also the Church was getting to be run - down.

Brother Abbot wanted to build a new Church. God blessed us as the building went up. The parsonage was paid for and the Church brought another piece of land from Brother and Sister Ross.

Brother Abbott married my husband and me in 1970.

Brother Larry Cox followed the Abbotts. Larry Cox only stayed a few months. The Lord was leading him to evangeistic work. Brother James Cody was sent to pastor

I am sorry to say that a long while I had been out of church. While my kids were growing up I tried several Churches, but none were my Church like the Malvern Church of God. By now the name had Changed to The Malvern Church of God.

Brother James Cody was sent to pastor. They lived in the old parsonage for a while and the a new one was bought.

Brother Jewel Butler came to pastor in July 14, 1978. While he was there he worked on church growth.

Under his leadership the church was remodeled, restrooms and a fellowship hall was added.

Brother David Gosnell came to pastor on March 19, 1980. Brother Gosnell stayed until September 22, 1980.

Brother Leo Green and his wife came next. They were blessing to the church. Doing fundraiser and blessing the Church with other ways to make money.

Brother and sister Kilgore came next in August 30, 1981.

He accomplished a lot while he was at the church. he went to work on matching the palensling. he also put in carpet in the church and  he insulated the walls and the attic.

The Kilgores were good singers and ministers. On March 18, 1984, Brother and Sister Edge came they also made improvements.

August 1986 Brother John Abbott returned. He was know for singing Niney- Nine and a half Won't Do.

Brother Bobby Major's came in August 1, 1991. Then Brother George O'Dell came in March 1994.

next was Brother Bill Grayon March 3 , 1994. Brother Charles Rush came on December 25, 1994.

Brother Bobby Rosson came on November 1, 2000.

My dad passed in June of 2000 so Pastor Bobby missed meeting a great man of God.

I returned in 2002 giving my heart back to God. My son was my infulence on returning.

Pastor   Bobby  Rosson and Tricia Rosson  made my returning to the Church a great thing. They made me feel like I had never left.  They quickly became family. I Love them both.