First Presbyterian Church of Colcord
From West Virginia (WV) Cyclopedia
When Aunt Moll's vigil commenced in 1887, the valley of the Clear Fork was among the most inaccessible in West Virginia. Ministers visited infrequently, and this made isolation more painful, according to Aunt Moll. "Others used to bring the light and take it away again," she was quoted as saying in a 1928 edition of the Presbyterian publication Home Missions. "Then it was blacker then ever."
Aunt Moll's prayers were answered in 1893 when the Reverend Dr. Christopher Humble "came over the top of Kayford Mountain." The synod's new Sunday school missionary, Humble had been appointed to bring the light to the wilderness, and it was he who sent Martha Priscilla Spencer to the valley. Her accomplishments exceeded all expectations, perhaps even those of Aunt Moll.
Rather than establishing a single Sunday school, Spencer's visionary administration saw the creation of an entire campus. By 1920, a beautiful chapel, two dormitories, and several barns and outbuildings were overflowing with children. "The Pattie C. Stockdale School," familiarly known as "The Home School," had become a shining light of rural Presbyterian education.
Everything had changed, including the rest of the valley. In 1900, when Priscilla Spencer was establishing the school, only 219 families lived in Raleigh County's Clear Fork District, but by 1950 as many as 5,457 people were living in the valley. Coal was being mined, and almost certainly Dr. Humble in the late 1800s had been aware of the need for spiritual sustenance that would come.
Eventually, the Home School was phased out, though I've been unable to determine when or why. By 1932 only a handful of students were enrolled, likely as a result of the Depression and establishment of public schools in the valley. By the 1960s, emphasis shifted from education to welfare work. A 1960 Charleston Gazette article quoted Rev. Jack Weller as speculating that coalfields residents may have preferred more fire and brimstone in their spirituality: "Maybe we're not emotional enough. I know one man told us that when he needs help, he comes to the Presbyterians, but when he needs religion, he goes to his own church."
The Colcord church and grounds have earned a place on the county register because of their preservation as well as their history. Its chapel and two dormitories have been maintained with little alteration. Rather than modify their historic church, bathrooms have never been added. When the chapel's shake-siding required replacement last year, congregants carefully removed and replaced each shake.
The First Presbyterian Church of Colcord may be reached from U.S. 19 at Crossroads Mall by following North Sandbranch Road (CR 19/3) west to Sweeneysburg Road (W.Va. 7). Turn right, and follow the latter one-mile north to a left turn onto Clear Fork Road (W.Va. 1). Clear Fork Road then mounts the flank of Spruce Mountain in sharp winding curves before descending into the valley. The entrance to the church is well marked on the left. The drive from Crossroads Mall is approximately 23 miles, though you'll want to allow 45 minutes for drive time.
