10/20/2026
🎂 **Happy 113th Birthday to the Historic Church at Corton Lodge!** 🔔
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On October 20, 1913, a little church along the Elk River in Clendenin, West Virginia, was completed. Today, 113 years later, it is still standing proudly, with so many stories to tell.
Originally known as the Barren Creek Missionary Baptist Church, the congregation purchased the land in 1912 and completed construction the following year.
One of our favorite pieces of history is this original wooden board, still hanging on the wall, signed and dated October 20, 1913, by Will Smith, who served as the head of the church's trustees at the time. His handwriting has survived more than a century!
**113 Years of Faith and Fellowship**
In the book of Genesis, Jacob awoke from a dream and spoke these words:
"Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not." Genesis 28:16
I've thought about those words many times as we've worked to bring this old church back to life.
For 113 years, people have walked through these doors. They've gathered in prayer, lifted their voices in song, celebrated, mourned, found comfort, and shared their lives with one another.
Generations have come and gone. The world outside these walls has changed in ways those original builders could never have imagined.
But I believe God's spirit has been present in this place through it all.
Perhaps that's part of what makes this old building so special. It's more than the wood, the stone, or the craftsmanship. It's the lives that have touched it, the prayers that have filled it, and the generations of people who have loved and cared for it.
**A Special Thank You**
Today, we'd like to recognize and thank the many people who made these 113 years possible.
To the craftsmen who built this beautiful church in 1913, whose skill, hard work, and dedication created something that would outlast their own lifetimes.
To the generations of congregants of Barren Creek Missionary Baptist Church who worshipped here, raised their families in faith, and faithfully cared for this special place.
To the neighbors and surrounding community who have watched over the church, supported it, and helped preserve its history throughout the years.
And to the Elk River Musky Club, which cared for the property for many years and played an important role in its continued preservation.
Because of all of you, this remarkable building is still standing.
**A New Chapter in God's Story**
We feel incredibly blessed to be the current caretakers of this historic place.
Today, as Corton Lodge, these walls welcome families making memories, couples beginning their marriages, and friends gathering to celebrate life's special moments.
The building may have a different purpose today, but the spirit of fellowship, love, and togetherness that began here so many years ago continues.
Sometimes I wonder if those craftsmen in 1913 could have imagined the lives their work would touch more than a century later.
And I find myself coming back to Jacob's words:
"Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not."
Maybe that's the greatest part of this story. Through all the years, all the changes, and all the people who have passed through these doors, God was here the whole time.
We are simply blessed to be part of the next chapter.
113 years of history. Generations of faith. Countless memories. And, God willing, many more to come.
Happy Birthday to our beautiful old church!
