Church History

Benwood Mt. Lebanon

Church History

1850 -1863

Mount Lebanon United Brethren was organized in 1850, meeting at the Cardonia School. In 1861 an acre of land east of the school (an area that would later be called Benwood) was donated for the building of a church.  Construction began but the church was left unfinished when the men left to serve in the Civil War. The remainder of the congregation met in the unfinished building until men returned. Construction was completed in 1863.

The church derived its name from two Scriptures.

“Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.” – Deuteronomy 3:24-25

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon.” -Psalm 92:12

1886

The Church did flourish like a palm and grow like a Cedar.  By 1886 she had outgrown the place of worship and construction for a new building began. Dedication for it took place on December 18, 1887.

1946

In 1946, the United Brethren merged with the Evangelical Church and became known as Evangelical United Brethren (EUB).

1968

The EUB merged with the United Methodist Conference in 1968. Sometime after merging the Conference decided to close some churches, Benwood Mt. Lebanon was one chosen to shut down.

Mt. Lebanon trustees voted to hire attorney George Craig who filed suit to prove the Church belonged to its congregation, not the conference. In December of 1968 the court ruled in favor of Mt. Lebanon. The conference appealed. It was taken to the US court of appeals who also sided in favor with Mt. Lebanon. The conference appealed again, taking the case to the US Supreme Court. In 1971 the Supreme Court decided not to hear the case, affirming the previous judgements. Benwood Mt. Lebanon left the conference and became a non-denominational Church, of which it still is today.

1850 – Present

Between civil wars, legal wars, and ups and downs, Benwood Mt. Lebanon Church has remained firm. Like Cedars of Lebanon, she has grown upwards, outwards, and onward.

As outlined in Deuteronomy 3:21-28, Mt. Lebanon represents a place of hope, blessing, peace, promise, and fellowship. If this is what you seek, please join us.