St. Nicholas Churches Around the World - Beckley, West Virginia U.S.A.

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
 Beckley, West Virginia U.S.A.

Image Courtesy: Zetify

This lovely church was built with much love by the devout drawn to the area by the coal mining industry of Beckley, West Virginia. As the writers of the website for the St. Nicholas Antiochean Orthodox Church website write: "Organized in 1943, with the late Metropolitan Antony Bashir of blessed memory presiding at the first meeting, the church grew quickly.  A year later a lot for the church was purchased at the present site on South Heber Street.  Despite the shortages generated by World War II, then still raging, the community began to build a church, first with the lower portion, which now serves as the Church Hall.  After the War ended, the post-war boom led to economic improvement and by 1957 the second story, the church proper, was completed.  The church was dedicated by Metropolitan Anthony on June 23 of the same year.  In 1965 the current rectory was purchased..." Please visit the churches lovely website to learn more about this stalwart community. 

Father Samuel Haddad
The current Pastor of St. Nicholas Church

Image Courtesy: The Register-Herald

Father Haddad is holding an icon of Nicholas of Myra

Below, Father Haddad is serving Holy Communion.
A very appropriate photography for today as it is the start of the Lenten Period for 2011!

Image courtesy: St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church

It is so very telling of the devotion people have for the wonderful Christian bishop, Nicholas of Myra, that he should be so honored by immigrants to the mountains of West Virginia more than a thousand and a half years after his repose by their naming their church in his honor. And what a special church it is too. It is obvious that each brick was laid with love.

Many many thanks to Dorothy at Waggin' Tales and Furry Trails and Joys of Christmas for telling me about this wonderful Church in her home state of West Virginia! Dorothy even featured my little cat, Edward, (who is at this moment sleeping on my lap!) in Waggin' Tales and Furry Trails - March 4th! Thanks Dorothy!

Note: Most all of the St. Nicholas churches that I highlight come from blogging friends and yes, even my "real" friends who I have known for years. If anyone knows of a St. Nicholas church that I should feature please let me know. Thanks!