Our Story

We are part of a global denomination called the Church of the Nazarene, which was founded in 1908. As an expression of the holiness movement and its emphasis on the sanctified life, our founders came together from different denominations to form one people. Utilizing evangelism, compassionate ministries, and education, the church went forth to become a people of many cultures and tongues.

The Denair Church of the Nazarene was organized in the home of Will Haile, on the
night of June 1, 1933. It was organized by Dr. Smee who came from the District
Assembly in Oakland at that time. There were 48 charter members. Mr. and Mrs. Bob
Story gave us one acre of land where the original church and parsonage now stand.

As soon as possible, our church building was started. Many of the men who were farmers brought their teams of horses and scrapers to dig out the basement. It was completed sufficiently to be used by winter.

Memories from Grace Schendel Haile: “I’ll never forget the first Sunday in our new church. Since we had no front door, they hung a big rug over the opening. We had just the sub-floor in so when we knelt to pray, the cold wind came up through the cracks. No one, but no one said, ‘I can’t come back with a floor like that.’ To show the love and generosity of our people: Ted had plastered the church inside and out and was so glad to do it. Since the people couldn’t pay him, they all came out on a Wednesday night after prayer meeting and gave us a pounding. It was so wonderful, we were so thrilled; not just for the food but the love we felt among us. Mrs. Ratcliff brought us a pound of butter. I recall we hadn’t had butter in the house for so long. Lorene Haworth shared her 10 pound sack of potatoes with us, giving us half of it. I can’t remember all the things, but everything was so appreciated.”

Groundbreaking for our present sanctuary was in June 1981 when every family brought a rock to be placed in a monument that would later be built in front of the sanctuary. The words of Joshua were used in the inscription, “In the future, when your children ask you why these stones are here, you are to tell them that these stones are a reminder that on this day, May 9, 1982, God miraculously brought us to this place.” We experienced tremendous growth after our move.

We also have our North and South Education buildings where all kinds of Fellowship takes place within our Fellowship Hall (South Building) and our Children's and Youth Ministries are housed in the North Building. We have developed our grounds even further as we now have the Vista Building and Vista Nursery on either side of our Pavilion.