History

In 1927, the Mount Virgil Apostolic Church, which later became known as the Elkton Pentecostal Church, was founded by the Reverend Edgar C. Ridenour.  Reverend Ridenour was originally from the Baltimore, Maryland area and decided to leave and move to Florida.  After traveling through parts of Virginia, the Lord led him to stop in Page county and build a church.  This church today is known as the Battle Creek Pentecostal Church.  Shortly after the church’s completion, Reverend Ridenour came to Elkton and started services in the Meat Market Building.  With the congregation growing, Reverend Ridenour and his members decided to build a new church.  Land was donated by Ashby Lam.  With the Depression taking its toll on everyone financially, materials used to build the church had to be salvaged from the old Tannery Building.  In 1931, the church was completed. Reverend Ridenour and his congregation formed a march from the Meat Market Building to their new church located on Summit Avenue.  Reverend Ridenour pastored the church until his death in February, 1954.

After Reverend Ridenour’s death, the assistant pastor, the Reverend Homer Dovel became pastor.  Reverend Dovel remained as pastor until an election could be held in June of that same year.  At the election, the son of Reverend Edgar Ridenour, the Reverend James Ridenour was elected. Reverend James Ridenour remained pastor until August, 1955.

Pastors serving since Reverend Ridenour are:

Homer Dovel (serving February to June 1954)
James Ridenour (serving June 1954 to August 1955)
Ennis Dean (serving August 1955 to March 1984)
Kinzy Reed (serving June 1984 to June 2001)
Ray Halverson (serving June 2001 to August 2006)
Travis Hensley (serving August 2006 to June 2018)

Eddie Byers is the current pastor (serving August 2018 to present).