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1930 History Bytes

The 1930’s began with the Great Depression and ended with the first stages of WWII.

Popeye the Sailor Man made his first appearance in 1933.

The Lone Ranger arrived.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt began his Fireside Chats.

1930 Model A Ford Roadster - $460.00

1940 History Bytes

Harry S. Truman was President from 1945 until 1953.

Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941.

Jackie Robinson became the first black to play Major League Baseball. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The Frisbee was invented.

Almost 7 million women went to work during WWII.

1940 Ford Standard Tudor Sedan

1950 History Bytes

Dwight Eisenhower was President from 1952 until 1961.

Sputnik was sent into orbit and the Space Race began.

It was announced that there was now a vaccine for Polio.

War with Korea.

1950 Nash Rambler

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OUR HISTORY-PAGE 1

Below is a short synopsis of the years 1930 through 1950. Click on the Photo Album link in each section to see more photos of that era.

Godfrey Church of the Nazarene
1800 West Delmar
Godfrey, Illinois 62035

A SHORT HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH: 1930 - 1950
The 1930's The First Church of the Nazarene was organized with 15 charter members on August 5, 1934. Our church first met in a tent on the corner of Mayfield Avenue and Milton Road in Alton, IL. In October of that year we moved into a storefront building at 3009 Fernwood Avenue. Rev. Harry D. Gray was called as our first pastor in August 1934. His starting salary was $6.00 per week!
	On August 8, 1935, Rev. Archie Wilson was called as our pastor. He served until June 1, 1939 when he died as a result of a cave-in. The accident occurred while he was gathering large stones to be used in the building of a new sanctuary on Hillcrest Ave. This wonderful man truly gave his life for our church.
	Rev. William B. Kelly became our pastor in 1939. Click here to enter the 1930’s Photo Album.
The 1940's During this time a new sanctuary was built on Hillcrest Avenue in Alton, IL. The church was officially named Alton Hillcrest Church of the Nazarene. Rev. William B. Kelly and his wife served as our pastors from July, 1939 until 1953. Enter the 1940’s Photo Album
The 1950's

Rev. H. B. Jenson served as our pastor from August, 1953 until 1956.

Rev. Robert Weathers was our pastor from December, 1956 until 1961.
Enter the 1950’s Photo Album
Continue A Short History of Our Church

The 1930's