The Church of the Nazarene

As a global community of faith, we are commissioned to take the Good News of life in Jesus Christ to people everywhere and to spread the message of scriptural holiness across the lands.

The Church of the Nazarene is a Protestant Christian church in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition, tracing its roots to an anniversary date of 1908. It was founded to spread the message of scriptural holiness (Christlike living) across the lands. Today the Church of the Nazarene is located in 159 world areas.

The Church of the Nazarene is a Great Commission church. We believe that God offers to everyone forgiveness, peace, joy, purpose, love, meaning in life, and the promise of heaven when life is over by entering and experiencing a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We are called to take this message to people everywhere.

The Church of the Nazarene is also a holiness church. We believe that Christians can experience a deeper level of life in which there is victory over sin, power to witness and serve, and a richer fellowship with God, all through the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

With over 30,000 congregations, our vision and mission embraces the entire world. Each local congregation of the Church of the Nazarene is a faith community ready to greet you in Jesus’ name. There you will discover opportunities not only to encounter Jesus as your Savior and Lord but also to grow as a follower of Christ. Local churches offer worship, opportunities for serving others, fellowship, and training.

During the summer of 1922, a tent was pitched in Unionvale, PE, for the purpose of holding evangelistic crusade services. In this tent the gospel of Jesus Christ was brought to the residents of the O’Leary area. The services were held each evening where between 150 to 200 people attended during the weeknights and upwards to 300 on Sunday evenings.

From these revival meetings a Nazarene congregation was formed, and the revival tent was replaced with a newly constructed church. On November 19, 1922, the O’Leary (then known as Unionvale) Church of the Nazarene held its first service, with 19 charter members under the leadership of Rev. John E. W. Turpel.

(Genesis 50:23 NIV) And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.