Rainelle in Greenbrier County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Meadow River Lumber Company / United Methodist Church

Meadow River Lumber Company Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Forest McDermott, July 20, 2008

1. Meadow River Lumber Company Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Meadow River Lumber CompanyEstablished as Raine-Andrew Lumber Co. concern with purchase of 32,000 ac. (1906-08) by John & Tom Raine, namesake of Rainelle, founded 1908. Used logging railroad from woods to mill & Sewell Valley RR (NF&G) to C&O. 1909 mill burned 1924; 1925 triple-band mill had 30 million bf. annual capacity, 500 workers, & made finished lumber, furniture, flooring & shoe heels. Shut down 28 Dec. 1970.

United Methodist Church Built 1914 and said to be largest building in world made entirely of chestnut. Because of Raine family's desire for only one church within town, denomination was determined by majority of Meadow River Lumber Co. workers. Served school, service and civic groups as meeting house, and once housed the public library. Educational wing with interior of wormy chestnut was added in 1930.

Erected 1984 by West Virginia Department of Culture and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce

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• Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 28, 1970.

Location. 37° 58.069′ N, 80° 46.637′ W. Marker is in Rainelle, West Virginia, in Greenbrier County. Marker is on Kanawha Avenue (U.S. 60) 0.1 miles east of S. Sewell Street (West Virginia Route 20), on the left when traveling east. In the front of the United Methodist Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rainelle WV 25962, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gen. Robert E. Lee (approx. 2.2 miles away); Sewell Mountain Campaign (approx. 2.3 miles away); Rupert (approx. 6 miles away); Old Stone House (approx. 6.1 miles away); Coal Miners Memorial (approx. 7.3 miles away); Coal Miners Memorial & Heritage Park (approx. 7.4 miles away); Andrew & Charles Lewis March (approx. 8.2 miles away); Nicholas County / Greenbrier County (approx. 8.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rainelle.

United Methodist Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Forest McDermott, July 20, 2008

2. United Methodist Church Marker

The opposite side of the Meadow River Lumber Company marker.

Meadow River Lumber Company/United Methodist Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Forest McDermott, July 20, 2008

3. Meadow River Lumber Company/United Methodist Church Marker

Photo taken looking east on U.S. Route 60. The United Methodist Church is to the left of the marker.

United Methodist Church in Rainelle, WV image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Forest McDermott, July 20, 2008

4. United Methodist Church in Rainelle, WV

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2011, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 971 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 11, 2011, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.