Rainelle in Greenbrier County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Meadow River Lumber Company
⎯⎯⎯
United Methodist Church
Photographed by Forest McDermott, July 20, 2008
1. Meadow River Lumber Company Marker
Meadow River Lumber Company. Established 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: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Religion & Religious Structures. 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′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Southern Coalfields. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
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); "Lee Tree" (approx. 2.3 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rainelle.
Photographed by Forest McDermott, July 20, 2008
2. United Methodist Church Marker
The opposite side of the Meadow River Lumber Company marker.
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.
Photographed by Forest McDermott, July 20, 2008
4. United Methodist Church in Rainelle, WV
Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2011, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,702 times since then and 57 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.
