About Us

Our church offers traditional worship in a relaxed setting. We welcome people from all backgrounds and affirm the inclusion and leadership of women and LGBTQ+.

Our History

Highlawn Presbyterian Church has a rich history spanning over 100 years, and we are committed to continuing Christ’s ministry for many more years to come.

Our church began as a Sunday School mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Huntington around 1910. The founding members initially gathered on the second floor of the original Highlawn Pharmacy, located at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and 26th Street. On October 9, 1913, a group of 21 individuals petitioned the Kanawha Presbytery to establish the Third Presbyterian Church.

In 1919, the congregation called Rev. W. P. Hooper to serve as its pastor. He led the church until 1951, during which time the church experienced significant growth and subsequently changed its name to Highlawn Presbyterian. Under his leadership, we planned and constructed a new sanctuary, which remains our home today at 2814 Collis Avenue.

Rev. Albert J. Conley took over as pastor and oversaw the construction of the education building in 1954 to accommodate our expanding membership.

From 1964 to 1970, Rev. S. Evans Brown served as the church's leader. In 1971, we undertook a major remodeling of the sanctuary, which included the addition of a new organ and a larger choir loft. Dr. R. Jackson Haga served as pastor during this period, from 1971 until 2001.

In 2003, Rev. Mark McCalla was called to Highlawn Presbyterian Church. Tragically, his ministry was cut short when he was killed by two army deserters at Beech Fork State Park rifle range on June 19, 2008. This tragic loss deeply affected our congregation and the community. In the wake of this event, we came together to support the McCalla family and one another.

To help us through our grief, the West Virginia Presbytery appointed Dr. Rick Wilson as our temporary Session Moderator, a role he filled for two years while we searched for a new pastor. Ultimately, we installed Dr. Rick Wilson as our pastor in September 2010.

In October 2013, we celebrated our 100th anniversary, coinciding with further renovations to our sanctuary. However, two years later, an electrical fire caused smoke damage throughout the church, affecting a stairwell in the sanctuary. Despite this setback, our congregation rallied together and continued our mission.

In 2021, we welcomed Rev. Sharon Bell as our next pastor. She became our first woman and first out LGBTQ+ pastor and is actively working to advance the mission and ministry of our church.

We take pride in our rich history within the Highlawn neighborhood and the greater Huntington area. We affirm that all people are children of God, called to follow, serve, and lead.

Meet our Staff

Rev. Sharon Bell, Pastor

Rev. Sharon Bell has been the pastor of Highlawn Presbyterian Church since 2021. Originally from Texas, she has called West Virginia home since 2003. Sharon earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and her Master of Arts in Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. She enjoys traveling and binge-watching her favorite TV shows. Known for being the loudest parent on the sidelines, she enthusiastically cheers for her son, Grayson. Sharon is passionate about fostering authentic worship and building a genuine community.

Sarah Specht, Director of Christian Education

Sarah Specht has been a member of Highlawn Presbyterian Church since 2012 and has cherished every moment. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, she moved to Huntington in 2004. Sarah enjoys learning about God and building friendships through fellowship. She actively involves the youth at HPC in mission work that enhances their understanding of Jesus while also encouraging biblical study and meaningful connections with one another.

David Chenoweth, Music Director

David Chenoweth has dedicated over 35 years of service to Highlawn. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and a Master of Arts in Music from Marshall University. David is a retired choral music and piano teacher at Huntington High School, where he also held the position of music department chair. Prior to joining HPC, he was actively involved at Highlawn United Methodist Church, where his father served as pastor. In the community, David is a passionate musician and has been actively involved with Renaissance and the Musical Arts Guild.

Alanna Cushing, Organist and Pianist

Alanna has been sharing her exceptional skills on the organ and piano at Highlawn since 2014. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Marshall University and a Master's degree from Bowling Green State University in Piano Performance. Throughout her career, Alanna has received several awards, including the Belle and Lynum Jackson Soloist Competition and the Marshall University Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. Additionally, she premiered a work by British composer Graham Lynch at the Contemporary Music Festival in Cortona, Italy. Alanna is also a private tutor and an active performer, particularly enjoying the challenge of playing new music.

Brooke Armstong, Secretary