Our History

White Stone began in a small log cabin less than two miles west of its current site in Sutherlin, VA. During the early 1920’s Elder John Nathaniel Walters, began making trips to Sutherlin to preach. In 1936, Elder J.N. Walters became the founder/pastor of White Stone Church. After the Lord called him home in 1969, the Assistant Pastor, Evangelist Janie Saunders Chaney, was elected pastor of White Stone Holiness Church.

At the time of her election, White Stone was still a small church, but under her leadership, White Stone began to grow. During this time, she and the saints were blessed to remodel and enlarge the church. A Cornerstone Laying Ceremony was held for White Stone Holiness Church in May, 1974. January 25,1975, Pastor Chaney was suddenly called home to be with the Lord. For a brief time, White Stone was left without a pastor.

However, Pastor Chaney had noted her successor, Elder William Howard Yarbrough—an assistant pastor under the leadership of Pastor Ora Schoefield of Greater Mayfield in South Boston, VA. A few months later, Elder Yarbrough became the third pastor of White Stone Holiness Church. As the new pastor, Elder Yarbrough continued the works that Elder Walters and Pastor Chaney started. A Dedication Service was held for White Stone Pentecostal Holiness Church on April 28, 1978. After a lengthy illness, Suffragan Bishop Yarbrough was called home to be with the Lord on September 3, 2000. Once again, White Stone was left without a pastor; however, not without a leader. During the duration of Suffragan Bishop Yarbrough’s illness, Evangelist Gloria C. Williams served as interim for Bishop Yarbrough and the saints. After much fasting and prayer, with the saints standing firm in love, Evangelist Gloria C. Cameron became the fourth pastor of White Stone Pentecostal Holiness Church.

 Pastor Cameron was able to begin and complete the ultimate project of building a new edifice. A Dedication Service was held for White Stone Pentecostal Church on June 26, 2004. Pastor Cameron served a year in the new edifice before God called her home on April 28, 2005. Pastor Cameron believed in having a plan. Before her death, she had noted her successor, our current and fifth pastor, Suffragan Bishop Joseph Farmer. Suffragan Bishop Farmer came to White Stone with love for the saints and a goal to complete Pastor Cameron’s vision. This included paying off the debt of the new edifice. On December 28, 2006, God blessed White Stone to make the final payment.