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1951 - - Because the cemetery was very neglected, on August 9, 1951, the Israel Church Cemetery Association was organized. With volunteer workers and money donations, the cemetery has been kept up very nicely. The first officers were president, Harry Smith; vice president, Frank Canfield; secretary-treasurer, Mrs. Alvin Sell.
1954 - - A bulletin board was built by some of the boys of the church. This was done for $18 in Charles Phillips' shop class at Elkins High School.
1956 - - New cement steps were built at the front of the church.
1957 - - Because finances were running in the red, we had to get a loan from the bank to meet the budget. Knowing something had to be done, the women and friends of the church prepared and served several chicken suppers; and with the donations of one acre of ground on the Harry Smith, Alvah Canfield, and Isom Bodkin farms, the men, women, and children planted sweet corn and cared for it for three or more years. It was sold to grocers in Elkins for a good price. Not only was the debt paid off the bank, but the church has also been in good financial status since that time. We all enjoyed working together and it really proved to be “God's Acre.”
1958 - - The W. S. C. S. ordered twelve dozen commemorative plates with the picture of the church on them from the A and H ceramics, Point Marion, Pa., to be sold for one dollar each. Several reorders were also made. We sold over three hundred, along with four dozen matching plates of the Lord's Prayer.
1961 - - After eighteen years, the interior of the church was painted by Kenneth Kalar and Robert Mills.
1961 - - Bamboo drapes costing $41.19 were put on the windows by the W. S. C. S.
1962 - - New chairs at a cost of $23.88 were bought for the kindergarten. The seats that were made by Emmett Burkey [Buckey] “Big” Vanscoy and son Bruce when the church was built in 1891, were taken apart and put through a sander then put together with screws and finished in a lighter color.
Everyone was very pleased with the change it made in the sanctuary. The dressing of pews was $15 with the men of the church donating labor and the women giving them the finishing touch. Book racks costing $11.34 were made in Charles Phillips' shop class at Elkins High School and put on the back of the seats.
1963 - - The Israel Methodist Church was named one of the Centennial Churches of West Virginia. The certificate was placed in the church with this note:
“May this be an inspiration to continue a feeling
of pride and interest in your church work.”
The certificate was presented on Sunday morning, June 16, 1963, at the worship service with this remark:
“The Old Slagle Methodist Church, later known as the Israel Methodist Church, has had a wide and varied history during the time of its being and if its walls could speak. God's Glory would be revealed a thousandfold.”
1964 - - The third piano was purchased from the O. B. Fawley Music Store in Morgantown, W. V. for $450.
1966-67 - - Under the ministry of the Rev. Syvestor L. Green, a basement was put under the church, making a much needed improvement. Most of the labor was donated. Three classrooms and a large fellowship room were furnished, two restrooms were made in the basement, and stairs were made in the front of the sanctuary for a way to the classrooms. Out went the”Old Burnside” stove that had served faithfully for so many years. It was replaced with a fuel-oil furnace. Water was piped into the church with an electric pump from a well drilled by B.D. Thompson and paid for by Cecil C. Vanscoy. The well went to the church at his death. This cost was $420. One hundred folding chairs were added to the church property. These chairs were bought by donations made in honor of or in memory of loved ones.
1968 - - Garland Rinehart built a kneeling board in front of the altar and carpeted it.
1969 - - The W. S. C. S. Bought new carpet for the platform, aisle and stairway for $288.
1970 - - A new $329.80 metal roof was put on the church. An endowment fund for perpetual care for the cemetery was started with a goal of $5,000. The three thousand dollars received the first year is deposited in the Citizens National Bank of Elkins,W.Va., under the name of Israel Church Cemetery Fund at 5 ½ % interest. The trustees are Harry Smith, chairman; Beltron Canfield, Glenn McClain. It is hoped that the interest on this investment will provide perpetual care of the cemetery.
1971 - - William Workman, Jr., superintendent of the Sunday School, suggested we have a homecoming along with our annual Sunday School picnic on August 27, 1971. Several former members attended. The oldest, Miss Ulta Bell McDaniel, gave a reading “The Old Maid.” We voted to continue to have an annual homecoming on the last Sunday of August. The afternoon program was presented by the young people of the church. A brick bulletin board was built on the church ground. The brick mason was Reginald Purdum, who donated his time. Storm Windows costing $182 were put on. The two programs were sponsored by the W. S. C. S. of the church.
1972 - - The W. S. C. S. bought a metal building for $104.06 to be put in the cemetery to house lawn mowers and other tools needed for the upkeep of the cemetery. The Sunday School treasury paid $49 for the footer and floor. The W. S. C. S. also bought a new sweeper costing $62.89 for the church and 75 new Songs of inspiration, No. 4 hymnals at $93.75.
August 27, 1972 - - Our second homecoming was held. A number of former members and friends spent the day with us. A picnic lunch was enjoyed by all. Our former pastor, the Rev. S. L. Green, was the speaker of the afternoon . Officers for the following year, 1973, were chosen. They are Harry Smith, chairman; Ruth (Daft) Poling, program committee; Gail (Smith) Kalar, music.
1972 - - A new fence was put around part of the cemetery. The posts were donated by Truman Canfield. The cost of the fence wire and gate was $52.94. Part of the labor cost $32.50; the rest was donated by Harry Smith, Isom Bodkin, Leslie Vanscoy, and Alvin Sell. Insulation costing $157.09 was put in the church. The recently organized Youth Choir has been an inspiration to our Sunday School and worship services with their special numbers, program, and the annual Christmas program which consisted of skits - - “School Days at Sleepy Hollow.” “The Christmas Proposal,” and “Trim the Tree.” They also presented the Nativity scene, “The Pageant of Bethlehem.”
CONCLUSION
In years to come, it is hoped that additional changes of growth and improvement will be noted by those who add to this history.
Today we appreciate those who gave us this church and a heritage of faith.
We thank all of those who played a part in the march of God's kingdom.
We also thank those who will follow and keep records of the events that will enrich the lives of all who work and worship at this picturesque spot. - Ruth Vanscoy Sell

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