New Church Congregation in Effingham

A newly-formed church congregation has moved into the vacant building at 505 W. Franklin Avenue in Effingham.

Clint Smallwood will serve as pastor of the non-denominational church called "Compassion House Ministries". Smallwood has been pastoring in the Effingham area for the past two years, and was the guest speaker at the Cross at the Crossroads during the 2015 Easter sunrise service. He has also served as a director on the Louisville Holiness Camp board and on The Master's Hands board in Olney. Smallwood and his wife Janet have three children and eight grandchildren.

Over the years, the church building on Franklin Avenue has housed Church of the Nazarene, Baptist and Episcopal congregations, but has been vacant for some time.

Smallwood has attended various educational seminars, but he believes God's calling for him is compassionate ministry.

The congregation will meet at 10:30am Sunday for worship and at 6:30pm Wednesday for Bible study. The public is invited to the services.