Welcome to the Manchester Church of the Nazarene. We are glad you are here and invite you to learn more about who we are and how our church became part of the Manchester community.

The Church of the Nazarene was formally organized in 1908 in Pilot Point, Texas. It grew out of the American Holiness Movement that spread across the United States during the latter half of the nineteenth century. Formed through the union of several Protestant groups, the Church of the Nazarene became one of the first Christian denominations to unite congregations across the Mason-Dixon Line following the Civil War.

The Manchester Church of the Nazarene traces its local beginnings to 1897, when it was founded as the John Wesley Pentecostal Church. The original church building was located further south on Main Street and now serves as the MACC Compassionate Ministries Center. In the 1950s, a new church building was constructed at 236 Main Street, followed later by the addition of a third building at 218 Main Street, which remains the congregation’s current location. In 1981, Cornerstone Christian School was established and continues to flourish today. Approximately 200 students attend this Pre-K through 12th grade school, which is housed in both the main church building and the former sanctuary, now known as the McLain Building.

Pastoral leadership at the Manchester Church of the Nazarene is provided by Senior Pastor John Nielson, who began his ministry at the church in July 2025. Revs. Chima and Julia Ezeigbo serve as Associate Pastors, with Rev. Chima Ezeigbo also serving as Youth Pastor.

From its earliest days, the Church of the Nazarene has emphasized compassionate ministry, global mission, and Christian education. Today, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries responds to humanitarian crises and disasters around the world, while missionaries serve in more than 160 ministry areas globally. The denomination also supports a broad network of educational institutions, including eight regional liberal arts colleges in the United States, as well as seminaries and Bible colleges worldwide.

Additional information about the Church of the Nazarene, including its history and theological beliefs, is available at the denominational website, www.nazarene.org