Charles L. Houser (1902–1989)

Gospel preacher listed in Preachers of Today, Vol. 1, 1952, 169. Charlie Taylor and C. M. Stubblefield had great influence on Brother Houser and encouraged him to preach the gospel. Brother Houser attended the public schools of Paducah and studied much at home. He engaged in business for a number of years, and did not begin preaching until twenty-five years of age. He continued his position as bookkeeper for a wholesale grocery, and preached Lord's days and held meetings at night at various places within driving distance of Paducah. He had regular monthly appointments with various congregations in Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. He was the regular preacher for the Clements Street Church, Paducah, Ky., for four and a half years. He was the first "full-time" preacher that church had. In 1937 he resigned as bookkeeper and attended Freed-Hardeman College to prepare himself better for preaching the gospel.