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About Us / Dr. H.C. Hatton

Tribute To A Great Leader

Dr. H. C. Hatton
February 24, 1917 - February 5, 2008

"Where there is no vision the people perish"
(Proverbs 29:18)

Dr. H. C. Hatton began his pastorate in Sterling First Church of the Nazarene July 15, 1945. Beginning in what is now Kurns Chapel, the membership stood at 41. At the time of his retirement, with two building additions and a gymnasium added, the membership totaled 529.

Dr. Hatton was “Mr. Nazarene” in Sterling and Rock Falls. He served twice as President of the local Ministerial Association. He served as Chaplain of the Sterling Police Department for many years. He was a charter member of the Mounted Patrol, served three years on the local hospital board, and served on the Sesquicentennial Committee for the City of Sterling. He served as a Chaplain of the Illinois House of Representatives three times.

Dr. Hatton was also active in his own Nazarene circles. While pastoring in Sterling, he has served under four District Superintendents: Dr. E. O. Chalfant, Dr. Lyle E. Eckley, Dr. Floyd Pounds and Rev. F. Thomas Bailey. He served eight years as the first Nazarene Young People’s Society President for the Northwestern Illinois District. He served forty-three years on the Credentials Board and forty-three years on the District Board of Appeals. He also served on the District Church School Board, District Advisory Board and thirty years on the Olivet Nazarene Board of Trustees. In 1973, Olivet Nazarene University conferred upon him the Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

Dr. Hatton was the founder of the Sterling Christian School (formerly Twin City Nazarene School), which began in the fall of 1978. Due to heavy financial difficulties the school closed its residency at the church in the spring of 1992. It continues to operate in Galt, Illinois under the sponsorship of community churches.

Dr. Hatton served as the pastor of Sterling First Church with the longest tenure of any pastor in the city of Sterling, until the time of his retirement in July of 1991. It is also believed that he had one of the longest tenures, 46 years, in the Church of the Nazarene.

At the time of his retirement the Official Church Board of Sterling First Church bestowed on him the title of Pastor Emeritus, indicating honor and respect for his many years of service to the church and to the Lord.

Dr. H. C. Hatton was truly a man of God and will be missed by family, friends and those who knew and loved him. Sterling First Church will move forward on the strong foundation laid by such a great leader. Today, Dr. Hatton is embracing the reality of God’s preferred future for his life. And today, we all step a little closer to procure that same preferred future God calls each of us to.

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