PINETOWN — Michael Cutler says his mother has attended the same church since she was saved, long before he was born.

At 82, Mary Cutler’s greatest wish is to see Pinetown Pentecostal Holiness Church thrive as it once did.

“She keeps praying that the church would grow,” Michael said. “But she is starting to have her doubts.”

Mary Cutler has had several mini-strokes, but she continued to teach Sunday school. She had a four-way heart bypass and two or three operations.

“And a week later, she was up there visiting people,” Michael Cutler said.

The last thing he wants to see is his mother’s prayers go unanswered.

Pinetown Pentecostal Holiness Church is one of the area’s oldest churches. Michael Cutler estimated it has been around for about a century.

The church recently welcomed a new guest pastor. Former Southern Baptist chaplain Lyndel Barnes has been ministering divine healing and observing communion for the past three weeks.

Michael Cutler said Barnes is a Korean and Vietnam wars veteran and former staff minister for “The 700 Club” on the Christian Broadcasting Network.

Although attendance has dwindled down to about a handful of faithful souls, Michael Cutler said, he gets the same reaction from a Sunday service as he always has.

“You feel like the Lord has touched your life,” he said.

Pinetown Pentecostal Holiness Church is located at 83 Railroad St. Sunday school is at 10 a.m. Sunday worship services are at 11 a.m.