Mothers across the country will gather with their children today in celebration of Mother’s Day.

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the holiday which was first celebrated in Grafton.

According to the International Mother’s Day Web site, the mission to create a national day for mothers began on the second Sunday in May 1907 when Grafton native Anna Jarvis, who was living in Philadelphia, invited friends to her home in commemoration of her mother, who had died two years earlier.

The following year, at the request of Jarvis, Andrews Episcopal Methodist Church in Grafton, where her mother had been a member, celebrated Mother’s Day in her honor.

In 1914, Jarvis’ full dream was realized when President Woodrow Wilson approved a joint resolution, designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

Today, the church where Mother’s Day was first celebrated is known as the International Mother’s Day Shrine.



In the 100 years since Jarvis handed out the first white carnations, which have become symbols of the holiday, the popularity of Mother’s Day has grown by leaps and bounds.

Churches throughout the area plan events in honor of the person who is often thought of as the backbone of a family.

The celebration at First Baptist Church of Beaver began Saturday with an annual mother-daughter banquet.

Pastor Allan Copenhaver said the traditional roles were reversed for the dinner, with the male members of the church dressing alike, taking orders and serving the women.

“I’m still waiting on my tip,” Copenhaver said with a laugh. “I serve the same ladies every year and haven’t gotten my tip yet.”

In addition to recognizing the oldest and youngest mother, among others, Copenhaver said mothers attending service at the church this morning will receive flowers as they leave.

“We just want to honor moms,” he said.

Karen Elliott, ministries coordinator for the Church of God Family Worship Center, said all mothers attending service today will be entered into a drawing and three will win Visa gift cards.

Copenhaver said he believes it is important for Mother’s Day to continue to be celebrated in the church, the place where the celebration began 100 years ago.

“The family is the core institution to which God works,” he said.

“Because the family is so important and because moms perhaps have the greatest, most important jobs in the world, it’s good to set aside a day for it.”



Just as Copenhaver said Mother’s Day is one of the most popular church-going days of the year, Meredith Blankenship, general manager for the Beckley Outback Steakhouse, says today is the busiest day of the year for restaurants as well.

“People want to treat mom to something nice for all the things she’s done,” she said.

Steven Hamilton, general manager for Ryan’s Steakhouse, agreed.

“(It’s a day when) you get to do everything for mom,” he said. “It gives her the day off.”

— E-mail: mjames

@register-herald.com