Credit unions are not for profit organizations that exist to serve the financial needs of their members. In an effort to establish a member-owned cooperative that would provide a safe place to grow their savings and provide low-cost source for loans, the following charter members came together to create the St. Mary’s Credit Union in April 1962:
Thomas B. Hagan
Edward D. Wells
Joe L. Barnard
A.L. Hagan
Floyd A. Edge
David L. Howard
Anthony B. Mattingly
Robert C. Howard
Joseph P. Payne
Arnold I. Howard
Louis Edge
G.C. Hamilton
Benedict F. Huff
Elmer L. Schepers
Within a few years of operation, the founding members were approached by the community of Whitesville to open membership of the St. Mary’s Credit Union to the Whitesville Community. In April of 1968, St. Mary’s Credit Union became the Whitesville Community Credit Union, Inc. This enabled the credit union to expand the membership to include anyone who lives, works or worships within a ten mile radius of the city of Whitesville.