History of Bryantsville Methodist Church
It is likely that a church existed in the Bryantsville area at least as early as 1793 and possibly even earlier. The exact location of it is not known, but it was a log structure that was situated somewhere between the Forks of Dick's River and the Kentucky River. William Burke, the one responsible for the circuit this church was in, referred to it as Garret's Chapel.
During the Civil War, the Bryantsville area church was used as a hospital by Confederate troops under Bragg's command and possibly by Union Soldiers under Buell's command following the Battle of Perryville.
In 1873, the first church lot was sold by the trustees. That same year, a new plot of ground was purchased for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South and a wood structure was built for worship. By 1876 there were 167 members. The two years that followed are evidence that a great work of God took place in the Bryantsville community because by 1878 the membership had grown to 300. Even more were added to the church by 1886 when it was reported that there were 371 total members.
The present brick brick structure was constructed after an adjoining lot was purchased in 1918. Church membership was still over 300 and additional room was needed. In 1948, the basement was made into classrooms for children and in 1980, it was expanded to make the present Fellowship Hall. Other recent major improvements include new pews and carpet added in 1985, a new roof put on in 1989, the brick work was tuck-pointed in 1990, and the interior of the church was painted in 1991.
During the Civil War, the Bryantsville area church was used as a hospital by Confederate troops under Bragg's command and possibly by Union Soldiers under Buell's command following the Battle of Perryville.
In 1873, the first church lot was sold by the trustees. That same year, a new plot of ground was purchased for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South and a wood structure was built for worship. By 1876 there were 167 members. The two years that followed are evidence that a great work of God took place in the Bryantsville community because by 1878 the membership had grown to 300. Even more were added to the church by 1886 when it was reported that there were 371 total members.
The present brick brick structure was constructed after an adjoining lot was purchased in 1918. Church membership was still over 300 and additional room was needed. In 1948, the basement was made into classrooms for children and in 1980, it was expanded to make the present Fellowship Hall. Other recent major improvements include new pews and carpet added in 1985, a new roof put on in 1989, the brick work was tuck-pointed in 1990, and the interior of the church was painted in 1991.
Pastoral History Since 1917
Pastor | Years Served |
George S Conant | Sept 1917-1921 |
A.P. Jones | Sept 1921-1924 |
Virgil L. Moore | Sept 1924-1925 |
C.A. Sweazy | Sept 1925-1929 |
H. Graybeal | Sept 1929 |
Fred Sartin | Sept 1930 |
J.E. Cotin | Sept 1931 |
H.L. Graybeal | Sept 1932 |
G.W. Amos | Sept 1933-1935 |
F.E. Mosley | Sept 1935 |
A.P. Jones (2nd term) | Sept 1936 |
Russel Lee | Sept 1937 |
Russel Lenox | Sept 1938-1940 |
W.H. Mullins | Sept 1940 |
T.P. Roberts | Sept 1941-1943 |
Burton Jessup | Sept 1943 |
Joe Davis | Sept 1944-1948 |
Lawrence George | June 1950 |
James McKay | August 1950-1952 |
Don Walsh | June 1952-1954 |
Delmas Copeland | June 1954-1956 |
Harold Hunter | June 1956 |
Aleck Poolos | June 1957 |
Joe Lewis | June 1959-1967 |
Paul Shingeldecker | June 1967-1969 |
James Norton | June 1969-1989 |
J.C. Burkes | June 1989 |
Denny Heiberg | June 1990-1992 |
Mike Starkey | May 1992-June 1994 |
Mason Booth | June 1994-June 1995 |
James Williams | June 1995-June 1998 |
Darren Gillespie | June 2000-2004 |
Jerri Williams | June 2004-2005 |
Faron Owen | June 2006-June 2011 |
W. Shane Frederick | June 2012-June 2015 | D. Merricks | June 2015-June 2016 |
Chris Dunagan | June 2016-Present |