A History of Stevenson s Chapel United Methodist Church Logan County, Kentucky

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1 A History of Stevenson s Chapel United Methodist Church Logan County, Kentucky Compiled 2009

3 STEVENSON CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Prior to 1786 a family came down the Ohio River and settled at Limestone, now Maysville, Kentucky. This was the family of Thomas and Sarah Stevenson. Francis Asbury sent Benjamen Ogden to the Stevensons. He organized the First Methodist Society in Northern Kentucky. Kentucky Methodism was organized into the Kentucky Conference in Lexington in Bishops George and Roberts were in attendance with Bishop Roberts presiding. There were 17 present. The records show that 39 preachers were received on trial at this session. One of these was Edward Stevenson, the son of Thomas and Sarah Stevenson. Edward preached his first sermon in his father s home while in his teens (1). About 1823, though only 22 in number, the Methodists of Russellville felt that they could support a full time preacher. They wrote the Conference requesting to be made a station church and sent as a minister to them a certain Bro. Johnson. He was a popular effective minister, and securing him was part of the becoming a station agreement. The conference deemed it necessary to send Bro. Johnson elsewhere. At this time the Conference had a young man, recently received into full connection, tenderhearted, but without experience and reputation. The Bishop accompanied this young man to Russellville to introduce him. This was a two hundred miles ride on horseback. When about twelve miles from the village, they spent the night in the home of a man who knew the situation of the coming appointment. The gentleman told the young man he would not be welcome. Sunk into gloom by this, he resolved to tell his superintendent. The Bishop sensing his feelings exhorted the young man to wait, meet the people, see the place and pray. At the new station they were guests of a prominent member who was known for years afterward as host of pastors. The next morning the Bishop, preparing to leave, asked his 7 host his opinion of the young man. Neither was aware the young man was on the porch outside an open window. The promptly replied, "He will never do, He can stay in my home a few weeks but he is not what we wanted, We may as well be left with no one as have him." The young man mortified, feeling a charity case, crept away and waited for the Bishop out of sight. After he informed the Bishop he could not stay, he, nevertheless, agreed to ride a way with him. The Bishop made this proposition to him, "Go back to town and if you find a cross, bear it. Perform every part of your duty diligently and lovingly, do the work of an evangelist, fast once a week and spend one hour a day in special prayer that God will open your way in the community. Do this for one month and if at the end of that time you do not feel willing to stay, consider yourself re1eased." The young man accepted the challenge. Faithfully he worked that month with no noticeable change. On the last Sabbath of that month the village bells pealed as the young man arose from that hour of prayer. He looked out his attic window to see large groups of citizens going to the Methodist Church. With joy, strength, confidence, fear and weakness he went forth. He preached as never before. An altar call brought seven persons to profess faith in Christ. This began a revival that lasted a month. The account reads, "For four weeks little else was attended but the revival. Stores and shops closed during worship services that were held two or three times a day. At one of these in a private home (where John Littlejohn was present) an. invitation was given and one hundred and eleven persons came

4 to join the church. This was the permanent establishment of Methodism in Russellville and the young man was Rev. Edward Stevenson (2). He rose rapidly in the conference, soon serving the leading appointments in the state. He married Elizabeth B. Duncan of Logan County in In 1846 he became Missionary Secretary and assistant book agent and later had full charge of the Nashville Printing House. He then became President of Logan College where he served until his death in 1864 and is buried in the Daniel B. Duncan family cemetery near Hancock Lake on Morgantown Road (U. S., 79N) three miles east of Russellville. This is the example of service after which Stevenson Chapel Methodist Church was named. "Bethlehem Methodist Church was built near where Olmstead stands by John J. MacKall, Esq. at his own expense. There soon came to the community several families of Methodists. About 1810 a larger house of worship was needed. A large brick edifice was built about a mile away and took the name of Bethlehem. It was perhaps the best country church in the county. The old church house was then given to a few Methodists in an adjoining neighborhood who moved the timber and rebuilt it, calling it Stevenson Chapel, in honor of Edward Stevenson (3)." Stevenson Chapel was in existence as early as 1846 because George Richard Dick Browder was ordained to preach at that church. The old frame building was replaced by the present building in The earliest deed of Stevenson Chapel recorded in the Russellville, Logan County, KY Courthouse is dated May 12, It tells of the sale of two and one third (2 1/3) acres by Coleman S. Lyne to the trustees of Stevenson Chapel of Cave Spring Circuit of the Louisville Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South." These trustees are named as B. K. Tully, Sr., C. P. Shields, J. H. Tully, Richard Hardy, E. F. Miller, and Lawrence Evans. The sum of ninety-eight dollars ($98) was given for this land. The boundaries given list a stone corner "thence along a line of the lot on which Stevenson Chapel now stands to a stone at the corner of the graveyard. This shows a church and graveyard were already here at that time, probably the frame building given by Bethlehem Methodist Church of Olmstead. The diary of George Dick Browder (listed as Russellville Circuit minister of 1865) has an entry dated May 20, He tells of riding a horse in a light rain from Olmstead to the neighborhood of Stevenson Chapel Methodist Church to give prayer at the laying of the cornerstone of the church. At the Logan County Archives located in the old jail building in Russellville, there is tiled a suit against a member who had failed to pay his $100 pledge toward the building of the new church. The building committee is listed as B. K. Tully, Sr., Richard Hardy, W. L. Cornett, A. C. Dewitt, and J. H. Tully, surviving members and D. W. Evans, a deceased member. The member had paid $50 on this pledge but was being sued for the remaining $50 plus interest of $28.42 accrued from October 1, 1873 to January 1, The court cost is given as a total of $6.20. A. C. Dewitt was a Methodist minister but it is unknown if was pastor at this time. On October 2l, 1878 a suit was filed as E-C-134 and #3583 by the Trustees of Stevenson Chapel M. E. Church vs. B. K. Tully plaintiff. Listed as defendants are trustees E. F. Miles, Thomas Cornelius, William M. Browder, T. E. Cornet, C. P. Shields, J. H. Tully and D. R. Cornelius. A deed is also recorded in the Courthouse dated July 19, 1883 between John H. Tully and wife, Lucy F. Tully, to the trustees of Stevenson Chapel Church, property of Cave Spring Circuit, Greenville District, Kentucky Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. (Presumably, the "Kentucky" Conference note is a clerk s error since the church was listed in the "Louisville" Conference ten years before,) Trustees are given as C, P, Shields, A, Sanders, T, E, Cornett, Thomas H. Ashford, and John H,

5 Tully. Three (3) acres plus one rod and twelve (12) poles was sold by the Tullys to the trustees for one thousand dollars ($1,000). A third deed recorded in the Courthouse is dated October 30, It concerns a change made in the Adairville Circuit. The churches listed were Red Oak Grove, Pleasant Grove, Pleasant Run, Adairville and Oakland on the Adairville Circuit. Adairville and Oakland were left together. Red Oak Grove, Pleasant Grove, Pleasant Run and Stevenson Chapel were put together. For a division of property the parsonage was sold for four hundred dollars ($400) to the newly formed Russellville Circuit (we suppose) buying this. The trustee listed for Stevenson Chapel was J. H. McGinnis. A fourth deed dated November 7, 1907 is between J. L. Willis to the trustees of Stevenson Chapel. These are given as J. H. McGinnis, J. T. Robey, and C. M. Miles. The church paid twenty five dollars ($25) for one and one third (1 1/3) acres of land. This makes a total of six and two thirds (6 2/3) acres plus one rod and twelve (12) poles recorded as Stevenson Chapel Church land. Deed was examined and mailed to W, E. Gray, Ferguson, KY on Aug, 13, In years past the church had what was called quarterly meeting. It is still called that by some of the older ones but is "Quarterly Charge Conference. Stevenson Chapel usually had this meeting during one of the fall months and used as heat two wood stoves. In November either 1922 or 1923 at the quarterly meeting, a disturbance occurred. The Presiding Elder or District Superintendent was conducting the service. A man in the congregation thought he smelled smoke and saw some outside the north church window. He quietly slipped out, discovered the building on fire, came back inside and said "Pardon me, the church is on fire." Items were removed from the church and saved such as pews, pulpit, organ and altar rail. After the fire was under control, the congregation went to the school building next door and spread the noon meal. Before the people left that day enough money was subscribed to rebuild the church within the same old brick walls. (Note I. C. Miles stated he was at this meeting and that he knew about the date as his sister, Zenobia born Sept. 8, 1919, was still small enough to sit in his Mother s lap and someone had given her a penny and she dropped it. She cried because she could not go back in the church and find her penny.) The fire was attributed to a ground squirrel cutting a hole through soft brick in the chimney, some soot catching fire and falling down into the attic. This was the opinion of a neighbor who helped in the rebuilding. In those days the Russellville Circuit consisted of Red Oak Grove, Pleasant Run, Ferguson, and Stevenson Chapel. Rev. Schanzenbacher preached at Stevenson Chapel on the fourth Sunday morning but services were in the Gordonsville School building in the afternoon for a part of the time he served this circuit during A daughter, Helen Schanzenbacher Miller, widow of a Methodist minister herself, remembers those days at Russellville Circuit as pleasant ones and shared her memories with the previous author. At that time the parsonage was at Third and Breathitt Streets in Russellville She named the building committee for the restoration after the fire as: Tim Robey, Lee Miles, Bob Robey, Roy Williams., T. Y. Mason, Herman Coots, Herbert Cornelius, Charles Miles, Duke Johnson, N. L. Hall, and Rev. Schanzenbacher. She recalled Rev. B. M. Currie as District Superintendent. He preached at the quarterly meetings and the ladies would bring lunch to put on long, wide planks laid on the top of the church pews. These planks were stored under the choir loft by removing the front plank of the steps.

6 Mr. N. L. Hall was Sunday School Superintendent and song leader. Mrs. Miller and her mother, Mrs. Schanzenbacher, played "a little organ" on preaching days as she was taking lessons at Logan College during this time. Her father got another organ, a pump one that could be pumped by hand. It had many stops and to her was prettier sounding only after the large city church ones. Mrs. Miller also lovingly remembers the Children s Day Program when the church ladies would gather wildflowers to decorate the altar rail and the front of the church. The children would come to practice and then dress up pretty for their day. She told of the annual revival that was well attended and supported. This was also remembered by older neighbors who attended the school located across the road from the church. The teacher would dismiss class to attend the services where a number of the students were converted. The educational building was added in 1950 and dedicated by Dr. Harry Short on July 22, Kenneth C. Williams was the pastor. The members recognized were Rhea Holman, Wilbur Markham, Harold Gray, Herbert Cornelius, Miles Parker, and N. L. Hall. In 1952 Stevenson Chapel voted to launch out as a one half-time circuit. They were joined with Bell s Chapel of Todd County and Fairview of Christian County into the South Elkton Circuit. In 1959 Stevenson Chapel became a station church. A house on U. S. 68 was purchased which is still being used as our parsonage. In 1965 the Methodist Youth Fellowship sponsored the purchase of an electric organ. The old pump organ had long since been replaced by a piano. During the summer of 1971 the old eighteen-inch thick walls of handmade brick were sandblasted to restore their original appearance. In 1973 the restrooms were added. In 1976 a new roof was put on the building. In 1977 a central air and heating system was installed. The inside walls were plastered over the old plaster. A memorial fund started in 1976 by a gift from a former member, l\/irs. Myrtle Jennings Linton, has grown each year and a nice way to remember and honor loved ones. In order to assist the neighboring Bethel Methodist Church, it was added to Stevenson Chapel sometime during the ministry of Riley Guffey ( ,) After several years the congregation wished to become a station church again. A request was made to 1980 Louisville Conference that granted and sent R. Gregory Tate as minister. In 1981 due to water seepage three walls were covered with drywall. The wall behind the pulpit was left in the original condition. The family of Rhea Holman erected, as a memorial, a lighted church sign in front ofthe church, In 1984 the family of Margaret Venable Richcreek gave, as a memorial, flower boxes and are an attractive addition. The United Methodist Women sponsored the installation of racks for new Bibles. The Bibles were donated in honor or in memory of loved ones by individuals. These were dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 22, Also, a playlet on Susanna Wesley was planned in connection with a Bicentennial Day Celebration in In 1986 a three-room addition with central heat and air was completed. In 1988 a picnic shelter with a cover was built at the rear of the church. In 1990 a new furnace was installed in the auditorium and additional concrete pad was poured for the picnic shelter. Also, artificial Christmas trees purchased by United Methodist Women and

7 Christmas decorations were made by various persons under the direction of Evelyn Holman and Kathy Holman. In 1991 the picnic shelter was enlarged over the concrete pad and a concrete parking block was added to the handicap ramp. Gifts to the church were: The cedar offering plates given by Rev. C. P. Walton. The brass offering plates given by Emma Louise Duncan in memory of Harold Gray. Brass communion set given by Rev. Greg Tate. Baptismal fount given by Marcella Brashear and Emogene Stephenson in memory of their parents Randolph and Paulene Clark. In 1995 a new piano was added in memory of Stephanie Cowherd after her tragic death. In 1997 Stevenson Chapel was moved into the Bowling Green District since the Hopkinsville District was dissolved. In March 2000 the parsonage on U. S. 68 was sold.

8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Heritage ofthe United Methodist Church in Kentucky 1790-l970 by Rev. Harry Short. l. Temple Bells of Russellville Methodist Church" and "Watson s Sketches? 2. "Men Whom I Remember, Logan County, Kentucky" by George D. Blakey. 3. Information and updates supplied by Mrs. Christine Johnson and J. C. Miles. May 22., 2005

9 STEVENSON S CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TODAY... In 2005 new carpet was installed in the Sanctuary and Sunday School Rooms. A Beautiful Stained Glass Window, over the front doors, was given by the Memorial Fund. A lighted Church sign was placed on US 68 to show our location to all travelers. In February 2006 a former member, Lavinia O. Johnson, died remembering her Church in her Will. We were given the proceeds of an insurance policy, a total of $21, We were very Thankful for this bequest as it will help us with our dream of new construction - an Educational and Recreational Center. The new Recreational Center is 70 feet by 30 feet which began in February of 2008 and finished in July of There is a kitchen some 23 plus feet by 15 plus feet - large enough for several women in it at a time. A large area 53 plus by 35 plus feet for recreation or eating on roll away tables and chairs. The picnic shelter was improved and repaired to be of better use. The total cost of "The New Recreational Building", with extra projects added was $160, We are proud to say that everything was paid for and we are debt free.

10 1857 Robert Y. Thomas 1858 Robert Y. Thomas T. C. Frogge 1861 none listed 1862 Robert Fisk J. A. Lewis 1865 G. R. Brower 1866 F. M. English 1867 A. C. Dewitt 1868 L. B. Davidson 1869 A. C. Dewitt Robert Fisk??????? Cornette 1900 J. A. Lewis RUSSELLVILLE CIRCUIT MINISTERS Do not believe Stevenson Chapel was member of this circuit during the previous dates Patrick H. Davis 1905 W. F. Cashman G. B. Dockeiy 1908 J. B. Seay Thomas Cornelius 1912 J. B. Seay W. F. Cashman N. C. Napier J. R. Gunn (Martine Brown s grandfather) A. Lewis Schanzenbacher W. S. Buckner C. P. Walton John Hamilton D. L. Vance Kenneth C, Williams Dudley L. Fish 1953 William R. McKinney 1954 D. R. Gant Edward Beavin William O Dell 1961 Timothy Chamberlain Samuel Humble

11 1965 Carl McCubbin Riley Guffey Otis Melton Bernard Allen 1979 Tom Benz R. Gregory Tate Charles Douglas Phillips Lynn Farlee Bery1 Fentress Nancy Scheldorf Fredrick Richards Calvin Chittenden Joseph Newton 1998-Nov Freddie Bartley Jan Douglas Lyons 2007 Bart Myers 2008 Ben Kickert 2009 Gene Hadden 2010 Ben Kickert

12 [ From the book, The Heavens are Weeping by Richard Troutman. It contains the The Diaries of Richard Dick Browder. ]

13 [ Built in 1981 in memory of Rhea Holman. ]

14 [ Educational Building 1950 ] [ Extension of Educational Building 1986 ]

15 [ Stained Glass Window installed in 2005 ]

17 [ New Multi-Purpose Building built in 2008 ]

18 [ Shelter built in 1988, enlarged in 1991, updated in 2008 ]

The History of First United Methodist Church Washington, NC

1 ~ r,. The History of First United Methodist Church Washington, NC 1784-2011 Compiled in 2011 by the History Committee 1'0111 works by Norfleet Hodges dated 1999 Since the beginning of the Methodist Church