History of the Bewleyville Methodist Church

(This copy provided by Thomas J. Stith in 2000.
OCR by Jesse Brown Scott, March 2001.
Jess was a member of the Bewleyville Church
from about 1950 to 1966.
If you have suggestions or additions, please email
Jess at jscott@StithValley.com )
return to Stith Valley front page

It was in the fall of 1804, at the home of Thomas and Rhoda Stith, that Rev. Jesse Walker, a Methodist Missionary preacher, and a member of the Western Conference, in charge of the Hartford Circuit, organized the first Methodist Church ever organized on Breckinridge county soil. It was composed of thirteen charter members. Namely:

Thomas and Rhoda Stith, William and Nancy Stith
Richard and Betsy Stith, Matthew Sanders
Mrs Jordan and daughters, Lucy and Katie
Little Dick Stith and wife, Betsy Hardaway

A few years after the organization of the church at Thomas Stith's home the first house of worship was built. It was a log building and was about 4 miles southeast of where the present church stands. It was called "Stith's Meeting House"

As time rolled on and the congregation was so largely increased that the house became inadequate to the needs and demands of the congregation, a change was imperative. A new house of larger dimensions and more modern in design as well as more central   location was now the demands of the congregation.

The new building was erected about the year of 1835 on a spot about 1/4 mile north of where the present church stands.  The name at this time was charged to "Old Liberty Church".  When it was built was considered one of the best church buildings in the county.

The Methodists opened wide the doors of "Old Liberty Church" and invited all denominations to worship therein. They held their meetings on the first Saturday evenings and Sundays of the month. The Baptists also used this building to hold their meetings.

About the year of 1850 a new house of worship was built by the members of ''Old Liberty Church''.  The building of this church marked an epoch in the history of Methodism never to be forgotten. I refer to the division of the Methodist Church which occurred about 1844 and grew out of the slavery question. The church now divided, our church took her stand with the Southern division and became known as the Bewleyville Methodist Episcopal Church, South. This new building was a modern frame structure and was built on the site where the present church stands. After having been used for public worship for about 20 years, this building was burned on the night of December 24th 1870 due to having a Christmas tree in it. Later the present church was built.

As time rolled on and generations have come and gone, the Bewleyville Methodist Church has stood here on the hill as a light house to all who were seeking the light.

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The year of 1948 brought electricity to our community, and our church began to enjoy its electric lights on June 4th of that year, replacing the old gas and kerosene lights.

Improvements were made on the church at this time which included new aisle and pulpit carpet and a new roof.  Soon to be followed with a remodeling plan which resulted in closing the two original doors and putting in double doors and a vestibule, also new concrete steps which added much to the looks and convenience of our church.

In the early part of 1952 our church launched a campaign to remodel the original building and build some Sunday School rooms. This work was started in early March and resulted in the church being placed on a new concrete foundation, the interior of the church being refinished and new gas furnaces replacing the old coal stoves.

A new addition was built onto the back of the church to take care or our Sunday School classes which has grown in a space of ten years from an average attendance of from 22 to 84. New side walks were also laid at this time.

Due to delay in getting some of our material, this work was delayed until early the next spring. However, on Go-to- Sunday School Day, May 2, 1953, we moved into our new rooms and classes for the first time.  This was a great asset to our Sunday School as the addition was very badly needed.

Much of this work was made possible by Mr and Mrs E.P. Hardaway (deceased) who in their will left the principal part of their estate to the church. Another thing that added much beauty to the church was the installation of art glass memorial windows, two of which are in memory of Mr and Mrs Hardaway. The others were bought by members or friends of the church, in memory of some loved ones who were or had been members of the church.

A day long to be remembered in the history of Bewleyville Methodist Church is that of June 6, 1954 at which time we had a homecoming in observance of our 150th year as an organization. We had approximately 600 in attendance. Rev. W.P. Gordon, former pastor from 1933-1935 brought an inspiring message using as a scripture the first part of the sixth chapter of Isaiah.

In the early spring of 1957 we did some work on the exterior of our building, which was a new siding of asbestos shingles on the main auditorium and new aluminum awnings over the doors.

Another day of interest to Bewleyville Methodists is that of April 1 20, 1959 at which time the district conference of the Owensboro district came to our church to hold its annual meeting. This is the first time in the history of our church that we have

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been privileged to enjoy this distinction.  It is also the first time that we here at Bewleyville have had the privilege and pleasure of having as our guest the Rev. Dr. William T. Watkins, Resident Bishop of the Louisville Conference.

In the fall of 1964 we started another building program, which consisted of digging a basement and adding four more Sunday School rooms onto the back of the church. This was completed and we moved into the new rooms on May 30, 1965 with 123 present at Sunday School.

In 1968 the Methodist churches and the United Brethren Churches merged, that again changed our name to the ''Bewleyville United Methodist Church''

Again in 1973 we remodeled the sanctuary installing insulation, wall paneling, new carpeting, forced air furnace and also new pews were purchased. On the 5th Sunday in March 1974, we again had the privilege of having Bishop Frank Robertson and District Superintendent Harry Pullam as our guest.

In July of 1977 a well was dug and water put in the church, completing the restrooms. Cabinets have been built in the basement and a hot water heater installed. Labor, material and heater being donated by Norman Foote. Also a sink donated by Mr. and Mrs Jesse Bandy.

All of these improvements have added much to the appearance and beauty of the church.

December 2, 1979

Submitted by Committee

Mary Bandy
Lena Foote
Ruth Foote