How it all started...
Methodism in Madisonville was first organized in 1828 by a pioneer Methodist preacher and circuit rider named Thomas Taylor, who began gathering people in local homes for worship. Soon thereafter a small log or frame building was constructed near the center of town for use by the congregation.
In 1836 several trustees of the Methodist Church secured a lot on the east side of South Main Street, near the intersection with Broadway, just north of the Morton House. Upon that lot four successive churches were built. The second of these churches was a brick structure built in 1848. Several histories of the church indicate the building was also used for other purposes, such as public gatherings, a school, and a hospital for Federal soldiers during the Civil War.
In 1870 the original brick church was torn down and replaced with a two-story brick building. The annual Louisville Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (as is was called then) met in this building for several days in October of 1879, and again for its annual conference in the fall of 1895. In 1901 the building was torn down and a third brick church was constructed on the South Main Street lot, which was the fourth structure used by the local Methodists.
In 1836 several trustees of the Methodist Church secured a lot on the east side of South Main Street, near the intersection with Broadway, just north of the Morton House. Upon that lot four successive churches were built. The second of these churches was a brick structure built in 1848. Several histories of the church indicate the building was also used for other purposes, such as public gatherings, a school, and a hospital for Federal soldiers during the Civil War.
In 1870 the original brick church was torn down and replaced with a two-story brick building. The annual Louisville Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (as is was called then) met in this building for several days in October of 1879, and again for its annual conference in the fall of 1895. In 1901 the building was torn down and a third brick church was constructed on the South Main Street lot, which was the fourth structure used by the local Methodists.
Expanding the vision...
On June 24, 1923, the cornerstone was laid for a new church building on the southeast corner of East Center Street and South Scott Street, which is where the congregants meet to this day. Over three years later, on September 26, 1926, Bishop James E. Dickey formally opened the new sanctuary by preaching the Sunday morning sermon.
The Madisonville First United Methodist Church has been blessed in many ways, and in turn seeks to be a blessing to others. One of the many ways it shares Christ’s love with the community is to provide a home for the Chrysalis movement, which is a three-day spiritual renewal time for young people, and is the youth version of The Walk to Emmaus. The Methodist Church has housed the Chrysalis events since their inception in November of 1989.
The Church also reaches outside its community to be the hands and feet of Christ. Over the decades numerous mission teams have been sent forth from the congregation to proclaim God’s word and put His love into action. Some of these locations have included Memphis, a Navajo reservation, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Guatemala, Serbia, and Thailand.
The Madisonville First United Methodist Church has been blessed in many ways, and in turn seeks to be a blessing to others. One of the many ways it shares Christ’s love with the community is to provide a home for the Chrysalis movement, which is a three-day spiritual renewal time for young people, and is the youth version of The Walk to Emmaus. The Methodist Church has housed the Chrysalis events since their inception in November of 1989.
The Church also reaches outside its community to be the hands and feet of Christ. Over the decades numerous mission teams have been sent forth from the congregation to proclaim God’s word and put His love into action. Some of these locations have included Memphis, a Navajo reservation, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Guatemala, Serbia, and Thailand.
Where we are headed...
For nearly 200 years, members of the Methodist Church in Madisonville have given of their time, talents, and resources to extend the love of Jesus Christ to this community and the world. With God’s guidance and blessings, the church body will continue to go into all the world, making disciples and proclaiming the good news of His love.
