Center Methodist Episcopal Church, South 
What's in a name? Actually quite a bit of history. I was recently contacted by Von W. Unruh, Archivist, Tennessee Conference United Methodist Church. As he explained it; following the 1844 General Conference, the Methodist Episcopal
Church split into two regional churches.  The Methodist Episcopal Church, South was officially formed in 1846.  The church in the north retained the name Methodist Episcopal Church.  They rejoined in 1939 and became known as the Methodist Church (dropping the Episcopal nomenclature).  Today, following an addition merger in 1968, the denomination is known as United Methodist Church.
The deed (shown on the History page) was dated 1840, when the church was still known as Methodist Episcopal Church.  By 1887, however, when the church building was being constructed, the proper name was Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

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There is an old Church that sits on the edge of the farm. Originally it was the Center Methodist  Episcopal Church, South. Construction began in the early 1880's. The steps are hand cut from local limestone rock. The windows are still protected by shutters that are also pointed at the top.

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Three sections of pews with folding seats still sit
on the theatre type sloping Yellow Poplar floor.
Originally the back two pews would fold so
there were two rows facing each other.

 

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The original Folding Key
stills operates the locks
on the front doors.

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This is an image of a board that was found in the wall when a door to new sunday
school rooms was being cut in the early 1960's. The signatures are: Mrs. Mattie
Evans, John J. Gill, and Mrs. Sue Riggs Gill dated September 2, 1887. This was
about the time the construction of the building was being completed. The two
black spots on the right are tacks that held the backing cloth for the wallpaper. 
Also contributed by Von W. Unruh, Sue Riggs Gill was a descendant of Rev.
Adam Springs Riggs, an important and influential presiding elder in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South.


Much hand work is visible on the burled walnut pulpit and altar.
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A cast iron chandelier on the right held kerosene lamps that once 
provided the light. They were converted to electric lights around 1950. The wiring of two cloth covered wires twisted together is still in use.




   

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For more information about the Church