Centerville
Tennessee
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Centerville United Methodist Church
The Methodist Society of Centerville was organized soon after the settlement of Hickman County in 1807. Before a church building was secured, the Society met in private homes until a log building was erected in 1828 on a site located on what is now known as Church Street. It should be noted that the land on which Centerville was built was deeded to the town for its Construction in 1823.
The first membership roll of the Centerville Methodist Society in existence is dated 1830 and it includes: Rev. James Erwin, Rev. Samuel Whitson, Rev. Robert Johnson, Thomas Webb, John White, Nancy White, Eli White, Sallie White, Sallie Hornbeak, William Bird, Elizabeth Whitson, Margaret Phillips, W. C. Strayhorn, William Craig, Ann Craig, Francis McClanahan, Thomas Wright and Elva Strayhorn.
The lot for the first church was purchased on October 19, 1851, and the two-story building (one of the first brick buildings in Centerville) was completed in 1852 at a cost of $5000. The first floor of the building was used by the Centerville Church, and the second floor was used as a lodge hall. The century-old building is now owned solely by the local Masonic Lodge and is still in good condition.
"Actual work of construction was done by Anthony Gholson. A primitive process of manufacturing brick was employed and the building was considered a marvel of construction. The walls of the church are 18 inches through and have withstood all assaults of time and elements. A marble tablet is placed high in the face of the church building: Erected A.D. June, 1851, A. L. 5851. The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all." -Hickman News Herald, 14 June 1923
When the church became a station of the Tennessee Conference in 1883, there were forty-five names on the mebership roll. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the membership had jumped to approximately 200.
The need for Sunday school rooms and a larger chapel brought about the construction of the present church building. The deed for that land is dated March 22, 1921, and the building was completed in 1923. The cost of the project was $40,000.
The first membership roll of the Centerville Methodist Society in existence is dated 1830 and it includes: Rev. James Erwin, Rev. Samuel Whitson, Rev. Robert Johnson, Thomas Webb, John White, Nancy White, Eli White, Sallie White, Sallie Hornbeak, William Bird, Elizabeth Whitson, Margaret Phillips, W. C. Strayhorn, William Craig, Ann Craig, Francis McClanahan, Thomas Wright and Elva Strayhorn.
The lot for the first church was purchased on October 19, 1851, and the two-story building (one of the first brick buildings in Centerville) was completed in 1852 at a cost of $5000. The first floor of the building was used by the Centerville Church, and the second floor was used as a lodge hall. The century-old building is now owned solely by the local Masonic Lodge and is still in good condition.
"Actual work of construction was done by Anthony Gholson. A primitive process of manufacturing brick was employed and the building was considered a marvel of construction. The walls of the church are 18 inches through and have withstood all assaults of time and elements. A marble tablet is placed high in the face of the church building: Erected A.D. June, 1851, A. L. 5851. The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all." -Hickman News Herald, 14 June 1923
When the church became a station of the Tennessee Conference in 1883, there were forty-five names on the mebership roll. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the membership had jumped to approximately 200.
The need for Sunday school rooms and a larger chapel brought about the construction of the present church building. The deed for that land is dated March 22, 1921, and the building was completed in 1923. The cost of the project was $40,000.