KY-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest 21 Oct 2000 Volume 00 : Issue 287 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 04:14:04 -0700 From: "Eugene Maynard" Subject: CHURCH HISTORY: Olive Branch United Methodist Church, Shelby Co., KY - Part I HISTORY OF OLIVE BRANCH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (Revised and updated March 1, 2000) Introduction: The early history was compiled by Mrs. RUEBEN C. SMITH in 1923, when the church was known as the Olive Branch Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mrs. SMITH compiled and authored this document for the Kentucky Historical Society of Shelbyville, Kentucky. Some of the later narrative was compiled and written by Mrs. LUCILLE BOSWELL who was the Treasurer of the church for a time; as well as Mrs. LOWRY INGRAM, who served as Church Historian for many years. Information listed after this was compiled by Miss MARTHA DONOVAN as the Church Historian and much was gleaned from the many documents which were located among her recently discovered deceased relative's possessions. Additionally, Mrs. MARGARET TERHUNE HUGHES recent discovery of additional material pertaining to membership within the church during its early years, adds much significance to the history. PART I. (History of Olive Branch Methodist Episcopal Church South, as written by Mrs. REUBEN C. SMITH, in the year 1923, for the Kentucky Historical Society of Shelbyville, KY) More than a century ago there stood a little frame church in Shelby County, KY, not far from the banks of Brashears Creek, about two miles from where Finchville now stands, and about nine miles from Shelbyville, on a branch road that leads from the Zaring Mill Road, to the Finchville and Taylorsville Pike. It stood on the farm, now owned by Mr. W.C. JONES, SR., but when built, the farm was owned by Mr. BARRIGER. As to whether he gave the land, or why it was built there, is not known. The land adjoining on each side of this farm, where the Church stood, was owned by two brothers - BENONI and ABE NEWLAND. BENONI sold and bought where the DOOLANs now own near Finchville. His brother, ABE, bought what was afterwards owned by J.A. STANLEY, but at the present time owned by THOMAS JONES. SYLVESTER ALLEN purchased the BARRIGER farm where the church stood. Afterwards he sold it to his son-in-law, W.C. JONES, SR., present owner. There stands now what was termed at that time, a church graveyard, with stone wall around it, about one-eighth of a mile from the Taylorsville Pike. The church was built with one side of it against the stone wall. About one half mile from this church there was a farm owned by PEARSON TORR, on which was a spring from which flowed a branch, which divided and made branches that ran on each side of the church. In the scriptures are told when the world was destroyed by water, Noah, sent the dove from the ark. The second time she came back with an olive leaf in her mouth, which signified the waters had abated. The location of this church with so much water and between the branches recalled memories to the flood and they decided the most appropriate name for it would be "OLIVE BRANCH," therefore the name. In 1860, there was a colony of relatives of FIGGs, BOSWELLs, and TAYLORs, who came from Culpepper County, Virginia to Shelby County, KY, and settled near and around the church. One of the descendants, WARNER T. FIGG, who was a large land owner and a member of the church, kindly offered to give an acre of land in a much more beautiful and desirable location, about two miles from the old church and seven miles south of Shelbyville, on the Zaring Mill Pike. He also gave liberally toward building the structure. His wife, who was LUCINDA TAYLOR, descendant of the TAYLORs, who came with the colony, was loyal and faithful to her church. His two sons, JAMES and BUSHROD, filled offices in the church. His four daughters, BETTIE, SARAH, EMMA and GEORGIE, were all devoted members of the church. He also had three Nephews who were the sons of his Sister BETSY, who married EDWARD BOSWELL (also one of the descendants of the colony) that were bricklayers and farmers. They were employed to build the church on the land and location described above. (Present location of the church) Their names were JAMES, TAYLOR and CHARLES. They also "burned" the brick about one-fourth of a mile from where they were to build the church, then owned by his son EUGENE. It was considered in that day the most beautiful brick work anywhere around. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-Message: #4 Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 05:00:09 -0700 From: "Eugene Maynard" Subject: CHURCH HISTORY: Olive Branch United Methodist Church, Shelby Co., KY - Part II PART II. JOHN and YOUNGER FORD were the contractors for the wood or frame work. The work began in 1861, but was not completed until 1862. They continued to worship in the old church until the new one was completed. The old church was not torn away until after the close of the Civil War. Rev. J.E. STROTHER was the organizer of the new church. The father of our much appreciated and beloved J.P. STROTHER, who is serving a church at Fort Thomas, KY. The church was dedicated in August 1862, but those officiating are not known. TAYLOR BOSWELL who helped to "burn" the brick and build the church, had three sons that went from this church and have been a blessing to humanity. CHARLES EVERETT, and GEORGE W. were consecrated Methodist ministers and served many churches in the Kentucky Conferences. CHARLES EVERETT passed to his reward about twenty-four years ago. GEORGE W. is now serving with the Bloomfield Church in Nelson County, KY. EDWARD has been agent for our Methodist Orphans Home, 812 South 5th Street, Louisville, KY, for many years. His whole life seems to be dedicated to that work. Much credit is due him for what the Home has become today. The largest membership on record was in about 1885 to 1900. About this time there was almost a Methodist community. There were more than two hundred members, but due to the change in "Real Estate" other denominations came in and today we are only about one hundred in number. I will give a list of a few of the Charter members: WILLIAM TAYLOR; MARY TAYLOR, JR; ZERILDA TAYLOR; DR. TAYLOR; JAMES TAYLOR; MARTHA TAYLOR; STOKELY LAWSON; SALLIE CAMPBELL; DR. BLANKENBAKER; SARAH SNYDER; ABAOLOM CAMPBELL; JOHN CLARK; BELLE CLARK; JOHN BOSWELL; DR. BOSWELL AND WIFE; JAMES BOSWELL; MADISON T. BOSWELL; GEORGE G. BOSWELL; WARNER FIGG; LUCINDA FIGG; MARGARET FIGG; JENNIE BOSWELL; BUSHROD FIGG; GEORGE DOYLE; BETTIE JESSIE; JAMES HARRISON; ELMER HARRISON; THOMAS SMITH; BETTIE A SMITH; EDWIN DORSEY; ELIZA DORSEY; D.O. FISHER; ANGELINE FISHER; DR. ALEXANDRIA; DR. WILLIAM WILSON; JOHN SPANGLER; JOHN FIGG. Many of the strongest and most able Methodist Pastors have served in this church. Among them are: (Please see list at end of History. This author's list of Pastors commences with J.E. STROTHER and ends with R.R. ROSE.) R.R. ROSE is serving the church at this time and is highly appreciated because of his untiring efforts to build up the church spiritually, that it might prove a blessing to the community and the world at large. P.J. ROSS is serving as Presiding Elder at this time and was once Pastor of the church. Our own Shelby County boy (of whom we are justly proud) Bishop W.V.W. DARLINGTON, is our presiding Bishop at present. First Officers of the church when organized were: JOHN BOSWELL; JAMES BOSWELL; JAMES FIGG; BUSHROD FIGG; JAMES TAYLOR. Present officers are: STANLEY SMITH; E.V. DORSEY; MARVIN FIGG. (MARVIN T. FIGG is the Grandson of WARNER T. FIGG, who donated land for the church.) The above named are Stewards of the church. End of ky-footsteps-digest V00 #287 ********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. 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