KY-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest 22 Oct 2000 Volume 00 : Issue 288 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-Message: #1 Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 11:33:49 -0700 From: "Eugene Maynard" Subject: CHURCH HISTORY: Olive Branch United Methodist Church, Shelby Co., KY - Part III PART III. (The foregoing narrative was discovered by Miss MARTHA DONOVAN among old papers with some of her relatives possessions. MARTHA was able to identify the hand writing as Mrs. LUCILLE BOSWELL's hand, but feels much of the material was compiled by Mrs. LOWRY INGRAM who served as Church Historian for many years.) Services were held at that time, the fourth Sunday of each month, until 1935 when it was changed to two Sundays a month. In 1944, services were held full time, having a full time Pastor. The parsonage was located at 30 E. Main Street, Shelbyville, which was owned by the Shelbyville Circuit. This was composed of Olive Branch, Rockbridge, Graffenburg and Clay Village Methodist Churches. Rev. O.S. GARDNER was Pastor at this time. In 1946, when Sunday School rooms were added, a basement was dug with three rooms on the second floor, at the rear of the church. The large windows were replaced by stained glass - these being donated by families of the church. In 1949, the Shelbyville Circuit parsonage was sold. Olive Branch purchased in Highland Manor until the present parsonage was constructed on the church grounds in 1949. Sunday, October 7, 1973, under the direction of Mr. BRUCE SAYLOR, an Architech in Louisville, dedication services were held in observance of the redecoration of the church sanctuary. The following improvements were made. A new drop panel ceiling, new light fixtures, the walls were paneled, being wallpapered on top, the pulpit was arranged with white columns - one each side with a red velvet drape between said columns. A picture of Christ was then hung in the center. Pulpit chairs were painted white with velvet trim, the railing was painted white, leaving the original brown. Wall to wall carpet in red covered the floor. Rev. SAMMY GLENN was the Pastor. Services were held observing the Dedication with the District Superintendent, Rev. JAMES SHEPHERD delivering the message. Dinner was served to a large crowd of members and friends. The history of Olive Branch Church was read by Mrs. JESSE INGRAM, Church Historian. October 1, 1997, ground was broken for an Educational Building, with Pastor Rev. ROBERT W. BRADLEY, officiating. Serveral months passed, then in March 1980, concrete was poured for the foundation and flooring. In June, Rev. STEPHEN BOGGAN was sent to our church. The Educational Building progressed and our first meeting was Thanksgiving Day supper, November 22, 1980 in the Fellowship Hall, which was enjoyed by all with Rev. STEPHEN BOGGAN officiating. (The following material was compiled and written by Miss MARTHA DONOVAN, Church Historian.) In the years 1988 and 1989, with Rev. STEVE PEARSON as Pastor, the parsonage had the first remodeling since it was built. A large bathroom and large bedroom were added. Much of the labor was done by the men of the church on a volunteer basis to lower expenses. Mr. EDWARD LEE TERHUNE, as Chairman of Trustees, did the managing and much of the labor. May 3rd, 1996, a Friday night, brought a severe storm to our community. Winds blew the roof completely from the Educational Building. Accompanying the winds we experienced both hail and rain which lasted much of the night. The water ruined the interior of the building both upstairs and down to include the walls, floor coverings and equipment. Mr. ROBERT BURRY was Chairman of the Trustees, and together with Rev. FRED WILES, Pastor, the Miller Insurance Company was notified in the night. The Adjuster was on the scene by daylight on Saturday morning. That day was utilized placing a plastic covering to keep out the elements by Rev. WILES and ED TERHUNE with some other volunteers. The insurance company furnished a huge dumpster to contain the waste material and the clean-up commenced by volunteers from within the church. The Sunday School class rooms were impossible for use during the several weeks that the reconstruction was under way. Much of the painting was done by the women of the church, while the men worked at other repairs on a volunteer basis. With the volunteer work, the approximately $20,000.00 granted by the insurance was sufficient to restore the building. September of 1996 was upon us before all the furnishings and repairs were finished to the point that they could be fully utilized. New carpet was put down within the Sunday School Class Rooms and the hall of the second floor. In October 1996, the men of the church began a new project, the enlargement of the kitchen within the parsonage. JIM LECOMPTE, Chairman of the Trustees, contracted KEN GARDNER to help in the framing and other carpentry surrounding this renovation. The construction was to be completed for approximately $11,000.00, however, an overrun of $3,000 was experienced. This project was completed in April 1997. In May 1997, it was decided and voted upon, to construct a deck with steps and ramp around the new portion of the parsonage. This was accomplished and lends an air of grace and spaciousness to our parsonage which will be much appreciated and enjoyed by our Pastors and the congregation. This was completed October 22, 1997. Additionally, the steps to the upstairs portion of the Fellowship Hall was found to be needful of replacement. The men of the church felt that the funds to offset expenses for these projects can be raised through fund raising activities such as Fish Fries, Pancake Breakfasts and similar activities. A Fish Fry was held on May 24th and the ladies conducted a baked goods sale. These activities were responsible in bringing over $600.00 to allay expenses for these improvements. This project was completed in June 1998 and not only lends an additional entrance to our upstairs class rooms, but affords a much needed fire exit from the upstairs portion of our Educational addition. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-Message: #2 Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 15:06:23 -0700 From: "Eugene Maynard" Subject: CHURCH HISTORY: Olive Branch United Methodist Church, Shelby Co., KY - Part IV PART IV. (The following material added March 1, 2000 by Church Historian, EUGENE MAYNARD, and brings the occurrences of the past months into this history.) For many years, Olive Branch members have looked to each side of the existing property, which is now in farm land, which surrounds our church and parsonage. They have done so with appraising eyes and wonderment. What if our church would outgrow our present sanctuary and educational facility? Could we acquire additional property here or would we be forced to move to another location? Events which occurred during the summer of 1999 answered these questions, and the Almight answered our prayers. This farmland which is immediately adjacent and borders Olive Branch property on the south and west became available. Olive Branch would be permitted to purchase a part to expand our facilities, if necessary. In July 1999, the church was notified the property would be laid off in lots and a portion lying on both sides of the present property line purchased. This property was listed as lot #5, amounting to 3.93 acres, was to be sold by RE/MAX according to Mrs. NANCY DAVIS, owner and agent. The Trustees, led by Mr. EDWARD LEE TERHUNE, due to his lifelong friendship with Mrs. DAVIS, with Mr. RICHARD HOLLOWAY as Chairman of Trustees, immediately began negotiations on the property price which was established at $35,000. The church was able to enter into an agreement on August 30, 1999 with the agent and the Trustees signing a mortgage agreement toward a deed of conveyance with the Shelby County Trust Bank on November 17, 1999. Prior to this date, September 22, 1999, the church held a special Church Conference regarding this purchase, chaired by Dr. LANGEFELD, District Superintendent, to present the elements of this agreement to the congregation. The congregation had been asked to search their hearts and pray regarding this matter previously. Now was our time of decision. The more the congregation could place as a down payment, the less the interest would amount. The motion was placed by Mr. EDWARD L. TERHUNE to purchase the adjacent property for church expansion, should the event become necessary. The membership agreed to this proposal unanimously. At this time, the congregation pledged the entire amount over several years. On Octrober 6, 1999, the church held an addendum to the Conference of September 22nd, 1999. Olive Branch now had $18,147.00 toward the purchase price of the property, in actual cash, and this was to be tendered to Shelby County Trust Bank on the mortgage. Only $17,000 is left to pay, plus interest. Our prayers were once again answered! Also, at this meeting, the persons designated to sign the note were, Trustees, EDWARD L. TERHUNE, RICHARD HOLLOWAY, MARTHA DONAVAN, District Superintendent Dr. LOWELL LANGEFIELD and our Pastor JERRY SHELLEY. In February 2000, Mrs. MARGARET TERHUNE HUGHES discovered while going through papers in her home a list of 198 members (?)of Olive Branch UMC. The listing did not delineate between full members or constitutent members, but was a list of attendance of persons who had attended at one time. After analyzing the listing, it was felt that the list was organized during the early 1940s by the Historian, Mrs. LOWERY INGRAM. (Listing available upon request.) PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED OLIVE BRANCH SINCE 1860 1. J.E. STROTHER; 2. ANSELIN MINOR; 3. W.H. WINTER; 4. ROBERT HINER; 5. W.H. VAUGHN; 6. J.A. HENDERSON; 7. D.B. COOPER; 8. T.B. COOK; 9. J.T. McINTYRE; 10. GEORGE FROH; 11. J.J. JOHNSON; 12. P.J. GODBY; 13. W.S. GRINSTEAD; 14. T.W. BAKER; 15. M.T. CHANDLER; 16. J.W. SIMPSON; 17. E.K. PIKE; 18. P.J. ROSS; 19. J.E. WRIGHT; 20. C.R. CASWELL; 21. R.R. ROSE; 22. E.W. ISHMEL; 23. A.G. STONE; 24. J.R. WHEALDON; 25. F.D. SWANSON; 26. O.S. GARDNER; 27. J.W. PARRISH; 28. E.E. ASHLEY; 29. HAROLD GARDNER; 30. G.O. MILEY; 31. HAROLD BROOKS; 32. JULIAN SIMPSON; 33. DAVID FINCH; 34. GRAHAM ABBOTT; 35. CLAYTON KLINGENFUS; 36. R.L. MEYERS; 37. WALTER RHODES; 38. ROGER HERMAN; 39. SAM GLENN; 40. STEPHEN HALLMAN; 41. TOM BREWER; 42. ROBERT BRADLEY; 43. STEPHEN BOGGAN; 44. TOM HOLMAN; 45. STEVE PEARSON; 46. FRED WILES - 1992-99; 47. JERRY SHELLEY - 1999 to present. 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