Shelby County, KY - History: The Olive Branch United Methodist Church, pt.1 Tuesday, October 31, 2000 Submitted by: afblue@ka.net (Eugene Maynard) ************************************************************************* 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. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************* 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.