Shelby County, KY - History:  Olive Branch United Methodist Church, Part 2
Tuesday, October 31, 2000

Submitted by;  afblue@ka.net  (Eugene Maynard)
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From: "Eugene Maynard" <afblue@ka.net>
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.