Last Updated: Friday, May 09, 2008

Williamstown
Tim Needham, W.F. Webb, N.H. Pinkard, and C.C. Nesbitt

Dry Ridge
H. Brown and J.M. Flege

Salem
J.W. Chipman, B.N. Harrison, J.W. Gaugh, and J.P. Evens

Bethel Grove
A. Sheriff and W.H. Beverly

Two home and two foreign Missionary Societies were organized on the Four Church Circuit Charge as early as 1894-1895.

Going back a bit, in 1847 William Tucker and his wife, Elizabeth, deeded to Hezekiah Thomas, Sandford A. Theobald, D.M. Tharp, George Nichols, William Tucker Jr., Wesley Tully and John T. Clark, Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, a plot of land in Williamstown. This is the present site of the church. From the Souvenir edition of "The Williamstown Courier," dated 1901, comes the following statement:

"As early as 1848-1850, Rev. Joseph Rand, at that time a young man and know residing in Lexington, was a pastor of the Crittenden Circuit. This Circuit included all of Grant County and part of the Pendleton and Boone Counties. It was a three week Circuit and preaching was largely in private homes. There were only two churches in the entire circuit."

The Williamstown Church was one of them. This old frame church was destroyed by fire in 1885, and for three years the congregation held service in the Court House. Under the leadership of the pastor, Dr. S.W. Spear, the brick church was built in 1888 and dedicated in 1891. It was part of the Williamstown Circuit sharing the time with Dry Ridge and Salem Church.

In 1915 it became a station Church with Rev. J.W. Carter as pastor. Built during the pastorate of Rev. K.O. Potts (1937-1941) was an additional containing classrooms and a kitchen. This was dedicated in 1941 with Bishop Darling delivering the dedicatory address.

This same year (1941) the two Missionary Societies were recognized and renamed, Mrs L.M. Ackman became the first President of the Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS) and Mrs. H.T. Mathews the first President of the Wesleyan Service Guild (WSG). Both of these Societies have always met their yearly pledges and helped with other church projects.

The Sunday School Superintendents that have served have been Judge W.T. Wimmons, Messrs. Clarence Nesbitt, J.D. McMillan, Tim Needham, Joe Horner, J.W. Bennett, J.W. Lancaster, H.T. Mathews, E.R. Vance, Jack Childers, Guy Vance, George Powers, Wallace Hall, James Hudson, H. Van Huss, Paul Tuttle, Craig Potts, Roy Osborne, Sherry Mason, and Tina Honican. Co-Superintendents have been: Dorothy Powers, Roy Osborne, Susan Trutner.

The most ambitious undertaking of the church was the erection of the Educational Building during the pastorate of Rev. C.B. Hogg (1961-1964). At its completion an open house was held on June 7, 1964 this being well attended by members, former members and visitors.

By May 1971 the indebtedness on the building was completely paid, having been accomplished in large measure through the generous bequests of a substantial sum of money from the estate of the late Rev. George Ammerman and his wife, Nellie. It was decided to have Rev. Charles Perry, Superintendent of the Covington District, dedicate the building on August 23rd, the date designated as Homecoming Sunday for Grant County (1820-1970).

It was also decided to have an old fashioned basket dinner following the morning service and dedication.

During the pastorate of Rev. C.L. Neikirk (1968-1971) further improvements to the church property including the new pews and carpeting in the Auditorium were made with more planned for the future.

After the consolidation in 1939 of The Methodist Episcopal Church, The Methodist Episcopal Church South and The Methodist Protestant Church, the Williamstown Church dropped the word "South" from its name. Again in 1968, its name was changed after the merger of The Methodist Church and The Evangelical United Brethren Church. Now the church is known officially as The United Methodist Church of Williamstown, KY.

In January 2004, the Williamstown United Methodist Church took possession of the building and parking area on the western side of the church property. Acquisition of the property helps the church meet both immediate and long term needs. Here and now, the purchase guarantees that our members and friends will continue to have access to parking near the church facilitiy. In the future, the building will provide classroom and activity space as our congregation continues to grow.

The growth of The United Methodist Church of Williamstown has been steady through the years. Losing many members to death and adding steadily to our membership has made influence in Williamstown and Grant County.
The present membership stands at 181.

Copyright 2007 Williamstown United Methodist Church All Rights Reserved.