Original Church Began Operation in 1850
July 9, 2023 - Dayton, TN
On May 25, 2023, Several members and visitors gathered for the last service at Vine Grove-Mt. Olive United Methodist Church. The church closed, and the United Methodist Church will be in charge of the church as its future is unknown at this time. The church membership was very low and essentially around 10 members attended on a regular basis and the decision was made to end services on June 25, 2023. The pastor gave a short sermon after a few opening hymns and prayer. Then Amie McCoy was called up front to deliver a "History of Vine Grove-Mt Olive United Methodist Church". After the history has been read by Annie, there was a chance for one last hymn together and then members and guests gathered in the kitchen area to have a last get-to-gether with food.
Members and visitors gather after the last service at Vine Grove-Mt. Olive United Methodist Church.(Photo:GaryBolden)
The following is the written copy of the history that Annie McCoy read to the congregation.
"Vine Grove was once a part of French's Chapel located on or near Sawyers Hill. French's chapel disbanded, I'm told to build the road which winds around past French Cemetery and into Morgantown; before that road was built legend has it that there was a swinging bridge across Richland Creek which connected this hilltop area to Morgantown."
"Vine Grove has always been associated with and supported, French Cemetery, as many of our families are buried there. Freddy Best, a caretaker of the cemetery learned that the oldest marked grave is that of John Morgan and Son, dated April 2, 1827, he just recently learned that 3 men who died in the 1901 mine explosion, are all buried in one grave, their names were Dock Smith, Perry Smith and Willie Mathis.
On August 31, 1833, a deed recorded in Deed Book "F", pages 178-179 from the Waterhouse Estate, by Richard Waterhouse, Executor to John Whaley, John Day," "John Jack, James Stewart and William McDonald for the use and benefit of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the sum of $25.00."
"Next, we find a deed dated June 29, 1850, and recorded in Deed Book "I", page 35, for the same tract of land, from Lewis Morgan to the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for the sum of $5.00. This was 17 years after the first deed, and calls for a two-story building to be built on the property. The first story was to be used for the Methodist Episcopal church, South; the second story was to be used for the Eastern Star #270 and Sons of Temperance of the county."
"Thirdly, we learn that on November 25, 1885, a deed recorded in Deed Book "P", page 29, for the sum of $100.00 from the Grand Division of Sons of Temperance of East Tennessee to Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church."
"Mt. Olive Church merged with Vine Grove when their church closed due to black mold overtaking their facility. The lights in our Sanctuary are from Mt. Olive as well as the piano being used today. We were able to salvage 2 pianos from Mt.Olive, an antique China cabinet and some of their records. Our name then changed to Vine Grove-Mt. Olive Church."
"You will all remember our church "bell". Several years ago, Freddy Best went up into the Bell Tower at the request of our young people and found that the bell was made by B.N. & C. company of Cincinnati, Ohio, as shown on one side of the bell. On the other side of the bell is the number "26". I'm sure everyone remembers Fred Best as the "ringer of the bell" and how he made it "sing". The bell always rang 15 minutes before time for services to begin, and the 2nd time as services began. In days gone by, the bell also rang at various times for special occasions."
"During the Civil War, the Rhea County Spartans, a group of young ladies of the Southern persuasion, were captured and held at Vine Grove Church before being taken to Chattanooga-only to be released to return home. The Rhea County history book has an article regarding this along with a letter from Capt. Goins to the commander in Chattanooga."
"During its 190 years, this church has been the life of our community and reaching out to those in need, helping in so many ways. We've had a food pantry, clothing and school supplies for the back to school, food boxes at Thanksgiving and Christmas for those in need. Richard Daugherty has for many years worked with the migrant workers and the Hispanic community."
"Let's go back in time and just think about this, until the early 1900's there was no electricity, no indoor plumbing, no kitchen, no padded pews, no air conditioning,and until the mid 1990's no telephone in the church, yet the services were packed and there's always been a spirit of a loving, caring, church family that continued for 190 years. Days gone by were filled with spirit filled singing, soul winning sermons, altar filled prayer, celebrations of babies being born into our families, christenings and dedications of our babies and families to God. Beautiful weddings, funerals, homecoming, covered dish meals, Easter Sunrise Services, Easter egg hunts, Christmas programs and celebrations, fund raisers, singings, and testimonies of God's goodness and so much more."
"Our generation was blessed with Miss Mary Elizabeth Mitchell leading our singing from her teen years until her mid 80's. She also taught our nursery department until her early 80's. She taught us the BIBLE and Jesus Loves Me. Mrs. Hazel Morgan taught our Junior Sunday School class and to "Trust and Obey". Mrs. Avant taught us to read and write in 1st grade and taught us about God's love at Sunday School. Thurman Moore taught the young people's class. So many others taught us lessons that have carried us through life."
"Miss Marchie James and Jean Booth were pianists for many years. And Richard Daugherty, the best pianist in the County, served us for many years. His music flows from deep in his soul to ours. His fingertips make the piano "talk" and we were and are so very blessed and thankful for his ministry and all he has done for Vine Grove."
"Fred Best, R.C. and Rosalee Hawkins, Jim Silcox, and Lisa McAllister have kept our facilities clean and in order. During the past few years, Lisa has worked diligently to do this and to keep our facilities decorated for holidays, and special occasions, including today's service. For many years, Gladys' Best served as our Secretary/Treasurer. When she became unable to continue, Lisa stepped in as Gladys personal caregiver, and under Glady's guidance began keeping these records and will do so until the final paperwork is completed with the Holston conference?"
"Do you remember the "the birthday jar", VBS, MYF, Summer Camps and play days, Shuffleboard, baseball, basketball, hayrides and so many other activities for our youth?"
"Our fellowship Hall was built in the 1950's and was always known as Miss Marchie's room. The nursery was always known as Miss Mary Elizabeth's room. In 1957 a beautiful red and white quilt was made with squares containing names of members and attendees. A square was made for 50 cents for a fundraiser
probably the Fellowship Hall or Kitchen. Our most faithful member, Teddy, has a square. Teddy belonged to Freddy Best and faithfully followed him to every service, waited just outside the front door and followed him home after services ended. When Freddy went into the Air Force, Teddy remained faithful and continued to attend every service. Freddy's horse, Traveler, also has a square. Traveler was enjoyed by most all the kids in Morgantown. Mary Elizabeth gave me the quilt many years ago. I had it cleaned and mounted in the kitchen area until a few weeks ago."
"During the late 1990's or early 2000, we purchased the former parsonage property and cleared the trash and debris and had dirt hauled in to give the property proper drainage and accessibility, making it more usable for all, especially our young people. This project was ongoing for approximately 2 years. We added a small storage building, a covered aluminum carport with 4 picnic tables and a fire pit. Toward the front of the property we had a large swing set and slide, a tire was hung from a huge tree limb. On the far side of the building we had a small swing set and covered sandbox for the toddlers. The teen boys and some Hispanic friends helped us with this "yard project" and laid rocks along both sides of the wet
weather branch behind our church. Unfortunately, most of this was in a massive flood."
"Our facilities have survived many natural disasters and an untold number of floods, which swept through our community causing major losses and destruction of property. However, to the best of our knowledge, although these flood waters have been all around our church, they have never entered the building. The large trees in front of the church have decayed and were removed by Ted Byrd and R.C.Hawkins in the early 2000's. This project took over a week to complete due to their massive size. Many former attendees and community members came by to just sit and observe and recall fun times here at Vine Grove."We were told these massive trees were probably here before the church was. In recent years there have been rumors of Vine Grove Church burning at some time - probably in 1880's. None of our members recall ever hearing about this. Quite by accident or Divine Intervention, last Sunday night I googled French's Chapel, just to see if there was any information about it. While scrolling through all the French's ads, the 1st Methodist Church came up. An article on 1st Methodist history dated May 5, 2022 appeared where I found this excerpt: Before the land on Market street was purchased in 1871, the congregation worshipped in 3 locations: French's Church on Sawyer Hill; in the 1st floor building in Morgantown at Vine Grove and in the old Academy building. The current building is the third one at this location. This land was purchased in 1871, the church was quickly outgrown, sold and moved down the street. The second church was dedicated October 28 1888. In March 1889, tragically that church burned to the ground. A new church was built and ready for worship in 6 months. So now, the mystery is solved! Vine Grove did not burn. Just as we thought. 1st Methodist whose members formerly attended Vine Grove was the church that
burned."
A picture posted on Facebook shows one side and front of the building and I noticed that the stained glass windows are shown, therefore, we can assume the beautiful windows are at least 100 years old. I have the window with my great grandmother's name - Hattie Powell. Counting forward from her to my
granddaughter is 6 Generations. Many of you can count as many and maybe more generations in this church. We're thankful to Freddy for his hard work and dedication in locating various families and distributing them to descendants.
Due to members moving to other communities or states and many having passed away, our membership and attendance declined and we gradually discontinued Wednesday Night bible study, Sunday Night services, leaving only Sunday Morning Service. In recent years we haven't had weddings, as most use a venue now; haven't had funerals as most are at funeral homes or graveside; no babies or young people as they go to other churches or functions. Many stay home and watch services on TV or computers, making it hard for a smaller congregation to survive. Through the soul winning ministries of this church, we've been blessed to be able to come to know Jesus Christ as our personal savior. In closing, I want to share a post I received last week from J.R. Reece: "I don't even know where to begin to describe the memories I have here. It's where I spent my entire childhood going to church. I learned who I was in this church. I became the man I am today because of the lessons I learned here. I worked here in the summertime with Annie McCoy working in the yard and woods behind the church. I have listened to so many sermons, I have listened to my brother give Sunday School lessons, witnessed so many miracles. I have witnessed lives changed inside this building. I will forever be grateful for all that I have learned here and my only
regret is that I haven't been attending church there in a while. Every time I've had a moment in life where I felt like giving up, I go there and pray and cry and talk to God because it's the only place I have ever truly felt like I could be at peace. It was more of a home for me than a church. I love Vine Grove United Methodist Church and I thank God he pointed me right to it when I was young." Thank you for bearing with me today as we say goodbye to Vine Grove Mt. Olive Church. I will close with:2 Thessalonians 2:15
"Therefore brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught...May Jesus Christ himself and our God and Father who has loved us, comfort your hearts."
Annie McCoy