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Calvert
City United Methodist Church is a connectional
church, one of 42,000 United Methodist churches working to make an
impact through local and world mission. We are
committed to the rights of all people and improvement
of the quality of life. We believe in the right
and duty of persons to work for themselves and others.
Calvert
City United Methodist Church is a strong and active
congregation. We have persons of all ages
represented in our membership and we offer Christian
Education opportunities for a variety of interests and
ages.
Our Worship
and Sunday School times can be found on the Services
page on this website. More fellowship
opportunities are listed also. Thank you for
visiting our website and may God bless you.
Our
Mission
Our
Mission at Calvert City United Methodist Church is to
have programs which symbolize our belief that Christians
should be a faithful witnesses in today’s complex
world. The
work of the church is to:
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Nurture
includes worship, Christian education, stewardship
and fellowship. Thirteen classes meet Sunday
morning. Youth and children have Sunday
evening fellowship and special events are held for
all ages
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Outreach
involves meeting the needs of others. Our
church participates in Boy Scouts, Vacation Bible
School and regional and world missions.
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Witness
is meeting the spiritual needs of church members
and neighbors.
We
invite you to be a part of this exciting fellowship of
God’s people. We hope you will be blessed by
being with us, just as we are blessed by having you
worship with us.
Short
History of the Calvert City United Methodist Church
by
Gladys Dees Harrell and Mike
Harrell
The Methodist Church of Calvert
City has a long and interesting past.
Before there was a church, before there was a
Calvert City, there was a group of Christians who met on
a hill overlooking Tan Yard Spring (Lone Valley).
This group of believers in Christ consisted of
Baptist, Methodist, Primitive Baptist and Christians.
The oldest church of these denominations in
Marshall County came out of this group.
 About 1890, the Methodist families
involved decided it was time to build a church. The question was “where to build it?” Tan Yard Spring Community wanted it; Howard S Grove was considered.
With the completion of the railroad and station
in Calvert City, that location was coming alive with
building and prosperity.
After much deliberation, the town Calvert City
was chosen. In
1892, the land was bought by trustees Cyrus Hale, Albert
Roberts and Joe Maddox for the sum of $30.00.
That same year, the Calvert City Methodist Church
came into existence.
The first minister was William B.
Matthew. No
exact number of original members is available, but has
been estimated to be about 35.
Some of the charter-member families included
Dees, Roberts, Hale, Maddox, Siebert, McMurtry, Morefild,
and Peck. In
1900, the minister was W.D. Dunn and the membership had
increased to 99. This
made Calvert City Methodist Church the largest of its
circuit. When
there became a need for a parsonage, it was built at
Calvert City, about 1910.
 In 1938 a lot joining the church
property was purchased to build a new church.
Thus the services could be held in the existing
structure while the new building was being constructed.
In 1940, James M. and Lawrence Solomon donated
their workers and equipment to dig the basement.
Five hundred dollars was borrowed for material
for the project. The
loan was paid off in 1944.
Mr. Lawrence Solomon, who was the church
treasurer, over-paid the note by $0.48 and it was
refunded to the church in stamps. One year and $17,000 later, on January 7, 1945 Bishop Watkins
dedicated the building which consisted of the basement
and the sanctuary that we formerly used.
The church continued to grow and in
the 1950’s an annex was built containing 14
classrooms, pastor’s study, kitchen and restrooms.
The church contains some of the most beautiful
stained-glass windows in this area.
They are dedicated to the early founders of the
Calvert City Methodist Church.
Through the years there have been
two church buildings and three parsonages.
The present parsonage is a modern and beautiful
home and was built on a corner of the land.
As the church was getting ready to celebrate its
first century, discussions about building a new building
started in earnest.
The existing building was not large enough for
the congregation and the property not large enough to
expand on. The
church voted to build a new church building at Fifth
Avenue and Oak Park Boulevard.
 In
July of 1991 a celebration and last service was held in
the old church building. The congregation marched to the new site.
As the group was coming up the hill, song broke
out, it was “We Are Marching Up To Zion”. The completion of the new building was done with donations of
not only money, but also time and labor by many.
The new building has become a focal point for
many community events.
Although the building is not totally new, many
aspects from the old building were saved.
The stained glass windows are from the old
building and the beautiful prayer chapel is furnished in
pews, alter furniture, and light fixtures from the old
church. The
new facility has been valued at over a million dollars.
It was paid off in nine years – far less than
the thirty years that had been projected.
In 2000 a new expansion was needed
and a wing was added for new classrooms, restrooms,
kitchen, and offices for the director of CAMP. The
facility was paid for almost before its completion.
In 2002 Bishop William Morris burned the note on
the new church and dedicated the new wing.
This outreach to the children of the community
(CAMP) has been highly successful and praised for its
efforts. So
successful, that the concept has expanded into other
churches in the community.
Our
Future
As the United Methodist Church of
Calvert City looks into its second century of service
for God, one can only think of the many saints who have
gone before to get us to this point.
While the members are proud of their rich
heritage of the past, they look forward in faith to a
glorious future. God
willing, the church will continue to have an impact in
the community, area, and throughout the world for the
mission of Christ our Lord.
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