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:

  • 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

  • Outreach involves meeting the needs of others.  Our church participates in Boy Scouts, Vacation Bible School and regional and world missions.

  • 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. 

1st church.jpg (113099 bytes)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. 

2nd church.jpg (93010 bytes)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. 

facility2.jpg (100180 bytes)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.