The First United Methodist Church is located on Colonial Road in Rogersville, Tennessee, Hawkins County, about three blocks from down town Rogersville.
We were originally associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church-South, and the Methodist Church.
Our records show that we were first affiliated with the Tennessee Conference and our first organized church was in 1822. Rogersville was at first on a large circuit. Edward Perry was listed as the first pastor.
The first building occupied by the Rogersville Methodists was a log building located on Kyle Street in 1822 (no deed can be found -not confirmed). The second building was started in 1857 which crumbled and was never completed. The third was another frame building on this same site in 1872. The fourth building was of Crab Orchard Stone and was erected on Colonial Road in 1950. The property on Kyle Street was purchased from William Galbraith for $250.00. The property on Colonial Road was purchased from Hugh B. Day, F.J.Testerman, Charles Bundrant and Rachel Hayes.
We have no list of charter members, but the names of the early members of 1857 serving as trustees are: William White, R.D. Miller, William Farris, H.G. Wax, John W. Lea, William Mountcastle and William Begley.
Our Rogersville Methodist Churches, North and South were united in 1938 before the General Conference merged the three Methodist churches in 1939.
For several years our church furnished nursery for handicapped children. We have cooperated with Black churches in town in all ways, particularly in musicals.
Our Church was supportive of rural churches to the extent that one church (Dobson Creek) was scheduled to be closed, but was kept open by our pastor, and is still active. We worked with youth throughout the county. Also, included rural women's group on our studies, etc. In 1982, the membership of the Rogersville United Methodist Church was 435.
The church separated into the Methodist Episcopal Church and Methodist Episcopal ChurchSouth.
This separation in 1844 was due to slavery.
1. In 1930, a group withdrew, forming another division called Protestant Methodist.
2. In 1939, the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church-South, merged and formed the Methodist Church.
3. In 1865, the Methodist Church formed their own Conference.
4. In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren United with the Methodist Church and formed the United Methodist Church.
This information was obtained from the Archives at Emory & Henry College. It includes the books by
R.N. Price, The Holston Conference Journals anddeeds listedin the Courthouse.