First United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker says about the First United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, up in Franklin County. Back in 1855, thirteen charter members came together and organized what would grow into something lasting. Thirteen.

Not a dozen, not fourteen. Thirteen souls who decided a church was worth building. Their names deserve saying out loud: Mrs.

Joel Arrington. Captain and Mrs. Baker.

Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Matthews. Mr. and Mrs.

Jackson Parchman. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wylie Parchman.

Mr. and Mrs. John D. Parchman.

And Squire and Mrs. C. S.

Yates. Three Parchman families in that founding roll call. That is a committed family.

Now, they didn't start in any grand hall. They started south of town, in Joe Wylie Parchman's home. A living room congregation, gathering together and figuring it out.

From there they moved to a Masonic Hall, which at least had a bit more elbow room. Then came 1875, and with it a decision: they bought this very site and built themselves a proper meetinghouse. Twenty years of worshipping borrowed spaces, and then finally, a home of their own.

They didn't stop there. By 1896 and into 1897, a larger frame building went up. Then the present edifice was completed in 1930, and an educational building followed in 1953.

Layer by layer, decade by decade, this congregation kept building. And somewhere along the way, this church body sent at least four of its own men into the ministry. Thirteen charter members in a farmhouse south of town, and what they set in motion is still standing right here in Mount Vernon.

What the marker says

Organized 1855, with 13 charter members: Mrs. Joel Arrington, Capt. and Mrs. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Matthews, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Parchman, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wylie Parchman, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Parchman, and Squire and Mrs. C. S. Yates. The group first met south of town in Joe Wylie Parchman's home; later in a Masonic Hall; then in 1875 bought this site and built a meetinghouse. A larger frame building was erected n 1896-97. Present edifice was completed in 1930; educational building in 1953. This church body has given at least four men to the ministry. (1975)