Key Memorial United Methodist Church Murfreesboro TN

Key United Methodist Church has been serving God and saving souls in the Murfreesboro community since 1846. Key has worked diligently to provide helpful services that ministers to the needs and the hearts of the people.

Each year we provide assistance to the Rutherford County Child Advocacy Center. We also host an annual “Santa Claus” event, with our pastor playing “Santa Claus” to the neighborhood families. Event participants get to take a picture with Santa, the kids receive a small gift and we offer all the families a light lunch and great fellowship.

Key also hosts an annual homecoming celebration with great gospel music, fellowship and food.

At we embrace being a family church and thus we host quarterly receptions welcoming new members to our church family.

 

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Historic African American Congregation Started during one of the most tumultuous times in American History

United Methodist Churches across the connection celebrate anniversaries every year, and this year, Key Memorial United Methodist Church recently celebrated its 143rd year of faithful service in “saving souls and serving God in Murfreesboro since 1865.”

The theme for this year was “What Does the Lord Require of You?” The speaker for the celebration was The Reverend Roger Hobson, Executive Assistant to Bishop Richard Wills of the Tennessee Conference. The occasion was marked by a time of recalling the Church’s rich tradition of faithful discipleship, dating back from the nineteenth century to the present – a tradition steeped in a long history of Methodism for almost 250 years.

The congregation began during one of the most difficult periods in American history – an almost impossible time to establish a church.

It was the year 1865 when a small group of newly freed ex-slaves led by Braxton James and John Clayborne began holding worship services in the Primitive Baptist Church. The Civil War had just ended; and the Emancipation Proclamation had been enacted. Undoubtedly this was a great time of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the ex-slaves as their jubilant cries reverberated across the land. Surely their singing of plantation songs became bolder, and had more meaning and ring: “Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, I’m free at last.” During this period, following the assassination of President Lincoln their hopes and dreams of a fruitful life were in all probability dashed. Yet, despite life’s harsh realities of dehumanization and exploitation, this little band of believers stood with sheer courage and determination to establish themselves as a community of faith, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Prior to the Civil War, this faithful community, like other African-American groups, had worshipped in the same services and facilities with Whites. Then after Emancipation, they found it necessary to provide their own places of worship. At one time this community had not only worshipped from house to house, but also in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, before settling in the Primitive Baptist Church, located on the corner of Church and Lytle Streets in Murfreesboro. In addition it became necessary to identify persons willing to meet the ordination requirements for ministry. Therefore, one of the leaders, Braxton James traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was ordained an Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, in order to extend his ministerial authority in this denomination throughout the State of Tennessee.

With this agreed upon arrangement of a meeting place, it initially appeared that all was going well. However, there was a wave of discontent hovering in the air. Not having one’s own place of worship was creating some difficulty. Then quite unexpectedly a new proposition was presented to them – a proposal that eventually changed the course of their history.

Mr. Pearne of the Methodist Episcopal Church was invited to preach during a Sunday evening worship service. During the course of his visit, it came to his attention that there were particular needs and circumstances of the congregation that were not being addressed. First, they needed a permanent place of worship, but they simply did not have the financial means or resources to purchase the necessary property. Mr. Pearne then presented an offer to them, opening the door for them to secure a house of worship, with only one stipulation: they must accept membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Then without much debate, especially when it came to their attention that they could no longer worship in the Baptist congregation, this little band of sixty or seventy believers by “standing vote” accepted Mr. Pearne’s proposition. In addition, Braxton James would be received into the Methodist Church as an ordained Elder. This congregation’s dream of having their own Church building was finally coming to fruition.

The Methodist Episcopal Church then secured the property where the first Church and parsonage were built on the adjoining lots on the North corner of College and Highland Streets in Murfreesboro. The purchase price was $700.

Therefore, on October 11, 1866 with Bishop Davis Wasgatt Clark presiding over the conference, this congregation was officially organized as James Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. Even though the physical structure of the church had not been completed, this congregation became a distinct ecclesiastical body in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The construction of the church was finally completed in 1880 under the leadership of Hilary W. Key who served the congregation from 1877 to 1880. It was during his tenure that the name was changed to Key Chapel. When The Rev. W. R. Smith served from 1912 to 1915, the name was finally changed to Key Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church.

During the pastorate of The Rev. W. B. Crenshaw who served the church from 1921 to 1924, the five room parsonage was destroyed by fire. It was soon replaced by an eight room half story bungalow with funds given by the church membership and the “Centenary Fund.” The assessed value was appraised at $5000.

Under the pastoral leadership of The Rev, H. H. Jones from 1937 to 1947, Methodist groups were organized in the church which included the Women’s Society, Methodist Men, and the Methodist Youth Fellowship. During the tenure of The Rev. M. M. League who served from 1947 to 1957 a building fund was begun for the purpose of remodeling the Church.

In addition it was during this time period that Black congregations were set apart into The Central Jurisdiction. During the General Conference in 1939, a plan was approved to separate Black members into the separate Central Jurisdiction to satisfy the openly racial prejudices of the South. Even though this action was one of the most grievous decisions in the annals of Methodism, Black Methodists rallied to continue moving forward in the

During the time of The Rev. Paul Y. Marchbanks’ pastorate from 1958-1968, the old church building was destroyed by fire on June 8, 1963, during the week of Annual Conference. A new site was chosen with adjoining lots at 806 and 810 East State Street. The old church properties were sold as a result of a bid through the “New Supplier Program.” The son of The Rev. H. H. Jones, the former pastor, was the architect. The new church was erected in 1967, and the house located on the adjoining lot was remodeled for use as the parsonage.

The Rev. James S. Gadsden served from 1968 to 1973. During his pastorate, all of the furnishings in the church were replaced. In addition two-thirds of all the indebtedness on the building was retired during his tenure. The Rev. Robert U. Green served in 1974, while The Rev. William Reed Smith served from 1974-1978. During these four years, all of the church’s indebtedness was finally discharged, and an electric organ was purchased.

It was during this time period that The Central Jurisdiction was abolished. In fact during the 1968 General Conference there was such a growing uneasiness with the problem of racism, this body voted to overturn its policy of segregation. Methodism then experienced a major milestone in its history. The abolishment of The Central Jurisdiction became official, and the union between The Methodist Church and The Evangelical United Brethren Church became a reality. The birth of United Methodism was truly an indication that African-Americans would be given an opportunity to participate fully in the life and ministry of the Church.

During the next three decades, Key Memorial was blessed with many gifted pastors who provided exemplary leadership. Some of these pastors were instrumental in accomplishing the following ministries:

Leading the church out of debt and working diligently to continue upgrading the church’s facilities: The Rev. Daniel Hayes, The Rev. Frederick Yebuah, The Rev. Farai David Muzorewa, The Rev. Issac Davis, The Rev. Dogan Williams, The Rev. Arthur Ford;

Reorganizing the Children and Youth Ministries: The Rev. Alvin R. Goodwin

Assisting in the increase of Church membership and establishing new ministries: The Rev. Kenneth R. Edmondson,

Working to reactivate Children, Youth, and Adult Ministries: The Rev. John K. L. Young

Establishing a Tutorial Program for children and youth and Initiating an outreach ministry: The Rev. Arthur Ford; The Rev. Chestina M. Archibald, and the current pastor, The Rev. Graham P. Matthews.

In June of 2006 the Reverend Graham P. Matthews was appointed to Key Memorial. During his brief tenure, the congregation has experienced steady growth, and innovative ministries have soared to new heights. For example, The United Methodist Men have initiated an evangelistic campaign of walking through the adjacent neighborhoods and passing out Bibles and door hangers. The formation of an all male choir, “The Voices of Glory,” has stimulated passionate worship experiences. Pulpit exchanges and other outreach ministries have also enhanced the Church’s awareness of the inclusive and diverse nature of the Church.

In its conclusion, Key Memorial takes pride in the dedication of lay and pastoral leadership throughout its long history of faithful service in the name of Jesus Christ. These 143 years have been marked by many challenges and opportunities. However, by the power of God’s grace the Church has steadily moved ahead. Perhaps the old gospel hymn describes it best: “We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in His Holy Word, He’s never failed me yet, oh, can’t turn around, we’ve come this far by faith.” Hence, it is because of this deep and abiding faith in God that Key Memorial United Methodist Church will go forward of making Disciples for Jesus Christ in the transformation of the world for the honor and glory of God.

Key Memorial United Methodist Church is truly a family church. For example, our church historian, Mrs. Emily Butler Henry, has been a member of Key Memorial United Methodist Church for four generations. Her grandmother, Rose Williams McKnight, was a member; her mother, Dolores Butler, was a member; she is a member, and her son, William Henry, Jr., who lives in Alcoa, Tennessee, but still retains his membership at Key Memorial United Methodist Church.

*Source: tnconfrev.blogspot.com/2008/12/tennessee-conference-review-december-26.html