Parrottsville United Methodist ChurchParrottsville, TN

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Church History

Much of this information on the history of the Parrottsville United Methodist church was compiled by Jeanette Ragan in the year of 1987 and told to her, "as I remember…", by Dan Ragan, Scott Vick, and several others.

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1 - Roadman Mansion -

The present site of the Parrottsville United Methodist Church is that of the old Roadman mansion built before the Civil War by Robert or William Roadman. At the time it was one of the finest mansions in Cocke County having three stories, 12 rooms and a porch running the length of the building with stairs on each end. The entire front of the second story could be made into one large room by sliding partitions, forming a ballroom. The brick terrace was part of the front, and the ground floor was bricked. It was reported that slaves were quartered in the basement and horses were stabled there.

Over the years it is also said to have been used as a hotel, a tavern, and a school.

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2 - School - Seminary -

After the Civil War, about 1875, this elegant old Southern home of the Roadman family was purchased by Dr. B.F. Bell, Creed Boyer, Frank Easterly, JC LaRue, and M.L. Palmer who each paid $500. They converted it into a school run by subscription and it became known as the Parrottsville Academy.

The building's top two floors contained the school with the higher grades taught in the old ballroom, and the music room was on the ground level. George F. Stuart, who later became a great preacher, directed the school. Among the teachers who taught there were W.P. Monroe, James R. Penland, and the renowned George R. Stuart (outstanding pulpiteer).

The school was known as the Parrottsville Seminary and provided grammar and high school courses, prep school, and two years of college work. The Parrottsville church was first located on the site of the "Old Campground" and grew greatly in strength and numbers. So many people were converted that Parrottsville became known as the religious center of the county, and, with the addition of the school, it also became the educational center. Click the pictures to get a bigger picture.

Parrottsville Seminary Commencement programs were highly attended and people came from as far away as North Carolina. The exercises were held in the middle of May, out of doors. An enclosure was made from branches of cedar, pine, and other types of evergreen, and entwined with roses and spring flowers.

In or around 1890 the trustees of the school sold the building to the Methodist Episcopal Church. John F. Ellison, J.Q. Easterly, and Samuel D. Harned were very generous in providing funds to purchase it.

On December 27, 1897, the church lot was bought by David Eisenhower from J.C. LaRue for the sum of $150, witnessed by S.D. Harned.

In 1902 the old parsonage and lot were sold to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Trustees of the church at that time were S.D. Harned, J.F. Ellison, D.M. Myers, J.B. Bell, J.M. Bewley, Abe Dawson, and H.O. Ottinger. The payment for the parsonage property was $220, and the deed was notarized by O.W.Easterly on September 20, 1902, and received on record at the Cocke County Register of Deeds on September 22, 1902.

The Parrottsville Academy and Seminary continued to educate the people of the area until in 1924 when Cocke County bought the Alice Palmer land (presently the ballfield) and built a new school building there.

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3. The new church building -

The rebuilding of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Parrottsville began around 1926 while S.A. Hooper was pastor.

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August 27, 1926 the following article was printed in the local newspaper, "The Newport Plain Talk":

"Work on the brick kiln for the Methodist Episcopal Church is proceeding. 50,000 are now in the Kiln. Contractors wishing to submit bids may see plans and specifications by calling Prof. T.S. Ellison or S.D.LaRue, secretary-treasurer of the building committee. Bids for brick and wood work may be made separately.

This building when completed will be one of the most beautiful and modern in that country. Everyone should feel that to help in the building of the church is an opportunity to help and do something worthwhile. You are not only helping the present generation, but also generations to come. Nothing speaks louder in a community than a beautiful church or school building."

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The two top floors of the building (formerly known as Parrottsville Seminary) were in poor condition and were sold to Jerome Blazer who tore down everything but the walls. Some younger members of the church wanted to tear down the walls too, and build a brick church on ground-level. They felt that the high steps would make it difficult to bring a casket into the sanctuary for a funeral. However, the older members decided to bring an architect from Knoxville to give them some advice. Upon finding the existing walls to be 16 inches thick, the architect advised that those walls would be stronger than anything they could build. The younger members were outvoted and the existing structure was used. Ben Click was hired as the contractor.

A black man was hired to make the bricks since he had the molds, but the church members made a box with this sweep pole, similar to a cain mill, to mix the mud.

The clay dirt for the bricks came from the Frank LuRue farm across the creek. (This farm is now owned by Guy Hommel). Water had to be hauled in to mix with the clay. Mr. Jim Breeden, a neighbor of the Ragans, gave the tree laps which were cut by members of the church and hauled near the foundation.

Scott Vick recalls that he brought a horse, owned by his father and Milburn Dawson, everyday to turn the dasher for the mud box. The bricks were laid out on sand until they were dry enough to handle, then stacked in a kiln which had two furnaces on each side. They were put into the oven to be baked for eight days and nights. Dan Ragan remembers that he and his brothers and other members watched these kilns "religiously". According to Dennis Ragan, the Ladies' Aid brought food and drink to all the workings.

Bob Williams remembers helping to lay brick bats on the floor before the concrete was poured. Others who helped were Bill Davis, Lyons Davis, T.S. Ellison, and Milburn Dawson.

According to Dennis Ragan his father, Landon Bascom Ragan, gave not only money, but provided his wagon and team and his five sons to provide labor for the construction. Many other members and nonmembers did the same.

Frankie Mae Blazer Hixon recalls that her brother Alex Blazer, Junior, was the water boy for the working crew.

The bricks used in the building were well made and durable and are still here today is proof. (2011)

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Friday, April 20, 1928 - "Newport Plain Talk" - "Methodists Dedicate Parrottsville Edifice"

"The fifth Sunday in April is to be a red-letter day for Methodism and Cocke County, and especially for those in the Parrottsville section. On that day the new Methodist Episcopal Church is to be dedicated. To Methodism? Yes, in a way, but best of all it is to be dedicated to that community for service to do its share in the development of the young life there, now and throughout the years to come.

For many years before Cocke County had a high school, the Methodist Church supported a school, then known as the Parrottsville school, a school that reached more boys and girls in Cocke County, from the hills and valleys, than any school has ever done. It is in this historic spot that the friends of Methodism have helped this congregation there to a erect a modern brick church with Sunday school rooms in the basement-a church that has no equal in any other rural church in this section and would reflect credit upon any small town.

The people of Parrottsville are noted for their hospitality and they, all of the Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans and all will do their part to entertain you and give you the best to be had for dinner.

They want to. Come and hear Dr. G.T. Francisco preach the dedication sermon, have lunch with them, and hear the afternoon program.

The dedication service is to start at 10 AM, April 29. The Rev. S.A. Hooper will be in charge."

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Friday, April 27, 1928 - DEDICATION AT PARROTTSVILLE

"Remember, everybody is invited to Parrottsville, Sunday to spend the day with good people there. The new $15,000 Methodist Church is to be dedicated and there will be a dinner for all. The Rev. G.F. Francisco is to preach in the morning and there will be an interesting afternoon program. COME!"

Tuesday, May 1, 1928 -

"Sunday was an ideal day. All nature was in tune and the large crowd that had gathered at Parrottsville for the dedication of the new M.E. Church was in harmony with the occasion. Rev. G.T. Francisco preached a masterly sermon, one that gripped his audience, so they was able to extract $2000 from them ere they were aware. Oh, he just made them want to pay off the deficit, and thanks to the good people, this little congregation has a most attractive church without any indebtedness.

Dinner was served to all in the old church and there was an abundance of good things, well-prepared, well served, and enjoyed. Remember that these good people are always glad to have their friends visit them. Drop in for Sunday school and the time that you can or on any fourth Sunday for regular preaching service. "Service to everyone." Is the motto of the new church."

On December 21, 1928, the "Newport Herald", reported:

"Not a Building Boom But a Steady Growth Marks Building Progres in Newport. And in the city of Parrottsville a new church is under way of construction. It contains 5 Sunday school rooms besides a long hall and the meeting room which will seat 350 - 400 people. The pastor of this church is Rev. S. A. Hopper."

Newport Plain Talk, December 21, 1928 - "Parrottsville Has Community Tree"

"M.E. Church South sponsors idea and has tree illuminated in front of building- people from community will gather around tree Christmas night for praise and service."

"Members of the Parrottsville in M.E. Church South are sponsoring a big Christmas tree at that place and are looking forward to a great Christmas when the people of the community will gather around a tree at 6:30 for a service of song. The tree will be illuminated Saturday evening. It can be plainly seen from the highway and presents the real Christmasy appearance in the various decorations. From its position in front of the church, the tree can be seen a considerable distance from all directions. The people of Newport are extended a cordial invitation to go to Parrottsville for the service Christmas night, as this promises to be very impressive. Christmas carols will be sung and other modes of entertainment provided for the occasion."

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Newport Plain Talk March 22, 1932 - Cyclone

"Parrottsville was hit last night at 10:30 by a cyclone. Reports from that town are as follows: It blew A.M. Dawson's barn down and killed two horses (where Scott and Sally Vick lived). It blew down barns belonging to Leslie Boles, Zolas Lafollette, and Earl Miller. It blew off the roof of John Etherton's store. The dining room and kitchen of the Methodist parsonage was moved about 15 feet. A steeple blew off the M.E.Church-South. The roofing on the barn belonging to Lacy Myers was partly destroyed."

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4 - The New Parsonage -

When the great cyclone of March 22, 1932 blew through Parrottsville and partially destroyed the Methodist parsonage, Jake Reed, pastor at that time on a nine point circuit, was asked if he was praying during that storm. "No", he replied, "I had my praying caught up. I was down on the floor looking for my pants".

Because of the extent of the damage, the parsonage was beyond repair. So Dan Ragan with his good pair of horses and block and tackle pulled the remains of the demolished building behind the church. Then use his fine team and scoop to dig out the basement for the new parsonage when the plans were completed.

Preacher Reed drew up the plans for the new living quarters and became the general foreman. It is said that the Reed family lived in the church basement while the parsonage was being constructed. Their son Kenneth, I deaf-mute, wrote messages on the wall when sign language failed.

Everyone from the circuit gave lumber and labor. The rocks came from a quarry behind the Landon and Mamie Ragan's chicken house. The rocks were in out to six inch layers and Bunn White did the dynamite work to loosen them. Dennis Ragan pried them out and broke them with a sledgehammer. People brought rock wagons and hauled the rocks to the building site. A rock wagon has planks in the bottom that can be pulled out so that the rocks drop through, thus eliminating extra lifting.

The rock mason team who constructed the parsonage was composed of John Posey, grandfather of Jerry Gudrum (a local mason), Marian Dawkins from Cowpens, South Carolina, Dave Miller, "stuttering" John Thomas. This talented team of masons also did the Rhea Mims Hotel, City, The Court House, and the Memorial Building.

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Dan Ragan told Jeanette Reagan June 5, 2000 that the millstones in the chimney and the front porch were given by Lacy Myers of Parrottsville.

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5 - Harned's Chapel Church -

It is interesting to note at this point that preacher Reed also drew up the plans for Harned's Chapel Church and the Bewley's Chapel Church. Mrs. Bernice Blazer Dawson remembers that preacher Reed arrived just in time to help Harned's build the church at a cost of approximately $3800 plus free labor and materials from its members. Bewley's Chapel Church was then built at a cost of $8000.

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6 - The Pipe Organ -

The pipe organ in the church was originally purchased by the Southern Methodist Church in Newport in December 1923. According to Cocke County historian, Eddie Walker, the old Southern Methodist Church was sold to Lacy Myers and Charles Rhyne in 1946. It was razed by the Ragan and Tucker Construction. (Tucker was the husband of Nell Ragan.) Myers told the Parrottsville church members they could have the organ from the old church if it fit into their church. It was given on the condition that the bricks from the old Southern Methodist church would be cleaned and stacked.

The organ did fit and was installed in front of the choir loft in 1948. Case Turner, pastor at that time, said the cost of installation was $1950.

Bonnie Carlisle Ottinger played the organ for several years with Mrs. J.C.(Ednie) Etherton alternating Sundays. When ill health forced Bonnie to resign as organist, Mrs. L.B.(Evelyn Ragan) Trentham took her place. This was between 1965 and 1968. Evelyn was organist until a fall broke hip in 2002. Shelby Jean Wagner replaced her and was organist until 2011. Debbie Hommel became pianist in 19__ and continues to play today (2011).

The T.S. Ellison family donated the chimes for the organ in memory of T.S. Ellison in the 1950's.

The organ was completely overhauled in 1976 at a cost of $1373. It is considered to be a fine piece of workmanship and only one of a few existing organs of its kind.

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7 - Church Steps -

The original church structure had wooden steps leading down on both sides of the high porch. These became hazardous and were replaced with concrete steps leading down from the front onto the sidewalk. The Rev. William Horner son of the former pastor P.H. Horner remembers that this took place about 1940.

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8 - Addition to Church Building -

An addition to the back of the church was made in 1961 and dedicated in January of 1962.

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9 - Fellowship Building -

The building was built in 1967 by J.E. Renner and Earl Parks. It was used over time as a Tire Recapping Business, A Beauty Shop, An Upoholster Shop and a Restaurant. It then became owned by Earl, Jerry, and Billy Parks and served as a Garage, a Body Shop, and a Farm Tractor Parts and Repair Facility. The Church bought the building on August 12th 1994. It was used for storage, but TDOT rented it for awhile. In 2004, it was decided to renovate the building into a Fellowship building an church offices, It was dedicated on October 31, 2004

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10 - The Handicapped Lift -

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11 - Baby Grand Piano -

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12 - Pastors include the following:

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James Swanson, Holston Conference Bishop
Clark Jenkins, Morristown District Superintendent
Chris Stanfield, Pastor rev.chrisstanfield@gmail.com