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A History of Christ Church United Methodist

The Beginning

Christ Church United Methodist proudly traces its roots all the way back to the first Methodist congregation in the city of Louisville, where early Methodists met in a log cabin (on the site of the present Jefferson County Courthouse) beginning in 1806. The congregation later moved to a 2-story brick building at Eighth & Market Streets. The legendary Bishop Francis J. Asbury preached here on October 22,1812. In 1816, the Fourth Street Methodist Church was built on the present site of the Kentucky International Convention Center at Fourth & Jefferson Streets. A two-sided plaque on Fourth Street between Market and Jefferson Streets (see photos below) discusses the history of Louisville's first Methodist church on that site.

In 1835, with a membership of 584, Fourth Street Methodist Church voted to divide into 3 congregations: Fourth Street, Eighth Street and Brook Street churches. The lineage of Christ Church flows from the members who separated from Fourth Street Methodist to build the new Brook Street Church. Located on the west side of Brook Street between Market and Jefferson, the church was dedicated on January 20, 1839. As a side note, the present Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church is not linearly related to the original Fourth Street Methodist Church. The other descendent congregations of the original Fourth Street and Eighth Street churches have long since disbanded or lost their identities through a series of mergers and splits.

Brook Street Methodist Church thrived for 30 years at its original location. In 1865, the church sold its property and relocated to 233 East Broadway and changed its name to Broadway Methodist Episcopal Church, South (divisions among Methodists during the Civil War led to the northern churches holding the name Methodist Episcopal Church and the southern churches taking the name Methodist Episcopal Church, South).

In 1939, delegates from the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Protestant Church (which had broken away over the issue of lay representation) and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, assembled in joint conference and voted to form The Methodist Church. The Louisville Conference, which met at the Broadway church, ratified the unification on May 10, 1939 under the direction of chairman Bishop U. V. W. Darlington.

Broadway Methodist Church

Broadway Methodist Church grew into one of the strongest churches in the Louisville Annual Conference. Her members furnished many ministerial and lay leaders to the Louisville Conference, sent the first missionary (Miss Martha Hite Watts) to Brazil, South America, and helped to organize several other local Methodist churches including Highland, Fourth Avenue, Beechmont, and St. Paul.

By the 1940's, the community around Floyd and Broadway had begun a rapid change from residential to commercial. In addition, plans were made public to expand the Medical Center from Chestnut Street to include the area of Floyd and Brook. These factors led to an exodus of much of the downtown Louisville population out to the suburbs and membership at Broadway Methodist began to diminish.

On Sunday, September 5, 1954, Louisville Area Bishop William T. Watkins and Dr. Robert H. Wade, Louisville East District Superintendent, met with the congregation for the morning worship and a congregational meeting. Bishop Watkins logically presented the factors bearing upon the future of the church at its Broadway location and suggested the church consider relocating - preferably in the East Brownsboro Road area. After much discussion, the congregation voted to accept his suggestion.

On the same Sunday afternoon, Bishop Watkins and Dr. Wade called into conference Dr. James W. Averitt, pastor of the Beechmont Methodist Church, and requested that he assume the pastorate of Broadway and endeavor to guide the church in a relocation program. With the blessing of Dr. R. V. Bennett, then Broadway's pastor, Dr. Averitt accepted the challenge.

To assist the Broadway church in the first stage of its relocation efforts, Bishop Watkins organized a Sponsoring Committee composed of himself, the District Superintendent, and the pastors and some laymen from three Methodist churches, and the pastor and two laymen from Broadway.

During the conference year 1954-1955, every effort was made to sell the Broadway church building and purchase a new site. These efforts were unsuccessful. Therefore, on July 25, 1955, the Sponsoring Committee met at the Methodist Building, 1115 S. Fourth Street, and suggested that perhaps the only course left was to shelve the relocation plans and close the Broadway church at the upcoming Annual Conference in September.

As a final suggestion, however, Dr. Averitt proposed that he attempt to organize a Methodist congregation in the desired East Brownsboro Road area. If his plan was successful in firmly establishing such a new congregation, the Committee agreed that the closing of the Broadway church could be delayed until the building was sold.

The Indian Hills Methodist Church

Following the approval of the sponsoring Committee, Dr. Averitt called a meeting of certain Methodists living in the East Brownsboro Road area to consider forming a new Methodist church in that area.

At this meeting, it was unanimously agreed to attempt organizing such a congregation and Dr. Averitt was requested to call for an organizational meeting to be held at the Crescent Hill Methodist Church, at 3:30 p.m. on August 21, 1955. It was also determined that a call should go out to Methodist churches in the Louisville East District asking for volunteers who would accept the challenge of forming an initial congregation.

On August 21, 1955, approximately 44 persons met at the Crescent Hill church. There they resolved to establish a new church, naming it the Indian Hills Methodist Church. These first members came from the St. Paul, Crescent Hill, St. Matthews, Fourth Avenue and Broadway Methodist Churches. Dr. Averitt was appointed as pastor of the Indian Hills-Broadway Charge.

Meanwhile, the Sponsoring Committee had found an abandoned school building on the grounds of the Masonic Widows and Orphans Home, off Frankfort and Bauer Avenues, that could be rented as a first home for the new church. The building could be reached easily by auto via Washington Avenue, off Chenoweth Lane. A rental agreement was immediately made with the "Home," and on August 28, 1955, the first services of the new church were held in the school building which was called Garnett Hall. Church school enrollment on that day was 46. 

Dr. Averitt conducted the service. The title of his sermon was "The Challenge of a New Journey," very apropos in view of what has since occurred.

Shortly before this first service, an announcement was made in the voice of St. Matthews newspaper that the newly formed church would hold its initial Sunday service on August 28, 1955, at 8:30 a.m. 

Garnett Hall provided much more room than was needed. There were many school rooms with desks in place, adequate toilet facilities, and a gymnasium. An auditorium provided accommodation for the formal Sunday worship services. In this theater style room, there was also a large stage, whereon a Christmas pageant was performed in December of 1955. Having been unoccupied for a number of years, however, Garnett Hall was quite dusty and dirty. In the early weeks of the church's occupancy, a great deal of fellowship was engendered as everyone brought their mops, brooms, dusting cloths and other cleaning equipment along with their energy and enthusiasm to work to make their new church home sparkle.

Church school classes for all ages began meeting immediately. Among the adult classes were two which remain active at this present time namely the Wayfarers (from the Indian Hills Church) and the Pathfinders (from the Broadway Church). Others were the Homesteaders, the L.O.A. (Love One Another), and the Fellowship classes.

Soon it was learned that 6.6 acres of ground at Brownsboro Road and Blankenbaker Lane could be purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Luther Goose. On September 12, 1955, the Broadway Indian Hills charge entered into a contract calling for a purchase price of $40,000. Mr. W. Glover Giles, of St. Paul Methodist contributed $20,000 toward the purchase, with Mr. and Mrs. Goose retaining a lien against the property to secure the balance of the purchase price.

Merger of the Indian Hills Methodist Church and the Broadway Methodist Church

It had originally been agreed that the merger of the two churches would come on or about January 1, 1956. However, in the fall of 1955, when the first cold winds began to blow, the furnace at the Broadway church failed. Since the cost of repairing or replacing the furnace was prohibitive and impractical at this point, the plans to merge the congregations were accelerated.

After 90 years of service at Floyd and Broadway - the final Sunday worship was held at Broadway Methodist Church on November 17, 1955. The merger of the two congregations was celebrated on November 20, 1955, at Garnett Hall, with Bishop Watkins conducting the service. The oldest continuous Methodist church in Jefferson County became merged with the newest! At that time, the church was given the temporary name of Broadway Indian Hills Methodist Church. 

The Broadway church brought to the union its church building and property at 233 E. Broadway, its parsonage at 1601 Windsor Place, a Memorial Fund valued at $41,389, the Lutes Fund, valued at $6,200, and a Class 23 Fund. The Memorial Fund, established in 1922, has a current book value of $438,527, and a market value in excess of $535,225. In the past fiscal year, Christ Church received in excess of $32,000 from this Fund.

While the members of the Indian Hills church had little material resources to bring to the union, they brought much in spiritual resources. They had given up their interests in the churches where they had long held memberships, and with dedicated zeal, had brought into being a new church, making possible the perpetuation of the long history of the Broadway church.

Following the merger service, the first Quarterly Conference was held, at which time the officials of the church were elected. Later, on November 30, 1955, the first Official Board met. At this meeting, it was recommended that each member be given an opportunity to propose one name each during the month of December. A permanent name for the church would be selected, by vote of the membership, from those submitted. Twenty-two names were proposed. 

On January 1, 1956, a preliminary vote was taken. The four names which received the most votes were: Christ Methodist, Broad-Hills Methodist, Brownsboro Road Methodist, and St. Mark Methodist.

In the final voting, Christ Methodist Church received the most votes, and the new name was adopted. (The word "United" was added in 1968, at which time the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged to form the United Methodist Church.)

On February 21, 1956, at a Quarterly Conference, it was resolved that the Broadway church parsonage at 1601 Windsor Place be sold, and a new one be built or bought close to the Brownsboro Road property.

A New Church Building

In September, 1954, at the Broadway church, a Building Council had been organized with Judge Ben F. Ewing, Sr. as Chairman Six sub-committees were selected and members too numerous to name were asked to serve. Their work covered all details of a relocation and building program. For a year, a very thorough study was made of available literature and of existing church and educational plants in and around Louisville. Christ Church members visited churches as far away as Nashville, Tennessee, and central Indiana, as well as ones in Louisville, seeking ideas for the new structure.

By late January, 1956, it was decided to build a church plant that would accommodate 1200 in the sanctuary 750 in the church school. Dr. Averitt drew a set of floor plans, with the sanctuary, chapel, and educational section so arranged as to include an outdoor playground enclosed by the buildings. These plans, plus the findings of the study, were given to the Nevin and Morgan Company, whom the church had employed as the architects.

Later, Mr. Jack Pruitt, a member of the church, was given the floor plans and the materials and findings of the Planning Committee. From these he drew a set of plans that met the approval of the church. In his plans, the two-story educational building was reduced to one floor and arranged around the sanctuary so as to provide two outdoor areas surrounded by the buildings. Nevin and Morgan, Architects, were asked to take the plans as drawn, perfect them and provide specifications. By now, plans had reached the stage where it was necessary to decide the style of architecture. After much discussion, a vote was taken at a Church Conference on April 22, 1956, with the congregation voting by a 90% majority to construct a colonial style structure.

On May 10, 1956, an announcement went out to local newspapers that Christ Methodist Church would build a one million dollar plant at the Brownsboro Road site.

Earlier in that year, the Broadway parsonage on Windsor Place was sold and the proceeds were used to purchase a parsonage at 707 Wicklow Road.

Although the architects had advised that construction could begin in June, 1956, by then sufficient funds had not been realized to start the effort. So, throughout the summer, the congregation met regularly at Garnett Hall and worked hard at strengthening the financial position of the church in anticipation of beginning construction.

Finally, as the summer of 1956 began to wane, the Broadway church property was sold for $80,000, making it financially possible to set a date for the beginning of construction. The Kentucky Society for Crippled Children subsequently built their headquarters on the site.

On Sunday, November 26, 1956, a cold wintry day, ground breaking ceremonies were held at the building site. Amid much enthusiasm and rejoicing, a gleaming spade wielded by Dr. Averitt and a breaking plow with a multiple rope hitch pulled by parishioners were teamed to turn the first earth for the new building. Construction of the chapel and educational section had begun!

The cornerstone was placed on May 19,1957. Bishop Watkins, Dr. W.S. Bolles (Louisville East District Superintendent) and Dr. Averitt conducted the service. Placed in the cornerstone were items taken from the Broadway cornerstone, a history of the church, films of the ground breaking ceremonies, a complete list of the charter members of the church, as well as newspapers of the day and other items of interest.

The construction was carried on by the Lee Pruitt Company, directed by Mr. Jack Pruitt.

Construction proceeded smoothly - so by the latter part of the summer of 1957 plans were set for the opening of the new structure and the congregation's move from Garnett Hall.

On September 1, 1957, just a little over two years following Dr. Averitt's August, 1955 call for volunteers to form the new Church, the doors of the new chapel and initial educational facilities of Christ Methodist Church were opened, and the first service in the new church was conducted.

Included in this original construction was a kitchen-dining-meeting area that encompassed most of the three present classrooms opposite the present reception office. Until 1962, church dinners, lunches and meetings were held in this area. A little later on, folding panels were installed to provide three separate spaces for church school classes.

Members of the young congregation took possession of their new accommodations with a fierce enthusiasm, continuing to grow in spiritual commitment. They soon realized there was a great need for a church day school. Thus, on or about September 15, 1957, the Christ Church day school opened for children ages three to five years old. It began with four teachers and approximately fifty children and has operated continuously on a daily basis since then, offering its services to both the children of church members and to other children in the community. As of 1994, there were twenty-four teachers and staff and approximately one hundred and seventy-five children.

Church membership grew rapidly, and in a few short years the original facilities became over-crowded. Meanwhile, Dr. Averitt was appointed Louisville East District superintendent of the Louisville Annual Conference. He had been pastor from the beginning of the dream, and had contributed more than can be adequately related to the establishment and early growth of the church.

Dr. Averitt was followed by Rev. Kavanaugh Loy, who was appointed in 1959 and remained until 1961. The church continued its growth, and space became more dear each day.

In 1961, Dr. William W. "Bill" Slider was appointed pastor. Coincidentally, as a very  young man he had served as Assistant Pastor of the Broadway Church from 1939 to 1941.

On or about the time of Dr. Slider's arrival, a Building Fund Campaign was inaugurated with special emphasis on raising $100,000 in three year pledges toward the building of the sanctuary, payments to be made from October 1, 1961 to September 30, 1964. Research revealed certain statistics that validated this plan.

The geographical area from which the church drew its members was roughly from River Road to Shelbyville Road, and from Zorn Avenue to Anchorage. The population in this area (according to the 1960 census tracts of the Louisville Chamber of Commerce) was 26,843.

National headquarters of the Methodist Church estimated that 6% of the population of the area would attend the church. The Building Committee then calculated that the estimated growth of Christ Church should be as follows: