Morgan Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): The Wus First Week at Morgan

July 10, 2008

The Wus First Week at Morgan

We enjoyed having Rick and Cathy visit on Sunday! The text was from Luke 5:1-11 and the message was entitled "Getting to Know You." Getting to know others is the first step in sharing God's love. Why is it that we avoid some people? Why do we shut some out? Jesus went to the most marginalized people and shared God's love with them. When we open ourselves to others, we put ourselves in a position to bless and be blessed. We have been getting to know all the members of Morgan Christian. The hospitality has been overwhelming! Thank you for welcoming us into this warm and unique church family. Sincerely, David, Julie, Micah and Josh Wu

Micah and Josh interview retired teacher Lois Wilson. Lois loves the people of MCC and enjoys playing Scrabble.

Nancy and Hiram Harville enjoy taking trips with their friends at Morgan. They are both avid UK fans.

Derrick, who lives across the street, showed us a great place to skip rocks.

We LOVE the new parsonage!
David likes the fireplace.

Julie's favorite spot is the kitchen.

Micah loves his new room!

Josh is enjoying all the space!

A Brief History

In February 1862, Richard Stowers deeded a portion of his land to Jeremiah Wells and William Kirkwood to establish a meeting house for the Christian Church at Morgan. On that site, a frame building was constructed facing the South Licking River. The Rev. Kirkwood, a blacksmith, was the pastor of the congregation.

In December 1882, the building was destroyed when sulfur candles ignited a tree during a Christmas program. Within a year, a brick building had replaced the frame structure. The brick structure was razed in 1915 when a defective wall created a hazard. The present structure, built in 1915 of bricks from the old building and new pressed bricks, faces northeast toward Kentucky Highway 1054. The sanctuary seats 125 people, with room for approximately 20 choir members. Twelve stained-glass windows centered with symbols of faith, were given by families in honor of past members.

More than 35 pastors have served Morgan Christian Church, which is associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) during its long history. A majority of these pastors were also students at Lexington Theological Seminary (formerly called The College of the Bible).

-From A Study of the Morgan Christian Church, Pendleton County, Kentucky, a master's thesis by Roland West Jones for the College of the Bible, 1961 (now Lexington Theological Seminary).

In July of 2008 a new parsonage was erected in-between the sanctuary and the river. A new fellowship hall was constructed in December of 2008. On January 25, 2009 the Shotwell-Aulick Fellowship hall was dedicated.

In the spring of 2009 there are plans to pave the parking lot in front of the old Morgan High School. We also plan on erecting a monument in commemoration to those who have been laid in the Morgan Christian Church Cemetery.