Morgan Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): Church Update

March 5, 2010

Church Update

Spring is almost here! Don't forget to spring forward next week. There will be a potluck, a meeting and special music on March 14th. We will be bowling on the 20th in Cynthiana. Youth who have been attending will bowl for free. We have been averaging in the 30's for our worship attendance. Last week we had 30 in Sunday School alone. Steve Wood is leading the new class which has had Rob and Jennifer Braun, April and Ken LeCrone, Tony and Kelly Maxedon, Buddy and Connie Hannah, Steve and Lois Work, David and Julie Wu, Kathie Moreland, Donnie Dedden, Randy Godman and Dawn Wood in attendance. Amber Work has been teaching the kid's class. Last week the kids drew Christian symbols which Amber drew in henna on their hands and arms.

Micah and David will be helping the first ever Fellowship of Christian Athletes Skate Tour which will be from March 29-April 1.

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.