Early Methodism in Area

Methodism in Kennett had a vague and indefinite beginning. Prior to the Civil War, the population of about 150 met occasionally in a log courthouse for services led by an itinerant preacher. From 1851 to 1853, Kennett was a preaching point on the Grand Prairie Mission, along with Cotton Plant and Hornersville being the center. The mission lay in the Greenfield District. The confusion and demoralization of the Civil War included the burning of the local courthouse, and it seems to have shut down all efforts at Methodism for a few years. There is no record of work between 1853 and 1870, although some may have been done in a sporadic way.

In 1870, the Grand Prairie Circuit became a going concern in what was then called the Charleston District. Hornersville was the center, and monthly services were held at Cotton Plant, Harkey's Chapel, and Kennett. The presiding elder was John Hedley, and the first circuit rider was Stephen A. Richey. By 1871, the bishop was David Dodgett. The only building was a log structure at Harkey's Chapel built in 1854. Meetings at Kennett were held in a large framed courthouse built on the ashes of the first courthouse which had burned. The location was where the current Dalton and Mowrer Law Firm is located, as well as the office of Dr. Chester Peck. This building was burned in 1872. The county then rented a large plank store building on the south side of the square for a courthouse, and the church held its meetings there until 1880.

That year, the Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians moved to the school building which was located on South Main in a small park beside the Sherrill Crow Pool. The various church groups met at separate times, but there was a united Sunday school. The first superintendent was Edward Hall, a Baptist, followed by George Dunmire, a Methodist.

In 1887, the Kennett Methodist Church erected their first building where the annex for the Presbyterian Church is now located. In 1917, the present church located at the corner of College and Washington was built and dedicated. In 1957, there was a fire which destroyed the sanctuary; however, it was reconstructed in 1958. In 1959, due to the growth of the church, an educational building was added and dedicated. And finally, continued growth led to the foundation of the Faith Methodist Church, located on the south bypass in 1961. In 2001, the church took on the building of the Christian Life Center. 

Records indicate that six people from the church have gone into the ministry. The first was Thomas Hall in 1945, followed by James Glass, Joe Andy Harding, David Kerr, John Kerr, Ron Beaton, and Jennifer Bell Moxley.

Compiled by the Church Historical Committee, headed by C. R. Talbert.