Jacob Grove Church History
It all started in 1868 when the people of Liberty Church of Dezarn built a new church and gave their log church to the black people of the community to conduct their religious services. Those who withdrew their membership were: Elliott Hazelwood, Thomas Owens, John Hazelwood, and others. They continued to worship in the log church for 21 years with Rev. Samuel Carter, Sr., as pastor. The members then built a new church on their own land, one mile northeast of the Liberty Church.
In the year 1870, a group of Christians in the community met and formed a plan by which a church might be built in Summersville. Those who met and formed the council were Reverends Samuel Carter, Sr., John Neal, Jordan Maxie, Spencer Wagner, and Richard Buckner, Sr. Lay members were Bros. Elliott Cowherd, John G. Hazel, Logan Carter, and Jacob Hodges.
Brother Hodges donated the ground one-fourth mile northwest of the present church’s site. This land is now owned by his granddaughter, Sister Lena Williams. A very large rough log house was erected with a huge fireplace. In memory of Jacob Hodges, the church was named Jacob Grove and dedicated to Christ for public worship. In 1881, the Jacob Grove Church built a new building at its present site. To the best of our records, Jacob Grove has contributed $7,832.00 to the Association and Convention, $6,042.00 for pastoral care, and a lesser sum for the sick and needy. The membership increased significantly over the years and all of the saints have gone on to their reward.
The church built in 1881 became dilapidated, and the members voted to build a new, more modern building. Through the advice and leadership of Rev. C.C. Willis in 1947, pledge cards were used to raise money for the new church. The captains were Mrs. J. W. Ford, Mrs. Maggie Mitchell, Mrs. Lucy Cowherd, Mrs. Bertha Williams, and Mrs. Gertrude Hodges. It was recorded that Bro. Alphonso Thornton gave the first $100.00, Over opposition and criticism, over $4,000.00 was raised, and the church was nearly completed. The congregation gave thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, who guided the pastor and co-workers to victory and also extended its gratitude to Sister Lena Thornton who raised over $200.00 from a Christmas Day envelope program
The old church building faced the side of our building today with three or four steps leading to the front door. The siding was made from material that shingles were made of and had a greenish tan color. Inside was a huge potbelly stove on the left side of the building. Many members walked or rode in wagons to church from the surrounding communities. Some from Highland Route had to cross Pittman Creek by a swing bridge or forded the creek. Many walked down a road behind the church an their way. A church bell rang out on Sunday morning signaling the time for church. The bell now hangs in the flower tower.
During Rev. Willis’ tenure, a baptistery pool was dug, and water from the roof was directed to a cistern and pumped into the pool for baptisms. A rite of passage for the boys was to jump over the pool area. Later, the pool was filled in due to leaks that couldn’t be repaired. In the 1950’s or 60’s, restrooms were added to the end of the church to replace the outdoor facilities. Church was held once a month for a number of years and later changed to twice a month on the first and third Sundays. In the 1980’s, Pastor Johnson encouraged Jacob Grove to start having church services each Sunday. The basement had a low ceiling, very poor lighting, and a dirt floor. When it rained, it caused a lot of problems with the water not draining out. The basement was said to be hand dug by the men of Jacob Grove with mules and wheelbarrows. The tables were made out of rough sawed lumber and were very heavy. Before each use of the basement, a major cleaning was necessary to remove the spiders and other insects that loved dark, moist areas.
The third Sunday in September was Jacob Grove’s annual homecoming or basket meeting as it was called in those days and was always well attend by former members and their families, and the surrounding community church members. In the 1980’s or 90’s, the basement was remodeled with lighting, painted walls and carpeting, and a kitchen area was added. The ceiling was still low, but there was one area Pastor Johnson could stand without touching the ceiling. Also, during Pastor Johnson’s tenure other improvements were made to the sanctuary carpeting, central air/heat, sound system, a new piano, lighting, ceiling fans, pulpit furniture, pews in the choir, and crosses were added behind the pulpit.
In 1998, ground breaking for a fellowship hall began and was completed in the fall of 1999. In 2014, the fellowship hall was named, The Rev., Dr. Walter L. Johnson Fellowship Hall. The fellowship hall has been used for many Zion District and State functions. Today, the Zion District Bible Institute meets In the fellowship hall for Christian Education classes from Campbellsville University for ministers, lay members or anyone interested in college credit. Before the fellowship hall was built, classes were from Simmons Bible College of Louisville and Dr. David Goatley was the professor. Those classes began in the early 1990’s and met in the basement. Once Simmons Bible College became affiliated with the University of Louisville, Zion District changed to Campbellsville University for its instructors.
In September 2014, under the leadership of Pastor Henry K. Nelson, the sanctuary was remodeled in time for Jacob Grove’s annual homecoming and church anniversary. In 2017, the basement was upgraded with newly painted walls and paneling. The room was divided into two classrooms, and a dehumidifier was purchased. The ladies’ restroom has been remodeled, and the floor in the hallway has been tiled; the fellowship hall was painted with chair railing added
A total of $79,000.00 was borrowed from E.G. Houchens Foundation. As of August 2018, the E.G. Houchens 20-year mortgage was paid in full. The PBI Bank loan of $20,000.00 has been paid in full as well. A note burning celebration was held during 2018 homecoming for both loans.
The following pastors have served: Samuel Carter, Sr., 20 years; R. Buckner, Sr., 28 years; J.J. Brown, 12 years; James Westley; W.P. Cowherd, 8 years; James Smith, 2 years: Daniel Rice, 6 years; Evan Curry, 2 years; Henry Graves, 15 years; W.M. Reed; C.C. Willis 31 years; Rev. Charles G. Ford, 2 years; James Lothery, 2 years; Walter L. Johnson, 25 years; Rev. Henry K. Nelson, 11 years and our present Pastor Rev. Melvin Mills.
Past and present deacons are Stephen Graves, A.T. Calhoun, Elliott Cowherd, S.M. Carter, Jr., W.M.C Ford, George Thompson, J.T. Barnett, Wesley Ford, Rollin Barnett Henry M. Barnett, Frank Ford, Willie Thornton, Willie T. Carter, Charles Ed Ford, Richard Barnett, George Cowherd, Sr., Rollin Barnett, George Cowherd, Jr., C.G. Ford, Howard Thompson, Louis Henry, Melvin Mills and Otis Johnson. Present Deacons are: James Thornton, Jerry Cowherd, and Dale Ford.
Past and present missionaries are Lena Williams, Ann Hodges, Georgia Ann Buckner, Lucy Cowherd, Florida Blackburn, Bertha Williams, Gertrude Hodges, Leona Thornton, Jewell Barnett, Mary Ann Ford, Gladys Cowherd, Icy Thornton, Lucille Thornton, Ozella Barnett, Lela Thompson, Cleo Thompson, Margie Mitchell, Barbara Johnson, Helen Mills, Juanita Johnson, Lorena Smith, Alberta Thornton, and Mary Cowherd
Past and present secretaries are R.A. Buckner, Mary Cowherd, Geneva Williams. George Cowherd, Jr., Jewell Barnett, Virginia Griffin, Pat Thompson, Jerry Cowherd, Kim Shively, Tracy Thornton, Teresa Cowherd, Derek Cowherd, Kay Smith, Helen Mills, Alberta Thornton, Allie Cummings and Gavin Thornton.
Past and present church clerks are R.A. Buckner, Mary Cowherd, Geneva Williams (Assistant), Jewell Barnett, George Cowherd, Jr., LaTicha Henry, Nancy Henry, and presently Alberta Thornton and Breanna Embry (Assistant).
Past and present superintendents are Richard “Dick” Buckner, George Cowherd, Sr., Louis Henry, Dale Ford, Sister Barbara Johnson, Jerry Cowherd, and Samanthia Embry.
We thank all of those who had the vision to persevere when the going got tough. We thank all of those who prayed and kept the faith. If it had not been for the Lord on our side, tell me where would we be?
This historical information was gathered from the Jacob Grove Church Archives surrounding churches, oral history from members, newspapers, and Zion District documents. The major source of information was from the Zion District Association Centennial Celebration pamphlet of 1876 to 1976.
