CROTHERSVILLE

After filing into Crothersville United Methodist Church for Sunday morning’s worship service, members of the Butler family sat in pews on the left side.

It was a special day because they were all together to share a historical moment as the church is celebrating 150 years.

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When members of the congregation shared joys and prayers during the service, it was proudly announced that four generations of the family were there that day.

“I just like when they are all here. I know they come one at a time, sometimes two at a time, but when we’re all here, it’s great,” Wanda Butler said, smiling. “They do split up sometimes and go different places, but we eventually all get back here. I love it.”

Wanda’s husband, Gordon K. Butler, said families have kept the church going for 150 years.

“If the family all moves away and moves to another town, then the church loses its structure and its backbone, so it becomes a family community situation,” he said.

A majority of the Butler family still lives in Crothersville and has remained dedicated to their home church.

“For me, it’s just the foundation of my faith that I grew up with, and learning the traditional hymns and the stories of the Bible, those have always stayed with me,” said Kristy Wright, one of the Butlers’ daughters.

“I like the family orientation of this church,” said Becky Butler, another daughter. “I came with my grandparents when I was little. We all came with our grandparents, and it’s just a part of life. I wouldn’t know it any other way. I just feel close to my family when I come here.”

Sara Salas said she and her sister, Amy Schleter, grew up going to the church with their parents and grandparents.

“It’s important for our kids to get to come and have the same experiences we did as a church,” Salas said. “Our church members get really excited having the kids here. That’s always kind of a motivation.”

During children’s time, Eunice Lacey talked to the kids, Alex and Caleb Salas and Uriah and Mia Barrientos, about the church celebrating 150 years.

“Mrs. Eunice used to do my children’s time, so it was neat to see my kids get to experience Mrs. Lacey, as well, the same way that I did,” Sara said.

Caleb said he likes being able to come to the church as a family.

Sara’s mother, Shere Coomler, said the pastor, Brynen Chitwood, also keeps them coming to church.

“He’s young, and he has given us new life and put some spark in the church,” Coomler said.

“That is true,” Gordon said. “Since he came, the church has really started to pick up a little bit. He’s got a different philosophy on life than most of the ones we’ve had in the past.”

Chitwood, who has been at the church since July 2017, said the family’s faithfulness to the church is great.

“It’s families like those that keep churches like this going,” he said. “It’s very inspiring to see all of them here.”

Nearly 30 people attended Sunday morning’s service. Then at noon, they all gathered in the annex for a meal.

Gordon said while the church building has been at 108 N. Armstrong St. near the stoplight in Crothersville since 1868, the church has been in town for a little while longer.

The beginning of recorded history of Methodism in Crothersville dates back to 1860 with the appointment of the Rev. John McSharp to the Crothersville Mission.

The earliest meetings were conducted in the town’s school building on the southeast corner of Howard and Armstrong streets.

Then in 1868, the current church building was erected using bricks made at Kovener’s Brick Kiln, and the wood used for the frame was donated by Amos Hall. The final construction cost was $1,500.

The building was first remodeled during the conference year, 1910-11. A basement was dug, and a furnace was installed. Before that, the church was heated by two wood stoves.

Other changes at that time were closing two front entrances and installing double doors for the center aisle, laying a new elevated floor and adding a porch.

In November 1953, construction began on the education building and fellowship hall. The plans included a kitchen, two restrooms, four classrooms and a large dining hall. The sanctuary also was redecorated.

In 1977, a new addition was built to replace the porch. It provided space for an additional Sunday school room and a place to hang coats and hats.

Three years later, with the help of the annual conference and the Columbus District, a building on West Howard Street was purchased and remodeled to become the new fellowship hall. The former fellowship hall was made into permanent classrooms, and the sanctuary was refurbished.

Sunday’s 150-year celebration also was special for Sharon Buckles. Her father, Leon Gardner, was the pastor for 13 years, and he married her and her husband, Don, at the church in 1966.

“He said he tied this knot and it better stay tied, and it did — so far,” Sharon said, smiling.

Sharon, 71, said she has been going to the church since she was 7.

“It was hard when (her father) left, but we realized this was our family and this was where we belonged,” she said. “I’ve been here ever since I was 7 years old, and no other church was the same.”

Sharon and Don have been faithful members of the church.

“In 2002, he had a truck wreck and broke his neck,” Sharon said. “If it hadn’t been for this church being behind us and being there for me, we wouldn’t have survived. They are a peace of mind.”

She said the building used to have two doors — one for the men to enter and the other for the women — and she remembers the purchase of the annex and other remodeling projects.

Through it all, the people have maintained their faithfulness.

“The people of the church, they’re just family,” Sharon said. “You got to come every week not only to hear what the preacher has to say, but you got to come and fellowship, and you need that. Everybody needs that in their life.”

Chitwood said he could feel the family unity when he first arrived at the church last summer, and he has enjoyed being a part of it.

“It’s just a joy to see that regardless of how the world is changing and all that kind of stuff, they come in here and they are ready to worship,” he said. “They want the Word of God, and that’s it. That’s all they want. It’s pretty inspiring to see that they are content with that. It’s a joy to be here as a pastor.”

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Crothersville United Methodist Church is at 108 N. Armstrong St., Crothersville.

The Sunday morning worship service is at 9 a.m. each week.

Information: 812-793-2826 or find the church on Facebook

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