Asbury United Methodist Church

History

Asbury Church History

The History of Asbury United Methodist Church

For years there was only one Methodist Church in Ada. On July 4th 1895, the Methodist Episcopal Church South was organized in a little old one-room log school house on the corner of North Hickory and West Second Street. There were twenty-two charter members. A Union Sunday School was organized and met every Sunday. Rev Lyles from Stonewall rode over once a month to preach. The next four years the ministers from this area who were Circuit Riders served the church.

Rev. S.D. Wasson 1896 - 1897

Rev. C.G. Hall 1897 - 1898

Rev. D.D. Mullins 1898 - 1899

Rev. H.B. Scruggs 1899 - 1902

In 1899 the Ada Circuit was formed at Annual Conference. Rev. W.H. Nettles, one of the charter members was appointed in 1902 to be a Circuit Rider. The first regular pastor was Rev. W.A. Shelton in 1900. He was instructed by the Conference to reorganize and build at 121 West Fifteenth Street a church that was to become First Methodist Church.

In 1907 three lots were purchased at Sixth and Johnston and the old First Methodist Church building was moved there, where a new church was organized. This church was named Asbury Methodist Church. It was included in the First Methodist's budget for several years as a mission roject.

During the 1920s, this building was badly damaged by a fire and a tabernacle was used to worship in until a new church was built. In the 1950s a new sanctuary was built and the old building was remodeled for an education building and fellowship hall.

Later in the mid 1980s a new sanctuary was built that is still in use today. In addition a new parsonage was built in the mid 1990s and the old parsonage was torn down and a new parking lot was built in its place.

The old sanctuary and fellowship hall that was left was torn down in the late 1990s and plans were made for a new Family Life Center. Through much sweat and prayers we began using the new building in September of 2004. During the building process of the Family Life Center, an old church down the street from Asbury was purchased and donated by a long time member of the church. There we held Adult Sunday School classes, VBS, and all other fellowship dinners and specials.

The Present Asbury United Methodist Congregation is only a small part of this church. There have been thousands pass through the doors of Asbury since it was organized. They have gone on to be the Church. We regret there is not time or no way to know where they are or to name all of them but remember Malachi said the Lord told him "They that loved the Lord spoke often to one another and the Lord heard it and a Book of Remembrance was written for them that loved the Lord and thought upon His name". We know that a great many men and women have left a trail of tears, love light, understanding and inspiration for us to continue to pass on to those who follow after us here at Asbury. Ours is a great heritage!

Pastors Who have Served Over the last 110 Years

Rev. A.M. Dupree 1909 - 1912

Rev. Wade W Johnson 1912 - 1913

Rev. R.E. Early 1913 - 1914

Rev, B.F. Stegall 1914 - 1920

Rev. R.E. Brothers 1920 - 1922

Rev. A.H. Ogle 1922 - 1923

Rev. S.H. Crockett 1923 - 1925

Rev. L.B. Trone 1925 - 1928

Rev. W.E. Bowers 1928 - 1930

Rev. E.W. Bonner 1930 - 1931

Rev. G.T. Martin 1931 - 1932

Rev. Q.L. Peek 1932 - 1933

Rev. L.W. Cronin 1933 - 1934

Rev. E.W. Banner 1934 - 1935

Rev. Wesley Martin 1935 - 1936

Rev. C.B. Holland 1936 - 1941

Rev. Harvey Hulan 1941 - 1945

Rev. A.A. Pucket 1945 - 1948

Rev. A.W. Oliver 1948 - 1953

Rev. W.E. West 1953 - 1957

Rev. E.J. Chedester 1957 - 1958

Rev. John Paul King 1958 - 1961

Rev. David Parker Jr. 1961 - 1964

Rev. Clair Payette 1964 - 1968

Rev. Kerney Graham Jr. 1968 - 1972

Rev. Raymond Shepard 1972 - 1973

Rev. George Palmer 1973 - 1978

Rev. Guy Ames III 1978 - 1983

Rev. Bob Langston 1983 -1988

Rev. Bill Lutrell 1988 - 1990

Rev. Michael Strange 1990 - 1992

Rev. AI Potts 1992 - 1998

Rev. Rick Connelly 1998 - 2001

Rev. Jack Kemper 2001 - 2006

Rev. Carol Reich 2006 - 2008

Rev. L.Don Griffin 2009 - 2011

Rev. Temple Diehl 2011-2014

Rev. Linda Lusnia 2014-2015

Rev. Dr. Travis Muse 2015-Present