Our History

History of Mount Carmel United Methodist Church:

The first Methodist congregation met in 1885 in the District House, a common use building for the community which also served as the schoolhouse; There were approximately 100 members and it was on the Rogersville Circuit in the Morristown District. Rev L.M. Cartwright was the first pastor.

In April 1897, W.E. Ellis gave 2 acres of land across the road from the District House for the purpose of building a church house for the Methodist congregation. Lumber, time and labor were given by members and friends. Merity Bellamy, a local carpenter, was hired for $1.50 a day to build the church, and was the only paid man on the job. Stained glass windows were given in memory of Captain H.B.Clay by his son-in-law, Brad Bynum. One of those windows continues to be displayed in the sanctuary today.

In the fall of 1897, the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church was dedicated for the people to worship Almighty God. The pastor was D.V. York, the presiding elder of the church. Improvements were made in the coming years to add a furnace, fellowship hall and additional classrooms.

The church received word in 1966 that they would have to relocate due to the four lane highway (11W) being constructed, and in November the congregation purchased 4.71 acres of land on Independence Avenue for the purpose of building a new church. Harold Harris, Kingsport District Superintendent presented the plans and the vote passed at a projected cost of $70,000.

Services were held in the Liberty Hill School during construction. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on February 5, 1967, with both the oldest and youngest members in attendance. Cain Brothers Construction Company began bulldozer work on the basement the next morning. On October 1, 1967, the congregation held its first service in the basement of the current church building, and on October 22 services were held in the sanctuary.

Many improvements have been made to the building and grounds over the years including building a parsonage, doubling the size of the fellowship hall, and adding the "Albert and Callie Ragle Outdoor Worship Center". We have an active Boy Scout troop, and many of them have completed their Eagle Scout projects around the grounds. The church was 'flipped' in 2010 moving the choir and pulpit area to the west of the building closest to Independence Avenue, and adding restrooms to the east side of the church closest to the parking lot.

No church history is ever complete. If it is, the church ceases to fulfill its obligations to make disciples, the very reason it came into existence. We strive to continue to be the light on the hill, ministering to the needs of our neighbors, the people of the community and to the world. We work together as a congregation, as those who came before us, donating our time, gifts and talents to answer His call.