History of the church of Christ at Pikeville(originally published in the 1979 directory) *Updated in 2026 see number referenced and bold italics* “We have not been able to determine the exact date when the church was established in Pikeville. However, county courthouse records reveal that the church has existed in Pikeville since before the Civil War. A deed recorded in 1858-59 established the fact that the church existed at that time. The church met for many years in the Masonic Building located a few hundred feet south of the present location. Among those who assisted in leading the church during this period were: A.B Deakins, Martin Farmer, Billy Greer, C.B. Hart, and John C. Myers. Update 1

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The auditorium presently used was erected about 1915. County records show that the deed for this lot was recorded on December 18, 1913. The classroom building was added in 1949, with completion November Il, 1949. The erection of this addition was under the supervision of the late Hugh Mansfield. A new baptistry was included with this addition. Bro. Mansfield gave the painting; which was partially the art work of his granddaughter, Jean Reich Moore, an art student at that time. The classroom building underwent some remodeling in 1971 and 1972. Progress has been made by the church in Pikeville through the years with considerable stride in the late 60s early 70s. In the 1960s, an electric bulletin board sign was purchased and placed in the front of our building. The entrance porch was enclosed for a vestibule, and air-conditioning installed. The auditorium has had indirect lighting installed, in addition to other improvements, in the early 1970s. The chandeliers were given by Dr. and Mrs. John M. Hart of Locust Dale, Virginia. The church parking lot was also paved. A public address system was installed. A new mimeograph machine and typewriter were purchased, and a church bulletin was again published in February 1972, after being discontinued early in 1963. The church library began to grow as new books are added frequently. We began to participate in spreading the gospel over the local radio WUAT AM1110. Update 2

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Preachers who have labored with this congregation in local work are: G.W. McQuitty, Gilbert Gibbs, H.W. Wrye, C.H. Woodruff, Joe Alley, Fred Little, Ed Sewell, Glendol Grimes, A.S. Landis, Don Taylor, Malcolm Lammons, James B. Harris, Robert L. Darnall, Charles Fleetwood, Jack Simons, Roy Story, Dennis Smith, and Lonnie W. Blackwell. Update 3

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Among the preachers who have served the congregation in gospel meetings are: L.B. Larimore, J.W. Grant, E.A. Elam, Charles Holder, W. H. Sutton, Foy E. Wallace, Sr, Roy E. Wallace, Jr., Rice Sewell, F.D. Srygley, Price Billingsley, F.W. Smith, Stoney Pate, Dan Gunn, I.B. Thompson, Lee P. Mansfield, G.C. Brewer, Sam Pittman, Ira Douthitt, Boone Douthitt, James R. Cope, James Greer, Eugene Clevenger, Paul Matthews, James Watkins, James Harris, Malcolm Lammons, C.H. Woodroff, Dan Woodroff, Robert Sorrell, Roy E. Wilson, Malcolm Hill, Fred Mosley, B.C. Goodpasture, and Paul D. Murphy. Update 4  

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In addition to those preachers already mentioned, other men have shepherded faithfully as elders. In 1869, W E. Greer, E.W. Boyd, J. P .McGarr, C.B. Hart, Dr. J.P. Barnett and W.S.McReynolds served the Lord’s church at Pikeville. It was during the leadership of these elders that the agreement that was made in 1868 between the Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist and the Church of Christ was terminated. For $200.00 the Church of Christ bought the Presbyterian and Baptist interest in the Masonic Building, located a few hundred feet south of our present building. This was where the Church was meeting to worship at that time.

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In 1913, the present church lot was purchased from S.H. Blackburn for $425.00. The elders of the church were, C. B. Hart, B. W. Boyd, W. S. Greer, and C.E. Pope. The present auditorium was erected in 1915. In 1924, S.H. Hart, W.J. Aouff, B.W. Boyd, W.S. Greer and C.E. Pope were serving as elders. During this time a 15 feet wide lot was bought; located between the present building and Standefer's Pharmacy, from Dr. I.L. McGuines for $150.00. In 1949, B.W. Boyd, S.H. Hart, Dr. D.A.Greer, and Dr. H.M. Roberson, were the elders. During this year, the present classroom building was added. In 1963, a new minister's home was bought fromCleston Davis for $18,000.00, located on Spring Street. The old minister's home and 162.5 x 100 x 62 foot of land was sold to Standefer Pharmacy for $10,500.00. The house was moved away to another location in Pikeville. The elders at this time were: B.W. Boyd, S.H. Hart, and T.R. Pugh. Dr. D.A. Greer had passed away in 1959, and Dr. H.M. Roberson, elder, Bible teacher and song leader, had become inactive due to illness, and later passed away in 1966.

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In 1970, B. W. Boyd passed away. At that time, he was one of our oldest members. Bro. Boyd supervised our Bible classes for many years, but turned this work over in later years to T.R. Pugh. During 1971 Brother S.H. Hart, Sr. became inactive due to illness and passed from our midst in June 1975. In addition to serving as an elder, Bro. Hart served as treasurer of the congregation for many years. In 1967, his health demanded that he be relieved of most activities. Brother Hayden Wilson was then appointed to take over the duty of treasurer. He served the church in this capacity until he moved away from Pikeville in 1976. At this time, Brother Merrill D. Austin, Sr. was appointed treasurer and continues to serve in this capacity as this directory goes to press in 1979. Update 5

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Due to the continuing decline in health of Brother S.H. Hart, Sr., it became necessary for our presently active elders to have additional help in properly carrying on the work of the congregation. Brother J. David Wheeler and Brother Jesse Myers were appointed to serve as elders, raising the number again to four elders serving. The congregation continued to experience progress, as in the past. Early in 1975 the auditorium was redecorated. The pews were repaired and refinished. The floors were covered with an olive green carpet, and matching olive green draperies were installed. Much of this work was made possible through an estate donation of the late Brother J.E. Agee. Update 6  

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Our hearts were saddened with the sudden passing of one our beloved elders, Brother J. David Wheeler, died in July 1975. In 1977, Brother Jesse H. Myers' resignation was regretfully accepted. He resigned due to failing health, leaving the congregation with two elders. Since that time, Brethren Merrill D. Austin and T.R. Pugh have faithfully served the congregation as elders to this present time. We have three brethren serving in the capacity of deacons. They are Brothers Cleston Davis, Sam Hart and Paul Turner. Update 7

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During 1976, the church minister's home was redecorated and additions were made. A second bath, a utility room, a storage room, central heat and air-conditioning were among the improvements. New wall-to-wall carpet was installed a year later. During 1977, the ladies of the church became involved in a Ladies Class, having regular meetings at the church building, with devotional and benevolent work. With the opening of the Bledsoe County Nursing Home in 1978, new avenues for benevolent services were opened to them. The ladies readily prepared to assist in this effort by quilting and presenting lap robes to each elderly patient in the nursing home. Our ladies continue to assist in this work, by planning monthly parties for these nursing home patients, remembering birthdays and other special occasions. Our wonderful ladies of the church are always on hand to supply comfort and food to the bereaved and to the sick.

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On the first Sunday of January 1979, the church for the first time, employed a second minister.The congregation is now blessed with two full-time preachers, Brothers Lonnie W. Blackwell and Dennis Smith. Brother Rickey Davis serves as our song director. Among the other duties of our preachers, they spread the gospel in a weekly radio broadcast program over the local radio station, WUAT AM1110. They serve in a chaplaincy program at the local nursing home. This requires that an hour or so each day, in an assigned week, be given to seeing the patients, and the week is concluded with a complete worship service being conducted in a small chapel at the home on Sunday afternoon. Our congregation serves the home this way about once a month. Update 8  

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The preachers publish a bulletin each week, with the clerical help of Sister Nelda Turner. These bulletins are sent out in the mail. A display ad is carried in the local newspaper, giving the minister's topics for the coming Lord's day, and telling the name of the minister who will fill the pulpit on that given Sunday. The congregation continues to experience growth in membership. Gospel Meetings and Vacation Bible School continue as a part of our evangelistic program each year. Emphasis continues to be placed on learning and singing new songs, and learning more and more of God’s word. We are always concerned to make biblically sound improvements to enhance the quality of our worship services. Recently, we housed fifty singers overnight from David Lipscomb College. These wonderful young people sang for us in the afternoon that Sunday. Brother Larry Griffith directed the group. Brother Gerald Hale has been so very faithful in covering the bus route. We are fortunate to have so many fine young people and children. Special things have been arranged for their betterment and interest. Update 9

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The congregation is now sending the Gospel Advocate into the homes of every member to help encourage a better Christian viewpoint, and a better knowledge of our wonderful brotherhood.It does our hearts good to know we have had faithful brethren to lead the congregation at Pikeville in the past. We are so thankful for the stand they took for the truth, which has preserved the Lord's Church at this place. May the Lord continue to bless our leaders as they labor for the cause of Christ. Let us all pray and work together for continued growth.  The Pikeville Church is another congregation of the Lord's Church established on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ, in 33 A. D. Let us pray for our elders, deacons and ministers as they work diligently for peace, harmony, unity, and spiritual growth.”

(END - original article)

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UPDATES:

1. It is extremely likely that members were meeting in random homes many years prior to 1858. We know the number of years likely exceed what is mentioned, but we can factually say that the congregation at Pikeville has been blessed to serve the Lord for at least 168 years and counting. The current church membership directory is updated as new members come and is always available at the building or with the current members. 

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2. Though we no longer broadcast on the local radio station, we have become active on social media platforms, and published our first website in 2026. 

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3. Brothers Marshall Morgan, David Wright, Tony Richardson, Rubel Clayton, Ben Overby, Wes Garland, and Tony Britt have since served. Tony has been the preacher at Pikeville for the past twenty plus years. In late 2024 and early 2025 Brothers Thomas Roberson and Greg Pickett agreed to join Brother Tony in sharing the preaching duties. Then in late 2025, Bradley Hargis joined those brethren as a preacher as well. Sadly, our beloved Brother Gregg passed away in December 2025. In the recent years many have also been sponsored by the church from the school of preaching and have been able to share the gospel form the pulpit. 

 

4. Glenn Colley, Ben Giselbach, Cliff Goodwin, Ron Gilbert, Jack James, Steve Brown, Dennis Smith, Don Blackwell,  and many others have held gospel meetings throughout the years. We tried to remember everyone. If you or someone you know has held a meeting at the Pikeville congregation, please let Bradley Hargis know and we will update this list.

 

5. Brother Merrill has since passed. Others served as treasurer from his death until recently. J Sullivan currently handles those duties for the congregation. 

 

6. Remodeling efforts have also taken place in recent years to the current auditorium, back hallways, basement classrooms, and kitchen areas. Lighting upgrades, carpet replacement, pew recovering, awning covering the newly added ramp on the front entrance, fencing, painting, and other cosmetic improvements have been made. 

 

7. Upon the passing of these men, the eldership and deaconship dissolved. The Pikeville congregation currently operates without elders and deacons. As biblical precedent, the faithful men as a whole oversee the church’s operation. We pray that in the future we will have willing and qualified men to serve in the capacity of elders and deacons again. 

 

8. Brother Ricky began attending another congregation, and then sadly passed away in December 2014. For the years after, men stepped up and served as song leaders during the worship. Currently, J Sullivan, serves the congregation as a song leader.  Many changes have also occurred with the Bledsoe Nursing Home over the years, dissolving the function of the chaplaincy. Brother Gregg Pickett did the segment on WUAT for a couple of years until his health declined in 2024-2025. Hopefully in the future we will be able to resume that program. 

 

9. The bulletins mentioned are still published each week with the clerical help of Sister Judy Henry. This includes the sick, shut in, expressions of sympathy, births, anniversaries, and other announcements pertaining to the brethren at Pikeville. Lord willing, in the future we will again be able to re-establish a presence in the local paper. Gospel meetings continue, and if the Lord wills, we will be blessed to have Vacation Bible Schools again as well. Though many of our “youth” have grown into young men and women, we pray that the Lord will bless our congregation with more young people in the future.

 

So much information is included in the above article. Certainly, we are not able to mention each and every name of those who have faithfully served the Lord at the Pikeville congregation. We do owe all the previous faithful leaders and members of the church at Pikeville a debt of gratitude for enabling the work to continue, but ultimately all the glory goes to God for blessing us throughout our history. With such a rich history, and bright future, we pray that many lives will continue to be brought to God through sound doctrine, teaching, and practice. We pray fervently, that those living outside of Christ will fully submit and obey His divine word, becoming members of the New Testament church which is His body. May God continue to guide us and bless in all our future endeavors. The current brethren continue to strive to have Christ centered lives with Christ centered worship and service. We cordially invite any and all to visit us any time the doors are open and would be overjoyed to have a bible study with anyone desirous of such.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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