A Brief History of the Church at Center
Compiled by William & Becky London

Taking the Bible as their only guide, Christians in Metcalfe County established the Center congregation of the Lord's church in 1903. The property for the building was bought from P.R. Boston on November 22, 1902. The deed to the property was made to W.T. Scott, J.A. Scott, J.H. Smith, and their successors. The deed stipulates that no instrumental music would be introduced into the worship service. It also states that when anyone tries to introduce music into the worship is opposed, the lot and worship house will, therefore, become the property of those opposing instrumental music. Some of the first members of the church meeting in Center included: Dr. Samuel York and his family the Billy, Lucian, and Allen Scott families Maggie Smith Cora Lowe and sons James and Robert Frank Greer family Mrs. Will Greer Lula Smith Dan Hiser family John and Maple Smith and their children Leonard, Bill, Mary, Lottie, and Dixie the Walter Henry family and Elias Hubbard Smith. In 1926 or 1927, the tabernacle was built on the E.H. Smith farm in southern Hart County. With a sawdust floor and homemade slat benches, the tabernacle featured a center post representing Christ and twelve sides, each representing an apostle. The Smith, Brooks, Walton, Douglas, Lile, Tyman, Stiltz, Lowe, Jones, Dilly, Ross, Bell, Brooks, Breeding, Powell, Waddell, Guinn, and Davis families were among those who worshiped at the tabernacle. The Christians continued to meet at both the tabernacle and in Center until the early or mid 1940's. About this time, the decision was made to disband the tabernacle congregation and unite with the Christians meeting in Center. This was done to strengthen the Lord's body and to expand the borders of the kingdom in he immediate area. Throughout the years, many faithful Christians have filled the pulpit at either regular worship services or at special Gospel meetings. A partial listing of these includes: Emmet G. Creacy, Harvey Riggs, Hardy Woodward, Raymond Crumbless, Joe Morris, Parker Henderson, Earnest Nash, Barry Stephens, Chris Steward, Charles Myers, J.G. Malfuss, J. Scott Greer, Bob Bradford, D.H. Friend, Willis Allen, Kenneth Spaulding, Loyd Spivey, Glen Page, Sam Steward, Bobby Edwards, Bruce Jackson, Al Horne, Jeff Abrams, Earl Robertson, G.C. Brewer, H.A. Fincher, James Harding, Jim Sherman, Billy Bybee, Glover Edwards, Floyd Dethrow, Charles Isenberg, O.B. Page, Paul Smith, Carey Waddell, Donald Nims, Robert Lowe, Beauford Fudge, Delbert Carver, Andy Baker, Ronnie Norman, Franklin Fox, Mike Tanero, Larry Coffee, Cecil Shaw, Alvin Holt, Bud Ridgeway, Craig Waddell, Carlos Tarter, Darrell Wallace, David Lipe, Robert Hooper, Steve Higginbotham, Ralph Gilmore, Corey Waddell, Steve Tyree, Clyde Woods, Van Robarts, Danny Wyatt, Lincoln Waddell, Timmy Woodward, Terry Bunnell, Marty Edwards, Danny McCain, Jason Peden, Chris Clark, David Ryan, Gerald Watt, Joey Harbison, Odell Kirby, and Nick Secula. The Christians meeting at Center enjoy coming together and singing God's praises as we teach and admonish "one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace" in our hearts to God (Colossians 3:16). Throughout the years, many talented song leaders, young and old, have used their gifts to serve the Lord by leading the Christians in singing. Counted among these are: C.O. Hughes, Jimmy Isenberg, John Thompson, David Harbison, Stanley Walton, Bruce Christian, Donald Gore, Billy Joe Smith, Craig Waddell, Terry Bryson, Paul Smith, Carey Waddell, Clarence Isenberg, Dr. Samuel York, Norman Cobb, Clint Waddell, Earl Clark, Jimmy Sturgeon, Matt Webb, Corey Waddell, Anthony Moore, Haley Bryson, Robbie Fudge, Ron Wagner, Creal Waddell, Billy Cline, Don Nims, Jim Shaw, Jeremy Waddell, Roger Williamson, Randy Lee, and Marty Pennington. My continual prayer is that we will worship God in spirit and in truth and that we will be of one mind and one spirit. God will give the increase as we grow in faith, in wisdom, and in service. My heart's desire is to preach the Gospel of Jesus in humility, in truth and power. Let the world know we are Christians by our love. May the Lord be glorified in all that we say and do. Daily, I give thanks for each member of the Center church family: for your faith, for your sweet fellowship in Christ, for your encouragement to preach the Gospel. I am confident that He who began a good work in you will complete it.

Grace and Peace, your brother, Don