History
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Methodism came to the Radford area between 1781 and 1783. As the people flocked westward, Methodist preachers followed the flow. The first Methodist Church in this area, the Page Meetinghouse, was opened in 1781. Most of the Methodist churches in this area can trace their origin to this early movement. Bishop Asbury often visited as he made his visits to the West.
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In February 1894, Bourne Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was established at the corner of Third and Wirt Streets in the West Ward of the city of Radford. The property for the church was conveyed by deed from E. W. Jones and Mary C. Jones, his wife, to James Walters, J. H. Woodrum, J.M. Echols, and F. A. McCulloch, Trustees.
Bishop Gallaway appointed Reverend T. A. Jordan as first pastor of the church. According to Holston Conference records, E.N. Woodward served as pastor in 1904, Charles H. Fogleman in 1905, J.F. Barnett in 1906 and 1907, and H.B. Atkins in 1908. At that point, Central’s pastors are listed as “East and West Radford” with J.A.H. Shuler serving in 1910, and J.E. Naff serving in 1911. 
Methodist women, 1894
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Bourne Methodist Episcopal Church
1894 - 1913
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Bishop Denny, Reverend E. H. Cassidy, and others visited Bourne Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South in 1913, and suggested that it be relocated in a more suitable place in the city. On February 12, 1913 Trustees B.O. Pryor, W.R. Jordan, E. Johnson, Selden Longley, E.S. Jones, R.E. McNeil and F.E. Grayson purchased lots on the corner of Second and Wadsworth for $300 from John L. Vaughan and his wife. The building was erected and dedicated as the Radford Methodist Church. The Holston Conference records indicate that J.W. Rader was the pastor during the years of 1912 and 1913
Between the years of 1914 and 1927 the Conference records list a series of pastors having served at Central. 1914 and 1915- Thomas Priddy/J.H. Montgomery, 1916 and 1917- H.B. Brown/Marion Stevenson, 1918 through 1920- W.B. Belcher/Ellis C. Jessee and J.B. Simpson, 1921 through 1923- Z.B. Randall/J.H. Umberger/ R.A. Owen, 1924 and 1925- A.S. Thorn/R.A. Owen, and 1926 and 1927- E.A. Shugart/R.A. Owen. |
One of the disasters of the 1929 Depression was the closing of Radford Methodist Church and the transfer of its membership to Grove Avenue Methodist Church.
One account says that in 1936 the church was re-opened as the Radford Mission by a few loyal Methodists of Central Radford.
Another account states that Nannie Shelburne and some other loyal Methodists broke the padlock, swept the church, and started a Sunday School. During this time, students from Emory & Henry College served the congregation, named the Radford Mission, as supply preachers. Payment was a home-cooked Sunday lunch with kind families of the congregation! New people moved to Radford and the church grew steadily.
A full time pastor, R.C Bailey, was appointed to the church in 1942 and served until 1948 when H.B. Tiller was assigned. In 1943 the official name of the church was changed to Central Methodist Church, and Virgil Anderson was named as assistant pastor, apparently just for that year. Rev.Tiller is remembered as being a quiet, dignified, and formal man and his wife as having directed the choir.
. . . To be continued
One account says that in 1936 the church was re-opened as the Radford Mission by a few loyal Methodists of Central Radford.
Another account states that Nannie Shelburne and some other loyal Methodists broke the padlock, swept the church, and started a Sunday School. During this time, students from Emory & Henry College served the congregation, named the Radford Mission, as supply preachers. Payment was a home-cooked Sunday lunch with kind families of the congregation! New people moved to Radford and the church grew steadily.
A full time pastor, R.C Bailey, was appointed to the church in 1942 and served until 1948 when H.B. Tiller was assigned. In 1943 the official name of the church was changed to Central Methodist Church, and Virgil Anderson was named as assistant pastor, apparently just for that year. Rev.Tiller is remembered as being a quiet, dignified, and formal man and his wife as having directed the choir.
. . . To be continued