Our History

As David Roberts of Hollywood UMC, our church was founded by a group of "willfully disobedient" people who left what was then Joy Chapel to form a new holiness church. There's more to it than that, but it works.

The list of our pastors below was compiled in 1969 by founding member, Ethel Gatton Dean, and edited/annotated by her daughter, Edna Dean Thompson, some time later. Further edited by Ethel's great-grandson, and Edna's grandson, Wade Thompson. Will add specific dates as I can verify them.

In the early 1910s to 1920s, we also had services in what is now Lexington Park (Jarboesville) at Hammett's Chapel. At least one service was held "about 3 1/2 miles south of Hermanville." I'm not sure if that's where Hammett's Chapel was or not.

Brother Buckmaster

Brother Forest

Rev. Daniel W. Sweeney (Dan Sweeney's grandfather): Served at Hollywood the first time from at least 1911 to 1915. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15703812/daniel-w-sweeney

Rev. Joseph Francis "Frank" Rowe Penn: Served at Hollywood from 1915 to 1917. Became a missionary to Africa in 1919. His son also served as a missionary in Africa. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131733884/joseph_frances_rowe-penn

Rev. K. O. Arthur (misremembered by Grandma Dean as Brother Hattinson): 1918 to 1919

Rev. Daniel W. Sweeney (Dan Sweeney's grandfather): 1919 to 1921

Brother Buckmaster: 1921 to

Brother Donaldson

Captain Arthur Gatton (through the years)

Brother Sweeney (Dan Sweeney's grandfather again)

Rev Harrington

Rev. Robert H. Spear: 1930 to 1931

Captain Arthur Gatton - supply

Brother Sweeney - (Dan Sweeney's grandfather - AGAIN)

Rev. Samuel Reynolds Maybury: Served at Hollywood 1938 to 1941. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8799554/samuel-reynolds-maybury

Rev. Thomas Fowler: 1941 to 1945

Rev. Guy Nelson: 1945 to 1950 (it was during his ministry that the brick church on the hill was built.)

Rev. H. I. Basham: 1950 to 1954

Rev. Patmore: 1954 to 1957

Rev. John Gardner: 1957 to 1961

Rev. Joseph Hoopengardner: 1961 to 1987 (it was during his ministry that our current sanctuary was built)

Rev. Doyle Calhoun: 1987 to 1988

Rev. Wendle Lahr: 1988 to 1995

Rev. David J. Sparks: 1995 to 2006

Rev. Verne Haskell: 2006 to 2016

Rev. Eric Folk: 2016 to present

Our original church building was built in 1909, and enlarged under the ministry of Rev Robert Spear. Prior to 1909, our people worshiped in the "old Gospel Tent." Our Church on the Hill, home of Faith Quest and the Upper Room, was built during Rev. Guy Nelson's ministry. The church grew considerably under the ministry of Rev. Joseph Hoopengardner, and the main portion of our building was dedicated in 1974.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse