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History of Smyrna United Methodist Church
Smyrna United Methodist Church traces its beginnings to 19th century Brush Arbor meetings,
to which people would come by wagon and camp for a week at a time.
Then, in 1834, Andrew Yow deeded land to the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
giving the church an official homesite.
A building was moved to the site, down near the creek, in the 1830s or early 1840s,
to be used as a church. Circuit riders served the newly built church.
By 1865, the church had a pastor, Thomas Moses.
Around 1890, the original church was dismantled and a new one built.
Then, in 1939, this building was moved from creekside up the hill, pulled by horses,
to its current location. At the same time, additions were made to enlarge the church.
A parsonage was added in the early 1960s. Church enlargements were made repeatedly
as more space was needed -- in 1957, 1963, 1973, 1975, 1987-89, and in 1999-2000
with the latest addition of a Family Life Center. Interspersed were other projects,
such as a Veteran's Memorial; the Old Sandy Memorial Monument in honor of slave
Sandy Williamson and other slaves who were buried with no names or markings;
a memorial Brick Patio; and a Memorial Garden.
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