Around 1905, Methodists and
Baptists began holding services under a brush arbor. The Trout Methodist
Church was organized the following year under the leadership of Rev. L.L.
Roberts. Rev. Roberts was succeeded by Rev. Paul M. Brown, who led
the congregation in acquiring property and building a white frame church
in 1906-07. It faced west on Summerville Road. The church,
with a high pointed room and a bell tower, was surrounded by a white picket
fence with a welcome sign on it. The church was dedicated on April
28, 1907, with Rev. W.F. McMurray of Louisville, KY giving the message.
About 1920, a two-story education
building was constructed on the side of the sanctuary. The first
floor consisted of a large recreation room. Classrooms filled the
second floor.
In 1936, a tornado destroyed
the church spire, which was never rebuilt. The second floor of the
education building was destrooyed. A roof was placed over the exposed
first floor.
When the Trout Creek Lumber
Company sold their business, many in the community left.
As the years took their toll
on the old church, it was decided to build a new one. Rev. E.W. Sandel
led the efforts in 1964. Wood from the Good Pine Methodist Church
(disbanded in 1944) was used in the new church. The fellowship hall
and classrooms utilized paneling from Good Pine. The pulpit (which
originally came from a New Orleans church) and three chancel chairs from
the 1907 church were installed in the new church. Services began
in the new church shortly after December 15, 1964. It was dedicated
on May 17, 1970. It was renamed the Eddy Justiss Memorial United
Methodist Church after a 14 year-old member that had died of a baseball
accident in 1963. |
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