OUR HISTORICAL PAST

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College Grove was settled by the Allison and Ogilvie families around 1800, other early settlers include the Demonbreums, Hughes, and Rogers. Over the years the Cannons, Covingtons, Gentrys, Pages, Scales, and Webbs joined the community. A brick home built by Arch Hughes stood for over a hundred years until it was leveled by a tornado in 1925.

Until 1840 College Grove was known as Poplar Grove. In 1861 the post office came to Poplar Grove and the name had to be changed because another Poplar Grove already existed. The name was changed in honor of a boys school and a female seminary in the community.

Also, in June of that year, Dr. Samuel S. Webb   sold two acres for $240.00. This property was to be used for both the College Grove Seminary for Young Ladies and a Methodist Episcopal Church.

Some have thought that this Methodist Church might have been an outgrowth of an earlier Methodist congregation, Bethel Methodist Church, established in 1835 on the southeast corner of the Brown Boyd farm at a spot know as Bethel Springs. There is no proof of this, but the Bethel Church disbanded in 1861, the same year the College Grove Church began.

The original building had two front doors - one for men and one for women - that were found in many churches. It was unusual in design because the church also had a front porch. The present building was built in 1888 by T. G. Slate, a life-long member and local carpenter. The building was dedicated in 1889.

Through the years, changes and additions have been made to the 1888 building. In 1932, Sunday school rooms were added. The building was raised and a basement added in 1948, an adjoining strip of land was given by Mr. Marvin B. Scales. Stained-glass windows, an organ, and a new lighting system were installed in 1952. Additions in 1956 were a chapel and more classrooms. In 1973, there was remodeling and redecorating done along with installation of a new air conditioning and heating system.

The steeple given by the Joe Bellenfant family was erected in 1983 and dedicated in a service led by a form pastor, Reverend William Tomlin. The stained glass windows above the front door were made and placed there by the Maxwell family in memory of Albert Maxwell. Stained glass panes in the two basement doors were given in memory of Carl Thoni, Sr.

The original church parsonage was behind what is now Rods and Threads Hot Rod Shop (the old Covington Feed and Seed Store property). This was sold in 1910, and a new house was built on church property. Then, in 1959, this building was moved, and the present parsonage was built. Click here for more historical photographs of our CHURCH, MEMBERS AND ACTIVITIES.

Our church was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1988 and has appeared in several music videos by such artists as the late Waylon Jennings, Alabama and Madonna. It was also filmed for a segment in the movie "The Green Mile," staring Tom Hanks.

Tennessee Homecoming '86 was a state-wide, year-long celebration involving 647 communities across the State of Tennessee. It provided Tennesseans an opportunity to rediscover their past, identify the uniqueness of their own communities and invite other Tennesseans to celebrate with them. It served as a means of showcasing Tennessee's assets with the nation. The celebration was co-chaired by two famous Tennesseans - Alex Haley and Sarah Cannon, better known as Minnie Pearl. Haley, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Roots, hails from Henning and Grand Ole Opry star Minnie Pearl from Centerville.

One project of the College Grove Homecoming Committee was a Homecoming '86 History Project. For this project the committee did not attempt an "in-depth" history, but instead compiled a "reviewing, a recalling and a rambling of writings about events, people and places that have made the 'grove.'" Please feel free to have a look at the life and times of our village as it was viewed in 1986.

Beginnings, Businesses, Schools and Churches, Transportation, War Years, Sports, Civic Clubs, Remembrances

CGUMC Note Cards For Sale

The UMW Day Group has note cards featuring a picture of the church available for sale. The cards are in packages of 10 and sell for $5.00. See a member of the group or ask Bobbie. If you are out of town and would like to order a package, you may send a check in the amount of $7.00 ($5.00 + $2.00 postage & handling).

CGUMC Cookbook Available

"Goodies From the Grove"

A collection of recipes by members of the College Grove United Methodist Church is now available. The 140 page book contains 379 mouth watering recipes! The cost is $15.00 and all profits go to the Building Fund. You may buy a copy from Frankie G. or Bobby. If you are out of town and would like to order a book, you may send a check in the amount of $18.00 ($15.00 + $3.00 postage & handling).