Dexter Avenue History continued
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In 1887, with the support of Bishop J.C. Keener and the Methodist Conference, as well as the sponsorship and assistance of the Court Street Methodist Church, Dexter Avenue began its journey. From its humble beginnings at the site of the Dotzheim Grocery and Saloon, Dexter Avenue United Methodist Church has been serving residents and visitors for more than 120 years.
At the 1887 annual conference of the Methodist Church, Bishop Keener appointed Reverend J.P. Roberts to lead the church. At the time of his appointment, Reverend Roberts was faced with a church that had no meeting place, no parsonage, and not one member. The Court Street Church raised enough funds for the down payment on the Dotzheim property, where the first meeting was held on January 31, 1888. Fifteen people, including Reverend Roberts, were in attendance. The following Sunday, the first worship service was held with twelve recorded attendees.
By the time of the next annual conference, membership had grown from 0 to 78. That number nearly doubled by the end of 1889. It was only the beginning of Dexter Avenue's success.
Under the leadership of Reverend J.B. Cumming, the membership purchased the lot at the corner of Dexter Avenue and McDonough Streets from their new facilities. A temporary "tabernacle" was built as a meeting place and planning for a permanent building began. R.W. McGrath was commissioned to create the architectural plans of the Romanesque-style structure, while J.B. Worthington was contracted for the masonry. Other sub-contractors included: Cook & Laurie and D.F. Gorrie for the carpentry, Curbow and Clapp Marble Company for the stonework, and D.D. Bray for the painting.
The cornerstone was laid on November 2, 1892, and hundreds attended the event. Five years were to pass, however, before the congregation could meet in the new Sunday School room and several more before the main sanctuary would be completed. A new fundraising drive began in the summer of 1895, with little success. It wasn't until Thanksgiving services that year, held in the Montgomery County Courthouse where the congregation had been meeting since the sale of the temporary tabernacle, that fundraising was completed. At that service, Reverend Roberts preached a sermon so powerful that it motivated those in attendance to fill the offering plate with enough money and jewels to complete the construction. A rousing hymn, titled "The Roof is Going On" and written for the occasion by church member Crawford T. Ruff, provided further inspiration for the congregation.
Both visitors and members can enjoy exceptional examples of historical architecture and old-world craftsmanship, among them a graceful spiral staircase leading to the second floor and balcony. Between 1904 and 1914, the exquisite stained-glass windows lining the walls were commissioned and installed. The church's pipe organ was built in 1914 by Henry Pilcher's Sons of Louisville, Kentucky and is one of the oldest pipe organs in the city, known not only for the quality of its tone, but also for the beauty of its cabinet and pipes.
Dexter Avenue has undergone a few evolutions in its name since it was first founded in 1887. The changes reflect changes in the denomination's name through actions of its General Conference. Beginning as Dexter Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, South, the name was changed in 1938 to Dexter Avenue Methodist Church, and in 1968 to Dexter Avenue United Methodist Church. While changing methods and approaches to meet the needs of the time, the goals and aspirations of the church have remained unchanged: to serve and minister to the residents and visitors of the city, declaring the Good News of Jesus Christ, and welcoming the lost into its fold.
