Green Hill Church of Christ    

A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE GREEN HILL CHURCH OF CHRIST

The Green Hill Church of Christ began meeting in 1909 in a borrowed one room school house located about one mile west of the present building.  Families which began this work here were Esq. Jim Adams, a Mrs. Bass and her daughter, Flossie (Mrs. Will Burlington) of Donelson, Bob High and family, Mrs. W.T. Hunter (grandmother of Edward Rice) and daughters, Charlie Jackson, Jeff Jones family from Tulip Grove, Miss Add Ligon, Mr. Jeff Mabry and family, Miss Kate McDaniel, and Mr. Jim Smith.  Brother Bob High was the only leader in the congregation for many years.  He led the prayers, singing, served the table for the Lord’s Supper, and taught the class.  

BUILDINGS

By 1920, the congregation had outgrown the borrowed school house.  It became apparent that a more spacious building with complete amenities was needed.  At that time they bought a church building nearby that had been erected by a Methodist congregation and then abandoned for lack of membership.  It was a one room frame, about 25’ x 40’, heated by two coal burning stoves, and lighted by kerosene lamps.  The lamps were used only during the annual meeting as there were no night worship services.  In July of 1924, gas lamps replaced the kerosene lamps.  In August of 1926, electricity became available and electric lights were installed.  In 1941, it was decided to add three Sunday School rooms to the rear of the auditorium. 

As there was not a bapistry in the building, most baptisms were performed in Cedar Creek behind the house of Bro. Granville Goodall.  In May of 1945, Bro. N.B. Nokes proposed to donate toward a new building, provided the remainder of the congregation would raise matching funds.  This proposition was considered and accepted.  In March of 1950, construction began.  On October 15, 1950, the congregation moved into the new building. 

When the present auditorium and eight original basement class rooms were erected in 1950, it was thought to be large enough for future growth for the next fifty years.  By 1967, it became apparent that future expansion for our educational facilities was necessary.  Thirteen class rooms, two rest rooms, two dressing rooms, and a nursery were added.  East and West wings were added to the auditorium in 1975, doubling the seating capacity.  A new foyer with church library and office was added to the front of the building in 2000.  In September 2009, work was completed on expansion of the fellowship room at the rear of the building.  This effort enables virtually all guests for our dinners and meetings to convene and fellowship in one area. 

DEACONS

There is no formal designation of deacons or Elders until about 1935.  The first deacons to serve were Benton Lowe,  P.S. Mabry, and Elbert Hutchens.  The next to be selected were Hearne Granstaff, George Garrison, Alvin Jackson, Hoy Martin, Hugh Robinson, and Paul Adcock.  These men served the congregation while it was meeting in the old building.  A. T. Duke and Jimmy Hennessee were added in 1965.  During the late 1970's those serving as deacons also included Kirk Nelson, Hugh Robinson, George Goodall, Houston Stanton, Alvin Jackson, Howard Lawrence, Herb Marlin, Lawrence Gammon, and William Walden.  Our deacons during the 1980's included Robert Adkins, Grady Edwards, Robert Evans, Gary Gill, Jerome Herbison, Steve Holladay, Jerry Houston, David Jackson, James Lamberson, and Billy Prince.  Presently, the congregation is served by nine deacons.

ELDERS

In the early days of the congregation, Bro. Bob High served as an elder without being formally designated as such.  He was assisted in later years by Bro. Odell Goodall, who was later to be formally designated as on of the first three elders.  Bro. Goodall, Noel B. Nokes, and Shack Lowe were formally selected as elders around 1935.  Brother Goodall and Bro. Lowe both died in 1942.  Edward Rice was selected as an elder and served until 1976.  Drake Macon was selected as the third elder and served until 1957.  Bro. Rufus Hewgley was selected as an elder in 1957 and served until 1980.  Bro. Hoy Martin was selected as elder in 1962 and served until 1969.  Bro. Vernie Whitsett served as an elder from 1965 until 1980.  Bro. Jimmy Burchett served as elder from 1976 to 1978.  During the 1980's, those serving as Elders included Clayton Knowles, Kirk Nelson, Houston Stanton, and Jimmy Hennessee.  More recently, Bill Speight served until late 2005 and Robert Adkins served as an elder until his death in September 2011. Richard Kendall began his service as an elder in 2005, and was joined by Houston Stanton in August 2011.

PREACHERS

It is impossible to list all who have preached for the congregation during the past 100 years.  If such as list were possible, few of the very well known preachers would be left out.  For many years there was a different preacher nearly every month.  During the early years, preaching was held once a month.  The preacher’s salary was generally paid by the amount of contribution collected that day.  On March 6, 1921, Bro. Burton preached and received $2.60 for his effort.

Irby C. Pullias preached on a regular basis from 1924 through 1948, and held gospel meetings in 1925, 1958, and 1965.  His faithfulness and devotion to the Lord’s work during the lean years and trying times was perhaps the difference between success and failure of the church.  His wise counsel was needed and heeded by the elders under whose oversight he labored.

Athens Clay Pullias, although never engaged to work regularly with the congregation, was a true friend and ever present throughout the years.  He held several gospel meetings in the 1930’s, and also in 1948 and 1966.  On many occasions where there was no regular preacher or the church was “in-between” regular preachers, Brother Pullias either made a personal visit or sent a substitute. 

Part-time preaching was the rule until 1949.  At that time the brethren saw the need for having preaching each Lord’s Day.  Dr. Robert Kerce was selected to work with the congregation, and preached on a regular basis until August, 1952.  Dr. Howard White began regular work in January, 1953, through December 1956.  Ralph Nance succeeded Bro. White, and preached through September 1958.

Dr. Roy Ott preached from October 1958 through July 1959.  Burrell Prince worked on a regular basis from January 1961 until September 1963, and also returned to assist during the 1980’s.  Ralph Carnahan preached from October 1963 until June 1964.  Herbert Ledford then preached through the remainder of 1964 and was the first preacher to live in the new preacher’s residence.  Wayne Coats began preaching January 1965 and continued until 1980.   During the 1980’s and 1990’s, our fulltime preachers included Ken Thomas (1980-1984), Dell Kimberly, Bill Goodpasture, David East, and Bill Wolfe.  August Ruff became our fulltime minister in January 1998 and continues to this day.

With regard to gospel meetings, our most recent annual meetings have been conducted by Ken Thomas, Frank Chesser, James Watkins, and Winford Claiborne. 

The Green Hill congregation celebrated its 100 Year Anniversary with a special homecoming service on September 20, 2009.  Over 400 present members, former members, and guests were in attendance.

This information was compiled through the efforts of several individuals; including Edward Rice (deceased), Bob Horner, George Goodall (current member) and Tommy Smith (current member).  Please submit any corrections to:  greenhillchurchofchrist@tds.net  .  Photographs are welcomed.