Beginnings of Franklin Methodism

It was in 1820 that the Methodist Episcopal Church established Franklin as a “preaching point.” That means the Circuit Rider in this general area began holding services in family homes where neighbors would gather together to hear the preaching whenever the Circuit Rider came into town on horseback. This concept was original to Methodism among the frontier churches.

The Reverend Andrew Hammill was the first circuit rider who began Methodist services here in Franklin.

About this same time in 1820, Jesse R. Siler came to Franklin from Buncombe County and supposedly bought land and a cabin from either the Cherokees or a white trader. In 1829 he joined the Methodist Church and gave permission for the circuit preachers to hold services in a house on his property. Then in 1830, Mr. Siler deeded one acre of land to the church and built a 30 X 30 foot structure that was the first church building for these faithful Methodists.

On January 10, 1835, Governor David Swain conveyed a tract of land to the trustees of the

Methodist Episcopal Church of Franklin by a land grant. This tract of land has been the home site for three different church buildings including our current one. The first being a brick structure built in 1860, in about the middle of the cemetery. In 1917, our forefathers in the faith completed a lovely new church building at the same location.

It was destroyed by a tragic fire on November 13, 1917 just months after its completion.

On the next day more than $4,000.00 was pledged towards the rebuilding. The fourth and present building was built using the same floor plan but moved closer to Harrison Avenue. Two additions have been made to this structure, one being Sunday School rooms in 1952 and then the current sanctuary in 1990.

It was these dedicated Methodists with a strong faith in God that led the way for our current ecumenical spirit. They reached out to spread the gospel and built a vital faith community.