From the very beginning of the settlement of Lyon County, the people have been very conscious of the power of the church and the ability of the church to better the community. Below are the short histories of 43 churches of the County. Some of these have been discontinued, some have been consolidated, some have moved their location, and some are still on their original site. The church doors of this county have always been open to its citizens and all visitors and tourists are welcome.

The Independent Bible Baptist Church is located on Pea Ridge on land purchased from Charles Hester. The church was organized March 7, 1961.The charter members of the church were: Elder B. J. Bland, Luke Glass, Clay Bloodworth, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Glass, Sue Glass, Mrs. B. J. Bland, Maurine Chambers, Ray Fowler, Mr. and Mrs. Orvil Fowler, Joyce Fowler, Madie Glass, Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Gray, Arzetta Bloodworth, Cordie Mae Bloodworth, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Gray, Diane Chambers, and Glenn Chambers.
The first pastor was B. J. Bland, and John Hendon was the second and present pastor.

The church was named in honor of Colonel Samuel Glenn who came from Georgia in 1806 and settled on a large tract of land on which the church was afterward erected.
Prior to the time of the organization of this church, there were societies in various neighborhoods in which those inclined to Methodism held meetings in the homes of the members.
Sometime during the year 1842, a church organization was effected in the home of Rev. William Stubbs, a local preacher. Those who organized the church were: William Stubbs, Mary Layton Jones, Minerva Stubbs, May Chandler, Mary Glenn, Almeda Glenn, Marcus Layton Baldwin, Theophilus Tomberlin, Polly Tomberlin, Sarah Graham, Richard A. Martin, Catharine Martin, Coleman Hughey, Sarah Hughey, Issac Davis, Eliza Bennett Glenn, Nancy Palmer, W. J. Palmer, Aquilla Baldwin, Matilda J. Brown, Jordan D. Jones, Bennett Langston, Malinda Lynn, and Benjamin N. Martin.
The first services were held in the log school house, but sometime later in the year 1848, the first church was built.
Colonel Glenn deeded to his son, Andrew C. Glenn, the land on which the church now stands, with the understanding that the ground on which the building was erected, was that conveyed to the trustees and their successors of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The log church was torn down, and in 1873, a second church was built. Rev. W. S. Scobee, Presiding Elder of the district, preached the dedicatory sermon.
Some of the early ministers were: Revs. Fountain Pitts, James Owen, Randolph Taylor, McGown Reford, William Childress, Allison Aiken, T. C. Froge, W. S. Scobee, W. T. Reid, T. D. Lewis, and Riley Eades.
The second church building was torn down, and in 1927, a new frame church was built. The first service held in the new building was a Children's Day Program. The Rev. G. P. Dillum dedicated the church later that year.

Doom's Chapel is a small Methodist Chapel located near Kuttawa on Highway 641. After the Barkley Lake impoundment caused the relocation of this highway, the chapel lies within sight of the highway. A gravel road leads to the Chapel entrance.
Doom's Chapel is no longer used for regular church services, but the little chapel with its well-kept grounds reflects the love and care bestowed upon it by a small group of people whose family roots are deeply imbeded in the history of Lyon County. Most of them are descendants of the thirteen children of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Doom, who gave the land for the original church and cemetery.

The Bethany Missionary Baptist Church at Confederate, Kentucky, was organized in 1871, just six years after the end of the Civil War. It was organized at Fowler School House and later moved to a new building constructed on two acres of land donated by I. G. Gray.
Since the first records of the church were burned when the home of clerk, John Cannon, was destroyed by fire, a complete history is not available. The present sanctuary was erected in 1922, and redecorated in 1956. Recently rest rooms, nursery, and a partial kitchen were added to the building.
With the coming of the Barkley Dam Project, several members were forced from the community thus dropping the 196 membership of 1956 to 118 at the present time. Rev. Mac Anderson is presently serving as pastor with full-time service.

On May 29, 1883, the following ministers met in the home of Rev. J. L. Perryman for the purpose of organizing themselves in a church of Jesus Christ: Revs. R. W. Morehead, J. H. Sperlin, J. W. Oliver, and Greyston. They formed themselves into a council and appointed R. W. Morehead as moderator and J. H. Sperlin, clerk.
The charter members of the church were: Rev. J. L. Perryman, Nancy Perryman, Thomas T. Martin, M. A. Martin, Andrew J. Martin, Mary Martin, T. E. Alexander, Addie L. Alexander, and Josiah Board. The group was recognized as the United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ in Kuttawa by a vote of the council.
The present building consists of the original building which was built about 1900 with a hand-dug basement constructed in 1942. The latest addition was completed about ten years ago.
Plans are now in the making for a new church to be constructed in New Kuttawa.

Paradise Church was built in the winter of either 1894 or 1895, and was dedicated as a "Christian Union Church."

The land for this church was donated by B. F. Smith.
Some of the men who had a leading part in organizing and building it were: David Whalen, Daniel Whalen, Cass Whalen, David Hill, and Dr. J. M. Wilson.
The church which was located Between-the-Rivers has been discontinued.

Brandon Chapel was built in 1894 or 1895 on land donated by B. F. Smith. It was located Between-the-Rivers.
Some of the men who took an active role in organizing this church were B. F. Smith, E. L. Smith, Dr. J. M. Wilson, A. L. Boon, and J. L. Pegram.
Brandon Chapel was abandoned 30 or more years ago. Its members were transferred to Pisgah Methodist Church
.

Suwanee Furnace Missionary Baptist Church is located 2?2 miles west of New Kuttawa and about 2/10 miles off Highway 62 and 641. It is located on the site of the old Suwanee Furnace, for which the church was named. The church was organized in 1935 or 1936. Prior to that the church services were held under a big tree near where the church stands. The present church was dedicated in May 1937. The first pastor was Rev. J. W. Barefield. There were approximately 25 members when the church was organized.
The present pastor is Rev. David Brasher. There are 114 members.

The building of a non-denominational house of worship was set as a goal by Mr. S. M. Martin more than 20 years ago at which time he invested his savings in Government bonds, and earmarked the proceeds for such a building.
It is a non-sectarian institution for community center or public gatherings and was completed in the latter part of 1962.
The land for the building was purchased from R. S. Mason in 1947, and is located on the eastern end of what is commonly known as Mineral Mound, between the old towns of Eddyville and Kuttawa.
The building is flanked on one side by a roofed pavilion for use during the summer months.
The members of the Kuttawa Methodist Church used this church during the months their church was being relocated in Kuttawa. They feel deeply indebted to Mr. Martin for his generosity.

Because fire destroyed the old homestead of Charlie Cummins, most of the original records of the founding of the Friendship Church were lost.
The land on which the present building now stands and the cemetery was given by N. H. Cummins. The exact date is unknown, but it was

sometime in the late 1850's. It was first built to accommodate all Circuit Rider Preachers, although in a short time a Methodist church was organized and thus began the Friendship Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Name of the first pastor is unknown, but two of the early pastors were James Lucius and Elder E. Pate.

The following list is not exact as far as being charter members, but it is the oldest list available:

Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Blanks Friendship Church was rebuilt in 1908. The present membership is 106, and the pastor is Rev. James N. Dill.

The first Lamasco Baptist Church was established in 1871 and originated from the Rockspring Baptist Church. It was located on Highway No. 93
beside the old Lamasco school house, and burned in 1916. In 1922 the Lamasco Baptist purchased from the Methodist a church which stood on the site of the present Baptist church for $200. A new church was erected and dedicated in 1923.
Since the rebuilding of the church, there have been three major improvements. In 1951, while Rev. Chester Moore was pastor, there were seven Sunday school rooms added to the church, which until then had consisted only of an auditorium. Again in 1957, while Rev. Harold Stub-blefield was pastor, there were four additional Sunday school rooms added. In 1963, under the present pastor, Rev. Wallace Gray, an educational building was added to the church.
The present trustees of the church are: Charles Fergerson, Dallas Thompson, and Hershel Wynn.
The five active deacons of the church are: Norvell Cotton, Young Mc-Carty, Robert Lee Wynn, Hershel Wynn, Dallas Thompson, and Martin Oliver. Mr. J. I. Lester is a retired deacon and the only one still active in the church. Other living retired deacons are Mr. Earnest Thompson and Mr. Luther Gray.
The Lamasco Missionary Baptist Church has a present membership of 159.

The first church in this community was known as Henson Chapel. It was built in 1859 on land donated by Hugh and James Henson. A day was set aside for a log rolling and a basket dinner, and the church was started.
That building was replaced in 1877 by a frame building on land donated by W. T. Chandler. Then the church became known as Chestnut Oak. This building was swept away by a tornado, and was replaced by another frame building. This second frame building was destroyed by fire in March of 1934. A concrete block building was then erected and served the community until it was purchased by the Corps of Engineers.
The present modern brick structure was built in 1959.
Chestnut Oak was first a member of the Eddyville Circuit until the circuit was divided in 1877, and then it became a member of the Kuttawa Circuit.

The Methodist Church in Kuttawa was organized about the year of 1877. The first church meetings were held in the homes of the members. Their only preacher was a Circuit Rider Preacher, named W. T. Reid.
The first church, built in 1884 on Oak Street, was named Centenary Chapel Methodist Church. The first pastor, Rev. W. L. Cashman, was called in 1885.

The following is a list of some of the early members;

The original church building was used by the people of Kuttawa until 1955, when a new building of English design was constructed. The church building has been moved to New Kuttawa because of the impounding of the Barkley Dam.

In 1939 or 1940, the Pennecostal Full Gospel Church was built in the Yale Community on land donated by a man named Gentry. The church burned two years after it was built, but services were continued on the same site under a tent or shed. Later the following men: Pinnegar, Woodruff, Wallace, Timmons, Watson, and Nickols, bought land from a man named Young for the purpose of building another church. In 1963, the church was remodeled by the members.
The present pastor is Harold Hatfield.

The building of Hawthorne Chapel, the first church in Kuttawa, was started in 1879; and on November 21, 1880, it was finished. The church was of Presbyterian denomination. On December 14, 1880, the church was dedicated.
The church building, having a very high pointed roof with exposed beams in its interior and a beautiful high steeple on its outside front was patterned after a church in Scotland.
The Scottish church had been seen by Governor Charles Anderson, founder of Kuttawa, when he visited Scotland. Anderson and his wife, Eliza, so admired the church that Eliza set about to gain support for the construction of such a building in Kuttawa.
Because there was no church in the city, no Presbyterian church in the county and because the area's population promised to grow, the support Eliza sought was not hard to find.
Governor Anderson gave the land upon which both the church and manse were built.
On the committee for the church were William C. O'Hara, John Espie, and Joseph Holmes. The church's name was derived from Brother Hawthorne of Princeton, Kentucky.
Some of Hawthorne Chapel's pastors were: Bro. A. J. Thompson, who served between 30 and 40 years, Dr. Price, and Dr. Barr.
The church Bible was printed in 1880. It was a Holman's Edition.
The church, after many prosperous years, was forced to close early in the 1950's because its membership had dwindled to a number too small to support it. It was, however, undeniably, for many years Kuttawa's foremost place of worship.

Martin's Chapel Methodist Church, once a growing little country church, was built on donated land. The church was located on the old Harper's Ferry Road, later called the Iuka Ferry Road. According to available records, in 1924 there were 44 members. In 1947, a new Kuttawa Methodist Circuit was organized. This circuit was composed of Martin's Chapel, Glenn's Chapel, Chestnut Oak, and Fairview Churches with Rev. Clyde Walker as the circuit's first minister. In October, 1955, the nine members of Martin's Chapel Methodist Church held their last services.

The original church, named after Rev. W. W. Woodson, was built of logs, had puncheon seats and was used as a school house. This church gave way, and a new church made of plank was built in its place. This new plank church also served as a school, having a blackboard of planed planks painted black.
Logs for the present structure were assembled by Rev. J. S. Richardson. The building was started in approximately 1913 and was completed in 1915
by Rev. Henry Gillette, on land given by Mrs. Alva Gray, and dedicated by Brother Brandon.
The Methodist churches in the communities Between-the-Rivers used the same minister. They did this by each church having him one Sunday out of every month.
Since the land in the Woodson Community has been bought by the government for the Barkley Lake, the church has been discontinued, but the cemetery is still in use.

Fairview Methodist Church was organized about 1892. The church was well established by 1895. Many of the members came from the old Providence Church, which was located near the Providence cemetery.
Some of the first members of the church were: Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Glasgow, Jeanie and Georgie Glasgow, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Lewis, Mr. Stubbs. The present pastor is Rev. L. R. Bottoms.

The Saratoga Methodist Church is located on Highway 62 between Eddyville and Princeton. This church has a very historic background in connection with the Civil War.
The property on which the church and cemetery is located was deeded by Benjamin and Nancy Ogden to the trustees in 1822.
The first church built on this property was of logs and stood on the hill directly above the present church. The present building was built in 1859, and remodeled in 1909. The original name, Reed's Chapel or Reed's Campground, was later changed to Saratoga. This church and the surrounding ground served as a battleground during the Civil War, two battles being fought there. Bullet holes may still be seen in the walls as evidence of this conflict
Early in 1861, the church was used as headquarters for approximately 150 Confederate soldiers who were being trained by Captain Wilcox.
In April 1861 these Confederates were surprised by Union soldiers, and two Confederates were" killed. Dr. Price, the first soldier to be killed on Kentucky soil, took his stand directly in front of the church in a tobacco warehouse. The other soldier, Crunch from Dycusburg, was killed attempting to escape while crossing the fence surrounding the cemetery. The prisioners were taken by gunboat down the Cumberland to Smithland and Paducah.
The second battle was near the close of the war. This time the Union Regiment numbering 300, under the command of Captain Oglesby, waged a battle with 18 Confederates. In this battle, the Union lost 11 men and many
were wounded; the Confederates lost only one. The dead and wounded were carried into the church which served as a hospital and a morgue.
The church has been remodeled now, but it's vivid history can neither be remodeled or replaced. This Methodist church, one of the oldest in the county, has a membership of 150, and the pastor is the Rev. William Price.

The Hebron Baptist Church was organized August 7, 1871, by Rev. Milt Cocral. The first meeting was held under a large hickory tree near where the present church is located. The people met in the old Martin's school house. Later, Mr. Alex Walker donated land for the church.
The first building was of logs. The dedication sermon was delivered by Rev. Milt Cocral. There were 24 members in the beginning, eight of whom were: Mr. and Mrs. Jeb McKinney, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Duran, Virginia Hobson, Sara Robertson, and Mr. and Mrs. Curen Peek.
The log church was used for several years, then torn down and replaced by a large frame building. Since the building consisted of one large room, it was called the "Big Church." This building was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1908. This building was not replaced until 1911, when a third church was built. Because it was smaller than the "Big Church," it was referred to as the "Little Church." This building was torn down in 1924 and replaced by the present building. It is a white frame building, with auditorium and an educational department.
In 1913, Hebron was a member of the Little River Association, J. D. Woodson was the pastor and the membership was 69. The present membership is 162, and the pastor is the Rev. Luke Watson.

The New Bethel Baptist Church in Lyon County, was constituted of 23 members in the home of John Cammack on April 4, 1812. Their names were: John Stone, Moses Arnold, John Duncan, Stephen Bennett, John Mc-Elroy, Andrew Jones, Elizabeth Jones, Nancy Stone, Martha Sullivant. John Stone, Jr., George Owens, Samuel Hill, Polly Hill, Joseph Cobb, Ann Cobb, William Jones, Morning Stone, John Aldridge, William Chandler, Nancy Arnold, and two named Pertle, whose initials are not given. The preachers who took part in this organization were James Ruker, Washington Thurman, and Daniel Brown. The church had no regular pastor for the first sixteen years but was served by various licensed and ordained ministers of this section.
In January 1828, Elder James W. Mansfield became New Bethel's first pastor and served until 1854, a period of 25 years.
Elder Seldon Y. Trimble was pastor during the Civil War. Elder R. W.

Morehead served for twenty-six years. His was the longest pastorate held.
New Bethel has had three houses of worship. The first one was built in 1824, on a plot of ground given by Larkin Bennett. This meeting house being small, was enlarged in 1828; then it burned in 1831. The second meeting house was constructed of brick in 1832, on a lot, given by Leasil Stone, located about one mile north of the site of the first house. This second meeting house served the people for 120 years, but was torn down in 1952, and the present house was built on the same site. The present meeting house was dedicated in November 1961. New Bethel has held membership in two associations, in Little River Association from 1913 until Caldwell Association was formed in 1924. Since then it has been a part of Caldwell Association.
The present membership is 157 and the pastor is Rev. J. W. Crowley.

A Sunday school was organized in the Hickory Chapel school house under Garrett Reid, assistant and John Waters, superintendent. In the following May, 1890, the church was organized. S. S. West, Ida West, Sally Browning, and Sally West were the first candidates for baptism as the result of the revival held in the Hickory Chapel school house. Bro. Jim Oliver baptized them. The charter members were as follows: John Waters, S. S. West, William Waters, Charlie Davis, George Jones, J. P. Hall, Pete Purtle, Sally West, Sally Moneymaker, Sally Browning, Ida West, and George Jones.
Through the faithful work of Bros. J. P. Hall, John Waters, and others the church was organized. Elder John Spurlin delivered the ordination sermon. After the ordination, the church was given the name of Pleasant Hill by Bro. Jimmy Spurlin. Then Elder Jim Oliver was received as pastor (no salary). Years passed and the organized body built, on the land of Bro. J. P. Hall and Elder Jim Oliver, a house for the Lord's worship. Men and members donated lumber for the purpose. Those donating were: Brothers Will Scott, Henry Pierce, John Stovall, John Fitts, and J. P. Hall
The foundation was laid about the year 1892 by Elder Henry Marshall. The church was finished in 1898 and dedicated in the early fall of the same year. The church has progressed in members from fifteen to about one hundred fifty-one at the present time.
Some of the early pastors were Elder Cal Roberts, Elder Ed Perryman, and Elder Henry Marshall. Morehead and J. J. Richie preached in the absence of a pastor for about five years.
This brief history was given by Bro. William Waters to the best of his knowledge on September 9, 1938.
The original church building was rebuilt in 1927. In 1946, two Sunday school rooms were added, and in 1960, two more were built.

(Taken from New Bethel's records—"October 14, 1854. At the request of E. D. Drennan, Rev. E. A. Faress, William H. Young, E. Stone, R. S. Dobson, and William I. Kinsolving were appointed a committee, whose duty
it shall be to attend with the brethren on next Monday, near Bradley's old place and aid in the organization of a church.")
On the following Monday, October 16, 1854, Liberty Baptist Church was organized with nine members, five of whom were: E. D. Drennan, Margaret Rich, Julia Rich, Elishu Duncan, and Susannah Duncan.
The first church building was log and stood inside the present cemetery fence. Splitting the cemetery in the middle, the church stood close to the middle of the left side, near a big cedar tree where G. W. Hiett and Elizabeth Hiett are buried. Facing north, the church had one large room, two doors, (one in each side wall), and a few windows. The part of the cemetery on the left side of the road was used as "hitching ground."

Services were held twice a month; every Saturday before fourth Sunday.
Around 1884 or 1885, the second building was completed and the log church was torn down.
Rev. John L. Pereman was pastor when the second church was built. Mr. Billy Cash was the contractor and the members donated their help. While building the church, the workers noticed that the building had begun to spread apart and two iron support rods were put through the building to hold it together. The church paid out of debt January 25, 1899. This building was used until 1956.
On Thanksgiving Day, 1954, members started building the new church. On the same day of the following year, the church was completed. In May 1956, the old church was disposed of, and the first services were held in the new church in October.

(Taken from cornerstone)

The First Baptist Church of Eddyville was constituted in 1856. The first pastor was S. Y. Goin. The last record of the original organization was August 1873. The church was reorganized in 1902. From that date until May 24, 1905, the members met in the office of the First National Bank of Eddvville. Soon a church was built and in 1937, an educational building was added.
On May 6, 1959, the members of the church voted to build a new church in the new townsite of Eddyville. Rev. R. G. Shelton was pastor at that time.
The present membership is 450. Rev. R. G. Shelton is pastor.

One of the earliest Methodist meetings was held in the kitchen of Matthew Lvon's home with the chief speaker a Negro slave named Richard. Another slave, Aunt Chloe, also helped interest people in Christianity.
It was after the meetings in Colonel Lyon's kitchen that the Methodist Circuit rider, Rev. Peter Cartwright, came to Eddyville and with the help of a few people established a Methodist church in approximately 1810-however, it did not appear as an appointment in the General Minutes of the Methodist Church until 1844. At this time, the church was served by the Livingston Circuit.
The first church building was located adjacent to the present home of Ambrose Miller and just west of Matthew Lyon's home where Mrs. Earle Barnett's apartment now stands. The Methodist Church stood there until 1854.
The bell which is in the present church has hung in each Methodist church in turn except the first one for which it was purchased. It was bought in Pittsburgh and donated by a prominent member named Stacker, who had it sent to Eddyville by boat. However, the janitor who lived on Franklin Street hung the bell in a tree in his yard instead of the church tower above Big Spring for reasons unknown.
The church burned while the bell was still hanging in the yard of the janitor and thus the bell was saved from the fire. A new church was constructed in 1854. When this church was sold to the Episcopalians, and a new church built on Franklin Street, the bell was moved to the new building.
This church was used for services until 1923. The church that was built then was used until 1962. Because of the Barkley Dam impoundment, a new church was built and dedicated in the new townsite in 1962. The same bell has been moved to the new church and is hung in its little tower on the church grounds once again.
The present pastor of the church is Rev. F. M. Glover, who was appointed in 1958.

The Locust Grove Baptist Church was the first colored church organized in Lyon County. It was organized in 1884. The first location of this church was in old Kuttawa, but it has been moved to New Kuttawa.

The Free Will Baptist Church is referred to as the church on the hill. It is located in Old Kuttawa. This church was organized in 1923.

The Elm Grove Baptist Church is located in Lyon County and was organized in 1923.

The Mount Pleasant Free Baptist Church was the first colored church organized Between-the-Rivers. It was established in 1938. At present it has 52 members and the pastor is Rev. Albert Makin.

The Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church is located in the Between-the-Rivers section of Lyon County. This church was organized in 1953. At present it has 28 members. The pastor is Rev. Ervin Brown.

The present church building of Macedonia Baptist Church was built and dedicated in the year of 1850. There was a log church that had been used several years before this, but there are no definite records of this church.
The first church was a large one-room building. The choir and pulpit were at the head of the church as one entered. Then in 1955, when Rev. Bill Sullivan was pastor, the church was remodeled and four Sunday school rooms were built onto the back of the building and the pulpit and choir was reversed to the far end of the church.

The oldest records of the church date back to 1890. Ministers from 1904 up to today are as follows: Rev. Lockhart, Rev. Hopewell, Rev. J. S. Henry, Rev. T. C. Clark, Rev. Rube Marshall, Rev. Greogory, Rev. C. C. McKinney, Rev. W. W. Woodson, Rev. H. A. Egbert, Rev. O. M. Shultz, Rev. Lester Terrell, Rev. Reid Rushing, Rev. M. F. Robertson, Rev. H. W. Jones, Rev. Henry Ramy, Rev. Bill Sullivan, Rev. J. R. Puckett, Rev. Loyd Per-rin, and Rev. E. E. Vaughn.
From 1957 to 1961 Rev. J. R. Puckett was pastor. During this time, the church built a parsonage about one-half mile from the church. The land was given for the parsonage by Emmett McKinney.
Today, the little country church still thrives with 306 members. Rev. E. E. Vaughn is pastor.

Hopewell Church was organized on Saturday before the 4th Sunday in August 1892. The land for the church was donated by Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Gray, on the spot where the church now stands, in the year of 1892.
Before the church was built, meetings were held at people's homes until spring, then they built a brush arbor under a big white oak tree on the church ground, and held Sunday school until fall. By this time they were ready to start holding services in the new church. In May 1894, Hopewell Church was dedicated as a Missionary Baptist Church and joined the Ohio Valley Association.
The charter members at the time of organization were: Mr. R. W. Gray, Sarah Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cannon, Mrs. Mamie Cannon, Lucian Gray, Clarence Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Will Bragdon, Jessie Bragdon, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Yates, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Whitset, Mr. and Mrs. John Gatewood, Walker Bennett, and Mitchell Yates.

Sardis, the oldest church in the Carmack area, was founded about 125 years ago. The original structure of logs was built on land given by Benjamin Benberry, 2 miles southwest of the present location. This log building was moved near the present site and was used also as a school house. Later it burned. The present sanctuary was built in 1905 by Mr. W. A. Stephens on land he gave for the church and adjoining cemetery. Mr. Stephens was the first person buried in the cemetery. Some of the first members were. Bob MacDonald, Garland Bonner, Fine Stephens, Elisha Bridges, and Joe MacDonald.
At the time when the second church of Sardis was built, they used a system that they called a "Circuit." The Sardis Circuit consisted of four churches. They were: Sardis, Pisgah, Woodson, and Hematite. These churches elected a pastor who preached at each church one Sunday each month.

Some of the pastors were:

The exact date of the beginning of the Pisgah Methodist Church is unknown but is believed to have dated back to before the beginning of the Civil War. The land where the first log church was erected was donated by Holloway Collie to be used as long as church was held there, but the land was to go back to his heirs if the church was abandoned.
In 1894, during the pastorate of Rev. Robert Johnson, father of Governor Keen Johnson, a large frame church building was erected on the site that is now Pisgah Bay. In 1940 this building and lot were sold to the TVA and the site is now covered by water from the Kentucky Lake.
In 1942, G. U. Griffin, former merchant of Star Lime Works and now resident of Princeton, donated a church site where a new frame building with a basement was erected and now stands as the present church six miles east of Grand Rivers on Highway 453. Since 1960, the church has built three new Sunday school rooms and redecorated the auditorium.
Some of the first church leaders were: R. B. Collie, George D. Griffin. W. J. Nickell. David Hill, and T. B. Griffin. Trustees of the church at present are: Noble Orr, Frank DePriest, and Jerry Orr.
The descendants of David Hill and R. B. Collie are still active in the church.
This year, 1964, the church membership voted to relocate the church at Lake City since it will be purchased for the new Recreation Area. This move was made because no one was in favor of disbanding the church, but voted to build a new one in hopes that many of the old members could relocate near it also.

The Methodist Colored Church is located in Eddyville, Kentucky, on Highway 62 on Donavan Street. The church was founded around 1884, and its first pastor was Rev. J. B. Franklin. The church was purchased by the Corps of Engineers, and the former congregation now attend church in Princeton.

St. Stephens Catholic Church is located in the Between-the-Rivers section of Lyon County. The church was begun in 1900 and completed in 1917
on land donated by Joe Emberger. This church was organized under the leadership of Father Odendell.
In 1938-1939 the church was rebuilt on the original site.
The little church now stands alone on its hilltop. The statues have been taken down, but the niches remain where they were. The windows are broken, but otherwise the church is in good condition.

Carmack Baptist Church is located one-half mile from the old Sardis school. The church was dedicated in 1922. Charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Holland, Mr. and Mrs. William McDonald, Mr. and Mrs. Le-land Ramage, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Ramage, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Harper, and Mrs. Bobbie Payne. Mr. J. A. Holland furnished a large part of the building materials and aiso helped build the church. Rev. R. C. Ramey was the first pastor. The church burned in 1963. Since then most of the members have joined with the Bethlehem Baptist Church.

The Cross Road Baptist Church is located at the cross of Highway 58 and the old river road, three miles from the Eddyville Ferry.
In 1943 a group of people led by Mr. Alfred Fox and Rev. David Rowland started a fund raising campaign to build the Cross Road Baptist Church. From 1943 to 1946 these people assembled for worship in a shed located in the corner of Dixon Cemetery. In 1945 the land was purchased from O. H. Higgins and the building was started. The church, deeply in debt, was finished in 1946. The members selected Rev. Marvin Ramey as its full time pastor. By 1951 the church was free of debt and was at that time dedicated. The charter members were: Daniel Fox, Marguerite Fox, Alfred Fox, Hallie Fox, Eugene Fox, Nadine Fox, Ramona Fox, Howard Barnett, Valeria Bar-nett, Alfrieda Fox, Jack Wells, Ruth Rowland, Louise Rowland, and R. V. Ramey.
The Three Rivers Association credits this church with giving more young ministers their chance in the ministerial field than any other church in the association. Among these young ministers were: Ish Pitchie, G. L. Sullivan, James Robert Duncan, Walter Johnson, and Donald Moore.
This church now has a membership of 80.

Bethlehem Baptist Church was first organized in 1872 by a group of citizens who met on the Wyatt farm (near Leslie Cothran's farm). The church was built off of State Highway 58 in approximately 1873 on land donated by the DeGraffenrieds.
Bethlehem (still the original building) now has 69 enrolled in Sunday school and approximately 75 church members.
The present pastor is Bro. Ronald Rhoddus; deacon, Leslie Cothran; treasurer and clerk, Perry Calhoun; and the Sunday school superintendent is Jackie Cothran.

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