Historic Reflections

The history of the Westview United Methodist Church is rooted in the history of two congregations; Pleasant Ridge and Pleasant Valley.  These two churches were part of a five-point circuit.  The others were: Hillsboro, Green's Chapel, and Fernvale.  One minister served all five churches; preaching at each church once a month.

All of our progress as a congregation rests on the foundation of visionary faith by the members of the Pleasant Valley and Pleasant Ridge Methodist Churches whose members united in cooperation with the Tennessee Conference in plans for the erection of the old sanctuary of Westview.

In the early 1950's, talk began to combine the Pleasant Ridge and Pleasant Valley congregations and constructing a new building.  It was during the time Kenneth Bohannon (1953-1956) was the pastor that dreams of the new church began.

Mr. John King gave approximately 2 acres of land on Sleepy Hollow Road for a new Methodist Church.  His only stipulation was the church be named "Westview".  Additional acreage was purchased from Marvin Hudgins with a 30-ft. strip to Lick Creek Road (now Deer Ridge).  The County required a 50-ft. width to build a road so an additional 20-ft. strip was purchased from Marvin Hudgins.  This is now Westview Drive.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for Westview were held on a Saturday in April 1960.  Much of the beginning work to build Westview United Methodist Church was done by members.  Some of these people were Cole Lampley, Buford Mangrum, Joe Mangrum, Alton Mangrum, Buddy Mangrum, Roy Winters, O.C. Slaughter (pastor), Joe H. Stinson, George Stinson, Vestle Stinson, and District Supt. Charles Hawkins.  The women weren't left out either - some were Oma Stinson, Katherine Stinson, Helen Mangrum and Pauline Mangrum. 

In October 1960, Pleasant Valley Church building was sold to James A. Mangrum.  The last service was held the third Sunday in October 1960.  The following two Sundays, Church School was held in Alton and Pauline Mangrum's home.  The first Sunday in November services began meeting in the Triangle School building - within sight of the new church.

The first Sunday at Westview was March 19,1961.  The attendance was 101.  it was a great day!  The church was dedicated in November 1964.  Rev. Fenton Warren was Dist. Supt. and David Kannon was pastor.  In 1965, Westview was a station church and began working toward a full-time minister.

David Kannon was the first pastor for the Westview Station Church.  David was seriously injured in an auto accident and Fenton Warren, Dist Supt. preached for us until Charge Conferences took all his time.  Baxton Bryant filled the pulpit to finish out that year.  Don Stone was here 10 months.  Fred Morris followed.  We were on the charge with Garrison Church for a year.

In 1968, Westview Methodist Church became Westview United Methodist Church when the Methodist Church merged with the Undated Brethren Church.

In 1969, David "Hap" Eliason was sent to Westview.  "Hap" stayed 7 years and left in 1976.  The parsonage was built in 1976 and the first pastor to move into the new parsonage was Lloyd Mabry and his family.  1976 was also the year Westview received its first full time pastor which was Lloyd Mabry.

In 1982-83, a new sanctuary, fellowship hall and Sunday school classroom were added to the original building.  The first worship services were celebrated in the spring of 1983 in the new sanctuary.  The original church building was dedicated to Mrs. Oma Stinson on March 15, 1998, during the 37th Anniversary Service.

The Westview United Methodist Church has been faithfully served by many clergy.  The faithfulness of the clergy has been matched by continued faithfulness and dedication of the laity of the Westview congregations.

Ministers of the Westview U.M.C.