THE END OF HISTORY
The old building at 52 Cumberland Street, Pikeville, Tennessee, had seen over 126 years of people coming and going until May of 2022 when her history ended. She stood tall and erect and appeared to be ready for another century, but the simple passage of time and the elements had done their deadly damage to the foundation. The costs to repair were not worth her continued life. So, sadly for the community in Pikeville, the old building came down to prepare for a new structure with a new mission and a growing congregation of people determined to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
She had been a part of the city for decades.
Many years ago, when the railroad came to Pikeville, the building became a stopping place for people passing through. Later, she became a brothel with rooms on the top floor above an elaborate lobby. Afterward, the building had several uses, including a Doctor’s office and the Mayor’s house.
But God had a better use for her and sent a man named Everette Burks in the early 70’s who was inspired to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. He bought the property to start a church there, but restoration of the old building would take time. Everette, along with his friends Marion Reber and Ernie Bennett, helped build a church in Crossville before coming to Pikeville.
“…you shall seek the place that the LORD your God will choose … put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go.” Deut. 12:5
A small congregation of Seventh-day Adventists began to meet in the basement of Everette’s house as repairs on the church building started in 1976. The congregation soon moved from Everette’s basement to the newly renovated building, no longer a residential home but a church for people to worship. In 1984, a Christian school was opened in the upstairs portion of the house with 17 students. As the need for more quality space was recognized, the students would transfer to the white block building. Work began on block building in 1987.
Tony De Wind, from the Lee Station area, helped build this school, and his wife Linda became one of the many teachers. She eventually took the role of Director of the top-rated Daycare center. The Daycare was licensed to have 44 children. They maintained 43 preschool children for many years. It would become a blessing for working parents.
That school/daycare building still stands and is the temporary worship center for the local congregation as the new building construction begins soon. The old school building will become extra classrooms and a large fellowship hall and will be connected to the new church.
Several years ago, the congregation had purchased more land with a house up on Hwy 30, intending to build a new church building there. For some time, it became a place where the congregation could give away clothes and other items to the people in the community. When planning began to build a new church, this property was sold. The growing congregation started plans for a new church building at 52 Cumberland St. Those plans are complete, as shown in the pictures.
NEW AGAIN
Everything is becoming new again with a young, enthusiastic pastor, Daniel Serban, and wife, Anda. New families are being added with a new spirit of mission for Christ.
Early in the history of the Pikeville church, it had over 100 attending each Sabbath and is quickly approaching that number again. The congregation feels the Lord is positioning it with a mission to share the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ and His soon return with Pikeville residents and beyond. They understand the end of history will one day arrive with the second advent of Jesus Christ, as promised in the gospels. Their hearts are being prepared for not only a new building but new hearts with a fresh spiritual desire to preach Jesus to their little part of the world. Winning souls for Christ is the ongoing mission of the church.
On September 17, 2023, at Fall Creek Falls, a fundraising banquet raised enough funds to begin the new church. Members and non-members contributed large one-time gifts and made weekly, monthly, and yearly commitments to pay the church off within three years or less. Construction has already begun with the movement of the gas lines and electricity. Soon, the neighbors will see digging for the foundation.
The church has been able to raise $400,000 in cash and commitments so far but will need $300,000 more to complete the project. Several congregation members are donating labor and machinery to help keep the costs down. The congregation continues to trust God and pray for His guidance…to look forward and create new history. Several community programs for 2024 and beyond are in the planning stages so that the entire city will benefit from the Pikeville Seventh-Day Adventist congregation with programs like the recent Health Expo in downtown Pikeville that included free medical and dental services. Coming in 2024 are things like Financial Planning, Cooking Classes, youth programs, addiction recovery, and many others.
Indeed, things are new again.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17