History of Parnassus Church
In 1834, a house was leased by A. Rankin and William Sillings from Jacob and Samuel Whitmer. The house was for the benefit of the adjoining neighborhood for a school and “for all denominations to preach or worship in during Saturdays and Sundays." The neighborhood grew and spiritual growth increased.
In 1836 the village of Parnassus was established. The Methodist denomination was growing so plans for a new church, to be built on the hill overlooking the village, were made. In 1846 the new church was completed and was called Mt Israel Methodist Episcopal Church South. Some of the founding fathers were: John S., Samuel, and Jacob Whitmore, and Hutch Clark. The Church was valued at $1950. In July 1880, a contract was given to Thuma and Snapp to build a parsonage. It was completed at a cost of $1200 in 1882. The old church burned in 1883.
In 1884 construction on the new (present) church began with bricks made from clay on the grounds. The church was dedicated, debt free, in June 1885. Charles Snapp, son of the minister at that time, built the current walnut pulpit. The chandelier, which still hangs in the sanctuary, was purchased for $12. In 1893 a bell was hung in the steeple. The inscription reads ‘The Parnassus Methodist Episcopal Church South, June 7, 1893.
The sanctuary housed all the church school classes at the time, divided by curtains. It was felt an educational building was needed and on February 2, 1954 a groundbreaking service was held. “Finances, labor, and materials were freely donated” and the dedication for the new educational building was held on December 18, 1960. All debts were paid by May, 1960.
The Pastors of Parnassus Church
1877-1881 Reverend S. R. Snapp
1881-1883 Reverend R. M. Williams
1883-1886 Reverend H. A. Gaven
1886-1888 Reverend R. S. Cunningham
1888-1890 Reverend G. R. Jefferson
1890-1892 Reverend R. M. Wheller
1892-1895 Reverend Thomas Cooper
1895-1897 Reverend J. K. Gilbert
1897-1901 Reverend J. J. Ringer
1901-1902 Reverend A. J. Boude
1902-1904 Reverend C. B. Sutton
1904-1906 Reverend M. P. Weikle
1906-1908 Reverend W. H. Marsh
1908-1909 Reverend J. M. Kline
1909-1912 Reverend J. L. Henderson
1912-1916 Reverend R. M. Wheller
1916-1920 Reverend H. L. Myerly
1920-1922 Reverend B. L. Parrott
1922-1925 Reverend C. J. Clark
1925-1926 Reverend M. C. Pullen
1926-1928 Reverend F. E. Allison
1928-1933 Reverend J. B. Grimes
1933-1934 Reverend M. C. Rice (Died 1933)
1934-1935 Reverend G. D. Naylor
1935-1939 Reverend L. O. Rose
1939-1943 Reverend C. C. Bush
1943-1944 Reverend Jenkins (Died)
Reverend E. A Plunkett
1944-1946 Reverend W. G. Bangle
1946-1948 Reverend E. S. Kerrick (Left Charge)
Reverend C. B. Burkett
1948-1951 Reverend L. O. Rose
1951-1953 Reverend Carol Beal
1953-1955 Reverend Carl T. Paughf
1955-1957 Reverend Howard Smith
1957-1959 Reverend James Brumfield
1959-1961 Reverend Dwight Spence
1961-1964 Reverend S. W. T. Hedrick
1964-1967 Reverend Weldon White
1967-1970 Reverend Paul R. Staley
1770-1973 Reverend Howard Wells
1973-1978 Reverend W. Forest Porter, Jr.
1978-1980 Reverend Henry J. Wuntke
1980-1981 Reverend Michael D. Finn McKenze
1981-1983 Reverend Earl W. Allen, Jr.
1983-1985 Reverend Joy H. Bagwell
1985-1988 Reverend James D. Canody
1988-1991 Reverend Weldon Ray Crockett
1991-1992 Reverend Paul Beighley, III
1992-1993 Reverend Robert M. Marshall, III
1993-1999 Reverend Floetta Legg
1999-2002 Reverend Edward Roland
2002-2005 Reverend Barbara Gross
2005-2008 Reverend Barbara Gross
2008- Reverend Glen Langston