Walnut Grove Methodist Episcopal Christmas service

Nothing makes Christmas more special than the Walnut Grove Methodist Church in Riceville, Tennessee. The church was erected in 1855 and the congregation was organized in 1837 as the Walnut Grove Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Walnut Grove Methodist Episcopal Church was saved from demise by Erbin and Ruth Baumgardner. To preserve the historic structure, the couple underwent the task of relocating the building to their property and restoring it. The process took ten years to complete.

http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/mouse_creek_nursery_and_perennial_farm/

http://southeasttennessee.com/www/docs/656.2931/
http://www.gbgm-umc.org/walnutgrove/history.html

For reference, a year after the building was erected the Cherokee began their forced march along the Trail of Tears. The congregation was organized about six years before the start of the American Civil War.

The annual Christmas worship is the only service held at the church. It is a quiet service that accurately reflects the heritage and honors the legacy of the congregation.