Our History
Mills River Chapel
1800'S
The exact date of the organization of Mills River Chapel is not known, but the congregation of the Mills River Chapel was organized sometime between 1800 and 1826. The circuit-riding Methodist preacher and bishop, Francis Asbury, visited the area and preached there as early as 1800-1801, according to the bishop's journal.
On August 15, 1826, John Clayton, in consideration of ten shillings, deeded a site to John Murray, Phillip Brittain, John Johnson, Frazier Banning, and John Clayton, Trustees, after which Mills River Methodist Church was organized and occupied a frame building. The frame building was used until shortly before the Civil War, when it was torn down and construction of the present Chapel was begun. The Chapel had its present structure begun about 1860.
It is one of the three surviving examples of mid-19th century brick Greek Revival-influenced churches in the 14 westernmost counties of North Carolina. The Chapel is one of a few antebellum churches in Henderson County and the only one used for worship since its construction.
Building of the Chapel
A black man named Josh King, whose grave can be found in the church cemetery, made the bricks for the sanctuary. Some were made on what was the Jaynes place near Kings Bridge on Highway 191 and some on the Johnson Farm on Jeffress Road.
The brick construction of the Chapel is notable because brick was rarely used in antebellum North Carolina, usually being reserved for substantial buildings with public functions such as courthouses and jails.
A Mills River carpenter, Americus Barnett, built the church with the help of Phillip Sitton, his sons and members of a church family named Johnson. Mr. Barnett broke his leg during the construction and was not able to continue working so the building was not completed until after the close of the Civil War.
During the time of construction, services were held in the Presbyterian Church, which was them known as Mills River Academy. Worship services alternated between the two churches for almost a hundred years which each church having its own Sunday school sessions. Mills River Chapel was on a curcuit until 105- when it was made a station. Rev. C. Edward Roy was the minister at that time.
The Chapel Today
On December 2, 1988, Mills River Chapel was honored by being entered into the National Register of Historic Places by the Untied States Department of the Interior. The National Register of Historical Places has been called "a roll call of the tangible reminders of the history of the United States." It represents the nation's official list of cultural resources deemed worthy of preservation.
Work began in 1986 when the pastor, Rev. Robert E. Roach, along with preservation specialists, and the church historian, Sybil Cathey, to seek nomination to be places on the National Register. A special bronze plaque can be found on the front of the Chapel.
As the congregation grew, a second service was added, resulting in 8:30am and 11:00 am services. A third service at 9:33am has now also been added.
The congregation moved into the new sanctuary in December 2001. The Chapel is now used for smaller events with a Sunday school class meeting there every Sunday. The 8:30am worship service is held in the Chapel in the first Sunday of each month.
The doors of the Chapel are always open for those seeking prayer time at the altar.
