Liberty church of Christ

The Liberty church of Christ was founded by Samuel Sampson Carver. When Carver and his family purchased their farm in 1890, no place of worship existed in the Liberty community. The Carver family had to go to church in Granville. After awhile this became an inconvenience for them due to the long distance. Sam and one of his neighbors, Andy Pharris, came to an agreement and built a place of worship for the Liberty community. Pharris furnished the land, and Carver built the building. The agreement stated that the church of Christ and Methodists were to rotate morning and evening service on Sundays. This worked fairly well for awhile, but eventually difficulties sprang up. It became a battle for control between the two religious groups. Pharris said he should have more control, since the building was on his property. Carver decided that the church of Christ members should have their own building. He went back to his property, and built the current structure in 1916. The wood used for the building was shipped in by steamboat from Nashville. The first service was held on January 14, 1917, soon after the building was completed. Bascom Byrne, Ben Fox, Sam, and Joe Carver led this service. Harrison J. Shoulders delivered the first sermon. The church has seen many members and leaders come and go, but has served the Liberty community well. Members of the Carver and Moore families have been leaders in the church ever since its formation. Currently Joe Moore, the author's grandfather, serves as one of the elders. In 1960 the church building underwent a renovation. As part of the renovation, a rear addition was added, and the entire building was bricked. The most unique feature of the meeting house, is the sign. As part of the 1960 renovation, the steeple was removed, and the bell that was inside was relocated to the top of the sign. Every Sunday morning the bell would ring, signaling that it was time for church to begin. The Liberty church of Christ has been meeting in the Liberty community, ever since Sam Carver saw the need for a place of worship, shortly after settling in the community. The Liberty church of Christ has been and continues to be vital to life in Liberty.

The church sign and bell is the most unique feature of the Liberty church of Christ building.

Samuel Sampson Carver, the founder of the Liberty church of Christ.

Author's Note: This is the second in a series of blog posts about the Carver family, and the impact they had on the Liberty community.  

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