History of Broadway Methodist Church
by Corey Dunn (January 26, 2007)
I recently had the honor of walking through one of Paducah's oldest appointed churches, Broadway Methodist Church. Records dating as far back as 1832 document the history of the church's beginning.
Broadway Methodist Church moved to its current location in 1896. Over 2,000 people attended an elaborate ceremony to lay the cornerstone. Because it housed Paducah's largest auditorium, for years it was used for numerous city events, including high school graduations.
In 1929 a bolt of lightening caused a fire that destroyed the church. During the rebuilding, the McCracken County courthouse was used as an alternate house of worship. The church and its members have survived many hardships in Paducah. While repaying the mere $100,000 needed to rebuild the church, three area banks failed during the depression, and The Great Flood of 1937 tried to dampen the congregation’s spirit.
Broadway Methodist Church did prevail, and in the 1960's acquired the surrounding real estate that housed Paducah Junior College. This added a gymnasium, pool, and several thousand square footage of space. With it's spectacular stained glass windows, (one of which survived the fire of 1929), awesome size, and close-knit congregation, Broadway Methodist Church has withstood the times and shown that they do have the Holy Spirit with them!
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