For 150 years, the Mt. Eden Christian Church has been teaching and preaching the Good News of Jesus out of the little community of Spears, Kentucky.
Spears is a southern Fayette County community on the Tates Creek Pike (KY 1974) on the Jessamine County line at KY 169 and KY 1975. It was settled in the 1790s and became known as Spearsville - named for John L. Spears, an early resident and surveyor. The Rand-McNally atlas shows that Spears had a population of 35 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. The Spears post office operated from 1867 until 1915.
The Mt. Eden Christian Church traces its beginnings back to 1870. It was at that time that some folks from the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church on Jacks Creek Pike, having been influenced by the preaching of Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone, sought to establish a New Testament church based solely on scripture. Will Stafford deeded an acre of land on Tates Creek Pike in the settlement of Spears and a new church called Mt. Eden Christian Church began. The frame structure of the first building was constructed by Will Myers with lumber bought from a mill across the Kentucky River at Valley View by Jim Newman.
In 1899, the Ladies Aid Society was organized by Mrs. Jessie Courtney. The organization proved to be the backbone of the church for many years. Mrs. Jennie Smith was elected the first secretary and treasurer. "Mrs. Jennie" held that position for 41 years!
In 1959, under the ministry of R.H.F. Anderson, a number of improvements were made, including adding four classrooms upstairs, a dining room and kitchen. In 1964, bathrooms were added along with ceiling lights.
On April 15, 1981, the 111-year-old church building was destroyed by fire. The church members immediately called a meeting and discussed rebuilding.
Church services were held in several locations while plans were made to rebuild. In September 1981, the foundations for the new building were started and the dreams of a rebuilt church were starting to become a reality! Nearly all the work on the building was done by church members. The project was led by Lucien Tyree (an Elder). In fact, Lucien lived in a trailer on the church property from September through Christmas Eve 1981, to guard the building and contents.
The first service in the new space was held in a partially finished church building on October 18, 1981. Members took folding chairs, blankets, etc, as the weather was getting cooler.
The church building was completed in 1982, with a Dedication Service being held on May 16, 1982. Due to the generosity of Christians far and near, the new building was dedicated to God and was completely debt-free!
This resilient spirit has served the congregation well. In recent years, the church has not only grown in members, but has also continued to impact the surrounding community for Christ. We thank the Lord for working through the Mt. Eden Christian Church and pray that He will continue to do so until He comes again!
