Brooksville, Kentucky is the county seat of Bracken County, a neighboring county of Mason which is the home of Robert Hill, Jr. - the patriarch of my Kentucky HILL family.  The eldest daughter of Robert Hill, Jr. - Elizabeth, married Caleb Jarvis Taylor Tarleton on March 6, 1812 and sometime later moved to Brooksville and established a home.  The Tarletons, as the Hills, were of Maryland and had migrated west for a new life, ending up in Mason Couny Kentucky.  The Tarleton's shared the Hill family love and devotion of our Lord, so when the new couple moved to a new town, they saw as one of their first responsibilities to God and community was a house of worship.

The early Methodists of Brooksville first held services in the open air, long before they built an actual church building.  Many of these services were held under the large tree in the front yard of the home of Caleb and Elizabeth Tarleton.   The services were led by Circuit Riders, the early pioneer ministers of the Methodist Church, who came on horseback from as far away as Virginia.  Among the first of these Circuit Riders to come was the famous Dr. Taylor, said to have held services in Brooksville just once a year.  He is believed to be Rev. Caleb Jarvis Taylor, Caleb Tarleton's uncle and early American Circuit Rider.  As time passed, and the congregation grew, services were held in an old carpenter's shop, just a stone's throw from the final building spot of the church.  

The Civil War had its effect on this faithful remnant in Brooksville.  Prior to its beginning, the group had secured $500.00 worth of bricks toward the building of their church structure.  After the war broke out, a decision was made to postpone the construction and the bricks were lent to the neighboring St. James Catholic Church, (also under construction at the time).  When the war had ended, the bricks being lost, a frame building was erected in 1866, then called the Brooksville Methodist Episcopal Church, South.   Later the suffix "South" was dropped, after the remaining tension of the Civil War had eased.

Interesting to note, there is documentation of the day the construction began.  On the day the men went out to the woods to cut the timbers that would later frame their house of worship, the women gathered and prepared a picnic lunch for the workers and sent this lunch forth to them by way of Judge Adamson, who was too old at the time for wood cutting.  How befitting of Christian women to make sure everyone is well fed.   Another note of interest in the history of this church is the origin of the bell.   It was a gift from Mr. Henry Ferber, who bought it from the owners of the "Old Magnolia", an excursion boat, which sank in the Ohio River.  It is also noted that Mr. Ferber had the bell recast before presentation to this new church.

The current framework of the Brooksville Methodist Church is the original of 1866.  It was redecorated circa 1894 during the pastorate of Rev. J. T. Fizer.  It was at this time the pulpit furnishings were purchased, and still are in use today.   In 1913, under the pastorate of Rev. Price T. Smith, the beautiful stained glass windows were installed.  In 1944, with the money from the estate of John H. Lee and a special building fund drive, a major remodeling project was undertaken.  The floor was elevated, a section of the back was partitioned off for Sunday School rooms, and space was excavated under the church for class rooms and furnace area.  In 1945 the organ and chimes, still in use, were purchased.  I can recall on many Sunday mornings of my childhood, hearing the music of these chimes all over town.  In 1963 a much needed education Annex was added, consisting of three large class rooms on the first floor, and kitchen and dining area in the basement.  This was dedicated by Bishop Walter C. Gum on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1964.  In 1968 the Evangelical United Bretheren Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church merged, and the resulting denomination is today referred to as "The United Methodist Church."

Tragic events struck The Brooksville United Methodist Church in the early morning of Friday, April 24, 1987.   A violent thunderstorm passed through the area and severe vibrations caused the ceiling of the sanctuary to collapse.   The collapse destroyed twenty-nine pews, the old light fixtures, hymnals carpeting and the like, but the stained glass windows were spared.  Clean-up began immediately, and soon the sanctuary was completed and a dedication service was held on Sunday October 4, 1987 with Bishop Duffy and District Superintendant Tatman presiding.  Many physical improvements have been added to the church building such as new steps, railing and heavy glass doors at the entrance.  Vinyl siding protects the original frame, and storm windows protect the stained glass windows.  The pews have been upholstered, and beautiful new chandeliers.  Most of these items were given as memorials by the families of dear deceased members.   The church is more beautiful than ever, and the congregation gives God the Praise and the Glory.

Among the charter members of the Brooksville Methodist Church were Caleb Jarvis Taylor Tarleton, Anderson Field, H. A. Lee and Judge Adamson.  Among the first pastors were William L.-1862, L. B. Purcell-1863, James W. Kendall-1865, R. Hoffman-1866; this being the year the building was erected.  Five members have entered the ministry from Brooksville United Methodist Church:  Rev. Robert Lee, Rev. Marvin McClure, Rev. Morris McClure, Rev. Henry Carl and Rev. Kenneth Jett, Jr.