Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church

Located in the heart of Louisville, KY, Watkins United Methodist Church has been a cornerstone of the East Louisville community for over six decades. The church prides itself on its diverse congregation, spanning multiple generations, all united in the common goal of nurturing discipleship and fostering a sense of belonging for all who enter its doors. Within the church grounds, Watkins boasts an exceptional Preschool and Early Learning Center, committed to providing a secure and loving Christian environment for young minds to thrive. From toddlers as young as 18 months to eager Jr. Kindergarten students, the center offers a range of classes aimed at instilling a love for learning while upholding the values of faith and compassion. Generated using this place's available information

History St. Thomas Episcopal Church was founded on Sunday, December 1, 1907, at Lyndon, Kentucky, as a mission of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Louisville, in the charge of the Reverend R.L. Mc Cready. In 1908, a lot on Lyndon Lane was given by Mrs. Dudley, widow of Bishop Dudley. The church, dedicated in 1908, subsequently became a missionary appendage of the Church of the Advent in the Highlands. Fire partly destroyed the church on November 4, 1932, and it was rebuilt in a colonial style. During the Great Depression and World War II, rectors from St. Luke's in Anchorage and St. James in Pewee Valley conducted services, although attendance was low, and Bishop Charles Clingman met with parishioners about closing the mission. However, in 1946 the Rev. H. Sheppard Musson was made priest-in-charge to help the struggling mission. The parish slowly grew and by 1957, membership had grown to a total of 157. In the 1950's, the parish purchased an adjacent lot, enlarged the parish house, and purchased a new organ. In 1957, three Sunday services were conducted (8: 00 am Holy Communion, 9: 30 am family worship service, 11: 00 am Holy Communion. ) In its Lyndon location, St. Thomas was a community center, accommodating a school of dance, Boy Scouts, and other groups. On weekdays, it was the only church in the Lyndon area available to groups for meetings. The Women's Auxiliary became an active and effective group, devoting time, raising money, and maintaining the facilities and furnishings at the church. The parish also had a successful nursery school with an enrollment of some sixty pupils. By 1969, the parish had bought a two-story house adjoining the church lot in anticipation of its need for a rectory and for additional church school classrooms. (Church school attendance had grown from zero to eighty pupils under the direction of Superintendent William M. Wetherton, and Judge Charles Tachau's adult Bible class had grown to more than 45 members. ) The 1969 transition to the current Westport Road location was difficult, with a decrease in membership through 1980. The losses in membership due to the move were predicted because of the strong identity with the Lyndon community. Some community activities, however, continued, such as the day school and dance school that were operated in the Mission Building (now called the Community Building. ) The Reverend Ken Thompson was called to follow Father Musson. Although the Preschool was closed because of financial losses, attendance began to grow gradually. The Reverend Bob Burchell was called in the late 1980's and was the first full-time rector of St. Thomas. He was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1990. In 1991, the Reverend John Allen was called as rector. The Fellowship Hall was added in 1997-98 to aid in the need for space, as attendance had grown to over 100 per Sunday. In 2000, the Reverend Michael Lager was called to St. Thomas and is the current rector.