DEMOSSVILLE, Ky. — On Oct. 18, 1861, three trustees – George Spegal, Richard Simpson and George Rouse – were deeded land for a Methodist church. The Kentucky property came from Sarah Elizabeth and Lilburn Crail, and it was Spegal and Jeff Oliver who built the original structure from logs.

Carter’s Chapel United Methodist Church is a country church, located on Carter’s Chapel – Gardnersville Road in Pendelton County, situated just across the Grant and Kenton counties’ lines, six miles from Interstate 75 at the Crittenden exit.

The church has had capacity crowds for various events, especially homecomings with gospel singing. The spirit of Christianity prevails within the community.

Bordered on three sides by a cemetery, legible dates on some of the oldest stones go back to 1854. Many graves date back to the cholera epidemics of the early 1900s; other tombstones can no longer be read.

A fellowship building was constructed on the church grounds in 2006. It is used for church events, Sunday School classes and receptions. The building was dedicated to Rev. C.W. Clos Jr. and his wife, Ruby. From June 1969-June 2009 he remained as pastor, until retirement. The current minister is Pastor Alice Crawford.
Carter’s Chapel maintains a Hand Bell Choir. This group performs year-round at various churches and events in the area, and has performed at Renfro Valley each Christmas since 2005. On the second Sunday each month, the Bell Choir visits Regency Manor, a nursing home in Independence, Ky. Goodies are handed out to the people at the Manor and a bell concert is presented.

A Vacation Bible School is held each July for one week. Children and adults of all ages are eager to attend.

On the first Sunday of each month a breakfast is served in the fellowship building. Communion is served on the first and third Sundays (1st, traditional; 3rd, by Intinction). On a fifth Sunday, the Sunday School offering that is collected is given to the Children’s Home in Kentucky.

Laity Sunday is in October and Youth Sunday is in November. Women’s Sunday is in December. Annually, with no set date, the Gideon’s International visits the Chapel. Carter’s Chapel also participates in The Two Rivers Cluster Group.

A community Thanksgiving service is held alternating among three community churches. Throughout the year holiday parties are scheduled for the church youth.

Carter’s Chapel provides space for donations for the United Methodist Mountain Mission program. New or used items of any kind are collected and then sent to locations where they are separated and repaired, if needed, then sold at minimum cost to families in Appalachian areas.

Carter’s Chapel’s motto is “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.” To learn more, visit the church online at www.gbgm
-umc.org/carterschapel