The Vesta Church of Christ has a long history in the Vesta Community. It is one of the oldest churches in Wilson County. Shortly after Barton Stone and Alexandra Campbell were turned out of the Baptist Church, they left and started the Christian Church, the one we read about in the New Testament. The old settlers at Vesta wanted to start the Christian Church. History tells us they met in homes for many years beginning with just five people. (There is no record of when the name was changed to the church of Christ.)
Records indicate that in 1850 the first church building was built. It was a one room log building with hewed out log benches and a ground floor built by Nathan Presley Lannom, the grandfather of Earl Lannom and Robert Lannom. It was located about one-half mile south of this building on Hurricane Creek. This building burned to the ground in 1880, and was not built back until 1884.
At that time it was built on Vesta Road with land again donated by Nathan P. Lannom. This one was out on the road across the fence south of Fannie Graham’s mailbox on the land that Tom Sanders now owns (1986). History tells us the building was also used as a school three months out of the year.
Again this building was destroyed by fire in 1890. At that time the land belonged to Elidge Foutch and he gave the land for a new building—this is the land on which the current building stands. It was a one room structure about 25 by 45 which was weather boarded, painted white, double doors in the front and one single door in the rear. There were four tall, narrow windows on each side and a stack flue for a wood stove. The building was built on stone pillows high off the ground and open underneath to the weather. Some of the older members at that time were Nathan P. (Coon) Lannom, Andy McCullough, John Cunningham, Elidge Foutch, Jim Drennon and Uncle Barney Murphy (as everyone called him).
In the early 1900’s some of the preachers were E. A. Elem, Thomas Wrye, F. D. Grygley, Samuel T. Nix and Vesta Cawthon. Most of the older generation had passed on by that time. The families who were attending services at that time were: Underwoods, Foutches, Lannoms, Johnsons, Sanders, Hobbs, Jones, Pattons and McCrarys.
In 1928, nature struck again when a cyclone struck and destroyed the church building to the ground by a mighty windstorm. The group of resilient Christians meeting at that time “got busy and built the church building back at once.” This was still not the end of disasters that struck this church/community.
Again in 1935, another storm struck and blew the building away for a second time. In May of 1936, Will Sanders, Earl Lannom, and Carrie Sanders Lannom went to Red Boiling Springs and bought the lumber for $245.00 to rebuild the building. That is the church building that currently stands on Vesta Road. The building was built by Will Sanders, Roy Sanders, Tom Lee Sanders, Fill Lannom, Fred Lannom, father of Ishom Lannom and Demps Lannom, father of Wallace Lannom. The roof for the building was donated by the College Street Church in Lebanon. The first services were held in August, 1936. The elders in 1936 were Tom Lee Sanders, Fill Lannom and Tom Johnson.
Since that time, the facilities have been updated with aluminum siding, a baptistry, electricity, bathrooms, classrooms, carpets, new benches, and a new fellowship hall. The photo to the left was probably made in the 1950s and is the first photo of the church building we have been able to find.
The foyer was added, as well as handicapped access ramps at the front of the building. This second photo was made in the late 1990s after the foyer was added.
The church continued to meet in this place over the next several decades with descendants of some of the same families who worshiped here in the early years. Regular attendance fluctuated over the years from 25 to 60 members, but it was always a shining light in the Vesta community.
During the early years, the church did not have regular ministers, and/or they would just have preaching once a month. In the 1940s and 1950s, Bible students from David Lipscomb College (now Lipscomb University) came to Vesta to preach once a month. Many young men got their start in the ministry at the Vesta Church of Christ. Others who preached at the Vesta congregation on a regular basis were: Darrel Dodson, Ed Sherrill, Tommy Russell, Bill McConnell, Jimmy Atwood, Hugh Trigg, Darrell Duncan, and Jim Minor.
All was well for many years, but disaster struck again in November 2009. In a business meeting, the decision was made to shut down the facilities due to mold and deterioration in the building. The leaders determined the cost to renovate the building would be too great, and the best alternative was to shut the church down, level the building, and have the members worship elsewhere. However, a small group of members remained, and they continued to worship in the fellowship room. Shortly thereafter, they met on a Saturday and made plans to correct the construction problems including sending out pleas for help to save their beloved building. Those who met on many Saturdays to clean, paint, do construction repairs, landscaping, etc. were: Katherine McCrary, Brenda Jones, Emma C. Harris, Randy and Debbie Turpin, Bobby Lannom, Eddie McCrary, Kay Smith, Brenda Blessing, Gail Lane, Juanita Barrett, Bobby Walker, Rosine Young, Jim and Caffie Hockaday. Two major contributors to the endeavor to renovate the building were Eddie McCrary and Bob Lannom, two men who had grown up at Vesta, but had left Vesta several years ago to pursue their own lives in other communities. Due to the efforts of these loyal and concerned members, former members, family, friends and surrounding congregations of the Lord’s church, the building was completely renovated. Many prayers were answered, and God’s work will continue at Vesta!
While renovations were being made, a small group continued to meet each Sunday in the Fellowship room in the basement of the building. They worked tirelessly themselves and solicited help in making renovations to the building.
The first worship services were held in the newly renovated building on _____2010. Following the completion of all renovations, a special Homecoming celebrating Vesta’s 160th Anniversary was held with Bobby Lannom preaching and Barry Sherrill leading the singing. For a few months, various men from other churches filled in as minister until our current minister, Billy Patton, came on board.
It is interesting to note that Bro. Patton and his wife were eating lunch at a restaurant in Lebanon one Sunday when Mrs. Emma C. Harris and her daughter recognized him. They went over and asked if he was preaching anywhere. When he said “no”, they encouraged him to consider coming to Vesta. This just seemed to be God’s plan. Bro. Patton has been happy with his decision to come to Vesta, and the Vesta membership is extremely fortunate to have such a knowledgeable Bible scholar to lead us. He was and continues to be the answer to the prayers of many people.
Over these 165+ years, the Church, composed of various sized groups at different times, has been a part of this community. As any church in existence that long, there have been difficult times and good times, but God has blessed the church people who have met here with lots of determination and opportunities. Our current membership is proud of our heritage and is happy to be a part of the Vesta community.
Now on to the future
What a fantastic opportunity to attend a congregation of God’s people where the doctrine is Bible-based and patterned after the first century church we read about in the New Testament. At Vesta we believe in God’s plan for man, not man’s plan for God. Please consider your spiritual status seriously and then come and worship with us. We need you. The Lord needs you. You need the Lord. He has a place for you reserved at the Vesta Church of Christ.
(Portions of the above were taken from “The Historical Sketch of the Church at Vesta” dated August 1986 and “A Historical Sketch of the Little Community – Vesta” dated 1988, both signed by Carrie Sanders Lannom, as well as from notes of business meetings at the Vesta Church.)