Flatrock   Methodist  Episcopal  Church


          In 1852, a frame church was erected about three miles southwest of Norristown, on Flatrock near Girton's Mill.  Among the members of the church at the building were:  Thomas Wooley,  Richard Drake,  Peter Messick  and  Mr. Vansickle.  The society worshipped here until 1870, when it was removed to Flatrock Station, and used the school until the present beautiful brick church was completed.  This church was built at a cost of $3,000, two-thirds of which was secured by subscription through efforts of Rev. A. M. Thornton.  The remaining $1,000 was a bequest by Mr. Warner, a wealthy citizen of Flatrock.  The church is at the head of the circuit, and has a large and flourishing congregation, with many opportunities for doing good.  In the winter of 1878, Rev. J. G. Hood, the pastor in charge, was accidentally drowned while trying to ford the river.  He was returning home from Toner's Chapel, where he had been holding church.  A heavy rain had fallen in the afternoon and the stream was considerably swollen, making an attempt to ford exceedingly hazardous.  The ford where he attempted to cross, a few rods above the railroad bridge, is deep and swift, and it is supposed that he could not withstand the force of the current and was swept away to a watery grave.  Although hundreds went in search of the body it was not recovered for one month after the accident had occurred.  The pastors who have served the church since the death of Rev. Hood, are:  Rev. Morrow,  J. E. Gullett,  C. E. Line and L. N. Jones.  The present pastor, Mr. Jones, was educated at Hartsville University, and was ordained by the United Brethren in 1875, in which church he preached for ten years when he joined the Southeastern Indiana Conference.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1887, page 368.

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