by Harmon Jolley
posted October 16, 2008
) Dr. Ralph W. Mohney, in 1974 photograph |
Dr. Mohney delivered many captivating messages in his sermons. He often referenced the events of the weekly news, which in the late 1960’s to early 1970’s was often violent, confrontational, and reflective of problems in our society. His awareness of world events motivated me to keep up with the news, too.
Rather than ask the congregation to stay within the safe walls of the sanctuary, Dr. Mohney challenged us to reach out to the community. Thus, programs such as the Inner City ministry, Singles ministry, and others were strengthened.
One of his more memorable sermons was based on the 1971 song “Imagine” by John Lennon. The lyrics, particularly “Imagine there is no heaven,” were controversial. Dr. Mohney had the record of “Imagine” played over the sanctuary speakers, then analyzed the lyrics in terms of what a proper response should be by Christians.
I believe that it was during my seventh grade year that the entire church grieved with the Mohney family after an accident claimed one of their sons, Rick Mohney. Seeing the resilient faith of Ralph and Nell Mohney, and seeing the congregation lift each other up, were great lessons to me at a young age in how Christians should react to the passing of a loved one.
Dr. Mohney’s leadership during the unification of the Centenary and First Methodist congregations will long be recalled in Chattanooga history. Within a year of Dr. Mohney’s appointment to Centenary, there were some informal discussions taking place in my Sunday School class. “Have you heard that we may be joining with First Methodist? Wonder what their kids are like?” were some of the typical questions we were asking.
At the time, I didn’t know that there was another Methodist congregation just a block away. Soon, however, the two churches joined in their first combined service in 1967 at the Memorial Auditorium.
For the next few years, most worship services were held at the former Centenary sanctuary, while the First Methodist complex was used for youth activities. Meanwhile, Dr. Mohney guided the building committee through the process of erecting a new sanctuary for the First-Centenary congregation.
In 1973, First-Centenary United Methodist Church moved into its present sanctuary. I recently came across a 1974 pictorial booklet which provided a tour of the new worship center.
Each of the ornate stained glass windows was explained as to its symbolism. There were also photographs of the first Christmas service, and architectural drawings of a second phase of construction of educational buildings (built on the site of the former Centenary sanctuary).
Dr. Mohney wrote a preface to the pictorial which showed his pride in the heritage of the two churches, but also his vision of how they would accomplish greater things to the glory of God as a combined congregation.
“In 1839, a year after the city of Chattanooga was known as Ross’ Landing, a society of ten members organized the first church in this community. It was the Methodist Church and later took the name Centenary Methodist Church. The log cabin in which it was organized soon gave way to a frame structure affectionately known as the Pepperbox Church because of its appearance. Buildings were later erected on Market Street, where Loveman’s Store now stands, then on Eighth and Lindsay, and in 1922 at McCallie and Lindsay.”
“The First Methodist Church was organized in 1865 where the Courthouse now stands. A building on Pine Street was used for worship before the Stone Church building was erected in 1885. The three largest branches of Methodism became one in 1939. Centenary and First Methodist, two historic downtown churches, became one in 1967. The merger was effected for the express purpose of creating a new church with a new building for a new role of Christian witness and service in downtown Chattanooga.”
“This is a new church in a new day in a fast changing world calling people to Christ and to a life of devotion and service to their fellowmen. May God bless you as you come among us that here you may lose your life and yet find it abundantly and eternally.”
- Ralph Wilson Mohney, D.D.
Thank you, Dr. Mohney, for messages that continue to help me to experience an abundant life.
Harmon Jolley
jolleyh@bellsouth.net
) Some of the windows of First-Centenary tell the history of the church. |
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