History

Elm Grove United Methodist Church began in the 1830s with the faithful ministry of Methodist Circuit Riders, who traveled on horseback between Brownsville, Somerville, Wesley (near Stanton), and Randolph along the Mississippi River. As they passed through the rural area now known as Burlison, families opened their homes for preaching, and neighbors gathered to hear the Word of God. These humble gatherings laid the foundation for what would become a thriving community of faith.

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Originally part of the Randolph Circuit, early worshippers met in open-air camp meetings and later in a simple log building known as “the meeting house,” which also served as a school. By the 1850s, the church became known as Elm Grove Methodist Episcopal Church of the Covington-Randolph Circuit. Though records were lost during the Civil War, the spirit of the congregation remained strong.

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After the war, worship moved to a small chapel in the Angus Graveyard. In 1878, James C. Mims deeded the chapel and land to the church trustees, and soon after, it became officially known as Elm Grove Methodist Church.

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Over the next century, Elm Grove saw seasons of both growth and challenge. The late 1800s brought Sunday School, remodeling projects, and a new church bell. Despite a period in the 1920s when some members left to join other congregations, the church’s ministry remained a vital part of the community. As World War II approached, church leadership began plans for a larger space.

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Thanks to the generosity of member Mrs. Virgie McIntosh, who provided the land, and the dedication of members who cut and milled their own lumber, the new church was built with great care. In August 1946, the congregation gathered for its first worship service in the brick veneer building that still stands today. Over the years, the church has undergone several renovations and additions to meet the needs of its growing ministry.

In 1968, a parsonage was added, and Elm Grove became a station church. In 1996, the church joyfully celebrated 50 years of proclaiming the saving grace of Jesus Christ at its current location.

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From circuit riders and camp meetings to Sunday worship and community service, Elm Grove UMC continues to be a faithful witness in Burlison—a little church with a big heart, still serving and growing in the love of Christ.