Pikeville Seventh-day Adventist to hold Consecration Service April 11 for new building
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The long-awaited opening of the newly constructed Pikeville Seventh-day Adventist Church has arrived. On Saturday, April 11, at 11:00 a.m., the community is invited to join the Consecration of the Church.
For over 100 years, the old white building at 52 Cumberland Avenue served the community until May of 2022. The cost to renovate the church’s deteriorating foundation and overall structure were not worth saving the structure and the church made the decision to demolish the building and erect a new church on the site.
Many years ago, when the railroad came through Pikeville in 1891, the old white building became a stopping place for travelers. Over the years, the building was a brothel with rooms on the top floor and a gaudy lobby on the main floor.
All along, God had a better plan for the building which eventually became the church. According to the church’s history, Everett Burks in the 70s was inspired to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. He bought the land to start a church there, but restoration of the old building would take time. Growing up in the Crossville area, Burks, along with his friends Marion Reber and Ernie Bennett, helped build a church there, and in Harriman and Oliver Springs before coming to Pikeville.
A small congregation of Seventh-day Adventists began meeting in the basement of Everett’s house while the old white building was being remodeled. Once the renovations were completed, the church began meeting in the house.
In 1983, the church built a white-bricked school building. Tony Dewind helped build the school and his wife, Linda, became its teacher. That building has served as a temporary worship center for the congregation while the new building was being constructed.
On April 11, the congregation will hold a special service at their new church building and welcome everyone to join them. After the service, a meal will be served.
The Pikeville congregation continues to grow, and they are grateful for God’s guidance through the past and hopeful for the future.
