The history of Christ’s Church on Dan Ridge, Kentucky

The Church that Christ died for was established on the Day of Pentecost found in Acts 2.  This is the history of how the Dan Ridge Church Building got started and who preached there over the years.

                                                                              

Four brothers, Ervin Pugh (1901-1977, wife: Stella), J.P. Pugh (1903-1984), Hobart Pugh (1907-1976, wife: Mary Vaughn) and Homer Pugh (1911-2003, wife: Erma), were raised on Dan Ridge in Menifee County, Kentucky. They were the children of James Calvin Pugh and Clementine Pugh.  They were a God fearing family.

          In the early 1940’s Hobart and Ervin Pugh traveled to Letcher County, KY for work in the coal mines.  While there they came to know Bill Browning (1904-2002).  He was from Neon in Letcher County, KY.  Bill taught the Pugh brothers about Christ’s Church.  They invited Bill to come to Dan Ridge and hold a revival.  Ora Browning was Bill Brownings’ brother and preached as well.  There was no Church of Christ on Dan Ridge during this time.  So Hobart Pugh and his brothers wanted to set up Christ’s Church on Dan Ridge.  Before the Church building was built they met at the old Dan school building just past the church in the big curve close to where Scott Rose used to live.  There was a store that sat just across from it. 

In 1946 the Pugh brothers got a piece of land from J.T. and Eliza Powers and built a one room church building. Boone Lee, Jim Lawson and several others helped build the church.  During this time Bill Browning would come and hold weeklong revivals.  Jim Lawson also preached some at the Dan Ridge Church of Christ (CoC). 

 

May 15, 1946 Ervin Pugh delivered the following deed to the Menifee County Clerk of the Court:

This deed of conveyance made and entered into this 15 day of May, 1946, between J.T. Powers and Eliza Powers, of the County of Menifee and State of Kentucky, of the first part and Church of Christ of Dan, KY. Of the county of Menifee and State of afore said of the second part.

Witnessed, that the parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of forty dollars in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged have bargained and sold, and by these presents does bargain, sell and convey unto the said party of the second part, a certain tract or parcel of land lying in Menifee County, KY, and described as follows: By

Beginning at a set stone marked “X” on west side of county road leading from Dan to Wellington, KY and in the line of J.T. Powers and Martin Whitt heirs; thence a westward direction with said line (past a well) 144 feet to a set stone, marked “X” in the line of Whitt Heirs and J.T. Powers; thence a northerly direction 132 feet to a set stone marked “X”; thence eastward 144 feet to a set stone marked “X” by the county road; thence south 132 feet on west side of county road to the beginning, containing ½ acre more or less, so as to include said boundary; to be used for building a church, for Church of Christ and it is further understood that no musical instruments, Missionary Societies or pre millennialism or any other false doctrines shall be permitted on premises.  It is understood that this deed is made for a correction of previous deed for same property.

Being a part of the same land conveyed by John A. Combs, Master Commissioner for G.V. Stacy Heirs, to the grantors, herein by deed dated, March 26, 1942, and recorded in Deed Book No.21 at page, 616, records of the Menifee County Court Clerk’s Office.

To have and to hold said tract of land, with the appurtenance thereto belonging unto the parties of the second part their heirs and assigns, forever, with covenants of General Warranty.

In testimony whereof, the parties of the first part have hereunto subscribed their name the day and date aforesaid.

Recorded by N.M. Amburgey, Menifee County Clerk

          The original one room building had brown tar shingles for siding.  It had steps but no porch or class rooms.  The seats were old theater seats and there was an old pop belly stove for heat.  Later two classrooms where built and wood siding added.  The building still had no running water up until the mid-90’s and an out house was still used.  During this time the two class rooms where converted into bathrooms.  Also, two more class rooms were built on as well as a porch.  The roof was reshingled and vinyl siding was placed on. 

            Jim Johnson preached at Dan Ridge CoC and also held revivals in the late 40’s and 50’s.  Jim Johnson was from Artville.  It has been reported that often preachers would come to Dan Ridge and hold weeklong or longer revivals.  During the 1950’s brothers, Charles and Johnny Wills, would come from Upper Spencer CoC in Montgomery County on Thursday’s and have devotionals with the youth.       

J.F. Dancer, currently with Beaver Dam Church of Christ - Ohio Co, KY, has held Gospel Meetings at Dan Ridge since the mid 1960's. He continues to hold revivals and is a close friend to all at Dan Ridge.

 

Hobart Pugh and his three brothers always had the doors open each and every Sunday for Worship.  Hobart taught the Bible Class even if there were no preachers available.  They would offer communion, read a few scriptures, pray and sing.  They ensured that there was a warm, well maintained building and a Minister that would preach the Gospel Truth from at lest May 1946 until the last brother, Homer Pugh, died in 2003.  The brothers had strong convictions toward Christ’s Church, indicative of the Church’s deed, keeping it pure to God’s truth. 

 

1972 – 1975, Raymond Tipton and Arnold Smith, both were with Main Street CoC in Mt. Sterling, KY and preached during this time. Hobart Pugh was the only person Dan Ridge CoC had between times.  Hobart died in November of 1976. In 1977, one year later the Dan Ridge CoC suffered another great lose with the passing of Ervin Pugh.  However, J.P. and Homer Pugh kept the doors open.

Clay Hunt preached at Dan Ridge CoC some during the late 1970’s.  He was from the Kendall Springs CoC.  Charles Hutchinson with the West Liberty CoC preached some on Sunday Nights in the late 1970’s and early 80’s.  Charles preached for over 50 years and mentored many of young preachers as well as brought Christ’s Church to West Liberty, KY.

1979 – 1981, Asa Pence preached during this time. His wife was Oda Brashear.  Asa’s brother was Johnny Pence, long time preacher in Hazard, Perry County, KY area. Asa’s parents were Daniel and Emma Pence.  Emma lived in Wolfe County, KY in later years.  Asa was born 1908 and died May 1981.  Both Asa and Johnny were long time mentors and friends to Willard Akers.  They all were close acquaintances of Bill Browning.

1982 – 1985, Asa Willoby, Harold Shelly and Larry Donaldson were all from Oak Hill CoC in Mt. Sterling, KY. Harold was a brother to Asa’s wife.  Also, Steve Slaughter and David McElwain (both were originally from Frankfort), attended Morehead State University and helped during this time as well. 1984, J.P. Pugh passed away, leaving only one brother, Homer Pugh, to keep the doors open.  Homer continued to come to the Church early every Sunday morning to ensure the building was warm or cool, depending on the time of year, as well as making sure there was a Gospel Preacher in the pulpit. Norman Caldwell, preached at Dan Ridge CoC for a while in the early 80’s.  He is the father of Jennifer who married Johnny Rose.

1986, Willard Akers (currently with Happy Church of Christ - Hazard, KY) moved to Morgan County. Willard is the son of John Quincy Akers and Margaret Akers.  His wife is Flo Akers and they have three children: Danny, Margie and Billy Akers. Asa Pence’s wife, Oda, told Willard that Dan Ridge was a strong Church and that he should go there to Preach.  Willard preached at Dan Ridge CoC for about one year.  He then moved back to Hazard, KY but his son, Danny Akers (from West Liberty CoC) and his family continued to attend to help out the church.

1987 – 1988, Paul Keeton (at the time with Block House Bottom CoC), Bob Blevins (from Main Street CoC in Mt. Sterling, preached every 5^th Sunday) and Fred Bishop (from Jeffersonville, Indiana, also is the son-in-law of Hobart Pugh) all helped during this time.  On the Sundays that no preacher was available, Homer Pugh would play a tape of a sermon that had been previously recorded.  Danny Akers and his teenage son, Paul Akers, would conduct the Worship Service.   

1989 – 1997, Dan Ridge CoC was blessed to have Paul Keeton preach full time through these years.  Paul Keeton was baptized by James Conley (Lacy Creek CoC in Morgan County) in the early 1970’s and started preaching at West Liberty CoC.  He assisted Charles Hutchinson there.  Paul Keeton has preached the Gospel for over 30 years.  He has helped many Churches over the past years, some of them include: West Liberty CoC, Blairs Mill CoC, Ashland CoC, Block House Bottom CoC, Van Lear CoC and several others.  Paul has preached at Dan Ridge CoC for almost twenty years. Paul’s wife is Carolyn Keeton and they have three sons: Timothy, Matthew and Aaron Keeton. 

1998 – 1999, Paul Keeton preached the first, third and fifth Sundays. He preached at Block House Bottoms the other Sundays.  Paul Akers and Shannon Williams took turns preaching the remaining Sundays.  Paul Akers was baptized by his grandfather, Willard Akers, in 1988 and preached his first sermon in 1992.  He served as a full time Youth Minister at West Liberty CoC from 1993-96 under Elder Charles Hutchinson and Buster Cox.  Paul served as a Deacon at the Midway Road CoC in Ft. Pierce, FL in 2000-01 and was back up preacher at the Frenchburg CoC from 2002-04 to Randy Imel.                                              

Shannon Williams was baptized by Paul Keeton in 1996.  He is married to Loretta Thomas’ daughter, Linda.  They have two boys, Bobby and Michael.  Shannon has preached the Gospel Truth at Dan Ridge CoC for almost ten years now.  Dan Ridge CoC is truly blessed to have him.  

2000 to current, Paul Keeton and Shannon Williams takes week about Preaching the Gospel. In 2004 Aaron Keeton began preaching. Also during this time, Liss Marcum and his family moved to Dan Ridge.  Like Aaron Keeton and Paul Akers, Liss Marcum is always eager to preach the Gospel when called upon.  Liss was baptized by Elmer Croizer in 1997.  Liss preached part time for two years at the Cattletsburg CoC and full time for one year at the Louisa CoC.  

Aaron Keeton is following his father’s foot steps and has developed into a sound Gospel Preacher.  He was baptized by his father, Paul Keeton, in 2001.  He preached his first sermon in 2004.  He helps preach at Blockhouse Bottom CoC in Johnson County as well as at Dan Ridge CoC.  

 

For many years, the Church on Dan Ridge struggled with only a hand full of families that attended and often having no full time Preachers.  However, the doors were always opened to welcome each person with a warm smile.  In 2003 Homer Pugh was laid to rest.  However, Christ’s Church which the Pugh brothers worked so hard to bring to Dan Ridge continues strong with five capable sound Gospel Preachers, many Song Leaders and Bible Teachers, by the Grace of God. 

All things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28