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The church began as a sturdy frame red building in what was then called the South Fork of Reems Creek then changed its name to Taft community, which was used during the week as a post office and schoolhouse and on Sundays as a meeting place for church members. The schoolhouse-church was a direct descendant of an earlier, one room, log house with a fireplace. The log church was torn down and replaced by the larger frame building, which could still be seen below the road until about 1950s.

The church moved into its own quarters above the road where it is located now about 1903. The church wasn't quite finished and before the church got far along, a windstorm struck the valley, de-roofing houses, barns, and the half-completed Methodist Church. It was already floored, roofed, and the windows framed. The men had to knock it apart and re-rafter it. Many men of the valley worked on the building that was to become known as the South Fork Methodist Church and the community became known as Ox Creek Community.

In 1968 the building burned when a new oil furnace, the last payment just made, apparently went out of control and the fire resulted. Except for the outside's being charred, it appears serviceable. But the firemen were unable to prevent the interior from being damaged beyond repair. After the fire, the Methodist Conference did not encourage the church to rebuild but suggested the congregation merge with Northern United Methodist Church in Weaverville. The congregation declined then held a business meeting about pulling out of the Methodist Conference. It was decided by a majority vote and on November 30, 1969, the church adopted the name South Fork Independent Methodist Church.. The insurance money was given to the church and advised by a lawyer to put the money in the bank. They bought the land from the conference and set out to rebuild. For the next few years, the church met in homes but when the Ox Creek community center was completed, the church began using it for services. While building the church, Mrs. Lula Sheehan had suggested the door be moved to the side of the church instead of the front to reduce traffic noise and dust/dirt getting into the church. The vote was to build the church back the way it was; however, the person in charge of building decided her request was valid and the entrance way was moved to the side of the church.

On June 24, 1973, the new building was dedicated with its new name South Fork Independent Methodist Church by Rev. John Greene following a week’s revival where several souls were saved. Fifteen new members were taken into the church and were baptized. Homecoming was held for the first time in the new church with dinner on the ground. Water and restrooms were completed and in use for the homecoming service.

In 2013, the church called for Rev. Wesley Pike to come lead the church and advise about becoming a non-denominational church. Bill Burkett came and spoke on incorporation, a new constitution that would fit for today’s issues and by-laws, so on December 18, 2013, the church reorganized to become known as South Fork Church with the incorporation papers being signed by Bobby Mundy, Dean Justice and Mona Henderson. God has been very good to us and brought the church through many storms only to bless us greater still. We have been able to replace the carpet, exchange the pews for padded chairs, cut back some of the overgrown trees and have plans to expand even more as God continues to add to our congregation.

Old Church.heic
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