J. L. Piercy Remembered

Rev. J. L. Piercy

September 10, 1872 - December 15, 1962

Below: H. C. Morrison, 1941, recalling his world evangelism tour with Bro. Piercy in 1909. 

"Rev. J. L. Piercy, an Asbury student, young man of remarkable common sense and as deep and beautiful devotion as you could hope to find in in any man, joined me as my travel companion my world tour. 

Brother Piercy was born and reared in Barren County, near Glasgow, Kentucky. He fell under conviction for sanctification at Pentecostal (Morrison) Park, a camp meeting I had organized on my grandfather’s old farm where I was reared, which has now been going on for some forty years. Many souls blessed there are now in heaven. Brother Piercy was a graduate of the Agriculture College at Ames, Iowa, but being sanctified; he gave that up and consecrated himself to the ministry. I could not have had a more congenial traveling companion or one more ready to assist me in way possible. We formed a friend which will never break up. Brother Piercy prayed, testified, wept and laughed and helped to kindle revival fires everywhere we went. His religion was catching. He won the confidence of the people everywhere. Some years after our tour, Bishop Warne said to me, “the people are talking about Brother Piercy all over India. His messages and testimonies, with his prayers and exhortation, have made an impression that will abide forever among those who came under his influence.”

                Rev. Piercy was born September 10, 1872 near Glasgow, KY. He was converted August 1900 here at the camp under a great exhortation by Dr. Morrison while a storm was raging and answered the call to preach in 1906. He did evangelist work in 1907 and 1908. On December 30, 1908 Brother Piercy married Tippie Dougherty, daughter of Robert and Martha Wells Dougherty. Mrs. Piercy, for ten years, managed the dining hall and saw to the affairs of the Morrison campground. Reverend Piercy entered Asbury College at Wilmore, Kentucky in 1908. While in school at Wilmore, the way was opened for him to make an evangelist tour of the world with Dr. Morrison.  Brother Piercy serve many charges in the Louisville Annual Conference and retired in September of 1944. After his retirement, he was an associate minster of the First Methodist Church in Glasgow for a number of years. He was one of the great powers in the erection of the community hospital.

                A cabin was built on the grounds for J. L. Piercy, as a lodging cabin for his two week stay each year at the Morrison Park Camp meetings.  Piercy attended almost every year and along with Dr. Morrison, was one of the most prominent ministers to preach here.

J.L. Piercy Cabin Reconstructed 2011

The Piercy Cabin is one of two original log structures on the park grounds and was in grave danger of being lost. There was considerable damage to the structure from decay and wood eating insects. The job was very difficult and could have been very costly. Buck Riddle of the Temple Hill community had the experience and knowledge to restore the cabin. Buck donated his time, and along with the efforts and contributions of Delbert Birge and Bob Bell, the work has been completed. The structure has a new roof, a new floor and several logs at the base of the cabin have been replaced. With the skill and generosity of these men, along with the generous donations from various individuals, organizations, and churches, the cabin stands wonderfully restored.

Buck Riddle at right, prepares a new log to be replaced in the Piercy cabin. Also pictured is Bob Bell who assisted.

                                                        The restored J.L. Piercy cabin 2012

Henry Clay Morrison (left) and J.L. Piercy (right) in Bombay in 1909 during Morrison's World Tour of Evangelism
               

Morrison Park Identified by New Sign Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky

Morrison Park was once a well defined community, consisting not only of the popular camp meeting ground but also of many families, two different schools and for a short time even a general store. For many years, all Barren County residents knew the location of Morrison Park. Some early residents of the county even identified Highway 63 as the Morrison Park Road. Although a Morrison Park Road still exists between Highway 63 and Highway 90, there was actually nothing to further identify to any traveler along the highway that they traveled through Morrison Park. Until recently, even the structures of the park were hidden from view by overgrowth. Many young people were not even aware of the park's existence. Mike Hudspeth of Hudspeth's Signs, recently put Morrison Park and the Campgrounds back on the map with the donation of a wonderful new sign. Mike, along with his wife, Joan and children, spent a day putting up the sign. This has been one of the most wonderful contributions to the resurrection of the park.

MP Board Member Jackie Wishart Dies

Jackie Wishart, a longtime board member and supporter of Morrison Park Camp meeting died Friday December 21 2012. Jackie along with her son, her sister, and other board members was instrumental in seeing to the operation of the park for many years. In addition, Jackie also provided her talents as a songstress, pianist and organist for the camp meeting on several occasions. She will be greatly missed.


Jacqueline "Jackie" Wishart 80 of Glasgow died Friday, December 21, 2012 at the Medical Center at Bowling Green. Born in Hopkinsville, KY she was the daughter of the late Jack and Bessie Mae Bailey Stewart. Jackie was a graduate of W.K.U. and was registered nurse. She had worked for Dr. Russell Starr for 30 years at the former Howard Clinic and later for Dr's Ray Gibson and Orlando Bravo. Currently she was a member of the First United Methodist Church and was the former organist and choir director at Faith United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Glasgow Musicale.

She is survived by her son Phillip Pursley (Carolyn) of Glasgow; her daughter Carla Jones (Terry) of Bowling Green; 2 grandchildren Jared Pursley (Nicole) and Jordan Elmore (Jacob); 1 great grandchild Bella Kate Pursley; 1 brother Frank Stewart (Joann) of Silver Springs, MD; 2 sisters Jeannine Harlow of Glendale and Nell Doris Stewart of Elizabethtown; a sister-in-law Kathy Stewart of Louisville and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alex Wishart, a grandson Joshua Pursley, and a brother Manuel Stewart.