Tuesday, July 29, 2014

New Morrison Park Memorials in Memory of REV. J.L. PIERCY


Two memorials have been made in memory of Rev. Jehu  (J.L.) Piercy.  Rev. Piercy was a celebrated Methodist Minister and had great ties to the Morrison Park Holiness Camp Meeting. Piercy was converted during the very first camp meeting service in 1900 in the midst of a great thunderstorm and under a powerful sermon by Rev. H.C. Morrison.  Piercy went on to become a prominent, and most respected Methodist minister. In 1909, because of his abilities and his deep friendship with Rev. Morrison he was asked to accompany him on his World Wide Tour of Evangelism. Morrison and Piercy made an arduous, but victorious three month journey through countries, including China, India, Bombay, Korea, and Japan. Rev. Piercy pastored several churches during his lifetime which included, Glasgow Methodist Church, and was always an active evangelist. Reverend Piercy was also the featured evangelist at Morrison Park for many years. Piercy loved to attend the park and eventually built his own lodging cabin for he and his wife to enjoy for the two week annual camp meeting services.The restoration of the Piercy Cabin was one of the first projects to be undertaken in the Morrison Park restoration. Because Piercy was from Glasgow, many of his descendants and close relatives still live and are close by. Much needed donations and generous acts of  kindness have come from his family without whose help the restoration of the Park would not be possible. Carl and Mary Lou Jackson from Louisville have to date donated $3,960.00 to the Morrison Park restoration. Their son Steve Jackson from Nashville, recently made a donation of $1,000.00 dollars as well in memory of Rev. Piercy. We are so thankful for the great support they have shown to this effort, and the enormous trust they have placed upon us as we prayerfully continue the work of restoration. Another relative Rob Barbour has contributed and has been diligently working at the Park grounds, doing a tremendous job. Omar Barbour , a nephew has also been helpful in many ways and provided a lot of informative history on the Piercy family as well as providing copies of the letters Rev. Piercy wrote back home during his world tour in 1909.
   Thanks to these wonderful people, Rev. J. L. Piercy is still living and alive at Morrison Park. The faithful dedicated work Rev. Piercy performed during his lifetime, has prompted his family members to be faithful and dedicated as well to what was important to him. What a beautiful legacy to have, and what a beautiful thing to share. God bless all the Piercy family for all they have done. Lord willing,  the work and generosity of the Peircy family will live on through the generations. We pray, and are thankful Morrison Park can be a part of that legacy God Bless you all. We love you. Gary Bewley

Rev. Piercy ( front row,second from right) and a group pictured during the early 1940's at Morrison Park. Rev. Andrews is left of Piercy, and Andrew's son to his right. Can anyone idenify the others?
         
Rev. Piercy and his wife Tippie Dougherty Piercy around 1909, the time he traveled with H.C. Morrison around the world.