The Kentucky Methodist movement dates back to 1783 to the wilderness cabin of John Durham. Durham held services in his home. Francis Clark, a lay minister, planted churches across the Commonwealth as well as in Danville and Perryville. Clark served as a key leader in the pioneer Methodist work.
The first Danville church met in a small cabin on the site of where our present downtown campus is located. This small church was discovered when the construction of our current downtown campus, 119 S. Third Street, started. The date of 1789 was found carved on a log of the original house upon which the current church building was erected.
In 1835 a brick church was built across the street from our present downtown campus, but it was soon too small for the growing congregation. The present downtown campus has had many years of service since beginning in 1888. In 2002 our Christian Life Center was added to allow for more programs and outreach.
A flood in June 2007 caused significant damage to the basement and Fellowship Hall of our downtown campus. Since that time, all of our services have been held our Christian Life Center, located at 1441 Perryville Road, next to Boyle County High School.
Currently, Centenary ministers to people living in Boyle, Garrard, Lincoln, and Mercer Counties. Our mission continues to be grounded in the Great Commission of Jesus, “Go into all the world and make disciples.”
Our church's mission statement is: “As a Christ-centered, Spirit-filled church, our purpose at Centenary United Methodist Church is to reflect and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ; bringing people to a commitment of faith and providing avenues for nurture and opportunities for expressing faith through loving service to others.”
You can listen to the "Weekly Word" radio program each Sunday morning on 1230 AM WHIR.
This features the previous week's sermon at Centenary.
Centenary's pastoral leadership team includes senior pastor Quentin Scholtz, a Danville native, and
executive pastor Matthew Atha. For more information about Centenary's staff, please click on the
"contact us" page.
Quentin Scholtz, Senior Pastor
Quentin received his second appointment to Danville Centenary in June 2005.
Quentin and his wife Becky are both Danville natives. The Scholtzs have two
grown children, Adam and Ginny. Quentin served Centenary from 1990-97
and moved here after a three-year appointment in Pikeville. Quentin's favorite
Bible verse is I John 4:19, "We love because he first loved us." Quentin loves to
work on his farm and is passionate about God's work at Centenary and in helping
pastors and orphans in India.
Matthew Atha, Executive Pastor
Matthew began ministry at Centenary in July 2006. He and his wife Monica have
two energetic young boys, Zeke and Zack. The Athas moved here following a seven
year ministry in Harrodsburg. Matthew has also lived and ministered in Indiana, Missouri,
Texas, and England. Matthew's favorite Bible verse is Galatians 5:1, "It is for
freedom that Christ has set us free." Matthew enjoys swimming and weight lifting
and is passionate about helping people grow in the grace of God.
