About King Chapel

The History of King Chapel Church at Union Ridge

At King Chapel Church at Union Ridge COGIC, we strive to create a sense of community and belonging for all who enter. We believe that a church is more than just a place of worship, but a place of fellowship and growth. Our mission is to offer a spiritual home for those seeking guidance and fellowship, and to promote spiritual enlightenment and growth for each and every one of us. 

​

We are truly blessed to have such a long and rich history, with roots that stretch back to 1924. We are proud to carry on the legacy of Elder R. M. Martin and to continue to bring the word of God into our community. Elder R. M. Martin, was a  member of the Church of God when he went to work in the coal mines of Kentucky. While in Kentucky, he met some members of the Church of God in Christ (Pentecostal group) and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  He returned home and, with the help of his wife Bettie, Brother Emmitt Cortner, Sister Minnie Cortner, and their three children, started the Union Ridge Church of God in Christ. Brother William McMahon, his wife, Eva, and their daughters, Beatrice and Florence, joined soon after, along with Elder Everett Cortner and his wife, Vera.

Under District Missionary Katie King's leadership, the church grew, with many new members added during a forty-day and night meeting in August and September of 1929. The congregation rode mules and buggies and walked to the church for these meetings, spending as much time as possible there both day and night.

​In 1934, Elder Martin was sent to pastor the Church of God in Christ (currently named House of Prayer COGIC) in Decherd, Tennessee and the new pastor at Union Ridge was Elder C.G. Bright. Since the saints had been meeting in the home of the Cortner's, Elder Bright started building the first official church building on land donated by the Emmitt Cortner family. The building was completed in 1939 and remains the church's current location today.

​

When the church was about 14 years old, Bishop Audley King became the third pastor on February 19, 1939, of Union Ridge. Under the leadership of Bishop King, the church stared a remodeling process, adding two restrooms and a pastor's office in the 1970's. The men of the church entirely did the additions. The membership increased on the "Ridge" and Bishop Audley King became known throughout the state of Tennessee as a respected Church of God in Christ pastor and bishop.

​

Bishop King believed in doing what was right and telling you exactly what he believed in and stood for a Church of God in Christ minister. He loved the children and would often give them a small piece of money with a word of encouragement. He lost his sight, but he had insight and vision into many things because of his belief in God. He remained the pastor until April 1985 when the Lord call him to receive his heavenly crown.

​

During the transition, Bishop H. Jenkins Bell was the interim pastor until February 1986, when he appointed Elder Willie L. Rippy as the fourth pastor of Union Ridge. In memory of our late pastor, Bishop Audley King, the church sent in a chart in 1988 to have the church renamed King Chapel Church at Union Ridge Church of God in Christ. Under the leadership of our fourth pastor, Elder Willie L. Rippy, the church continued to prosper and make changes. The men and women of the church and community joined together and build the A.S.K. Fellowship Hall/kitchen and a new pastor's office with no blueprints, just determination and direction from God. The trees used to build the addition was donated by Arena King Groves, Bishop King's daughter. Other investments over the years have included central heat and air, paved parking lot, church vans and internet.

​

King Chapel has also birthed churches in the area. Some members left in the 1950's to join Bright Temple Church of God in Christ in Shelbyville, Tennessee when Bishop King became their pastor. Again in 1994, some members left with Elder Lawson Howard to form Whosoever Will Let Him Come Pentecostal Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee.