The revivals, in and around Loretto, which were also sweeping through America, in the early 1900s gave birth to what we now know as the Busby Church of God. This action attracted local people that had deeper longings and a strong spiritual hunger for God. One summer, late in the 1930s, T.L. Phillips set up a tent, sent to him from the Church of God Headquarters, that was erected where Lawson’s Clothing store now sets. People far and wide came. It was estimated that 1,000 to 1,500 people attended nightly. The revival was closed on September 10th, 1937.

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Before there was a church building, a couple of the families opened their houses to hold the Sunday services. On October 1 of 1939, Busby Church of God came into existence with its first Pastor being Tommy Lee Phillips who came with his wife Adell and their son Leon. It was decided that, under the leadership of Bro. T.L. Phillips, they would make their group a church of God and invite membership. Only five people accepted the invitation, Abner Smith, and his wife Mattie, Mary Elizabeth Smith, and Mable Gertrude Smith became the first members of Busby Church of God. The church was set in order in the home of Rob and Mary Smith. Lula Tucker joined as a member six weeks later.

 

In 1947, Bro. Wallace Burgess, who had a sewing machine shop in Lawrenceburg with his Br. Parker. Donated a portion of land to the Busby Church of God on which to build a building. Shortly after the new church was framed, a storm blew so fiercely that it leaned the church way to the north. Some members felt that the only thing to do was to report the damage to the insurance company. The insurance took their time in coming to check out the damaged church. Meanwhile, another storm raged and blew the church back up straight! Miracles do happen!

 

In 1949 the members of Bethel Church of God, around Five Points, decided to move their membership to Busby Church of God. They sold their building for $210.00 with some of the materials were reused at Busby Church of God. The new church was just a shell when members started having services there.

 

 Pastor Gerhart was the Pastor of this body of believers for 26 years. He is the longest-serving Pastor in the history of our church, and he has done a great deal to bless the community during his time as Pastor and in is still blessing us now!

 

After years and years of succeeding pastors serving Busby Church, a new church building and several renovations and updates, God has always had His hand on Busby Church and the Loretto, TN community.