Circuit preacher saddles up to make the rounds

BRISTOL – For seven years, Keith McGrew has led the Sunday services at three different Methodist churches every week. But Sunday, the pastor of Mary’s Chapel, Booher’s Chapel and Campground churches, all northwest of town, decided to shake things up.

McGrew left the car in the garage, and instead took up a set of reins.

Donning period clothing, McGrew did his rounds Sunday on horseback, just as the circuit-riding preachers did on a weekly basis in the years when the United States was still a fledgling country.

"I’m considered today to be a modern-day circuit rider," said McGrew, who usually rides a car on his circuit. But to help wrap up a three-day tent revival at Booher’s Chapel, on Boozy Creek Road, he decided to return to the church’s roots.

So riding under a light rain that fell Sunday morning, McGrew galloped the four to five miles between Mary’s and Booher’s on horseback, and wearing a parson’s hat, canvas overalls, a white shirt, red suspenders and black boots. On his hands he wore yellow gloves.

McGrew was accompanied on horseback by Scott Kiser, Jason Leonard and Greg Leonard. Greg and his wife, Diana, Leonard supplied the horses.

Sarah Davis, 68, who is McGrew’s mother-in-law, said the preacher’s arrival on horseback added to the weekend revival.

"My grandfather was a circuit rider, and now so is my son-in-law," Davis said. "It is wonderful how he has pulled these three churches together."

McGrew said the ride was something he always wanted to do, to honor the preachers who had it rough before the time of automobiles and modern transportation.

"I always admired the old-time preachers for their dedication and their calling," he said. "My main motive is the word of God."

McGrew delivered his sermon at Mary’s Chapel before beginning his ride at 10:30 a.m. He arrived at Booher’s Chapel 45 minutes later, then delivered a sermon there.

David Hensley, 64, who attends Booher’s Chapel and teaches Sunday school there, said McGrew’s ride portrays the country’s roots.

"It is not only a revival, but also a memorial to your ancestors," Hensley said, adding that this country was founded on Christian principles.

"He is a wonderful person, he likes people," Sue Worley, 75, who has attended Mary’s Chapel her entire life, said of McGrew. "He is there to bring the word of God to all of us."

Davis said the three congregations are lucky because with McGrew serving all three by "riding" the circuit, they can have services every Sunday in their own churches. Some circuits, she said, can’t have services every Sunday because there are not enough ministers to cover all of them.

On most Sundays, McGrew preaches at Campground at 9 a.m., then Mary’s at 10 a.m. and Booher’s at 11 a.m.

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