Our Church History
On Sunday, June 14, 1959, a handful of people gathered in the old Picadome Elementary School on Harrodsburg Road in Lexington, Kentucky. This small gathering grew to form a vibrant community of faith, which would eventually require its own facility. Our congregation was under the guidance of a young Rev. Donald R. Herren, who inspired his congregation to build up both the physical plant and the spiritual well-being of its members. Southern Hills grew from 118 members to become a large congregation. During the 40 years that Dr. Herren and his wife, Pat, served, our present facility grew. An initial expansion saw the construction of Herren Hall, with the first floor of the Education Building, in 1961. This was followed with the additions of the present Sanctuary in 1966 and the Activities Building in 1977.
The Herrens left Southern Hills in August of 1998 and Rev. Dennis Burrows along with Rev. Clyde David Burberry served as our pastors until the appointment, in April of 1999, of Rev. A. Wayne Bishop to lead Southern Hills. His leadership saw continued growth in our church community. During his time at Southern Hills, we embraced the task of beginning the renovation of the Main Sanctuary.
Following Rev. Bishop’s years of faithful service, in 2006, Dr. Bill Moore came to Southern Hills as our Senior Pastor with a vision to spread the word of God throughout the world and locally within our Lexington community. During his time of leadership, Southern Hills continued to grow and adapt to new challenges and new expressions of faith. In 2008, The Source began as a worship service designed to serve young adults under the leadership of Rev. Jill Ruhl our associate pastor. The Source continued to grow until, in 2017, when it was launched as a new expression of Southern Hills UMC in a second location.
In 2019, Rev. Jim Nichols was appointed as our senior pastor. Rev Ruhl retired in 2022 and Rev LeTecia Preacely was appointed as an associate pastor to lead The Source community at that time. In June of 2024 The Source was chartered as a new United Methodist congregation with Rev. Preacely as their pastor. Rev. Nichols led our congregation through the difficult years of the Covid pandemic with determination until he moved to Florida in November of 2023 to accept a new position.
On November 15, Bishop in Residence, retired Reverend Al Gwinn was appointed to lead Southern Hills with a renewed sense of lay leadership involvement through June of 2024 when our Senior pastor Reverend Dr. John Hatton was welcomed to begin his new appointment with us. Dr Hatton and family began their ministry at Southern Hills July 1, 2024 and started a new chapter in the life of our church.
From the rental of an old school to a small lot, partially submerged in water, to an expansive complex which facilitates our numerous ministries, the people have never lost their vision. With a sense of where we have been, the future of our church will continue to grow upon the foundation that our founding members entrusted to us.
Over these years we have had many very capable spiritual leaders appointed to Southern Hills in different capacities of ministry. The following list is a compilation of all Conference appointed clergy since the charter members helped begin the ministry in 1959. We are grateful for their faithful service and their love for God and for each of our members and the Lexington community.
APPOINTED SENIOR PASTORS
Dr. Don Herren (1959-1998)
Rev. Wayne Bishop (1999-2006)
Dr. Bill Moore (2006-2019)
Rev. Jim Nichols (2019-2023)
Bishop Alfred Gwinn (2023-2024)
Dr. John W. Hatton (2024-current)
APPOINTED ASSOCIATE PASTORS
Rev. Martin Wilson (1965-1967)
Rev. John Williams (1967-1969)
Rev. Lewis Ricketts (1972-1978)
Rev. Ron Preuss (1982-1983)
Rev. Mark Girard (1982-1983)
Rev. Alan Jackson (1983-1984)
Rev. Bob Nelson (1984-1986)
Rev. Dennis Burrows (1984-2012)
Rev. Jerry Smith (1997-2007)
Rev. Clyde David Burberry (1997-2008)
Dr. John W. Hatton (2008-2011)
Rev. Jill Ruhl (2012-2022)
Rev. LaTcia Preacely (2022-2024)
Rev. Russell “Teddy” Poore (2019-2021)
Rev. Eric Hughes (2019-2020)
Rev. Elizabeth Kluender (2021-2023)
APPOINTED MINISTER OF MUSIC
Rev. Joan Wooden (2010-current)
APPOINTED MINISTER OF CHILDREN
Rev. Nancy Newby (2007-2011)
APPOINTED YOUTH PASTORS
Rev. David Sparks
Rev. Adam Vodicka