Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Hickman County Tennessee was organized in 1808-1809 and established in 1831. The current building was erected in 1871 on top of a hill.
Due to steep steps, the front entrance is rarely used. The side entrance, our primary entrance, is accessible for worshippers with mobility issues. However, the parking area — graveled and uphill — presented challenges for an aging congregation with decreasing mobility.
Recent accessibility issues included:
- A member with a broken hip struggling to use a walker in the gravel
- A member using a wheelchair while carrying an oxygen tank having difficulty navigating the graveled and inclined parking area.
A Bill and Lynn McAlilly Grant for Church Accessibility helped fund much-needed leveling and paving projects in the parking area. The improved accessibility will help prevent a fall or other injury. Members — more confident of their safety — can now access the church via a level and paved parking area. Thank you, Encore Ministry Foundation, for the grant!
