My intentions were good in answering this query, but somehow it got buried deep <G> I cannot answer your question thoroughly on Asbury M. E. Church, but I can give you what I have, which isn't much. This information was given to me by a member of the Historical Society who was helping to restore the Cemetery. I am not sure where she obtained it, but it appears to be from the 1879 Macoupin History. Above info is all that is in the History. It does mention a Methodist church was also at Barr's Store, which was just north of the Asbury Cemetery a few miles. "The Asbury Chapel of Methodist Episcopal Church adjoins the cemetery. It is situated about 30 feet west of the original cemetery. This little church was the first church built in Barr Township. It was built by the Methodist denomination. Charles MAXFIELD and his wife and Nathan HENDERSON and his wife were the first members and they were from the 'Hermitage Society" in Greene County. The first to join the church were Samuel REES and his wife, J. B. STEIDLEY and wife, John HENDERSON and wife, David HENDERSON and William TAGGERT and his wife." The remainder is about the Cemetery. At least this has a mention of one of your ancestors, possibly? Mary Ann >Sorry, I don't know the history of the Asbury name and >church/cemetery. > >Gloria > >At 01:52 PM 7/8/99 -0400, you wrote: >>Hi everyone. >> >>I was wondering if any of you might have a membership list for >Asbury Chapel, Barr Twp. Also, does anyone know who or what it was >named for? My husband's great-grandfather Job Rives (also spelled >Rees or Reeves) was born in Macoupin County 6 OCT 1850 and moved to >Barton Co., MO by 1870. His oldest son was William Asbury Rives. >I thought there might be some connection with the name. >> >>Also, the Methodist church that Job helped to construct in Barton >County was Central Chapel. It seems that several Macoupin County >families migrated to the Barton County area in the 1860's. I have >a roster for Central Chapel and I would be more than happy to do >lookups on this list. I also have a cemetery directory for Vernon >County, which borders Barton County. I will do lookups on this also. >> >>Thanks for your help. >> >>Susan