Information for this article was provided by Ada Murphy,Alta Marple and Evelyn Summers The Gum Lick Church began in 1896 under the leadership of Bro.J.Q.Montgomery,evangelist. The church and the stream by which it stands were named from the deer which came and licked the sweet gum trees. The first building was located on land originally owned by Atterson Belton. One of his daughters married Bob Earles and the church ground came off the Earles farm.The original building was dedicated in 1896 as the Gum Lick Union Church,however,the members were all of the Christian Church.W.T.Earles and Aaron Overstreet hand dressed the weatherboarding for the church building. Some of the originial members were W.T.Earles,GreenEarles,Henry Marple and Aaron Overstreet. On August 5,1896 the church membership numbered 55.Appointed as elders were:G.A. Tucker,W.T.Earles and J.M.Ellis.The deacons were Joe Campbell and R.P.Earles. On June 18,1898 Abner Belton was appointed as a deacon. August 14,1932 the elders were:J.J.Murphy,Sherman Belton, and Elbridge Harrison.Deacons were:L.C.Purdy,Herman Murphy,D.G.Phillips,W.E.Summers and R.D.Murphy.The trustees were: Edd Earles,Herman Murphy and Sherman Belton. In 1956 Claire Pennington became a deacon. The Sunday School was organizied in 1945 by Mr. and Mrs.Carroll Dye,teachers at the Gum Lick School and active members of the Christian Church.At this time Bro.Young was preaching on Saturday night and there were no Sunday services until the Dyes organized the Sunday school. January 1961 the elders were: Lewis Wright and W.E.Summers and deacons were Lucian Marple,Howard Gabehart and Roy Allen. Church records list the following ministers who conducted revivals at Gum Lick and the date the revival started:J.Q.Montgomery,1897;G.W.Montgomery,1899;F.L.Bottoms,1900[paid $6.25];J.L.Brewer,1903;R.A.Staley,no date;J.R.Woodrum,1906;J.B.Daniel,1908 &1909; J.E.Thomas,1910;L.C.Young,1913;J.R.Moorman,1917;W.B.Quarles,1926;H.J.Conover,1927;A.E.Matthew,1928;E.T.Nichols,1931;C.C.Baker,1932;W.B.Quarles,1933;S.H.Masters,1933-34;L.Palmer Young,1941;Ray Hammond,1949;L.C.Young,1950- 55,Ray Hammond,1956;Roger Rankin,1957-58;James Prince,1960;Ray Bennett,1963;Jimmy Knifley,1964;Jim Simpson,1965;Truman McClain,1966-67;Paul Bohrer,1968;Jimmy Knifler,1969,Tom Bledsoe,197o;Joe Paul Hatchett,1971;Truman McClain,1972;Joe Paul Hatchett,1973; Raymond Sparrow,1974;Carroll Egnew,1975;Joe P.Hatchett,1976;Tom Mobley,1978;Carroll Egnew,1979;Raymond Sparrow,1979. The list of pastors is not as complete as the list of evangelists for the early years of the church.Pastors have been:C.C.Baker,S.H.Masters,Gene Bray,L.C.Young,Ray Hammond,Jimmie Knifley,Marion Harris,Raymond Sparrow,Stephen Allen,Ronnie McKinney,Jack Prather and Richard Chandler. Stephen Martin is the currant pastor. In July 1966, Mr.and Mrs.B.H.Crowe gave the ground on which the present church stands.It is located about one mile form the old church. The present building was dedicated June 1,1969.It is a lovely brick building with wood panel interior,carpet and has electric heat.