About Asbury South

OUR MISSION: To share with others the good news of Jesus Christ, make disciples, and show God's Love in all we do.

The Pastor The People The Building The Faith

OUR CHURCH: THE PASTOR

Rev. Kevin Orr

Kevin Orr is the lead pastor, beginning his ministry at Asbury South in July 2010. He is passionate about being a disciple of Jesus Christ and helping others become more committed Christ-followers. Ordained as a Deacon in 1995, and then elder in 1997, Kevin has been engaged in ministry in various settings: campus ministry, small town, urban, and suburban. Kevin has also assisted the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church in ministry with Hispanics/Latinos. Kevin is also a member of the Order of St. Luke, joining in 2000.

Kevin received his B.A. in Religion (1991) at Oklahoma City University. He went on to Candler School of Theology, receiving his M.Div. (1994). Kevin has also received the degree of Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary (2008). His project was on “The Practice of Hospitality in the Local Church.”

Kevin is a native of Oklahoma, moving to Ohio in 1997 with his wife, Kim. He has three sons: Micah, Noah, and Jadon.

You can follow Pastor Kevin on the pastor’s blog at www.asburysouthumc.org, or Kevin’s other blog at www.kevinsreflections.blogspot.com. You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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OUR CHURCH: THE PEOPLE

Becky Bickerdt: Church Secretary

Zack Casperson: Music Director

Greg Seelenbinder: Organist

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OUR CHURCH: THE BUILDING

The Asbury Congregation began in 1806 in the home of Capt. John Stevenson (Rev. War) in what was then known as the Stevenson Settlement, part of what became Madison Township in 1810. A small cemetery, located on the original Stevenson farm contains Capt. Stevenson's grave, along with his family, and was still in use until 1875.

A brick church was built at the corner of Noe-Bixby and Winchester Pike in 1871, and dedicated Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church in 1872, named for Bishop Francis Asbury. The earliest members of this first church are still recorded in our archives.

In 1958, the church was incorporated as Asbury Methodist Church and plans were in the making for expansion. In 1966, the ground was broken and in 1967 the cornerstone placed, containing a Methodist Book of Discipline, a Bible, a hymnal, and a list of current members and officers of the church. This building was consecrated September 10, 1967.

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In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Churches merged and became The United Methodist Church. Asbury was renamed Asbury United Methodist Church, South. At the completion of this new church, the original brick structure was torn down. The original bell remains at the corner of Noe-Bixby and Winchester Pike. Some of the furniture and artwork still found here are also remnants of this original building.

In the late 1980's, the need for expansion came again for Asbury. The ground here broke again in May of 1993, and the building as it exists today was dedicated on March 20, 1994. This new expansion provided, among other things, classrooms for further education of all ages, a fellowship hall, and a full kitchen (The last two of these will be familiar to anyone who frequents our Friday Morning Breakfasts).

This page is dedicated to the memory of our former archivist, Mary Bowman Leidy (1913-2003). Click here to enter the Archives.

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