By Bill Lowry

The Assembly is named for Chief Junaluska of the Cherokee Indians.  In 1838 when the Cherokees were removed to Oklahoma via the infamous “Trail of Tears,” Chief Junaluska walked west with his people. After learning that a remnant had hidden in the mountains, walked back to North Carolina and remained the chief of the Eastern Band of the Cherokees until his death.

By 1914 the first hotel was completed and in addition there were several other “lodges” and “inns” of various sizes. Other facilities were under construction. This growth was to continue for years to come.

During the early days of the Assembly the majority of visitors came via the railroad. A beautiful depot was constructed by the Southern Railway on the south side of the lake.  In 1915 a large boat was constructed to carry guests from the depot to the hotels across the lake. It would also serve as a sightseeing boat. Its original name was Oonagusta but it was later changed to the Cherokee. Four such “Cherokees” have served the needs of the Assembly through the years.

In 1932 with the coming of the great depression and increasing debt, the Assembly was forced into bankruptcy. In a move that borders on miraculous, first Jerry Liner, who operated the Junaluska Supply Company near the dam, and a year later James Atkins Jr., the son of Bishop Atkins were named as the receivers. These persons, both of whom had a deep love of the Assembly and its ministry, managed to hold the Assembly together.

In 1938 The General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South accepted the ownership of the Assembly thus fulfilling the dream of those who had begun it in 1913. A year later, with the merger of three Methodist denominations, the Assembly became the property of the new denomination, The Methodist Church. At its first General Conference in 1940, the Church formally accepted the Assembly and the 1948 General Conference transferred the ownership of the Assembly to the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the Church.

Following World War II the Assembly experienced another period of extensive construction. The Memorial Chapel was built to honor all who served in the armed forces. Many Methodist churches of the Southeast sent the names of these of its membership along with a donation. A book containing those names is in the Room of Memory.

Other needed buildings were built, including the Paul Kern Youth Center, the Jones Dining Hall, new lodges, a new administration building, and a swimming pool. Stuart Auditorium was enclosed and extensively renovated including new flooring and seating.

In addition to leaders of renown from within the ranks of Methodism other well known teachers and leaders have appeared at the Assembly. Some of these are Dr. William E. Sangster, Dr. Billy Graham, Chet Huntley, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter, and Richard Nixon.

The World Methodist Council decided to locate its International Headquarters at the Assembly and, in 1955, their building including the World Methodist Museum was completed. Today, this Council is made up of 77 denominations who trace their faith through the influence of John Wesley. These are located in more than 100 nations of the world.

Over the years the Assembly has become the gathering place for ‘the people called Methodist” and a place of inspiration and nurture for thousands.

For the complete script of the brief History of the Lake Junaluska Assembly by Bill Lowry travel to the SEL Heritage Center on the grounds.