The Webb House

Staffing

• Jim North and Renee Carhill are the directors of the Webb House.
• Volunteers from local churches, parents, and teachers take turns chaperoning on Fridays and Wednesdays.
• Teens and preteens help set up, clean up, sell candy and pop, and help pick up after closing for the evening.
• Chaperons are asked to complete a background check. Contact the Methodist Church office to fill out the paperwork.

History

In the late 1980s, First United Methodist Church purchased several old homes south of the church to make room for a parking lot. Catherine Webb’s house was left standing on the corner of Wilson and Madison where she continued to live until 1995. The house was vacant until the renovation of the church building brought a need for extra space for Sunday school rooms and offices. High School youth enthusiastically cleaned, painted, and fixed up the basement for their meeting room, and the offices occupied the main floor.

Friday Night Live — or “Webb House” as it came to be called — started in the winter of 1997. The basement of the Webb House was opened up to provide middle school youth with a fun, safe place to gather on Friday nights. After an overwhelming response, Sunday nights were added for high school youth. When the offices moved back to the church, the youth took over the entire house. Donations and financial support from individuals, churches, and organizations in the community made it possible to have a variety of games and activities available. The addition of a deck added more space to a house that had become very crowded. In addition to the crowded conditions, structural problems in the house became a concern.

In 2001 four high school youth began to dream of a new “Webb House.” Interested adults listened, prayed, and dreamed with them. An ecumenical committee was formed, plans were drawn up, and fundraising began. The community of Jefferson responded generously. Individuals, businesses, and organizations donated money and labor. Middle and high school youth and numerous adult volunteers put in many hours of work to make the dream become a reality. With the generous support of so many, the old house was torn down in May 2002 and the new Webb House opened its doors for the first time in January 2003. The Webb House youth and adult leaders gratefully appreciate all the support they have received. Groups and individuals in Greene County are invited to make the Webb House a meeting place for a variety of functions.