The Purpose:

Believing that all people are created by God, the Maytown Center is a place where people of different ages, faith expressions, backgrounds, families and incomes bring about good in the community by helping each other unlock the potential God has given each of them through volunteer opportunities, community activities, working together on community projects, and learning together in various classes.

The Past:

The facility which houses the Maytown Center has been a place of learning since 1926. It got its start as the Maytown School, where it not only housed grades K-12, but a host of memories. It ended its public school years as Maytown Elementary School in 1996 when the School Board consolidated all town schools. Maytown is a small town where much of the life of the community centered on the shared experience of the school. When the school closed, a strong tie that held the community together was severed.

Birth of the Maytown Center:

The Maytown School property, which was left in severe disrepair, was sold in the summer of 1999 to Father Ralph Beiting, the founder of the Christian Appalachian Project. Renovations changed the School into the Community Center. The "school house", which included an auditorium, became offices, a fitness center, a lending library, and dorm rooms for work groups. The "Lunchroom" became the Gathering Place where everything from reunions to mentoring programs were held. The basketball gym continued to be a place to grab a game of three-on-three or host a birthday party. A playground, walking track, and picnic shelter which were gifts from the county were completed in 2001. Town folk came and cleaned, cooked for workers, sewed curtains, and raised monies for repairs, including $40,000 for new roof on the main building & Gym. Thanks to God and the donations of time and money, many programs and events were started, such as an after-school mentoring program, a fitness center, community concerts, and a weekly teen events. Many community members took ownership in the Maytown Center by volunteering to teach classes, clean, help with maintenance, and share their talents.

The Present:

The Maytown Center is still going strong after 13 years. Some programs like the teen events are ongoing. Some, like the fitness center, became small, private businesses. A partnership with the Louisville Kentucky ministry, CrossRoads Missions, has brought over 600 people a year to Floyd County to repair homes and build relationships with the people here. The flood of spring 2009 took a big toll on the Maytown Center property. We lost our volunteer trailer used for housing, and the basketball gym. In 2012, Meridzo Ministries, Inc., of Lynch, KY, acquired the Maytown Center property, and is in the process of repairing and renovating the buildings.

There is a great emphasis on health and fitness for adults and children here at the Center. In addition to a Karate, a dance team, and line dancing, Maytown Center now offers Zumba.

A faith-based family counseling center is offered under the license of Terrie Harris-Back. Our hope is for that to grow and help us better impact our community.

It is not uncommon for someone to come in the door looking for something--home repairs, help with their weight, something to keep their kids busy, a place to have a birthday party. Whatever it is, we pray that through  the grace of God and the help of people all over the country our doors and our hearts will always be open to them.

Maytown's goal is to fully repair and refurbish every buildinhg so that Meridzo's Maytown Center can be a destination for people wanting to experience God in a new way, to serve God by serving His people, and to share the gospel here in eastern Kentucky. Maytown Center's partnership with CrossRoads Missions continues, with great programming for kids and teens, including summer camps, mountain biking, and mentoring programs.  

 New Directors:

In February 2012, Richard and Carol Duncanson became the new directors of Maytown Center. The Duncansons followed God’s call to eastern Kentucky from Maine in 2011, and are excited to see what God has done, and will continue to do through the Maytown Center and its partners.  They bring an extraordinary background in facility and program development.



We Believe:
All people are given great potential & uniquely created and gifted by God

Our Hope:  

Through our programs, community connections with individuals and like-minded organizations, we can help unlock that great potential.

Our Staff:

Interested in Joining the Team?  We have a full-time volunteer opportunity for a Youth Director.  Please contact Meridzo Ministries. 

Lonnie Riley