1 ~ r,. The History of First United Methodist Church Washington, NC 1784-2011 Compiled in 2011 by the History Committee 1'0111 works by Norfleet Hodges dated 1999
Since the beginning of the Methodist Church in Washington, it has progressively grown from an altar in a home to the first church building. The house gathering was on the southeast comer of Market and Third Streets. The first church building was midway the same block. Who were these people who contributed their love and action after catching the flame? Methodism began in America as it did in England as a movement within the Church of England. Between 1760 and 1766, two Irish immigrants, Robert Strawbridge and Phillip Emery introduced Methodism to America. John Wesley, when a student at Oxford, started a group of students who were so methodical in their practice of Christian habits that they were called Methodists. After going on horseback in the highways and byways of London to convert those who had never been reached by Christian instruction, he asked; "Who are willing to go to America as Missionaries?" Joseph Pilmore and Richard Boardman volunteered and were the first itinerant preachers to come to America. Dempsey and Sarah Hinton from Deep River (near Raleigh) had been deeply impressed with the preaching of one of the earliest ministers commissioned by this state. They had been "strict disciples of another more accommodating creed". The couple was genuinely converted and associated themselves with the Methodists. We are indebted to them for the introduction of Methodism into Washington. Just previous to the War of the Revolution 1774-1775, the Tories caused much suffering. So Dempsey and Sarah Hinton came to the retired and quiet little village of Washington. There was no organized religious denomination; so they set up an altar of Methodism in their family. They continued to hold services in their home which included others as they were converted.
Francis Asbury, hearing of their struggling, made his first visit to Washington in 1782. James Hinton, son of the Hinton's, founders of the church in Washington, entered the ministry in 1783 and became one of the first to contribute to the itinerant ranks. In 1784, Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke were appointed by John Wesley as joint superintendent of the Methodist Societies in America. However, Asbury would not take office until he was elected in December by a Methodist Conference in Baltimore. This gathering was the beginning of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. Bishop Asbury visited Washington again in 1784 and organized the first Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington. Francis Asbury, a great man, was fashioned by God and nature, as history tells us, like the disciples of Christ since the beginning of the first church at Pentecost and its establishment at Antioch. They were touched by the flame and were changed and gave to humanity the impetus to be followers of Christ. Asbury, like Wesley, traveled on horseback many thousands of miles; Asbury over 300,000, as he followed the push of civilization. In his Journal, archived at Duke University, he relates that he felt the flame at eleven years of age. In 1791, the first revival was truly a glorious one. As the fruits of that work, many of the most influential persons united with the Methodists. The church was still poor and had to worship in private homes and in the courthouse until the year 1800. Ralph Potts from England joined the church in 1792. He built the first church building in Washington. It was thirty feet square, midway between Second and Third Streets on the southeast side of North Market Street. The graves surrounding this church were not removed until early 1919. The church was painted red, had seats
without backs, and had a gallery. This church was dedicated by Bishop Asbury on February 2, 1802. Bishop Asbury remarked, lilt is a growing town of 100 houses, and this is a good house for public worship." Rev. William Wright was sent as the first station preacher in 1811. In 1812, the Rev. John Giles was sent as pastor, but the war led to his removal. Rev. James Avent succeeded him. He was the grandfather of J.A. Arthur, who wrote a history of the Church in Washington, which was published Methodist in The Gazette Messenger in 1895. J. Arthur married Rosa Avent, daughter of James Avent. An Arthur vault was removed from the back of the church to make room for the Educational Building. many ministers connected to this family. It housed For twenty-two years the Methodist church in Washington held undisputed sway. In 1827, the colored membership of Washington numbered more than 200. Abram Allen, a colored preacher from New Bern was the instrument for proclaiming salvation. In 1831, the Rev. Phillip Anderson was pastor and the membership increased to one hundred and two. The first church of worship, the one built by Ralph Potts, had become too small for the growing congregation; therefore, the church concluded they would build a new sanctuary. The site for the new church was donated by Mrs. Sarah Katherine Quinn and is the site of the present First Methodist Church. She was the mother of Sarah Redding. History records that this church compared favorably with other buildings of a like character in the state. In 1840, another revival, under the pastorate of Rev. Ira T. Wyche, brought many new members into the church, among which were John Long, Lockwood Hyatt, John A. Archer,
J.A. Farrow, Sarah C. Redding, Roseman Hancock and Elizabeth Buckman. In 1844-45, many improvements were made, and genteel spire pointing to the clouds. II including "a tall Mrs. W. H. Call's paper quotes also, "Conference met in this church in 1844. 11 The name of the church was changed.to Methodist Episcopal Church, South. During the war this church and parsonage were burned, and the complete town was almost consumed as the Northern Army of occupation left the town. There is no picture of this church. In 1867, the third building was constructed, and the second on this site. It had a very sharp roof. When the need was so great, they agreed to remove some of the bodies from the grounds to the town cemetery. There is a sketch of this church. This building was removed to place the current sanctuary which was started in December 1897 and dedicated in 1899 by Bishop E.R. Hendrix, D.D., L.L.D. at the Conference of 1899 which met in Washington, December 8-11. The following is quoted from The Gazette Messenger, a Washington Daily paper, edited by J.A. Arthur, Jr. It relates to the Sunday, December 10, 1899 service. "Bishop Hendrix announces that Dr. Nash desires him to dedicate the church; but before he could do so, the sum of $450.00must be provided to pay the balance due on the building. A subscription was taken and the full amount was obtained. The trustees of the church were called before the chancel and Dr. Nash, pastor, presented the church and it was dedicated as provided by the. I Discipline. II - j The edifice was designed and later supervised in its construction by G. E. Hartge, a German immigrant, who lived in Washington with his family during the construction. all well-liked by the people of Washington. They were The large imposing
structure is of Gothic architecture reminiscent of the cathedrals of Europe; high ribbed vaulting, the pointed arch, vertical line, high windows with stained glass, and a heavy square tower. A picture dated 1905 shows the church with a graveyard in front and a small magnolia tree. The first child to be christened in the present church was Margaret Spencer Wells, (Mrs. Ben Stowe), born October 10, 1898. She was the infant daughter of Dr. and Mrs. A.S. Wells of Washington.. Dr. L. L. Nash was pastor. A Centennial Celebration of the dedication of the sanctuary was held on Sunday, December 5, 1999, with Rev. Milton T. Mann officiating. The cornerstone was opened and the documents that had been placed therein were presented. These included thefollowing: Roll of the Official Bodies of the Church Sunday School Rolls-1897 Church Membership-1897 Confederate ten dollar bill North Carolina one dollar (Sept. 1862) Five cent coin 1897 with initials EWA scratched on it Chairman of Stewards was E. Wilson Ayers US fractional currency, 50, 25 and 10 cents, ~ NC Agricultural Almanac, 1869 -! Christian Advocate Sept. 1896 Journal of Annual Conference, 1896 NC Christian Advocate 1897 The Eastern Intelligencer-Washington weekly 4-20-1869
Other Important Dates in the Life of the Church 1914 Annual Conference held in Washington 1918 An Education Building witha basement built. A central room, now the parlor, was two stories high and was used for Sunday School opening. 1922 First women seated as delegates at General Conference of the M.E. Church, South (18women lay delegates). 1933 Stained glass windows added to the doors of the sanctuary. These windows are of craftsman design. 1934 Annual Conference was held here. 1939 Church name was changed to the Methodist Church. 1939 The Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church became the Woman's Society of Christian Service. 1949 The Education Building was renovated. 1952 The Cowell Chapel was erected by Charles F. Cowell, Sr. as a memorial to his parents, brother and wife. 1956 Women in The Methodist Church win full clergy rights. 1957 The pipe organ was installed and the front of the sanctuary was remodeled. 1968 The Methodist Church joined the United Brethren and became The United Methodist Church. 1968 The Woman's Society of Christian Service became the United Methodist Women. 1970 Ground breaking for Fellowship Hall/Education Building
1972 Stained glass windows added to Cowell Chapel 1974 United Methodist Men receive charter 1980 Purchase of Seaboard Coast Line property adjacent to the church 1984 First floor and basement of old Education Building renovated 1984 Two-hundredth anniversary of the founding of the church celebrated 1989 Land donated by Leon & Florence Roebuck with the dream of a new family life center being built someday 1992 Became a Global Ministries church 1997 Praise Service started at 8:30 am service, every other week at first 1998 The Prayer Garden, located behind the Cowell Chapel, constructed and donated by Tad and Frances Larkin as "an outdoor sanctuary, a place for worship, meditation and prayer" 1999 Centennial Celebration and the opening of the cornerstone that was laid in 1899 2008 Cowell Chapel refurbished 2011 Completion of the new Preschool facility and Family Life Center Building
Remembering our history is important for it tells us who we are. Knowing that we come from a congregation committed to bringing others to Christ and to ministering to the needs of others globally, as well as locally, shows us the way now and in the future. May the Light of Christ shine.