|
|
|
|
|
At any time you can click on the Church to return to our home page.
Wesley United 41 Justice Way Phone / Fax e-mail
|
Wesley Chapel The following history is included as is. This is the account from the Rev. John W. Simpers, Jr. as recorded on February 9, 1959
Wesley Chapel was built in 1830, cornerstone laid by Rev. Wm. Ryder; dedicatory sermon by Rev. Dr. F. Hudson. First quarterly meeting held in it by Rev. Lawrence McCombs. First Board of Trustees, Joshua Hyland, Francis Gootier and Nathan Crouch. First Sunday School organized in 1831 with Francis Gootier as founder and first superintendent.
No record from 1831 to 1866.
The first Quarterly Conference for Elk Neck Circuit was held at Wesley Chapel, April 30, 1866. Rev. James Cunningham was presiding Elder and Rev. Henry G. Simpers was preacher in charge. The Official Board of that time constituted A. Barrett, James Merry, Franklin Lort, Robert Hart, James Pugh and John A. Wilson, who estimated the pastor's salary at $250.00. Robert Hart was class leader of Hart's and there were 36 full members and probationers. Franklin Lort was the leader at Wesley and there were 19 members and probationers. James Pugh was leader at Union and had 38 members and probationers on roll.
In 1871 Wesley was repaired and repainted at the cost of $127.00 and was re-opened on January 15, 1871. The minutes of the quarterly conference held on Elk Neck Charge, dating 1872 to 1873 have been lost. From 1873 to 1876, Rev. L. W. Mayfield was pastor and Rev. F. J. Thompson was presiding Elder.
1887 - March, 1889 Rev. E. H. Miller received 30 members. Rev. W. E. Greenfield 1899-1901 received 57 on probation.
1913-1915 Trustees were George Bedwell, James Stanley, I. L. Holt, E. W. Wood and George (illegible); Stewards were Mrs. John W. Arrants, Mrs. James Stanley, Mrs. I. L. Holt, Miss Cora Arrants.
1915-1927 No record was kept. On different occasions services were held, but most of the time Wesley was closed.
Wesley Chapel was opened through the efforts of Rev. W. E. Greenfield and District Supt. Colona. The former ministers, having been pastors on the charge and this Rev. W. E. Greenfield's interest in this work, Captain Washington Foster, an Elk Neck resident, was influenced to leave his estate to the care of the work of the Elk Neck Charge and re-opened Wesley's and Hart's Churches. Rev. James W. Easley was pastor when Wesley Church reopened in 1927.
In 1929-32, many improvements and repairs were made at Wesley & Hart's.
From 1944-46 Wesley Chapel, on the Elk Neck Charge with Hart's Church, was served by the pastor of Bay View Circuit.
This completes the history recorded by Rev. John W. Simpers, Jr.
|
