History of
First United Methodist Church
by Gretchen Brinson
The Reverend Bridges Arendell held the first gathering of Methodists in the area about 1816 at his home on Shepard's Point. In 1835, the Methodist Society is credited with beginning the first Christian organization to form a membership and permanent place of worship on the Point. The first chapel was built on the Arendell property in the 400 block of Bridges Street.
During the Civil War, when Federal troops took over the Point and had captured Fort Macon, they used the building as a bakery and burned it to the ground when they left in 1864. The Society entered a claim to the U.S. government in the amount of $8000, which was not paid until many years later.
The town was incorporated in 1861 and the name changed to Morehead City in honor of one of the founding fathers, John Motley Morehead. The main street was named Arendell and the second longest street became Bridges.
On June 29, 1879 the Shepard's Point Land Company deeded two lots on the corner of 9th and Bridges Street to the Methodist Society for a church to be built there. The deed reads, in part, "To construct a place of divine worship for the use of the ministry and membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church, So." Construction began almost immediately. In 1884, the church became a charge instead of circuit and the first minister assigned was the Reverend C.W. Byrd. The membership was 85.
In 1886, the church was enlarged by the addition of two wings. The congregation numbered 114. Sunday school classes met in the main part of the sanctuary and two rooms, one on either side of the choir. (Note: As well as I can reconcile the figures and dates, the $8000 claim had been received from the U.S. government and used in construction of this addition)
By the early 1920s, the congregation had grown, and more classrooms and office space were needed. Plans were made from the Education Building. The new building was of brick, and when finished had a large meeting room and kitchen on the ground level and adequate classrooms on the second and third floors. Reverend J.E. Holding was pastor in 1925.
In 1952, Bishop Paul N. Garber dedicated the present sanctuary, which replaced the earlier wooden structure that had served the congregation for over 70 years. Reverend Leon Couch was pastor. During his tenure, two young men from the congregation entered the ministry - Jesse Staton and Robert Poulk.
In 1957, plans were made to renovate and enlarge the Educational Building. When this was completed in 1960, it included a new wing with fellowship hall, kitchen, church offices, and a scout room. The building was dedicated September 18, 1977 with the homecoming celebration, "Looking Backward, Living Forward." The Reverend J.C.P. Brown was pastor. Two services were held that Sunday morning with former pastors, Reverend Harold Leatherman and Reverend A.P. Hill, taking part. The sermon, "That You May Know," was delivered by the aforementioned Reverend Robert Poulk.
"One Hundred Years on the Corner of 9th and Bridges Street" took place on July 8, 1979. Over 350 people shared the day of preaching, singing, food, fun, and fellowship. Celebrants were the Reverend Barney Davidson, former minister and the Reverend Rufus Stark, pastor. The cornerstone that had been laid in 1925 was opened and new mementos added. Membership was 1,177 and Sunday School classes totaled 484 people.
In December 1979, Mother Hubbard's Cupboard was started in the kitchen area of the First United Methodist Church by Mrs. Hannah Dexter, and assisted by some other women and Reverend Stark. This was an emergency food supply system devised to serve as an outreach ministry for a few families. People from all denominations and no denomination immediately began calling for aid, and deliveries were soon being made all over the county. Mrs. Dexter chose the Scripture James 2:25-27, "If a brother or sister is ill clad and in lack of daily food and one of you say to them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed, what does it profit? So, faith by itself, if it has no works is dead." Also with her own words, "We believe it makes a difference when people help and share, that when somebody reaches out it matters to be there." This is still the motto used at the Cupboard. The program has grown over the years. In 1985, the name was changed to Martha's Mission Cupboard, after the biblical Martha found in John 11:5. A member from each local church was appointed to serve on the governing board, which now is under the umbrella of Bogue Banks Ministries. The Cupboard outgrew several locations and in March 1988, plans were begun for a permanent home on the corner of Bay and 9th Street, which was finally realized and dedicated December 4, 1988.
The celebration "Bicentennial of Methodism in America" was held on July 1, 1984. The Reverend Don Lee Harris was the pastor. The Reverend Dennis Goodwin, who had gone into the ministry eight years before from the church, gave the sermon, "Living Between D-Day and V-Day."
"Two Hundred Years of Methodism on Shepard's Point" was held on January 3, 1998. Bishop Marion Edwards gave the sermon. Also participating were the District Superintendent, Reverend Samuel Wynn and Reverend Milton Gilbert, pastor. Bob Guthrie impersonated the Reverend Bridges Arendell and made comments appropriate to his life and times. Henry Boshamer portrayed the Reverend Dr. Luther Bridgers, who was pastor in the early 1940s. Dr. Bridgers was author of the well-known hymn, "He Keeps Me Singing."
A non-profit organization, Ekklesia (Greek for "church") was formed and the first 80 single, one-story apartments were opened in 1983. It was sponsored by four area churches - First Methodist, First Presbyterian, St. Andrew's Episcopal, and First Baptist, and provided senior citizens with affordable housing in "user-friendly" surroundings. On January 8, 1999 the second phase, finished in November 1998, was dedicated, consisting of 20 two-story units, including elevator, craft rooms, meeting rooms, and other facilities to enhance senior citizens' activities. Reverend Dr. Gilbert assisted in the ceremony led by Dennis Goodwin Sr.
There have been a number of parsonages throughout the years. The first two were rental properties, no longer extant. It was not until 1913 that a permanent home for ministers and their families was built at 712 Bridges Street. Mr. Charlie S. Wallace gave the lot and house to the church. He was superintendent of the Sunday School, member of the Board of Stewards, and Trustee of the church property. The Georgian style, two-story, white clapboard house served 16 parsonage families over 50 years. It is now a private dwelling. The first family to occupy the house was the family of Reverend D.N. Caviness. The last was the family of Reverend Harold Leatherman. The Leatherman's moved into the new brick ranch style parsonage at 1609 Calico Drive in 1965.
The two oldest Sunday School classes are the Madie Bell Bible Class and the Men's Fellowship Class. The Madie Bell Bible Class was named for their beloved teacher of over 50 years and has been ongoing since about 1910. The class consists of adult women ranging in age upward to 98 years old. The average attendance is 12 to 18 enrolled. The Men's Fellowship Class began about the time of World War I as the Baraca (Hebrew for "blessing") Class, and sometime over the years the name was changed to the Men's Fellowship Class.
Since 1879 the church has had 50 pastors. The membership in 2001 is about 1,257 people. There are currently sixteen Sunday School classes with a total enrollment of about 175. The Pastor is the Reverend Dr. Billy F. Seate, the Associate Pastor is Reverend Joseph Franklin. As we continue into the 21st Century, yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the present and we look to Jesus, author of it all, as we are all in His service. Come join in the Excitement.