Methodists services began in
1853 in the Wells School House, the site of today’s Wesley Chapel UMC.
The worshippers were served by circuit riding pastors. The first
recorded Quarterly Conference (June 19, 1858) notes that the circuit was
served by Rev. E. R. Strickland and Rev. W. S. Townsend at that time.
The congregation didn’t build
their own church until after James Wells donated 5 acres to the church
on February 25, 1861. The name “Wesley Chapel” was adopted on June
12, 1861 at the third Quarterly Conference. The Sunday school was
organized in 1887 under the leadership of Mr. T. M. Terry as superintendent.
Rev. W. D. Drake was pastor
when a new church was built in 1889. The church consisted of a single
30 by 50 foot room with a high ceiling. It was built of rough one
by twelve lumber. The sills were hewn from a single tree running
the length of the building. Wesley Chapel was on a circuit at this
time with Hammond, Springfield, and James Chapel.
In later years, two Sunday school
rooms a parsonage (completed in 1944), an educational building, and a new
sanctuary were built. The educational building, built around 1950,
was dedicated on September 4, 1952. The present sanctuary was built
in 1958-59. The first service in the new church was held on Easter
Sunday, March 29, 1959. |
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