A Short History of Our Church

1738 Methodism officially organized as a movement in England.
1775 Dempsy and Sarah Hinton moved to Washington from their home on Deep Creek to escape the Tories and introduced Methodism to Washington by holding services in their home on the South East corner of Market and Third Street.
1782 Francis Asbury visited the Hintons.
1784 Christmas Conference, the first “General Conference” held in America at Lovely Lane Church, Baltimore, Maryland. During this conference, the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, and Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke became the first Bishops of American Methodism.
1784 Bishop Francis Asbury came to Washington and formed the first Methodist Society in Washington.
1791 First Revival in Washington, during which Thomas Smaw was converted
1792 Two Englishmen, Ralph Potts and Thomas Robason came to the Methodist Church.
1800 Ralph Potts, Sarah Redding and the Reverend James Avent were considered to be the founders of First Methodist Church. Ralph Potts, called “the Father of Methodism in Washington,” purchased a lot, built the first Methodist Church in Washington, on Market Street “about half-
way between Second and Third streets on the East side, “ and donated it as a gift to the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was known as the Old Red Church on Market Street. Records indicate “it was small but large enough to praise God, ”The building was built on ground which for many years was a place of graves. By Special Act of the North Carolina Legislature, these graves were removed to the City Cemetery.
1802 Francis Asbury dedicated the Church on February 2nd. It was on the Pamlico Circuit.
1811 Reverend William Wright was sent to Washington as the first station preacher. The church
was refitted. A pulpit and altar were built, backs put to the seats, and a belfry was erected.
1827 Membership outgrew the Old Red Church. “Colored membership numbered more than 200.
The total membership grew by 102 by 1831.
1831 A new church was built on West Second Street on the site on which the present church now
stands. The site was donated by Mrs. Sarah Katherine Quinn.
1840 A great revival, led by the Reverend Ira T. Wyche, was held in the church-“A revival, the most
imposing since the infancy of the Church took place. The Church was refreshed.”
1862-65 L. Hyatt and W.S. Mayo held services in the church until it burned and then in private homes.
1864 The church and parsonage along with much of the town were burned by the Northern Army as it left Washington.
1866 As pastor of the of the 125 remaining members, S. Long held service in the Masonic Lodge in
the absence of an existing church building.
1867 The Methodist people went to work and under great difficulties built a new church…”a rather unsightly building with a very sharp roof.”
1874 Membership increased to 245. The church enjoyed glorious revival.
1897 Charles E. Hartge came to Washington from Germany to design and later supervise the building of the new church. He lived across the street on 2nd Street for one year.
1898 Due to extensive membership growth the 30 year old church was taken down and a new brick
church was built . The cornerstone is dated December 19, 1899
1899 Annual Conference met in the new church in December and the church was dedicated.
1909 New Parsonage built. Reverend Dr. M.T. Plyler was pastor.
1918 An education building with a basement was built connected to the sanctuary.
1934 Annual Conference held in church.
1949 Education Building renovated.
1952 Cowell Chapel erected by Charles F. Cowell, Sr. as a memorial to his parents, brother and wife.
1958 Parsonage on North Respess St. purchased.
1970 Fellowship Hall/Education Building ground breaking.
1972 Stained glass windows placed in Cowell Chapel.
1980 Purchase of Seaboard Coast Line property adjacent to the church.
1984 First floor of “Old Education Building” and basement renovated.
1984 Two-hundredth Anniversary of the founding of the church celebrated.
1988 Lights placed in the church steeple.
1989 Land behind the new education building donated by Leon and Florence Roebuck.
1992 Became a “Global Ministries Church”.
1995 Purchase of Parsonage, Bath Street, 11-9-95
1998 The “Prayer Garden”, located immediately behind The Cowell Chapel, was constructed and
donated by Tad and Frances Larkin as “a outdoor sanctuary, a place for worship, meditation and prayer”.
1999 Centennial Celebration of the dedication of the church sanctuary. Opening of the
“cornerstone” laid in 1899.
2005 Homecoming on the grounds. 435 people attended service and covered dish luncheon.
2008 Cowell Chapel refurbished

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