New Street United Methodist Church * Shepherdstown, WV » Events

History: New Street United Methodist Church

NSUMC — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 03:56:37 +0000

The history of Methodism in Shepherdstown goes back to the early days of the denomination in America, since Mecklenburg (now Shepherdstown) as a settlement dates from 1762, and the first Methodists began to preach in America in 1760. In 1776 Freeborn Garretson, one of the leading Methodist preachers of the time, spent several days in Shepherdstown; in 1779 Shepherdstown became a regular appointment on the Berkley Circuit; in 1820 the Jefferson Circuit was formed. Many of the leading men of early Methodism preached in Shepherdstown. Bishop Francis Asbury, founder of American Methodism wrote in his journal of a visit here in 1794.

The first Methodist church building, of which there is any record, was a frame and log structure located on Church Street between where the Catholic and Methodist Churches now stand. This building was destroyed by fire which started in the Bradshaw house on the corner of Washington and Church Streets on March 17, 1853. The flames swept across the street, and set the Methodist Church on fire. The fire was soon beyond control, sparks were blown northward and soon the town was in a state of terror. There was no fire engine, but men, women and children formed a double line from the scene of the fire to the Town Run. With incredible rapidity buckets of water passed up and down the lines. Neither the house nor the church could be saved, but other property was kept from burning.The Methodists then bought a lot on the corner of Church and New Streets, and in 1854 a brick building was erected (now the Sanctuary of our church).The Methodists, like other denominations, were disturbed regarding the institution of slavery, and the Southern Conference pulled out of the General Conference to form a separate church. In 1866 the Southern Methodist sympathizers withdrew from the N.E. Chruch in Shepherdstown and held their meetings in the Presbyterian Sanctuary and the second floor of the B. Baker property (above German Street Market) until they could build a church.In 1868 a new brick church at the corner of Main and King Streets in the heart of town was erected (now the Men’s Club Building).

For the next 70 years there were two Methodist Churches in the Shepherdstown Circuit. Mount Wesley went with the N.E. Church and Uvilla, Bethesda and Marvin Chapel with the Southern Methodist. In 1940 the churches were united again. The Reverend J. W. Seay was the first pastor of the United Congregation.The Main Street Church was sold in 1947 to the Men’s Club for a community building and the building that was formerly the N.E. Church at New and Church Streets was redesigned to serve as the sanctuary. An additional building was designed to surround it to serve as an educational building. The sanctuary of the remodeled church was reopened for divine worship on Sunday, May 8, 1949. The Reverend S. T. Fitch conducted the service. Work on the Educational Building continued for several years and was completed under the pastorate of Reverend Edwin H. Langrall. Throughout the years other congregations have been included in the Shepherdstown Charge: Scrabble, Molers Crossroads, Rocky Marsh, VanClevesville and Uvilla. Reverend Melvin Hughson followed Reverend as a minister.

In 1959, because of an increase in membership in the Shepherdstown Church and the increased enrollment at Shepherd College, the New Street congregation was made a station under the leadership of Reverend Randall Parsons. Another change came in 1969 when the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren to form the United Methodist Church.

The ministers who followed Reverend Parsons were: Reverend Albert Burton, Reverend Bruce Kuehnle, Reverend Charles Cathcart, Reverend Robert W. Richardson, Reverend Charles Cathcart (second term), Reverend Elizabeth Pate Smith, Reverend Wendy Schulemberger and our present pastor, The Reverend G. Dee-Ann Dixon.

The original (Northern Methodist) parsonage was the old Criswell house on Washington Street. This was sold and a brand new parsonage was built on the site of the burned Bradshaw house. The Washington Street property was later deeded back to the church by the will of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Jenkins. This was the Northern Methodist parsonage, In the 1980’s ministers were encouraged to provide their own homes so when the Cathart’s built a new home in Cavaland, the parsonage was rented for a while and then in 1989 the congregation voted to sell the property. The parsonage on New Street was the Southern Methodist parsonage and was sold when the churches united.

Reva Kave, Church Historian

Ministries and Programs at New Street UMC

NSUMC — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 03:56:16 +0000

NEW STREET UMCs PROGRAM MINISTRIES/OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to Morning Worship — Sundays, 10:00 to 11:00 AM
Sunday School for Children — Sundays, 10:15 to 11:00 AM
Music Ministry — Active Chancel Choir; rehearses Thursday evenings, 7:15 PM (except summer months); All interested are welcome! Provides weekly music for worship, as well as special seasonal music
United Methodist Women — usually meets monthly; missions, devotions, fellowship & service; Active at District level as well as locally
New Street UMC Men’s Fellowship — meets for breakfast, 1st Saturday of each month (except July & August); fellowship, service/ work projects; & good food
Sunday Fellowship — food & fellowship time on the 1st Sunday of each month; from 11 to 11:30 AM, in the church Fellowship Hall
Prayer Ministry — Active Prayer Chain via phone and E-Mail
Scouting Ministry — BSA Troop 33, sponsored by New Street UMC, meets Tuesday evenings at 7 PM. in the Troop Room; our Scouting Ministry also provides meeting space for Cub Scouting & Girl Scouting

ECUMENICALLY, OUR CHURCH FAMILY SUPPORTS AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES

Community Vacation Bible School
Shepherdstown Ministerial Association
Good Shepherd Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers
Jefferson County Community Ministries
Annual Mid-Winter Choir Festival
Annual Ecumenical Pentecost Celebration downtown

SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY-BASED ACTIVITIES (The following also meet regularly in our facilities)

Girl Scout Troops and Cub Scout Dens (see Scouting Ministry above)
Shepherdstown Senior Center
Art Painting Groups — Oil & Water Colors
Shepherdstown Women’s Club
Alcoholics Anonymous
Weight Watchers
SHARE program monthly distribution activities

Contact Us

NSUMC — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 03:54:29 +0000

PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR QUESTIONS AND THE LATEST IN NEWS AND EVENTS

304-876-2362 * NSUMC@FRONTIERNET.NET

(you may also use the comment form below to submit your question.)

OFFICE HOURS: TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY – 9:00AM – 2:00PM

THE CHURCH’S MAILING ADDRESS IS:

REVEREND DEE-ANN DIXON
NEW STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
P.O. BOX 188,
202 WEST NEW STREET
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV 25443
TELEPHONE #: (304) 876 2362

Outreach and Missions

NSUMC — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:16:37 +0000

The congregation is gearing up for the annual Operation Christmas Child Project. There will be additional details to follow shortly. Please call the church office if you require additional information.

The United Nations Seminar

NSUMC — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:05:17 +0000

The United Nations Seminar sponsored by the Baltimore-Washington Conference UM Women will be held December 13-15, 2010 in New York City. The Seminar topic is “Who is my neighbor? Seeking a Christian Perspective on Immigration.” Cost includes bus, Seminar, hotel. Cost is from $259 – $334 depending on number roommates. For more information see bulletin board or Pastor Dee-Ann

New Street UMC Pancake Breakfast Canceled

NSUMC — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:46:54 +0000

To our New Street UMC and Shepherdstown community. The pancake breakfast scheduled for February 13 at New Street United Methodist Church is canceled due to the safety, access, and parking issues resulting from inclement weather. We are sorry you won’t be visiting with us this weekend. We look forward to serving and being in fellowship with you in the future.

New Street UMC Worship Services/Activities Canceled Sunday February 7th!

NSUMC — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:38:39 +0000

There will be no worship services or activities held on Sunday February 7th.

Your safety is a primary concern when considering whether worship service at New Street will be canceled. Consideration has been given by the trustees for general road conditions, parking, and walking access to the church.

For those who are on the email/telephone chain, a broadcast has been sent out. The church telephone greeting has also been updated with this status.

Stay warm and be safe.

Annual Choir Festival: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

NSUMC — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:06:20 +0000

Sunday, January 31, 2010

At 4:00 p.m.

New Street United Methodist Church

202 West New Street

Area choirs celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through the gift of music.

A reception to follow.

Sponsored by

The Shepherdstown Ministerial Association

For more information contact New Street UMC at (304)87-2362 or nsumc@frontiernet.net

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

NSUMC — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:54:42 +0000

Dear New Street Church Friends and Members,

The theme for the 2009 Advent-Christmas Season is “A Baby Changes Everything.” God chose Mary, an unwed poor teenager to become the mother of Jesus. God chose Joseph, a carpenter and faithful Jew, to become the human father of Jesus. And God chose to come into the world as a baby to be “God with us”. How do babies change us? And how does this particular baby, named Jesus, change our priorities, our perspectives, our timing, our loving and our whole life? You are invited to journey with us to the manger in Bethlehem and to explore how our lives are changed by a baby named Jesus.

Join us on this spiritual journey which begins on Sunday, November 29, as we are reminded that a baby changes everything. Our Sunday School children will share a short program in worship on December 13. The Children’s Choir and Chancel Choir will share the gift of music and drama on December 24 & 27. We will have two services on Christmas Eve – 4:00 p.m. Family Service and 11:00 p.m. Candlelight Service.

Invite your family, friends and neighbors to journey with you and your family towards a deeper relationship with the Baby called Emmanuel, God is with us.

Grace and peace, Rev. Dee-Ann Dixon

Save the Date, Martin Luther King, Jr Choir Festival

NSUMC — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:42:34 +0000

SAVE THE DATE

Sunday, January 31 at 4:00 p.m. – Annual Choir Festival honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sponsored by Shepherdstown Ministerial Association. New Street UMC will be the host church. Watch for more details in the church bulletin, www.newstreet.com, and the January-February newsletter.