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The
University of Virginia had a great influence on
Charlottesville and on the development of the Methodist Church
here. The first Methodist Chaplain, 1832-34, was William Hammett,
who bought, or at least acted as purchasing agent for, the lot
on which the first Methodist Church was built. We can well imagine
that he had considerable influence in the church. It is not
surprising that, when he objected to the "legs of an upside
down card table" at the top of the church tower, they were
cut off.
Throughout the years of the first church, its ministers took
their turns as University Chaplains.
In
1913 or 1914, church membership reached the 1000 mark and
Sunday School enrollment had increased to over 700. In 1916,
they considered building Sunday School rooms on the rear of
the old church. They hired an architect, determined the cost
of the work and decided to proceed with the building. They
never did! Possibly the United States' entry into World War
I may have delayed the building of those Sunday School rooms.
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Inside
current building
prior to 1930
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By
September of that year they had chosen the present location;
and in October Joseph Hudnut, a New York City architect who
later became a faculty member at the University of Virginia,
was hired to do the planning. Ground for the building was broken
on March 12, 1923.
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On
March 31, 1924, the Masonic Grand Lodge of Virginia joined local
lodges in laying the cornerstone. At that time the Sunday School
building and the social hall were completed, A year later, the
sanctuary was completed. |
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First
Methodist Church now had a sanctuary seating 975; a social
hall of the same size; a chapel seating 300; an education
building that would accommodate a Sunday School when it enrolled
over 1000, and a club room designed specifically for University
student use. But the work was not complete. The church still
owed $109,704, so it proceeded with remarkable speed to pay
the debt.
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In
1950, a fire, starting in the entrance to the Sunday School
building, spread quickly into the chancel where it severely
damaged the organ and even endangered The Transfiguration. |
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A
new organ was built in 1951 by the M.P. Moller Company. While
repairs were being made, the church adopted the divided chancel
in preference to the original central pulpit. |
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For
years First Church housed the Wesley Foundation and it met in
the clubroom. In 1957 new quarters were found much nearer the
campus, but as late as 1972 its director was listed on the staff
of First Church. Our church continues to contribute significantly
to its support; and our pastor serves on its Board of Directors. |
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First
United Methodist Church continues to be a vital part of downtown.
As our history and tradition suggest, we continue to open
our hearts, minds and doors in the name of Jesus Christ.
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In
the First Church bulletin for December 6, 1953,
we find, "The Reverend C. Warner Crumb, has
been appointed to begin a new church in the west
end of Charlottesville... Until the work of the
new church develops to the point of having Sunday
services, we extend a cordial welcome to these good
friends to make themselves at home here at First
Church and to call upon us for any assistance we
may render them." One may well believe that
First Church gave both help and encouragement; for
on February 24, 1957, the congregation of Wesley
Memorial Church, now self-supporting, moved
into its new chapel.
Only
seven years later, in 1964, Aldersgate Church
began. While First Church may not have originated
the efforts in behalf of this church, we may be
sure that it gave encouragement and that a number
of its members and prospective members now attend
Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
The
Elsenhower years in the 1950's were church-going
days and First Church was a part of the nationwide
trend. Church membership increased above 2,000.
In 1962, youth meetings attracted over 100 each
Sunday evening.
Somewhere
between 1950 and 1965 First Church came to a zenith;
but of course, to suggest a high point is to realize
that there are valleys. By the mid-60's the youth
program, had begun a descent. We must also remember
that this was a period of youth rebellion throughout
the country. Church membership dropped - and gradually,
Sunday School enrollment and attendance made steeper
declines.
First
Church had spent the better part of a generation
building and paying for its new church building.
Charlottesville itself was changing. While people
had gradually been moving to the outskirts of town,
there was practically no shopping available on U.S.
29 North until the mid 60's, People still needed
to return to downtown stores. Soon, however, with
the building of shopping centers and churches (sometimes
the rejuvenation of nearby rural churches) there
was no need to return to the city for anything.
Downtown merchants had great difficulty in surviving
and churches also suffered.
First Church actually remained strong and vigorous
throughout these difficult times. Church membership
dipped and wavered; but since 1975 it has remained
stable at about 1500.
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First United Methodist Church
• 101 E. Jefferson Street • Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: (434) 296-6193 •Office hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon-Thurs, 9 a.m. - 12 noon Friday
The Rev. Harry G. Kennon, pastor
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