Abingdon Methodist Church - Abingdon Virginia - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

History of Abingdon United Methodist Church
The history of this church reaches almost as far back as the history of Abingdon itself. The congregation traces its roots to 1783. Those early Methodists met in homes for study and prayer. Ordained pastors were in short supply with circuit riders traveling between several, and often distant congregations. It is not known when this congregation began meeting outside homes, but in 1822 the congregation moved from the Masonic Temple on Valley Street, where it had been meeting, to its own building. The Abingdon Methodist Episcopal Church, as it was known, was built on what is now Court Street.
The church grew quickly. In 1826 the Abingdon church became the first in the Holston Conference to receive the appointment of its own pastor. In 1848 the small frame meeting house was replaced with a new brick building. On August 9, 1883 the cornerstone for the present church was laid, packed with memorabilia.

As one might expect, much has changed over the years, including the name of the denomination. Beginning as the Methodist Episcopal (meaning under the authority of a bishop) Church, the denomination divided into several branches. American Methodist Episcopal and A.M.E. Zion Churches, the Wesleyan Methodist Church, the Methodist Protestant Church, M.E. Church, South, and C.M.E. Church were all branches of Methodism, splitting under social and theological pressures. These branches were reunited in 1939 into the Methodist Church. The United Methodist Church, today’s denomination, was formed by a merger of the Evangelical United Brethren Church with the Methodist Church in 1968.

United Methodists are part of a global organization with millions of members worshipping in churches on six continents. Our identity as a part of a much larger structure allows us to be a part of programs bringing faith and support to persons around the world. We are proud to be an important part of the story of United Methodism.

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 08/09/1883 Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Metodist If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 8:45 AM Street address of Church: 101 East Main Street Abingdon, Va USA 24210 Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
1) A photo of the church is required for visits to a waymark.

2) Please share some comments about your visit.

3) Additional photos are encouraged. If you can have information in addition to that already provided about this church, please share it with us.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   07/13/2016 Manville Possum wrote comment for it