A History of the Oxford United Methodist Church

By Rachel Thomas Church Historian

    The early history of the Methodist Church in Oxford is so inter­woven with the history of the circuit of which it was a part, that it is almost impossible to separate it.  When the town of Oxford first became a regular preaching place for an appointment for a Methodist preacher is not known.  Doubtless from its very earliest settlements the Gospel of salvation was brought here by itinerant Methodist preachers.

    As early as 1815 records show that Oxford was a part of the Caswell Circuit -- 30 preaching places.  The Granville Circuit was established in 1821, and during this year, accommodations were provided for a married preacher. He occupied a house on a lot on the corner of Gilliam and High Streets.  Harris Meeting House was the first organized Methodist place of worship in Granville County. From that Meeting House grew Salem and from Salem, Oxford in about 1815. Oxford Circuit was cut off from the Granville Circuit in 1876, and in 1855 Oxford was made a Station.

    On December 24, 1821, Thomas B. Littlejohn gave the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Oxford a lot of land on the southwest side of Raleigh (now Main St.). There was erected Oxford’s first Methodist Church. This was the first church building of any kind to be erected in Oxford -- the year, 1822. This building was used until 1836 when the trustees deposed of it and purchased a lot on the corner of Spring and Harrisburg (now Gilliam St.) for $50 to erect a new church building. Mrs. Peace writes that it was of rather humble dimensions for this day, but still a very decided improvement over the old one.  She said the building was unpainted, had no vestibule, and only one aisle.  The women sat on the right side and the men on the left. The pews were straight backed, innocent of paint and uncomfortable. The pulpit was reached by 2 or 3 steps to a door which the preacher closed after him.  When he sat down, the congregation lost sight of him. Although there was a stove in the church, Sunday school was discontinued in winter because of the cold. There was no organ and no choir.  The minister read the hymns two lines at a time and the congregation sang them two lines at a time.  Members joined the church under a probation of six months, after which they were taken in full connection, if their conduct had been satisfactory. “Conviction came before conversion, repentance before faith.”  A mourners’ bench was a usual accompaniment to a revival meeting and hymns such as “Tis Religion that Can Give Sweetest Pleasure While We Live” and “Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy” were very popular.

    In 1866, this church, having been used for thirty years, was sold and converted into a dwelling.  Then the trustees purchased a lot on the corner of Main and Sycamore Streets. This was part of the same lot the church had sold earlier. The price was twenty dollars for a 50’ by 70’ lot.  A church of frame construction was built in 1867 at a cost of $3,211.96.  The dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. R.S. M______ from the text ‘Temple of’ the Lord.’  The creating of this church was due in a great measure to the untiring efforts of Rev. L.L. Hendren, the presiding elder at this time. From the minutes recorded “the clergy with a number of lay members -- male and female -- devoted themselves with great energy and zeal to the building of this church.”

    In the building the men still sat on one side, the women on the other, but with two aisles there was a middle section where they both sat. At that time the enrollment was around seventy. A few years later, when a steeple and a vestibule were added, this church was regarded as a masterpiece. The walnut book case in the Library stored church books and the communion table is now in the Parlor off the sanctuary.  It was in this church that an organ was installed, the first for the congregation.  That church also had a pulpit and an altar rail that were both well proportioned. The building is now Knott’s Grove Church off Hwy. 96 south.

    By 1895 the membership had grown by leaps and bounds. Then there were almost 300 members, and the church building no longer met the needs of the growing congregation. Sunday school classrooms were needed and spaces for recreational uses were in demand, so a contract was done to buy the lot where the present church stands.  This lot cost $2,150.  In 1902 the new church building was ready for services.  Three years later, the church was dedicated, free of debt.  From the Oxford Public Ledger:

“The new M.E. Church is a beautiful modern brick edifice, one which would do credit to a city.  It presents an imposing appearance.  The church is elegantly finished in oak and with exceedingly comfortable seats.”

    The Church minutes state ‘the church was in a prosperous condition and the membership numbered 325.’  From the November 10, 1905 Oxford Public Ledger, the headline reads Bishop Granberry Preached a Good Old Methodist Sermon to an Immense Congregation.’  The article follows:

“An event such as the dedication of a church is one of greatest interest and moment to our people.  It means much to the life of the community (all the other churches were closed for this event).  For the people of a community to come together in the organization and dedication of an evangelical church means a great deal for the spiritual, moral and social uplift of a community.  It means a consecration of their wealth, their influence, and their efforts for the cause of Christ which is the greatest cause ever known to the world.”

    Another quote from the sermon from Bishop Granberry states “Every church established in a community is a beacon light of civilization to lift the people and the community up to a higher life, and is a bulwark against the powers of sin and error.”  By 1913 this church building was valued at $20,000 and the congregation grew to a. membership of 447, swelled by the attendance of the orphanage children.

    In 1911 this article appeared in the Ledger. “The liberality of the members of the M.E. Church and the untiring energy and noble efforts of the Christian workers will culminate in most gratifying success next Sunday morning when the handsome new organ will peal forth in lofty strains of music.”  This organ cost $2,500 -- $1100 of which was contributed by the steel magnate, Andrew Carnegie.

    In 1912, Mr. Z.W. Lyon a local businessman and ardent Methodist gave $1500 to erect a Sunday school building, which became known as the Lyon Memorial Building. “Mr. Lyon in the fullness of his heart recognized the need of encouraging the great work of the Philathea and the Sunday school.”  This was a separate and distinct building connected to the church by a vestibule. In 1950 this bui1ding was completely remodeled at a cost of $75,000 -- only the facade was left.  At his death Mr. Lyon left his office building to the church.

    Care for the itinerant preachers was always a concern of the church, although no parsonage existed until after the Civil War.  The church bought a house on Sycamore Street in 1881 but soon moved the minister to a house built in 1890 on College Street next to the Episcopal rectory.  A house next to the church was also used for the parsonage.  The present parsonage was a new brick home on Hancock Street in 1956.  The church spent $30,000 to build a home for growing families of ministers appointed to Oxford.

    In 1929, the church underwent extensive renovation to the sanctuary.  From the Ledger, there is this quote. “What is prophesied by many to be the biggest week in the modern history of Oxford will be the reopening of the M. E. Church.  The church built 31 years ago has been undergoing extensive repairs on the interior and exterior. The balcony has been removed, new lights installed, and an attractive new main entrance has been made on McClanahan Street. The auditorium is now one of the most worshipful and most comfortable in this section of the state. The church extends a most candid welcome to all people of this community to come and be ‘mothers’ with us on this great occasion.”

    The church continued to grow.  In 1944 Mrs. Estelle B. Thomas gave a lot on McClanahan Street.  On this large lot, 90’ by 186’, was built the present Educational Building. The Lyon office building was torn down at that time to give more space for the modern building. This useful facility for Sunday school classrooms and office space was constructed in 1971 and dedicated in 1975.  The cost of this expansion was $200,000.

    The trustees of the church continue their care and maintenance of the church facilities. In 1992, the sanctuary was renovated at a cost of $275,000. Changes included an expanded narthex off McClanahan St. and additions to the choir loft.  A new pipe organ, given in memory of Jerry Harris, was installed in 1993.  Because of storm damage, the bell tower on College Street was repaired with roofing and weatherproofing.  Recent attention turned to the Educational Building with a new paint job, improved lighting, and relocated Chapel from the Lyon Building (2004). The Ladies’ Parlor was moved to the classroom off the sanctuary.

    Every year this beautiful edifice needs repairing or a facelift.  So far we have been able to do this without affecting the original beauty of the building, which has been an inspiration and a beautiful corner in Oxford for 100 years. May it be there forever as a reminder of our spiritual heritage.