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CLEMMONS — In 1839, Peter Clemmons’ son Benton sold land next to their family property for $1 to a Methodist congregation that had been in the area for nearly 100 years. In 1874, the Methodists opened their first church doors at 3700 Clemmons Road. This year, Clemmons United Methodist Church is celebrating 150 years at their home in the heart of Clemmons. However, the history of CUMC goes back much further.

The journey to 3700 began in the 1700s with Methodist meetings in camps along the Yadkin River and early wagon roads. During that time, services were led by ministers who traveled a circuit of many churches on horseback. 

Rev. John Fitzgerald said, “This story is about our congregation, yes, but it’s also a history of how Methodism and Christianity grew in America.” Descendants of these early Methodists became a steady congregation, while sharing several church names and meeting places.

1760s McKnight’s Meeting House

George McKnight bought land from England’s Lord Granville in 1739, now part of Tanglewood Park. His home became a popular meeting place for Methodists and Moravians in the area, and by 1780, McKnight’s Meeting House was the first recognized formal meeting place of early Methodists in this area.  

1784, a new name

The Methodist contingent at McKnight’s became part of the newly formed Methodist Episcopal church in 1784. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, surmised that continuing to call themselves “The Church of England” would not sit well with Americans post-Revolutionary War. McKnight’s Meeting House was so popular it caught the attention of Bishops Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury who held three annual conferences there. Streets in Clemmons still bear the Asbury and McKnight names. 

Fitzgerald’s 4th great-grandfather whose name was also John Fitzgerald hosted Asbury at his farm along the 5th Creek of the Yadkin River as Asbury traveled through Iredell County. The visit affected the elder Fitzgerald so much that there has been a Methodist minister in the family every generation since. Interestingly, Fitzgerald’s grandfather Joseph Washington Fitzgerald served Clemmons Methodist Episcopal, South in 1917.

The current CUMC minister Fitzgerald said, “It is hard to be appointed to any church in Western North Carolina that has not already seen one of my kinfolk first,” said Fitzgerald, the current CUMC minister.

As participation continued to grow, Methodist families banded together in 1809 to form Mt. Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church. Built by Henry Eccles, it was the perfect place for worship and camp meetings. Mt. Pleasant is now Tanglewood Chapel.

1830s – Clemmonsville, a new destination 

Founded in 1802, the town of Clemmonsville became a hub of activity. As a result, members gradually left Mt. Pleasant and began looking for worship opportunities in town. The Clemmonsville Academy and store established by Benton Clemmons welcomed the congregation on Sunday mornings, as both the school and store were closed. The original Clemmonsville Academy stood in front of the Peter and Comfort Clemmons home place located just a few doors down from CUMC. The foundation stones are all that remain.

1874 – 3700 Clemmons Road becomes home

Though they purchased land from Benton Clemmons in 1839, the years before and after the Civil War postponed building until 1874. During that time, the church changed names again to become Clemmonsville Methodist Episcopal Church, South as the southern states were pro slavery despite the best efforts of circuit riders to persuade them differently. Said to be similar to the chapel at Tanglewood, the first proper church building at 3700 was destroyed by a series of storms, not once, but twice in 1901. Congregation members once again returned to meeting in homes in the area while remaining determined to have a home church of their own. They spent the next two decades raising funds for a new building.  

1920 and beyond 

A new board of trustees was formed in 1917 to plan a permanent church home at 3700 Clemmons Road and a new sanctuary became a reality in 1920. Wartime struggles stalled further construction, but membership grew. Youth groups that originated in 1898 were thriving, and a women’s service group was formed. In 1939, “south” was removed from their name and a merger with the United Evangelical Brethren in 1968 brought the current name, Clemmons United Methodist Church. 

Growing in scope and service

After the World War years, the town of Clemmons was growing fast, as was membership at CUMC. An education building was added in 1963. Then in 1969, the church gained its first full-time minister, Oren Edmonds. CUMC members were excited and inspired. 

In the words of long-time member and former mayor of Clemmons, Bill McGee, “Our members got together to make things happen.”

And happen it did. A new sanctuary replaced the old one in 1979. An expanded education facility and chapel added in 1985 completed the complex as it now stands. The Hunter House next door was acquired in 1990 to serve as the church office. The property behind the office, now the Garden of Remembrance, holds a columbarium, a prayer trail, and a historic Clemmons cemetery where Henry Eccles, builder of the Mt. Pleasant church and other historical figures are buried.

CUMC today – A strong church family with a heart for missions

Not only have buildings and membership expanded through the years; so has CUMC’s involvement in Clemmons, the surrounding area, and the world. In 2004 a Sunday School class formed The Clemmons Food Pantry, now its own entity on church property, serves 1,000 families each month. The education building houses a pre-school and myriads of other youth and church activities. Outreach programs serve the homeless, those suffering grief and other life challenges, and school children in need of food and supplies, to name a few. Youth groups travel the state to help repair homes, and the congregation has helped build church facilities and programs in Guatemala and Jamaica. 

Looking forward

Fitzgerald noted that the church’s past remains an important part of the future. “Our long and rich history challenges us to continue sharing Christian love, to humbly stand tall in the heart of Clemmons, and to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community and world.”

Celebration begins Oct. 5 and 6

The community is invited to join the festivities Oct. 5 and 6 as CUMC celebrates its 150th year in Clemmons, as well as the journey here. Special music performances will continue on Sunday afternoons through October. 

The community is invited to join the CUMC 150th Weekend Celebration. Everyone is welcome. Details can be found at clemmonsumc.org.