Asbury North United Methodist Church has evolved to a larger and dedicated congregation from 1862 to present.
In 1862 in the home of John R. and Lucy Smith, a group of 16 gathered for prayer and worship. This became the first Methodist Episcopal Church for Negroes in Columbus , Ohio . As this Christian family grew, it moved to other homes and eventually moved to a log cabin type structure on Donaldson Street . From 1862 to 1884, six ministers served these dedicated members. The original site is now, known as Washington Street .
During the 1890’s the Miller Estate bequeathed a lot on the corner of Donaldson and Eleventh Streets (now know as Lehman Street ) on which to erect a church. Mr. J. W. Brown purchased a small which-framed building for $200 and moved it to this lot. This small white-framed church is now, believed to have been the original Broad Street Methodist Church . Broad Street’s church history refers to it as the Donaldson Street Church .
In March 1900, Reverend Henry W. Tate began a building program with financial assistance from Broad Street Methodist Church . An impressive red brick building, erected in 1901, and was named the Eleventh Street Methodist Church .
Rev. Edward L. Gilliam continued Rev. Tate’s work as pastor from 1903 until 1920. He figured prominently in the Centennial of Methodism held in Columbus in 1919.
The Lexington Conference continued to send the most capable and zealous ministers to this church for the next 24 years.
The pastorate of Rev. S. M. Riley, Jr. (1942-1944), changed the church’s name to Asbury Methodist in honor of Senior Bishop Francis Asbury. Rev. Frank R. Arnold, pastor from 1949-1961 began negotiations for a new church because of the growing congregation.
In November 1953, the church purchased the Nelson Memorial Presbyterian Church at Clifton and Parkwood Avenues. In October 1957, Bishop Matthew W. Clair, Jr. presided over the dedication and mortgage burning of the church building.
Rev. W. H. McCallum, pastor in 1961, was a former district superintendent. His wife, Thelma served on the Executive Board of The Women’s Society of Christian Service as Vice President, in charge of Foreign Work.
The congregation purchased a six room brick dwelling at 1566 Granville Street in September 1961 and used the home as the parsonage for Rev. and Mrs. McCallum.
Asbury Methodist Church began its second hundred years by merging with the West Ohio Methodist. The name changed to Asbury United Methodist Church , North under the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Aldridge (1963-1969).
During 1969, Rev. Dr. Damon P. Young, a former District Superintendent in the Lexington Conference was appointed by the Bishop as interim pastor. Charles H. Weston, Lay Leader, provided administrative leadership.
Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Durr spurred new life into Asbury during their years at the church (1969-1977), by creating new programs and a flourishing youth ministry.
Rev. Willie Nelson, pastor from 1978-1985, brought more involvement on the conference level to the church. The church suffered a great loss with his sudden death in December 1985. In his honor, the church dedicated the Willie Nelson Memorial Fellowship Hall in May 1986. During the next interim period, the Rev. Fred Silber filled the pulpit and James H. Seay, Lay Leader, provided administrative leadership.
The conference appointed Rev. Richard Allen Dunbar in May 1986 to continue the ministry of this spirit-filled church. Under his nine years of capable leadership, membership increased, Asbury’s outreach program expanded, the music program strengthened. The congregation constructed and dedicated the current church building in 1990.
In June 1995, the conference appointed Rev. Wynston Edward Dixon pastor of Asbury North United Methodist Church . Under his leadership, membership increased, a college scholarship program was established and the congregation burned the mortgage in May 2000.
Then, Rev. Henry C. Stringer, Ph.D., became pastor of Asbury North United Methodist Church on July 1, 2000 . He is a licensed counselor and psychotherapist and former Dean of Administrations at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio . In May 2004, Bishop Ough promoted Reverend Stringer to District Superintendent, Columbus South District.
July 1, 2004 , Reverend Gregory H. Herndon became the current pastor of Asbury North United Methodist Church . The congregation continues to receive God’s blessings with a growing spiritually and membership.