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Our History Bonds Grove |
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The beginning of Bonds Grove Methodist Church dates back to about 1890.
Preaching services were first held in the old Bonds Grove School House. A
brush arbor was erected behind the old school house and preaching was held
there before the original church was built. The first Sunday School was
organized in 1891. Mr. Harvey I. McManus was the first superintendent. The
first church, which was called Bonds Grove Methodist Church, was built
around 1893. The first sermon was preached in the first church September 30,
1894 by the Rev. Frank Fincher. In the early days the Methodist preacher at
Indian Trail sometimes served Bonds Grove Church. Services were held only
once a month during the early years of the church. In the 1940's, Bonds
Grove was taken off the Waxhaw circuit and placed on the Weddington Charge.
At Bonds Grove Homecoming in 1949, it was decided to raise money to build a
new church. The first services were held April 9, 1950, Easter Sunday. The
new church, which now serves us, was formally dedicated by Dr. Edgar H. Neese, District Superintendent, on August 27, 1950. Bonds Grove Church was
taken off the Weddington Charge about 1953 and put on the Campground Charge.
About 1960, a store building was donated to the church by Margaret Ann
Cook for a club building. On April 26, 1970, a new educational building was
dedicated. Tennis courts and recreational facilities were built in August,
1980. Bonds Grove remained on the Campground Charge, a four church
appointment, until June 14, 1981. At this time it became a single
appointment served by a student pastor, the Rev. David Rorie. A mobile home
was placed on the property to serve as a parsonage. A room was added to the
church to serve as a choir room and church office. A copy machine was
purchased for the church bulletins and other copy work for the church.
In
June 1984, land was donated by G. E. Rogers III of Raleigh, NC, for
construction of a parsonage. This property is located on Bonds Grove Church
Road. Work began December 26, 1984, and was completed in May, 1985, and was
dedicated. The Rev. Ben Matzko was the first pastor to live in the new
parsonage. A new community building was started in December, 1986, and
finished in the summer of 1987. A new church office is housed in the new
building. The Rev. Nick Rochester, Jr., began serving Bonds Grove in June,
1987. In April, 1988, a new steeple was erected on the church building. This
steeple was given by Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Rummage in memory of Mr. and Mrs. I.
M. Cook. A memorial garden was dedicated in 1989 to the memory of their son
Christopher K. Patterson by Delano and Dixie Patterson and family. Stained
glass windows were installed in 1990 for Easter Sunday. The parking lot was
paved in 1990.
The Rev. Bob Fritts began serving Bonds Grove in June 1992. County water
was run from Providence Road to the church in June 1994. The Rev. Phillip
Park began serving Bonds Grove in June, 1994. Extensive remodeling was done
to the sanctuary interior and a new narthex was added in 1997. The Rev.
Stephen Lee became pastor of the Bonds Grove-Marvin Charge in 1998.
First Row, from left: Loretta A. Stutz, Joshua H. Sherfey, Debra N. Short, Paula B. Northrup, William R. Taylor
 Rev. Debra N. Short began her pastorate at Bonds Grove in July of 2002.
She led in the journey to start a pre-school which has been a huge
success. Julie Brewer was hired in February of 2003 as the pre-school
Director. In 2006, there were 5 classes which consisted of 10 teachers
and 61 children. Julie remains as director and looking forward to the
2007-08 year.
In
October of 2006, a new "Blended Worship Service" on Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
has replaced both the 9:00 a.m. Contemporary service and the 11:00 a.m.
Traditional service. This new service has been warmly accepted by church
members and visitors alike. In January of 2004, also during Rev. Short's
pastorate at Bonds Grove, we made the decision to become a "station" church,
no longer having to share our minister with other congregations. This has
been a long-time goal for our small church.
On July 1, 2007, we welcome a new Pastor and family, Randall M. Blanton to our church with out-stretched arms and look forward to a long and joyous relationship as they minister to Bonds Grove. Through the efforts of church members working together, combined with God's love and grace, great things have taken place at Bonds Grove and we can only be proud of our heritage and look to the future with great hope.....
The
Cross and Flame is a registered trademark and the use is supervised by the
General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist
Church. Permission to use the Cross and Flame must be obtained from the
General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist
Church:
Building Stronger Bonds Through Christ in Our Community . . . |
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Bonds
Grove United Methodist Church Waxhaw, NC 28173 Church Office: (704)843-5231 Parsonage:
(704)843-5187
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