10700 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD 20735301-868-1281 cumcmd@verizon.net
Rev. Dorothea Belt Stroman, Pastor
About CUMC
Can you remember back to 1965? Really, nothing of a historical nature comes to mind, but something of a spiritual nature happened locally that excited and influenced the lives of many in our community.
It was only a large piece of wood nailed to two stakes that marked the spot. The lettering said: "Methodist Church to be erected on this site," therefore announcing to the world the coming of Clinton United Methodist Church. In the meantime, services were held at the Crestview Elementary School beginning October 3, 1965.
The Rev. Edward Terry (from the Oregon Conference) was appointed supply pastor in September 1965. He was transferred into membership of this Conference on October 1, 1965, by Bishop Lord and thus became the founder of Clinton United Methodist Church. Dr. Marion S. Michael, District Superintendent of the Washington South District, and Dr. Cranston Riggin of the Methodist Union of Washington, D.C., were also key leaders in making our church a reality. The Church was formally constituted on October 31, 1965. All members received through November 7, 1965, constituted the 44 Charter members.
Bells Methodist Church in Camp Springs loaned us Mr. and Mrs. Norris Eaton to help get our Sunday School program organized. Our first choir rehearsal was under the leadership of Mr. John Mathena. At this time we had no piano. Mr. Ed Benson, the first organist, was generous enough to let the choir use his home.
Rev. Terry was able to create and instill in us great enthusiasm and confidence in what we would be able to do financially. So it was, on December 17, that the Building Committee employed Mr. Benjamin Elliott, an architect from Silver Spring, to draw plans and specifications for our new Church building.
The four acres on which our Church sits was purchased from Mr. Jessee Goddard and paid for by the Conference Board of Missions and later donated to the Clinton United Methodist Church. Missionary funds purchased the three bedroom parsonage at the corner of Parkview Lane and Thrift Road.
And from there the plan began to grow.
During the first half of 1966, our Sunday Services were moved to Surrattsville Junior High School (now Grace Brethren Church/School) and our first confirmation class was held.... The second half of 1966 brought the first new baby, Janelle Carol, born to Charter Members, Mr. and Mrs. Frank DiGiovine.
Our success was based on fellowship, compassion for our fellow man, the witnessing of our faith, and the working together as one body toward a common goal knowing that it would take all these qualities to make the foundation of our Church firm.
October 22, 1966, brought about an annual tradition for many years, our Bazaar. As a side issue, money derived from the Bazaar was used to purchase tables and chairs for the new building.
At this point, the military had taken away our current choir director, Mr. Al Keeler, because they thought they needed him more than we did! He was followed by Phil Rogerson. By now the choirs had begun to grow and we had four.
Our Building Committee worked hard and long, held many meetings and chose Mr. William Hinton, a member of our Church, to erect the first phase of our building. January 15, 1967, marked the calendar as the Ground Breaking Ceremony. It was a cold, dark January day, but we had sunshine in our hearts and on our faces. We were no sooner in the building when it became apparent that we already needed more space. The first section was constructed without the aid of any Building Fund raising projects!!
September 16, 1967, marked another milestone in our history. The very first event held in our new building was the wedding of Miss Patricia Marquis to Mr. Lawrence Blume.
We were blessed when Rev. Robert Moales preached his first sermon here in October 1968 after Rev. Terry was taken ill in the pulpit and was unable to return as our pastor.
Once again the Building Committee was called into action to consider the Education Building plans. Mr. Hinton also constructed the education portion of our building and it was formally consecrated on June 18, 1972.
In 1976, Rev. Moales was followed by Rev. Owen Osborne, who brought with him 38 years of service and experience. Our opportunities to benefit from his presence with us were cut short when he and Mrs. Osborne retired from the ministry in 1977. Our spirits were quickly raised when Rev. Stanley R. Bice became our pastor.
In April, 1980, we celebrated the mortgage burning for our Educational Building.
In 1993, after sixteen years of service, Rev. Stanley Bice moved on to Laurel. It was then that we welcomed the inspiring, capable leadership of Rev. James Farmer. After six years of service, Rev. Farmer moved on to Prince Frederick. Rev. Albert Moser was welcomed in 1999 and served until he moved on to Silver Spring in 2004. Rev. Dorothea Belt Stroman came to us in 2004 with her wealth of spiritual knowledge to guide us into the future.
Through Lay Witness Missions, Boy Scout and Brownie troop events, Godspell, Annual Ham and Turkey Dinners, Maundy Thursday Last Supper presentations, the Twentieth Anniversary and New Beginning Celebration in 1985, another Mortgage Burning Ceremony and Church Dedication in 1988, Missionary Disasters abroad, Handbell Choir, Lunch Bunch, Easter "Sonrise" Services, Walks to Emmaus, Revivals, Celebrations of Marriages, Health Seminars, Body Recalls, ...and the story continues....