Centenary United Methodist Church

A Brief History

Centenary has a long and interesting history.  In 1775, Francis Asbury reported, "There is another preaching place and a few members near 'Craney Island,'" an area not far from the location of the present Church.  A few years later, in 1784, the Christmas conference, in Baltimore, formally established the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States.  On May 18, 1785, Craney Island Mission was officially identified when land was purchased at a location on what is now Towne Point Road.  It is possible that this may have been the first deed recorded under the rules of the newly established Methodist Episcopal Church.  In 1848, a new chapel was built after the original was destroyed by fire.  The name was changed to Wesley Chapel.  Remodeled in 1883, the name was changed to Centenary in anticipation of the Church's and denomination's centennial year.  Additional rooms were added in 1948, as the Churchland area began to grow.  In 1955, Centenary members voted to relocate, and in 1957, the site of the present Church was purchased.  On May 10, 1959, the Consecration Worship Service was held in the new facility.  During the 1960's the area and the Church continued to grow and it was during this period that Church membership first exceeded 1,000.  On May 10, 1964, ground was broken for the new Sanctuary, Chapel, offices, and additional meeting rooms.  The Consecration Services for the new facilities was held on June 20, 1965.  In 1978, a M. P. Moller pipe organ was installed, and first used for worship on October 29, 1978.  In 1996, "A Renewed Centenary For a New Century" remodeling and renovation program was begun with many of the building improvements completed by 1998.  This represented a commitment to the future and readies the facilities for those who will be continuing to forge the future of Centenary in the years ahead.

Ministers Who Have Served Centenary and its prior Circuits and Charges:

Source: History of Centenary United Methodist Church.  Clyde A. Decker and Harry H. Shaw, Historians, 1993.

Associate and Other Ministers Who Have Served Centenary: