History

History of Francis Burns United Methodist Church 1961 - 2000

In the fall of 1961 a survey was initiated by the Reverend I. Dequincy Newman, field director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and an active member of the SC Conference of the Methodist Church, along with the Board of Missions of Wesley United Methodist Church to determine the need for a new church in the Northeast section of Columbia and with approval of the Board of Mission and other Methodist churches our first Worship service was held on January 14, 1962 at the Fairwold Elementary School.

In February 1962 our chartering ceremony, conducted by the District Superintendent, Rev. William M. Stokes and Rev F. G. Dubois, Pastor of Wesley Church where the ceremony was held.  The chartering members of the church were Rev. I. Dequincy Newman, Mrs. Ann Newman, Mr. John Gass, Mrs. Sarah Gass, Morris Newman, Mrs. Emma Abel, Kevin Abel, Miss Elizabeth McMickle, Mr. Stanley Marshall, Mrs. Verdella Marshall, Mrs. Margaret McNeely, Mrs. Ola Wakefield, Mrs. Bernice Chess, Mrs. Surleaner Murray, Mrs. Olivia Naudin, Mrs. Olivia Moore, Mrs. Elizabeth Moore, Rev. Alonzo Harley, Mrs. Leslie Woods, John Gass, Jr., Gregory Gass, Mr. Theodore Murray, and Willie Lee Murray.

The name Francis Burns Methodist Church was designated to honor, venerate, and perpetuate the name of the first Negro to be elevated to the episcopacy of the Methodist Church.  Rev Burns a native of Albany and a highly cultivated, dedicated minister of the gospel was elected Bishop in 1805.  He served in Liberia, West Africa, mission conference.

Our first elected officers were Mr. John Gass, Sr., Mrs. Emma Abel, Mrs. Ann P. Newman, Judge Matthew Perry, Ms Elizabeth McMickle, Mrs. Sarah Gass and Mrs. Margaret McNeely.  Members of the Trustee Board were Mr. Joseph Hope, Mr. Claude McCollom and Mr. Vernon Spells, all members of Wesley Church, Columbia, SC.

Until the site at Koons and Ames was purchased in February 1963, the worship services were held at the homes of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Gass and Reverend and Mrs. I Dequincy Newman.  On April 7, 1963 a formal opening service was held in a house on the site.  From the time of conception until may 1964, Reverend Newman served a pastor of Francis Burns United Methodist Church.  At that time Rev. Samuel Gadsden was appointed as pastor.  It was under his leadership that our edifice was built and a formal dedication was held October 2, 1966.  Ten years later, May 30, 1976, Rev William M. Stokes was appointed and served until his death in July 1983.  Rev. H. Samuel Johnson served a interim pastor until the appointment of Rev. Edward H. McDowell, Jr. in October of 1983.

Just as with past ministries and with Rev. McDowell our church continued to grow, spiritually and physically.  During the late 1980' and early 1990's we prayed, strategized and planned for a new building.  Ground was broken at 5616 Farrow road in 1992 and construction began in early 1993 with completion in 1994.  On January 16, 1994, we made our pilgrimage from the Ames Road Church to our new and beautiful edifice for our first worship service.

Our new facility has allowed us growth in our programs and we are especially proud of our new Ashley H. Humphrey Child Development Center.  On June 16, 1997, the Reverend Mack C. McClam was appointed our new spiritual leader and under his capable leadership we will continue to grow and look forward to other great programs.