The history of Grace Chapel United Methodist
Church began in the year of 1877. An organization was formed and
a frame church building erected on land that was donated by E. C.
Smith and with lumber contributed by Simon Bisanar. This building
stood just across the road from the present church building. The
first pastor, the Rev. James C. Crisp served from 1877 to 1880.
The first Sunday School Superintendent was Issac Starnes. The
first babies christened were Lula Russell and Cora Bowman. The
first couple married in the church was Mr. and Mrs. Dallas M.
Parlier.
In 1923, 46 years after beginning, the present brick building was
erected. On July 26, 1925 the Woman's Society was organized. As
growth continued, additional Sunday School rooms were constructed
in the rear of the building, in 1948. In 1951 the original
fellowship hall was erected. Connecting Sunday School rooms were
built in 1958. In 1972, renovations were made to the sanctuary
which is in use today. A new educational building and fellowship
hall were completed in August of 1989. In 1992 the men of the
church who had been meeting regularly became United Methodist
Men. An addition to the fellowship hall was completed in 1992
doubling the usable floor space. In 1993 a handicap lift was
constructed which would provide access to all three levels of the
church facility.
The Grace Chapel United Methodist Church was a part of the
Statesville District, but in June of 1997 was transferred to the
North Wilkesboro District of the Western North Carolina
Conference.