The history of Marvin United Methodist Church (MUMC) is rooted in the heart and soul of the current Marvin village and the surrounding community. It is the history of a small group of faithful people who lived close to God and to the land. Good times and bad have come as a natural course of life for the people, but their dedication is reflected in their loyalty to the church and to their neighbors.
MUMC began services in a small log schoolhouse, known as Stephenson Schoolhouse, located between Marvin and the Providence crossroads. When the schoolhouse became too hot in the warm weather, a brush arbor was built on the current MUMC location. This brush arbor was moved across the street during the construction of the sanctuary, which began in December of 1874. Construction was largely due to the efforts of three men: J. B. Squires, who furnished the wood materials and paid the carpenters; L. K. Rone, who gave the lot for the church and cemetery and the lot across the road for horses and buggies; and T. J. Ezzell, who bought the paint, paid the painters and helped to pay for the masonry. After its completion in the autumn of 1875, the church was called "Rone's Chapel" for a short time.
The first Quarterly Conference was held in May, 1875, and the church was dedicated in October as a part of the Pineville Circuit. At this time the church's name was changed to Marvin, after Bishop E. M. Marvin. The community received its name from the church.
In 1922-1923, the original structure was widened twelve feet on each side. The beautiful leaded stained glass windows were installed and the present carved church pews and altar furniture were bought. MUMC made memorials of the stained glass windows by dedicating windows to relatives and loved ones.
Pineville became a station in 1950, and MUMC and Harrison United Methodist
Church became a Charge.
A renovation of the church building in 1952-1953 received Honorable Mention in the "Town & Country" contest. Also in 1953, Edward Thomas Hudson gave the pulpit Bible in memory of his father and in honor of his mother. Shortly after these renovations, an annexed building - which included a restroom, a Sunday School room and a Fellowship Room - was added to the original church building in 1956-1957. The Annex was dedicated May 4, 1957.
Ten years later, in 1966-1967, the Fellowship Building was erected beside the Annex. This Fellowship Building included two small rooms for use as Sunday School rooms or church offices, another restroom, a large kitchen and a large Fellowship Room which is still used today for church suppers and other activities. The Fellowship Building was dedicated on May 18, 1969.
In 1968, the Altar Set was given in memory of E. W. Russell by his wife, and the matching urns were donated as memorials to Emma Lathan Crane, who served as Sunday School teacher for 50 years, -by her family. In 1970, a Hammond organ was presented to the church by the children of Mrs. Sara Ezzell, who had served as the church pianist for over 50 years. The pulpit paraments are memorials to F. C. Ezzell, Sr. The baptismal font is a memorial to Laura Nelms.
In 1985, Harrison Church became a Station. MUMC joined with Bonds Grove in the Albemarle District to form the Bonds Grove -Marvin Charge. During 1985-1986, MUMC members joined together again to renovate and update the Sanctuary. In 1991, the Ben Zimmer family built and donated a beautiful pipe organ to the church. New church hymnals were purchased for MUMC by the members as memorials for relatives and loved ones in 1992.
Although the MUMC membership has never exceeded one hundred, the faith and dedication of this church family is, and has always been, a magnanimous example of unity, love and neighborly caring. Plans are currently underway to revive the Sunday School and children's programs at MUMC, in hopes of attracting some of the new residents in the area. Marvin United Methodist Church has much to offer to anyone interested in a deeper, more meaningful relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All the members of MUMC are willing and eager to welcome others into the heart of our community and church.
This page was last updated on 9/1/03.