HISTORY OF MONTMORENCI UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

The Montmorenci Methodist Church was organized on the Sulphur Springs Circuit in the year 1857. On March 9, 1857 the first deed for Montmorenci Methodist Episcopal Church South was drawn. The trustees of Montmorenci paid the Grantor the sum of five dollars for approximately one and one half acres of land located on Big Hominy Creek in Candler, NC.

The congregation soon found it necessary either to enlarge the Church or build a new one. The Church was sold at auction and bought by Dr. W.W. Clarke. Church and Sunday school services were held in a one room schoolhouse on the Confederate Reunion Grounds on the hill above Candler when the present Church was being built.

On April 7, 1886 a deed was made for the present site to the trustees of Montmorenci Episcopal Church South. The sum of $69.82 was paid for three and one-half acres. This new Church was dedicated in the summer of 1888.

In 1949 a renovation project was completed at Montmorenci. The project included the addition of eight Sunday school classrooms, pastor’s study, Fellowship Hall and a kitchen. Also in 1949 the sanctuary under went renovations, which included paint and new carpet.

The cornerstone for a new educational building was laid on December 18, 1949. The educational building was dedicated January 18, 1950.

On March 2, 1958 the church voted to build a new sanctuary. In December of 1960, one and seven hundredths acres of land was purchased for parking for the new sanctuary. The new sanctuary was opened on April, 23 1961.

In the early 1990’s Montmorenci again took a leap of faith and voted to build a Family Life Center. This building consisted of new classrooms, kitchen, and gym. The Family Life Center was consecrated June 5, 1994.

As Montmorenci entered the year 2007 renovation plans are under way to make the church and its grounds accessible to all people.

Currently the average attendance is around 93 for our Sunday morning Worship Service. In our ministry with children, we host a Child and Family Center and have programs with Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts, Cub and Boy Scouts as well as typical programming. We have had a very strong youth program and have just started up a Venturing Crew. We began a radio ministry, having our own low power FM station WGNW with programming for the youth of our area.

Our purpose is to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and make Him known through our worship, study, stewardship, love and service to His world.