Wesley Memorial's History
Wesley
Memorial Enters Thirty-Sixth Year in 2009
This Year will mark Wesley Memorial's thirty-sixth year in Chester. The church was established in 1973, during the ministry of the Reverend Larry Jenkins. The current church building was finished in 1977.
Originally, Wesley Memorial was two churches. St. James and Eureka Methodist Church, each of which had a long history of ministry in Chester. Facing the change of the neighborhoods around them and the prospect of declining membership, both voted to merge. The merger birthed Wesley Memorial. Originally the church met in the old St. James building, until the building was sold, and then in the Old Eureka building, until construction of the new sanctuary was finished.
After the Reverend Larry Jenkins, other ministers serving
the Wesley Memorial/Bethlehem Charge included: Rev. Kenneth Bobo, Mr. Buster
Scruggs, Rev. Dr. Bob Monson, Rev. John Bauknight, Rev. Olene Civils, Rev. Paul
Cheezem, Rev. Bill Heustess, and Rev. Hilton Johnson.
Serving the Wesley/Heath Charge included the Rev. Bob Dunn (2001-2006) and Rev.
Hope Avins (2006-2008).
Our Current pastor is The Reverend
Joanne Lockard-Hawkins, serving the Wesley/Heath
Charge since June 2008.