Throughout all this history, our mission has remained the same: 

“To know Jesus and share His love
in Rocky Mount,
the surrounding community,
and throughout the world.”

Throughout all this history,
our mission has remained the same: 

“To know Jesus and share His love in Rocky Mount,
the surrounding community,
and throughout the world.”

ROCKY MOUNT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HISTORY

In 1851, in the Town of Rocky Mount, Virginia, there were few Christians, and no church.

Captain and Mrs. R. A. Scott were considered the first Methodists to settle in this area and the first services were held in their home. Captain Scott and Samuel Wood built the first frame building on a lot at the corner of Church Street and Maple Avenue. This building was used for about thirty years, including a long time as a union church used on scheduled Sundays each month by the Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, and Presbyterians, even though owned by the Methodists. In 1869, the Franklin Circuit was the only circuit in Franklin County and was composed of ten churches and no parsonage. The pastor, the Rev. H. C. Bowles and his wife, lived in the home of Col. George Crump Mennefee while carrying out his pastoral duties.

Scott Memorial Methodist Church, 1890

In 1878, the Rev. H. C. Bowles returned to Rocky Mount and moved into the parsonage, with the Franklin Circuit having only five churches, due to an east and west division. In 1890, through the inspiration of the Rev. J. W. Carroll, a new brick church was erected on the corner lot of Church Street and Maple Avenue. The congregation named their new church Scott Memorial Methodist Church, in honor of the founder of Methodism in Franklin County.

In 1899, Rocky Mount became a station with membership of 130, Sunday School membership 97, value of church $3500, value of parsonage $200 and a total budget of $1078.95.

In 1910, under the ministry of the Rev. A. L. Franklin, it was reinstated as a station, having been on circuit status for eight years.

Growth calls for land and a new building

In 1918, the Rev. and Mrs. C. A. Tucker came to Rocky Mount and set up the departmental system in the Sunday School, with an average attendance of about 100. As the attendance increased under the Tucker’s guidance, the congregation was led to see the need for a new church which would offer facilities for the expanding church school. During the last year of the Tucker’s ministry, the decision was made to start a church the following year. The Rev. Stark Jett succeeded the Tuckers and furthered the project of the proposed new church.

In 1923, Mrs. Nathaniel Peter (Mary Elizabeth Shearer) Angle extended a gift of a lot at the corner of Claiborne Avenue and Main Street,  and construction was begun. The cornerstone was laid by the members of Rocky Mount Lodge No. 201, A. F. and A. M. By 1926, the Sunday School building and gymnasium were completed and in use, with services held in the gymnasium where the old altar, organ and altar furniture had been placed.

On July 29, 1928, with the Rev. W. G. Bates as pastor, the dedication was held for the Rocky Mount Methodist Episcopal Church South. Bishop Collins Denny gave the dedicatory sermon. Nathaniel Peter Angle gave the gift of the interior of the sanctuary and the installation of organ and chimes, in memory of his wife, Mary Elizabeth. The adjacent park, owned by the Town of Rocky Mount, also honors her.

On January 14, 1951, the church celebrated its 100th Anniversary. The Rev. Charles O. Kidd served as pastor. Dr. J. Manning Potts, Editor of the Upper Room and grandson of Dr. Joseph Potts, one of the churches earlier pastors, gave the sermon.

Becoming Rocky Mount United Methodist Church

During the pastorate of the Rev. William S. Ferguson, the church changed its name to the current name, Rocky Mount United Methodist Church, coinciding with the April 23, 1968 creation of the union of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church.

On April 8, 1984, the church observed its Bi-Centennial/Homecoming Sunday, with the Rev. Albert R. Knotts, Jr. as pastor. The Rev. John W. Newman, a former pastor and who had served as pastor and District Superintendent in the Roanoke District, returned to deliver the sermon. The year 1984 celebrated 200 years of an independent organized church in the United States.

Heritage Sunday, on April 24, 1994, focused on honoring our heritage. The service began at the marking site of the original church and concluded with the morning worship service led by the Rev. William K. Dawson as pastor. Church memorabilia displayed in the Archives Room and church sanctuary served as a visual reminder of our history.

November 2001, the congregation celebrated 150 years of Christian service in Rocky Mount, Virginia. The Reverend Larry House served as pastor at that time.

Continuing to grow, love, and serve in the name of Jesus Christ

2016 marked the completed addition and renovations. The sanctuary and the education wings came together, and created an atrium space on the main floor for fellowship and gathering, and an updated administrative office area.

Throughout all this history, our mission has remained the same: “To know Jesus and share His love in Rocky Mount, the surrounding community and throughout the world.”