HISTORY

Holding down our corner since 1902

The congregation began in January of 1902, meeting on the second floor of a dance hall just west of what is now Sutton Loop Park.

The original brick building was built in 1905,
but burned down in 1914.

The image of the original building above is looking east down Flora Avenue. 

Thank you to
Doug Houser at 
40SouthNews.com
For this historical
information!

The lot on the northwest corner of Flora and Sutton was purchased in April of 1902 for $1,245.

The present sanctuary was constructed in 1915, and an education wing was added in 1955.

In recent decades, Maplewood United Methodist Church has grown from a part-time pastoral appointment, on the brink of becoming one of a multi-point pastoral charge, to supporting a full-time pastor, and still growing! It is a locally engaged, inclusive congregation with a heart for service and justice, a place of refuge and resistance holding down her corner ... since 1902!

The following appeared in a newspaper called
“The Observer,” September 10, 1958
Maplewood Golden Jubilee Section
Page Thirteen

Dance Hall Was Site of Church

Maplewood Methodist church had its beginning in January 1902 on the second floor of a dance hall. The building was known as May’s hall and was located just west of the present Maplewood loop. The laymen most instrumental in starting the new church were John Scattergood and his wife. Mr. Scattergood is the only living charter member.

In April 1902 the lot on which the present church stands at Sutton and Flora aves. was purchased for $1,245. In September a tent revival was held to launch the new church. Following this, May’s hall again was leased for $12 per month, the rent to be paid monthly; services to be held only on Sunday and Wednesday evenings and the church to provide lights and heat.

Members brought lanterns and some brought buckets of coal for the potbellied stove. Records kept by Mr. Scattergood showed offerings for the first Sunday were $1.75 for the morning service and $2.30 for the night service.

In July 1904 the hall was destroyed by fire. A tent was erected on the present site and services continued. The tent twice was blown down by storms. The Baptist church offered their edifice for Sunday afternoon services. 

A brick veneer building was erected in 1905 but in 1914 it was destroyed by fire. A temporary tabernacle was erected at Sutton and James aves. The present church building was completed a year later.

In 1955 under the leadership of the pastor, the Rev. J. Preston Cole, a new $100,000 educational building was erected. It was occupied in September 1957.