A church that has called downtown Richmond home since the early 1800s is in the midst of a special celebration.
Centenary United Methodist Church turns 200 this year and is undertaking a yearlong commemoration of that historic anniversary.
“We will continue to celebrate for the next two months, but today is the pinnacle of our celebration,” said Centenary’s pastor, the Rev. Patricia L. Shipley.
Sunday marked the church’s annual Heritage Day service, but this day took on added significance as the church celebrated its 200th anniversary. Former pastors attended this special occasion; remembrances were collected from parishioners in a memory notebook; and a new banner was unveiled in honor of all the children of Centenary, young and old alike.
Centenary held its first service in December 1810 when it was known as the Methodist Meeting House on Shockoe Hill and located at 410 “I” Street, which is now Marshall Street.
It wasn’t until June 1843 that the church moved to its current location in the 400 block of East Grace Street and was renamed Centenary. Later, the first floor fellowship hall, then used as the Sunday school space, was converted into a hospital for the wounded during the Civil War. Also during the Civil War era, the congregation rented and bought pews to help with the church’s finances.
Twelve chime bells — the largest weighing 4,000 pounds — were hung in the tower in 1882; they were chimed for the first time on April 23, 1882 (Easter Sunday), and continue to chime daily.
Centenary has since grown roots in the neighborhood, which at one time was largely residential. When populations began to move out of downtown and into the suburbs, there was talk of moving the church as well. The first time was 1911 and then again in 1924.
“On several occasions, there was a motion to move this congregation, but it was not done,” said Ginny Jarvis, co-chair of the 200th anniversary committee. “We’ve chosen to stay here and to minister to the needs of the community, which has changed greatly over the years.”
One constant in Centenary’s history is its ministry throughout downtown Richmond.
In the mid-1950s, a 30-minute worship service was offered at noon on Wednesdays for nearby retail and office workers. Since the 1980s, Centenary has been part of feeding program with other downtown churches as part of the Downtown Community Ministry. Centenary provides a hot meal to those in need every Friday; in 2005, a foot-washing ministry was added.
“I, for one, as your Bishop, am deeply grateful for your heritage, your present ministry and future, to which, I am confident, that God will call you,” said Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer, with the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement