Our church, as it appears now, was completed in 1973. About 160 years ago it had a very humble beginning.
      The history of the Methodist movement tells us that around the start of the nineteenth century Henry Evans, a Methodist preacher from Virginia, came to the Cape Fear Valley preaching the beliefs of John Wesley. People thronged to hear Preacher Evans, but because of a lack of buildings big enough to accommodate large gatherings, they met at campsites.
      Usually, such campsites were located in wooded areas near streams to provide comfort for the people. At some sites, large brush arbors were built, under which services were held. Soon after the establishment of a campsite, a travelling preacher, called a "circuit rider", would come to the camp meeting place by appointment.
      We're not certain as to how early such a camp meeting site was established at Beaver Creek, near the present site of our church, but in A History of Hay Street Methodist Church is found this record:

      On a knoll overlooking Beaver Creek was the Beaver Dam Factory. The Dixie Yarn Plant now stands on the factory's old site. Running beside the factory was a natural spring of pure, fresh, clear water. The natural spring of water is still evident, although it is no longer used as a source of water for the workers in the plant or passersby. Nearby, in a beautiful wooded area, was the Beaver Creek cemetery.
      It is here, in 1841, that we have the first documentation of a camp meeting site. A handwritten Record Book of Quarterly Conference of the Cumberland Circuit gives evidence that a camp meeting site started near the Beaver Creek Factory in the community called Beaver Creek. It listed new members of the congregation, and described baptisms and other happenings.
      The camp meetings, according to stories handed down from generation to generation, were non-denominational. However, per the early records of the Methodist Church, the group at Beaver Creek was led by Methodist circuit riders of the Cumberland Circuit. The religious group at Beaver Creek later became known as the Cumberland Methodist Episcopal Church.
      On a deed recorded at the Cumberland County Court office on July 29, 1887, the Beaver Creek Manufacturing Company conveyed about four acres of land to the Methodist Episcopal Church South, for the sum of $1.00.
      In 1888, on the site of what is now the home of Mr. And Mrs. Woodley Cain, a new church of frame construction was built. The back of the church, built on a knoll, was high enough from the ground to allow a person to walk underneath it. From word-of-mouth, this church group was very spiritual and served all people, regardless of color, creed, or denomination. It was known at that time as a "shouting church."
      A fire of unknown origin destroyed this church in 1916. After that, the congregation met in the "Old School House" and later in the Community Library until the erection of a new church in 1923. This new church, sided with brown shingles, was used for all services for 43 years. After a new educational building was completed in May 1966, the brown shingled church was razed from the site.
      Immediately, plans for a sanctuary to be added to the educational building evolved. Our existing sanctuary was completed and the first service held in it on March 16, 1969, at 11:00 a.m. . The contractor for the sanctuary project was Mr. James Riley. The pastor, The Reverend Lowood C. Lancaster, preached on dedication. The first wedding held in the new sanctuary was that of Rebecca Smith, daughter of Shelby and Bessie Smith, to Raymond Myrick, on March 23, 1969.
      Although the sanctuary had been completed in 1969, there was no steeple on the church. So, in 1973, under the leadership of Reverend John M. Yount, the steeple was erected and the beautiful exterior of the church was complete.
      For about 160 years, Cumberland United Methodist Church has served our community. Our church has a strong history of reaching out to that community. This is a tradition we intend to keep. Please tour the rest of our site to find out how our church serves now.