our vision
Our Vision: Sharing the word of God by building bridges with the church, the community and the world.
our history
Wesley Chapel was one of the first Methodist Churches erected near Pig Point in 1839.
A wooden building, in the area of “The Oaks,” a storehouse of Mr. Henry Welch’s near his home
located near the Eastern end of Wrighton Road. Land known as Brickhead’s Chance was conveyed
by deed dated June 10, 1839, from Charles Drury to Trustees:
Alexander Owens, Charles Beven, Henry C. Welch, William Nowell, William H. Hopkins, William G. Jones, Thomas Armiger
In 1871 Wesley Chapel was in need of repair, which must have been extensive because in the minutes of the May 4, 1873 quarterly
report it states, “Next quarterly meeting to be held at Wesley Chapel at which time the church would reopen.”
Cost of the repair was $40.43. During our history, Wesley Capel has been on a circuit with several other churches. In the 1920s, one of the churches on the Friendship Circuit, McKendree closed and was merged with Wesley Chapel and Friendship.
By 1927 the congregation had outgrown its small wooden structure; it was torn down and on September 10, 1927, ground was broken
for a new building. This building. Several members mortgaged their homes to assist in financing the new building.
The celebration of the dedication in 1928 lasted 6 days, January 1-6, with special services each evening. Rev. Allen B. L. Fisher
was the pastor. (copy of bulletin on table downstairs).
In 1950, Wesley Chapel was on a circuit with Oakland, Cedar Grove and Mount Calvery. Later, property next to the church was
donated for a parsonage by Mr. Milton and Margaret Courtney, and a home at the end of Wrighton Road,
that was in the path of Route 4 construction was brought and moved next to the church to become the parsonage.
In 1959 the Bristol Charge consisted of Mount Calvary and Wesley Chapel.
And in 1962-1963 Bethel, in Prince Georges County was added for a short time while their building was being constructed.
There have been several mergers of the Methodist church over the years including
Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal & Wesley Chapel Methodist South
In 1968 when the Evangelical United Brethern merged with the Methodist Church, Wesley Chapel
became Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church.
December 29, 1968, Mount Calvary closed and that congregation merged with Wesley Chapel
and Mt. Zion; and Wesley Chapel became a single point charge.
By 1973 we had out grown our building and an addition was needed to give space for Sunday School and church events.
The estimated cost was $43,000 and Conference donated $5,000.
The total mortgage was $23,000. On April 17, 1977, ahead of schedule, the mortgage was
burned. There have been many changes over the years including ceiling being lowered and stoves added.
There have been approximately 90 ministers that served at Wesley Chapel from 1839 to present.