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From 124 charter members who met in a small, borrowed building to
nearly 1,300 members and properties valued at more than $3 million - that
is the capsuled story of John Wesley United Methodist Church, told solely
with impersonal figures.
Yet from older members memories, and from the minutes of many committee
meetings, a warmer, vibrant story emerges, reflecting the determined
effort of hundreds of Christian men and women to lay the foundation and
erect in loving labor one of his houses.
The John Wesley church story began in the days when the Rev. R. Wright
Spears, pastor of Trinity Church in Peninsular Charleston, administered
communion at the home of Mrs. Sophie Smith, an arthritic invalid. He later
would recall her saying repeatedly, "you preachers better get busy
and establish a new church across the Ashley; the people need it."
Her pleas, conveyed by Mr. Spears, gained the support of W. E. Ivey, a
member of Trinity and of the conference board of missions. He implored
Methodist leaders to explore the feasibility of such a church.
The spark of inspiration struck by Mrs. Smith was fanned by Miss
Margaret Dukes, an Orangeburg native and a graduate student at
Northwestern University. Seeking summer church work in 1944, she met first
with the Rev. Homer L. F. Shuler, then Charleston District Superintendent.
He referred her to Mr. Spears. Soon she was canvassing the parish for
Methodists who could attend afternoon Sunday school sessions. Under
direction of Mr. Shuler, who was instrumental in planning the project,
Miss Dukes made visitations that established the nucleus for a new church.
Thirty-four persons attended the first worship service on June 18,
1944, at the exchange club building on highway 17, with the Rev. R. Bryce
Herbert of Asbury Memorial Church officiating. On subsequent Sundays, Mr.
Shuler, Mr. Herbert, and ministers of other churches in the city - Mr.
Spears, and the Revs. John M. Shingler of Bethel and Gobe Smith of St.
James - conducted services. Children's classes were held beneath the
bordering trees and, at the invitation of neighbors, in nearby houses.
At summer's end the small congregation voted to continue to meet.
Mission status was attained. The Rev. Edward W. Gott was appointed first
minister. On October 5, 1944, the church was formally organized. On
October 22, 1944, members chose the name John Wesley, honoring the early
leader of Methodism.
Early in 1945 a request was made for building fund pledges, the first
step toward a construction program. With $4,500 in the treasury, a search
for a site was begun. Within months, the church acquired the present
location (once farmland and later occupied by an Italian prisoner-of-war
camp). By October 1945, membership had increased to 200. With an eye to
future growth, the official board recommended the immediate start of a
building program.
For economy reasons, the congregation set its hand to the task of
raising the first unit, a Sunday School building with a hall for worship
services. Ground was broken January 10, 1946. There was no lack of faith,
volunteer labor, or funds, thanks to donations and the proceeds from what
some early members remember as a seemingly endless series of benefit
suppers - chicken, fish, barbecue. First services were held in the still
unfinished building on November 3, 1946. The cornerstone was laid December
23, 1946, signifying realization of a major goal.
After construction of a parsonage, removed when a larger parsonage was
purchased in 1958, the physical plant was believed adequate to meet the
needs of the next several years. However, the postwar housing boom brought
many new members. At an April 2, 1950 church conference, members voted to
build a sanctuary to seat 600. The contract was awarded in May, and on
July 1, 1950, the cornerstone was laid. The first service was conducted
July 22, 1951. 
Construction of the west wing, which provided additional classrooms, a
fellowship hall, and a kitchen, was begun May 20, 1958. A consecration
service was held December 21, 1958, just 12 years after the cornerstone
for the first building at John Wesley church was laid.
The sanctuary was dedicated in 1969, coincident with observance of the
church's 25th anniversary. In 1971 a $55,000 pipe organ was installed. Two
years later a parsonage in Northbridge Terrace was purchased to replace
the one in South Windermere. In 1975 the church bought a bus. At
thanksgiving services the same year the newly formed handbell choir was
introduced to the congregation. 
Landscaping of church grounds and paving of the parking lot were begun
in 1977. two adjacent houses and lots in Westwood were bought for
expansion purposes. In October 1978, another dream was realized at John
Wesley. Mrs. J. T. Stieglitz, a member, was instrumental in creating the
Aldersgate Chapel, dedicated and presented to the church debt-free. In
1978 the church reached out too, assuming partial support of an overseas
missionary.
The eighties were characterized by further expansion, highlighted by a
$1.3 million construction program centering on replacement of the church's
first building. As work was under way, hurricane Hugo roared by in
September 1989. To the relief of an ever-grateful congregation, the church
escaped major structural damage.
Completed in 1990, the new education and administration building
contains 19,099 square feet of floor space, almost double that of the old
building. It houses office suites, classrooms, a parlor, nursery, kitchen,
leisure ministries hall, music room, and storage areas. The seating
capacity of Aldersgate Chapel was increased from so to 97. Additionally,
the fellowship hall in the west wing was converted to classrooms, and in
the sanctuary new carpet was installed and alterations were made to
chancel and choir areas.
Earlier in the '80s a computer was acquired to facilitate church office
work. With the help of the United Methodist women a van was purchased, and
with funds raised by the piece makers, a quilting group, hearing
assistance units were installed in the sanctuary.
Physical plant growth, staff growth, and program growth were
accompanied by financial growth - from a budget of slightly less then
$200,000 in 1981 to $561,000 for 1991. In the same period the congregation
became more mission-minded, earmarking 25 percent of church income for
outreach causes while engaging in such activities as staffing a shelter
for the homeless and operating a produce market for sea-island farmers.
In subsequent years, members of John Wesley have continued to under
gird a variety of church wide programs while at the same time striving to
meet the needs of others. For example, youth of the church have
participated in the state wide Salkehatchie project, aimed at improving
living conditions for low-income families. And in 1993, through the
efforts of adult members, John Wesley became the first church to both fund
and build a house for sea island habitat for humanity.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 1994, John Wesley United Methodist
church stands ever ready to continue to do God's work in the new
millennium.
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Charleston, South Carolina 29407