Where we started
In 1965 something of a spiritual nature happened locally that excited and influenced the lives of many in our community. That something was a large piece of wood nailed to two stake that marked a spot. The lettering on the wood stated, “Methodist Church to be erected on this site.” It was announcing the coming of Clinton United Methodist Church.
And so we patiently waited. In September of 1965, the Oregon Conference appointed Rev. Edward Terry to fill the position of pastor. On October 1, 1965, Pastor Terry became the founding pastor of our church after he was transferred transferred to the Washington-Baltimore Conference by Bishop Lord. The first service was on October 3, 1965, and it was held at the Crestview Elementary School.
The Church was formally constituted on October 31, 1965. All members received through November 7, 1965 constituted the Charter Members. 27 families were listed in this original membership.
Bells United Methodist Church in Camp Springs, MD generously sent over two of their members, Mr. and Mrs. Eaton, to help get our Sunday school program organized. Our first choir rehearsal was led by Mr. John Mathena. Mr. Ed Benson was our first organist and let the choir practice in his home because we had no piano at this time.
On December 17, 1965 the Building Committee employed Mr. Benjamin Elliott, an architect from Silver Spring, MD to draw up plans and specifications for our new church building. The four acres on which our church currently sits were purchased from Mr. Jesse Goddard and paid for by the Conference Board of Missions and later donated to the Church. A framed image of the building plan is still posted in the church office.
Missionary funds purchased the three-bedroom parsonage at the corner of Parkview Lane and Thrift Road.
During the first half of 1966, our Sunday School Services were moved to Surrattsville Junior High School, now known as Grace Brethren Church School, and our first confirmation class was held. The success of Clinton United Methodist Church was based on fellowship, compassion for our fellow man, the witnessing of our faith, and working together as one body toward a common goal knowing that it would take all these qualities to make the foundation of our church firm.
Our Building Committee worked hard and long, held many meetings and chose Mr. William Hinton, a member of our church, to erect the first phase of our building. The Ground Breaking Ceremony took place on January 15, 1967. It was a cold day, but our hearts and faces were filled with sunshine. The first section of the building was constructed without the aid of any Building Fund raising project! And on October 1968, Rev. Robert Moales preached the first sermon from our very own pulpit.
We thank our previous pastors for their service to Clinton United Methodist Church. This list of pastors we had in order of service were: Rev. Own Osborne; Rev. Stanley R. Bice; Rev. James Farmer; Rev. Albert Moser, Jr.; and Rev. Dorothea Belt Stroman.
In 2009, we received three new Certified Lay Ministers (CLM) for the first time. Another member became the fourth CLM in 2012. A fifth CLM was received in 2019. And, on November 1, 2015, we celebrated our fiftieth Anniversary.
And through the years we have hosted many events. Some through Lay Witness Ministry; Boy Scout and Brownie Troop events; Godspell; Annual Ham and Turkey Dinners; Maundy Thursday Last Supper presentations; the Twentieth Anniversary and New Beginning Celebration in 1985; another Mortgage Burning Ceremony and Church Dedication in 1988; Missionary Disaster abroad; and Bell Choir; Lunch Brunch; Celebrations of Marriage; Baptisms; Communion, Confirmation, new members; Health Seminars; Body Recall, ROCK, and many more.
We welcome you to join us as we grow and our story continues.
Last Updated: 09/07/2024
