|
| The heritage of Grace Church
dates back to 1769. This was a time of Early Methodism in America. The
present congregation of United Methodists in Aberdeen traces it roots back
to the Bush Forest Chapel, which was located on Stepney Road about one
mile south of Route 22. At this site, a log chapel was built in 1769 which
became known as the Second Oldest Meeting House in America. Early
Methodist preachers such as Francis Asbury and Freeborn Garrettson rode
the circuit to preach in this early meeting place. The original log
structure was replaced by a stone chapel in 1842 which was destroyed by
fire in 1878. Another church was built near the stone chapel which was
used until 1925 when it was abandoned. A historical marker and stone ruins
remain on the site today.
Later, Methodism moved into what was to be come the town of Aberdeen with the forming of the Aberdeen Methodist Episcopal Church in 1856. The original building was located at the corner of Franklin Street and Route 40. This congregation grew to need a larger facility, and in 1893 a new Aberdeen M. E. Church was erected at the present site of Grace UMC. The land and building were provided for by Five Baker Brothers - successful businessmen in the canned food industry. Several descendants of the Baker Brothers remain as active members of the present congregation. |
The advent of the Civil War, rooted in the issue of slavery, led to a division in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Although John Wesley and Francis Asbury both preached against slavery, there remained sympathizers for both sides of the issue in the Aberdeen area - Maryland being a "border" state. Thus in 1866 a group of Methodists left the original Aberdeen M. E. Church to form the Grace M. E. Church South. This building was located at the corner of West Bel Air Avenue and Law Street. The second building on this site remains today as it has served several other congregations since the early 1940's. In 1939 the divided Methodist Conferences voted to merge back together. This merger was largely overseen and directed locally by Rev. Allan Gillis, the forefather of several members of Grace Church today. The merger service took place in May, 1942 when the church was renamed Grace Methodist Church. Following the merger of the congregations a master plan for new facilities had to be designed. From 1945 until 1965 the present buildings were constructed and consecrated. The present Sanctuary Walls contains five cornerstones; Bush Forest Chapel; 1856 Aberdeen M. E. Church; Grace M. E. Church, South; 1893 Aberdeen M. E. Church; Grace United Methodist Church 1964.
The present Sanctuary was consecrated on 30 January 1966 in a service with
Bishop John Wesley Lord presiding. During the construction of the present
Sanctuary, the old parsonage (pastor's residence) was razed and replaced
by another house purchased by the congregation. Presently the pastor has
purchased his own housing with an allowance provided by the congregation.
As the congregation of Grace United Methodist Church moves ahead in the 21st century, an expansion plan has again been put into place. The initial step of the plan was to buy property south of the church along Parke Street. Subsequently, the church purchased the adjoining property facing Bel Air Avenue. With these additional land spaces, the congregation wishes to provide the means of expansion for future generations of Methodists at this central location in the city of Aberdeen and surrounding community.