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Faith UMC History
In the Spring of 1963, opportunities arose for a
new Methodist parish in the new housing
community of Old Farm. The Board of
Missions and The Methodist Union purchased a 4.5
acre parcel of land on Montrose Road and the
parsonage, an original model home at 12101 Old
Bridge Road, from Kettler Brothers.
Bishop John Wesley Lord appointed The Rev. James
L. Matheson to be the first pastor of the new
parish. Pastor Matheson held the first
worship service on June 30, 1963 in the
parsonage with 42 persons in attendance.
In September 1963, the expanding congregation
moved to the newly opened Farmland Elementary
School where a church was organized and the name
Faith was selected as the official church name.
On January 19, 1964, Faith United Methodist
Church was officially organized with 99 charter
members and a church school consisting of more
than 100 persons.
Groundbreaking for Faith's current
Williamsburg-style sanctuary was held on March
7, 1965 and on March 27, 1966, the first worship
service was held in the new sanctuary.
Bishop John Wesley Lord consecrated the new
building on May 8, 1966. The following
summer, groundbreaking took place for the
addition of an education wing. The
Education wing saw completion and consecration
in 1972.
Faith's previous pastors include: Rev.
James Matheson, Rev. Kenneth Jones, Rev. William
Koppert, Rev. Lawrence Sanders, Rev. Robert
Sherburne, Rev. Glenn Young, Rev. Edgar
Hammersla, Rev. David Kolda, Rev. Dwight Byrne,
Rev. Dr. Errol G. Smith, Rev. Gerald Stones,
Rev. Anne Laprade, Rev. Dr. Steve Rettenmayer,
Rev. Linda Rettenmayer, Rev. Margaret Clemons,
Rev. Mark Derby, Rev. Bruce Jones (son of Rev.
Kenneth Jones), Rev. Kathy Wadsley (Christian
Education), Rev. Dr. Charles Harrell, Rev. Pat
Dols, Rev. Marge Taylor (Parish Nurse), and Rev.
Corey Sharpe. Rev. Kenneth Jones serves as
Pastor Emeritus. |