"The congregation where the people have the mind to work."

mission statement

The John Wesley United Methodist Church is a fellowship of caring Christians, who study, and share the Living Word of God found in the Old and New Testaments in action; we welcome all persons to experience God's love, to become disciples of Jesus Christ, and to live the abundant life through faith and service.

history

On a day appointed of God in 1898, a group of nine Christians, led by the Rev. Henry Hall, met in a frame house on Amen Street (now 13th Avenue South) and founded the forerunner of our current John Wesley United Methodist Church.

From the inception of the church, "the people had a mind to work." Seven pastors and seventeen years later, this congregation had purchased two lots, built a frame church building, named it "The Nashville City Mission". However, the church membership remained small during those formative years. In the early 1900's the church was renamed "Green's Chapel."

The following period, 1915-1941, was characterized by fluctuating membership with slow growth and development. This can be attributed, in part, to two world wars and the Great Depression.

Rev. Samuel Strayhorne's eight-year pastorate was the most progressive and successful of this time period. A new brick building was erected in 1921 and dedicated as "The John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church." Church membership rose from 15 in 1915 to 76 in 1923.

Another wonderful stage of growth and development for John Wesley Church encompasses the years 1942 to 1967. Twelve pastors served the church during these years. It was during this time that the current intrastructure was established and improved, two new modern church buildings were erected. The newer and current edifice was built under the pastorate of Rev. Randolph, this was also a relocation. In 1999 under the pastorate of Rev. Daniel M. Hayes, the membership enrollment exceeded 300 and a new education wing was erected.

We envision a bright future for John Wesley United Methodist Church. With God's blessing, faithful servant leaders and a praying congregation that has a mind to work, the mission of the church; to heal, restore, reconcile and extend God's saving Grace will be realized .

Our current pastor is Elijah E. McGee, a native of Mississippi. We have an 8:00 am service now and a Praise team to lead us in song. Our Church School has a Woman to Woman class which is an asset for our young women. The children serve as Acolytes and enjoy various activities. We are the family of God, and we invite others to come and experience God's love in the midst of our fellowship.