OUR HISTORY
Wesley’s Chapel Church has a rich history. Its members began worshipping together as far back as 1878, at which time its first pastor was appointed. In July 27, 1955, Marvin Daniel and his wife, Juanita C. Daniel, gave 2.23 acres of land to Wesley’s Chapel Church Association upon which the present church building and parsonage now stand. For many years, Wesley’s Chapel was a part of the United Methodist Church Denomination. Wesley’s Chapel Church has become well known in Elizabethtown and the surrounding areas for their commitment to prayer and outreach events like their “Annual Bizarres” and “Christmas Cantatas”.
Recently, Wesley’s Chapel Church began a new chapter in her history. Wesley’s Chapel is no longer associated with the United Methodist Church Denomination and has become an independent, non-denominational church, and is governed by a Board of Directors.
God used this Board, along with a strong voice from the younger generation of the church, to lead the church in a new direction; a direction that was aligned with the Word of God. Many guest speakers came to speak from June of 2020 through September of 2020. 2020 proved to be a tough year as the church not only had to navigate a new direction spiritually, but it also had to learn to adapt to reaching and discipling people for Christ through a tumultuous, worldwide pandemic. But God is good and incredibly faithful.
On Sunday September 13, 2020, Glenn Robertson invited a close friend and an Associate Pastor of Celebration Church in Raleigh, NC to be a guest speaker. Jonathan and Kristie Hayes brought their three children, Abigail, Caleb and Joshua and came to speak at Wesley’s Chapel that weekend. After one Sunday, the Board and the congregation asked for Jonathan and his family to return and speak again, ultimately desiring he and his family to take the leadership position as the Senior Pastor of the church. Through being led by the peace of God, Jonathan, Kristie and their young family accepted the position and transitioned their family to Elizabethtown. Pastor Jonathan introduced a new mission statement for the church and shared his vision to reach and disciple the children and the youth. The new mission’s statement of Wesley’s Chapel Church is “Loving People, Teaching the Word, and Transforming Lives.”
Ignite Youth Ministry has been launched for 6th-12th grades and within a few short weeks, there were 23 commitments to Christ Jesus. Wesley’s Chapel Church Kids ministry was also launched, spearheaded by Pastor Jonathan’s wife, Kristie Hayes. Together, with a team of solid people, the children and youth ministry (Nursery-12th grades) is growing. God is moving at Wesley’s Chapel. The name of Jesus is being exalted in the church and community. There is more work to be done and great days are ahead. To quote one of the saints of Wesley’s Chapel Church many years ago, Mildred Johnson Gooden, who had remembered each of the church’s buildings: “From a log school house we have come to this day-by hard work and the Lord’s help!”
For a further in-depth understanding of Wesley Chapel Church's History, please attend one of our membership classes.
