Salem United Methodist Church

History of Salem United Methodist Church

                            Church Council 2020
Chairperson......................................................…. Rachel Ammons

Vice Chairman-----------------------------------------John Perry            Secretary.................................................................Julie Briggs
Lay Leader............................................................. Margie Ayers
Alternate Lay Member to Annual Conf........... Junior Cockerham                               Council on Ministries Chair: TBA     

(Formally Outreach,Witness,Nurture,Worship Sr. Adult Ministries)
Sunday School Chairperson............................Margaret Matthews 
Sunday School Secretary.................................Margaret Matthews
Finance Chairperson........................................ Aimee Culler             

Church Treasurer............................................... Sheila Smith
Finance Secretary................................................Betty Free
Pastor/Parish Relations Chairperson............ Carol Mays
Trustee Chairperson......................................... Reagan Ammons
Historian............................................................... 
Scholarship Fund Chairperson....................... Margaret Matthews
Membership Secretary......................................Bonnye Harris 
United Methodist Women Chairperson....... Carol Thomas
Men's Fellowship Group Chairperson...........Wade Ayers

Head Usher...........................................................Junior Cockerham

Members -at- Large
2019 Class                    2020 Class               2021 Class            2022
Rachel Wilborn         Ann Cockerham      Clarence Smith     Rachel Wilborn

Bobby Matthews      Wade Ayers              Donald Thomas    Bobby Matthewa
Greg Matthews         Melinda Comer        Melba Smith         Mamie Smith

                                                                                                     John Perry

Finance Committee

Rachel Ammons,Pat Busick,, Margie Ayers. Carol Mays, Sheila Smith

Betty Free, Linda Thompson, Reagan Ammons, Aimee Culler

SPRC

Carol Mays, Margie Ayers, Junior Cockerham, Mamie Smith,

Carol Thomas, Rachel Ammons, Julie Briggs,Rachel Wilborn 

Nurture Ministries
Margaret Matthews  Margie Ayers   Wade Ayers  Pat Busick
Junior Cockerham    Melinda Comer   Carol Thomas

Outreach Ministries

Linda Thompson, Rachel Ammons Coordinator's
Margie Ayers     Carol Mays    Ann Cockerham    Julie Briggs
Mamie Smith   Mary Lee Gravely  Melba Smith  Georgia Davis

Rachel Wilborn 

Witness/Communications Ministries
Carol Mays; Coordinator
Gregg Matthews   Julie Briggs  Margie Ayers  Rachel Wilborn  
Worship Ministries

Betty Free; Coordinator
Pat Busick, Mary Lee Gravely, Margie Ayers

Brenda Brindle, JJunior Cockerham

Nominations

Pastor: Chair

Junior Cockerham, Carol Thomas, Margie Ayers,

Rachel Wilborn, Mamie Smith, Ann Cockerham

Scholarships

Rachel Wilborn, Margaret Matthews, Julie Briggs,

Ann Cockerham, Carolyn Parker, Carol Mays, Margie Ayers

Trustees

Reagan Ammons, Wade Ayers, Peggy Webb, John Young, Will Haynes,

Margie Ayers, Juior Cockerha, Joe Kossan,   

Christians in Action

336-786-8989

     Salem United Methodist Church has a rich 150-year history that goes back to an outgrowth of the old camp meetings that were held in the area In 1857, John R. Patterson deeded a tract of land on the west side Ward Gap Road for the purpose of building a Methodist Episcopal Church.
     A white frame church was built facing Salem Road, which is now named Myers Drive. The church had two front doors, and the women sat on one side of the church and the men sat on the other, according to Susan Allred. The front porch was decorated by lattice wood, according to Howard Allred.
     Rev. Marcus Wood, a circuit rider, preached at Salem Methodist Church Feb. 11, 1858, before the church was finished, according to Foot Prints in the Hollows by William F. Carter Jr. and Carrie Young Carter.
     After the old Lebanon Church, which was located near the water tank on North Maine Street, Mount Airy, was abandoned, Salem and South Maine Street Methodist churches became a double circuit, with Salem being the stronger church, according to Mr. B.F. Sparger as told to Ruth Minick. In 1908, the Mount Airy Circuit consisted of eight churches: Salem, Green Hill, Oak Grove, Laurel Bluff, Zion, Epworth, Beulah and New Hebron.
     The present sanctuary and basement rooms were erected in 1923-1924 and given by Mrs. Z.T. Smith, the daughter of John H. Jackson, and furnished by the congregation and dedicated on June 29, 1924.
     The churches first homecoming was held on Aug. 3, 1941, during the pastorate of Rev. Heckard. In 1951, Salem was made a station church. The old personage on Elm Street, Mount Airy, was sold, and Salem's congregation built a new one on Myers Drive. The first family to use the personage on Myers Drive was the Rev. and Mrs. Lester Ballard.
     Salem celebrated its 100th anniversary, July 28- Aug. 4, 1957, during the pastorate of Rev. A.W. Lynch. Salem took on a small church, Imogene, into the circuit to keep it from closing. It was later closed and Salem was assigned Epworth, a charge relationship that still lasts today.
     The congregation raised money for an educational building by having suppers and auctions at least once a year. When the Rev. W.L. Barbee the minster,  started exploring the possibility of beginning the construction.
     By using donated labor to a great extent, the building was completed and dedicated Sept. 4, 1977. Bishop L. Scott Allen preached at the 11 a.m. service and dedicated the building. An addition to the educational building was built in December 1986 that consisted of a church office and another classroom. Rev. Steve Rainey was the pastor. The first woman's missionary society was organized in 1894. The Methodist men charted a group in 1999.

     The church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2007. Fifty documented pastors have served Salem United Methodist Church..

      The Outreach ministries have a free community meal (the 3rd Monday) each month from 5 pm-6 pm, and is reaching out more and more. plus a free "Clothes Closet." .  

     The Men's Fellowship Group (United Methodist Men) meet the 1st Saturday of the month for Breakfast and fellowship.  They have projects each year and are always available to the needs of our church and community.

     Our United Methodist Women meet the 1st Monday of each month at 6 pm. They mission in many ways, such as, a Country Breakfast and Fall Bazaar. They visit the nursing homes, the home bound members, deliver meals, and send cards. Their missions are many.

     Each Tuesday, from 1:00 - 2:00 pm we have a prayer group meeting  with many request from all over the area and beyond. 

    We have a boy scout group that meet each Monday at 7 pm. A girl scout group meets the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at 6:30 pm New members are always welcome.

     Our newest addition to the church is a fenced-in, covered picnic electrical hookups, and great lighting. This is open to the community as well as the church. Just call the church to set up a date for use at 336-786-8989.

     Please join us on Sunday morning's for Sunday School at 10 am and Worship Service at 11 am. The church maintains a busy calendar throughout the year.