As the town of New Market prepares to celebrate its sesquicentennial later this month, one of its churches is also celebrating 150 years of worship and service. The congregation of the New Market United Methodist Church was organized in the spring of 1872, the same year that New Market itself was officially formed.
The new church was formally recognized by the denomination then called the Methodist Episcopal Church on August 31, 1872. Parishioners originally met in a house on West Main Street. Soon, a plot of land was donated by Joseph and Lucinda White, a circuit rider and his wife, for a permanent church building. Ground was broken in September, and the new church building was completed in August 1873.
The church still sits on that same plot of land, the corner of Main and Third Streets in the very center of New Market. Over the years it has undergone change and growth. There have been at least three major sanctuary remodels, the addition of an adjoining building for classroom and fellowship space, and the completion and renovation of a basement.
During its early years, the church was served by itinerate Methodist pastors who were changed almost annually. Over 60 pastors have served the congregation in its 150 years. The current pastor, Rev. Bill Pike, has been serving the church for 11 years.
New Market UMC continues its long-standing tradition of service and outreach to the community through heavy involvement in a number of area ministries, as well as through such specific activities as the annual Thanksgiving community dinner, which provided 400 free meals last year.
The church offers Sunday school classes at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship at 10:45 a.m. Worship is casual, yet traditional, and consistently Bible-based. Visitors are always welcome, and the public can learn more at newmarketumc.org.
