EUMC History

The history of Elizabeth United Methodist Church and it's ministry to the surrounding community goes further back than the date of the present church building which was built in 1853. In 1839 Elizabeth was already formed as the area's camp/preaching ground. In 1842, a church building was erected and the church was officially designated as Elizabeth Methodist Church. According to the quarterly conference records the church was named for Elizabeth Peters Sanders, who was credited as being the founder of the church. After the first church building burned down, the present church structure was built in 1853. Elizabeth Church has the distinction of being the oldest Methodist Church in continuous use throughout the Goldsboro District. Also, Elizabeth is the only church building of any denomination in Johnston County that retains a balcony built in the 1850's.

The church is a 30 x 50 frame building of the plain style of church architecture prevailing in the 1850's. It has the appearance of a two-story building because of the balcony which runs around three sides of the inside church. Two rows of benches are in the balcony, indicating that there might have been a considerable number of slaves who worshipped there. Entrance to the church is made through two doors on the front and two in the back, one of the back doors opening into the balcony. Evidence points to the fact that there were no back doors at the time of construction. Access to the balcony was from the inside back of church. Later outside stairs were built for the balcony. Between the front doors, on the inside is the original pulpit and communion rails. The original pews made of heart pine are still in use. Some of the pews are built into the posts that hold up the balcony.

Oddly enough the deed to the church property was not acquired until 1879. In that year Willis H. Sanders and wife, Lucinda Sanders, gave the land and made a deed to the Elizabeth Church Trustees. In that year the church building had been damaged by a storm, and the church officials would not finance the necessary repairs unless a deed to the property was secured.

In 1956 the Educational annex was built to provide adequate space for the Sunday School program. Up to that point, Sunday School Classes were held in the church building with the balcony being curtained off to provide classrooms. The total cost of the annex at the time of construction was that of $10,000.00. The educational building program was accomplished largely under the leadership of the Rev. E.W. Rogers who left this pastorate in April, 1956. In 1980, the educational building was covered with vinyl siding and storm windows.

The history of the buildings being built witness to those who have gone on before us. Their dedication to the cause of Christ and their love for others are still felt by the people who attend Elizabeth Church. If the walls could only tell about the many different sermons having been preached by the so many different Pastors, the many different Sunday School lessons having been taught by so many different teachers, the different music being played by so many different choir directors, the many hymns having been sung by so many different hearts, the many prayers having been lifted to God for so many different people, and the many cries of so many different babies, then one might come to understand the love for God and love for others that is so deeply rooted in Elizabeth Church and is felt even today. The witness of God's love for the members of the past is felt through the love that is still contained within the Church's doors just waiting to be shared with the people who enter Elizabeth United Methodist Church.

See also: Hearing My Mother's Voice by Mary Ann Adams