Wesley's Background

From 1954 to 2025, the Methodist Church, and later the United Methodist Church (UMC), underwent significant transformation. Nationally, Methodists played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement, helped dismantle segregation within the church, expanded global mission work, supported women’s leadership, and engaged deeply in social justice. At the same time, the UMC faced membership decline and internal division, especially over LGBTQ+ inclusion, ultimately leading to the 2022 formation of the Global Methodist Church and many congregations disaffiliating. Yet Methodist communities continued adapting through digital ministry, renewed Wesleyan discipleship, and intergenerational faith formation.

John Wesley’s vision for discipleship endured through his Three Simple Rules:

Do no harm
Do good
Stay close to God through worship, prayer, Scripture, service, and fellowship

70 Year Story

The story of Wesley Methodist Church (later Wesley UMC) begins in 1952–1954, when three Mount Zephyr women, dreaming over their backyard fences, recognized the need for a neighborhood church. Their leadership set the tone for seven decades in which Wesley’s women were the backbone of hospitality, mission, fundraising, and community care.

1954

First worship services held at old Mount Vernon High School; 54 charter members; land purchased later that year.

1956–1957

Sanctuary constructed; first service in the new building draws 280 people.

1970–1975

Mortgage burned; Fellowship Hall built; church thrives under Rev. Wrightson Tongue; church expands programs, scouting adventures, and community meals.

2017–2025

A preschool begins, serving local families and helping sustain the church.

1980–1990

Bicentennial celebrations, strong music ministry, and deep involvement in the birth and growth of Rising Hope Mission Church, serving neighbors facing poverty and homelessness.

1999–2007

Wesley hosts the beloved Annual Peach Festival, drawing 500 community members and embodying old-fashioned church hospitality.

1958

Parsonage purchased; early pastoral leadership helps the young church flourish.

2004

The Prayer Garden is dedicated for the 50th Anniversary; a time capsule is created for 2054.

2010–2025

Ongoing mission partnership with Art for Humanity in Honduras; members travel on mission trips, sponsor students, and support schools changing lives “one child at a time.”

2015–2025

As the congregation ages, Wesley opens its building to other worshipping communities, maintains essential ministries, and begins planning intentionally for intergenerational renewal, seeking, once again, to welcome younger families as it did in the 1950s and 60s.

1968

Wesley serves as a food distribution center following unrest after Dr. King’s assassination.

The Spiritual Thread

Wesley’s 70-year journey mirrors a biblical arc, from humble beginnings (“Genesis”), through building and mission (“Exodus”), through times of challenge and justice (“Prophets”), toward a hopeful new beginning (“Pentecost”).

Today, Wesley stands at a moment of discernment, not decline. The future will depend on younger hands and older hearts working together, continuing the spirit of service, hospitality, and discipleship that has defined Wesley from the start.