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Grace United Methodist Church Est 1797
910.763.5197
Sunday School: 9:45
Fellowship Time: 10:30
Worship: 10:55
401 Grace Street
Wilmington, nc 28401
About Us
The date given for organization of the congregation known as Grace United Methodist Church is December 24, 1797. Around 1795, William Meredith, formerly a missionary from Great Britain, came to Wilmington to preach to the slaves. He bought land and built a small meeting house. When it burned, he led his members in building another church at the corner of Second and Walnut Streets. In Meredith's will, dated 1799, the church and parsonage were deeded to Bishop Francis Asbury for the continuance of a Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilmington.
While many of the early members were slaves, community leaders were also attracted by the Gospel preached here. Membership increased and additional property was purchased, extending church holdings to Front Street. In 1815 Bishop Asbury ordered the church rebuilt and the parsonage enlarged.
As growth continued, the sanctuary was enlarged and classrooms added in the basement. In 1844, fire destroyed the church building for the second time. A new structure on the same foundation was consecrated as Front Street Methodist Episcopal Church South (the Methodist Episcopal Church divided over the issue of slavery into northern and southern parts), soon to become the largest, most prestigious Methodist congregations in North Carolina. The remains of Meredith were placed beneath the porch.
In 1865, with the end of the Civil War, 635 black members withdrew to organize St. Stephen A.M.E. Church at the corner of Fifth and Red Cross streets. Front Street Church continued, but in 1886 was destroyed by fire for the third time, along with most of Wilmington's waterfront buildings. It was decided to relocate the church to the corner of Fourth and Mulberry streets. The name was changed to Grace Church and the city soon changed the name of the street to Grace Street to honor the contributions of the church to the city. Walsh Hall was constructed in 1916 and is still in use.
As growth continued, the sanctuary was enlarged and classrooms added in the basement. In 1844, fire destroyed the church building for the second time. A new structure on the same foundation was consecrated as Front Street Methodist Episcopal Church South (the Methodist Episcopal Church divided over the issue of slavery into northern and southern parts), soon to become the largest, most prestigious Methodist congregations in North Carolina. The remains of Meredith were placed beneath the porch.
In 1865, with the end of the Civil War, 635 black members withdrew to organize St. Stephen A.M.E. Church at the corner of Fifth and Red Cross streets. Front Street Church continued, but in 1886 was destroyed by fire for the third time, along with most of Wilmington's waterfront buildings. It was decided to relocate the church to the corner of Fourth and Mulberry streets. The name was changed to Grace Church and the city soon changed the name of the street to Grace Street to honor the contributions of the church to the city. Walsh Hall was constructed in 1916 and is still in use.
In 1939, with the uniting of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the name became Grace Methodist Church.
On March 21, 1947, a fourth fire destroyed the sanctuary and classroom building. The present Neo-Gothic sanctuary was constructed in 1950 just as the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged, and our church became became Grace United Methodist Church. The education building was constructed in 1958.
Grace is the "Mother Church of Methodism" in the Wilmington area, having had a major part in beginning the Fifth Avenue, Trinity, Wrightsboro, Epworth and Pine Valley congregations. Two of Grace's pastors have been elected Bishop and eleven sessions of the Annual Conference have been hosted here. Most importantly, lives have been touched and changed by stirring worship, educational programs, and inspiring music
On June 28, 1998, Grace and Sunset Park United Methodist Churches merged to create the "new" Grace Church. The merger has borne much fruit, as Grace Church has strengthened its outreach to the community and to the world, while creating a nurturing spiritual home for its members and the community. We are grateful to God for what we have been able to accomplish in these first two-hundred-plus years, and we continue to pray for God's guidance and empowerment as we seek to build on our legacy of offering Christ to the world from the heart of downtown Wilmington.
The congregation has reached out into the community through such efforts as an Interfaith Kindergarten and a neighborhood enrichment program. It has joined the annual Wilmington Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes and Churches, offers dramatic and musical programs to the public, and provides continual warmth, love, and spiritual renewal to all.
On March 21, 1947, a fourth fire destroyed the sanctuary and classroom building. The present Neo-Gothic sanctuary was constructed in 1950 just as the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged, and our church became became Grace United Methodist Church. The education building was constructed in 1958.
Grace is the "Mother Church of Methodism" in the Wilmington area, having had a major part in beginning the Fifth Avenue, Trinity, Wrightsboro, Epworth and Pine Valley congregations. Two of Grace's pastors have been elected Bishop and eleven sessions of the Annual Conference have been hosted here. Most importantly, lives have been touched and changed by stirring worship, educational programs, and inspiring music
On June 28, 1998, Grace and Sunset Park United Methodist Churches merged to create the "new" Grace Church. The merger has borne much fruit, as Grace Church has strengthened its outreach to the community and to the world, while creating a nurturing spiritual home for its members and the community. We are grateful to God for what we have been able to accomplish in these first two-hundred-plus years, and we continue to pray for God's guidance and empowerment as we seek to build on our legacy of offering Christ to the world from the heart of downtown Wilmington.
The congregation has reached out into the community through such efforts as an Interfaith Kindergarten and a neighborhood enrichment program. It has joined the annual Wilmington Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes and Churches, offers dramatic and musical programs to the public, and provides continual warmth, love, and spiritual renewal to all.
(Excerpted from a history by the late Virginia Walsh, former Church Historian.)
Clyde Denny, Minister clyde@gracedowntown.net
Clyde Denny was born in Burlington, NC. In 1978 he received a BS from North Carolina State University and celebrated his marriage to Leigh Denny. He attended Duke Divinity School and received his Master's of Divinity degree in 1990. He has 3 sons: Nathan, 26; Aaron, 22; and Joel, 16. Clyde has served as pastor in Burlington, Mebane, Ocracoke, Windsor, Elizabeth City and Rocky Mount. He came to Grace United Methodist Church in June of 2007.
Jerry Cribbs, Director of Music Ministries jerry@gracedowntown.net
Jerry S. Cribbs lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he served New Hanover County Schools from 1980 until his retirement in 2004. He taught choral music at E. A. Laney High School, John T. Hoggard High School, and Winter Park Elementary School. He served as Director of Arts Education (1992-2001), Director of Arts Education and Public Relations (2000-2001), and as Director of Human Resources (2001-2004). Mr. Cribbs also served as an adjunct instructor for the Music Department at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and the Fine Arts and Humanities Department at Cape Fear Community College, 2004-2006. Before moving to Wilmington in 1980, he taught band and chorus from 1974 to 1979 in Sampson County Schools, Clinton, North Carolina.
Mr. Cribbs is the conductor of the Cape Fear Chorale, a community chorus which he formed in 1998. He also performs as a tenor soloist within the area.
As an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the Eastern United States, Mr. Cribbs has conducted well over 100 district choruses, festivals, and clinics. He has a Bachelors of Music and a Masters of Music in music education, as well as a Certificate of Supervision from East Carolina University, inclusively. He has public school teaching experience in choral, instrumental, and general music at all levels, K-12. Mr. Cribbs has taught at the college level in the areas of choral music, choral methods, music fundamentals, and music appreciation.
He is a member of the North Carolina chapter of American Choral Directors’ Association (NC-ACDA) and has served on the board. He currently maintains membership in the Wilmington Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). Mr. Cribbs is a member of and has held offices in the North Carolina Music Educators' Association (NCMEA). He presently serves as President of NCMEA.
Judy Siebold, Organist judy@gracedowntown.net
Judy has been a church organist since the age of fifteen. She attended the University of Minnesota where she studied organ with composer, arranger, and organist, Heinrich Fleischer. Ms. Siebold also accompanies the Cape Fear Chorale and is a member of the Wilmington Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO).
Julie Small, Children's Ministries Director julie@gracedowntown.net
Julie Small was born and raised in Wilmington, NC. After many years away, she is thrilled to be back home in Wilmington with her husband, David and daughter, Charlotte. Julie is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a BA in psychology. She has worked with children and families in a variety of settings over the years, and loves working with the dedicated parents and enthusiastic young people at Grace. Julie is enjoying the opportunity to bring the stories of Christ to life for children through lessons, activites, games and plays.
Debbie Ashe, Director of Operations debbie@gracedowntown.net
Debbie has always lived in the Wilmington area. She came to work at Grace over 17 years ago. She has degrees in social work and computer science. Her responsibilities include the daily running of the church building and office.
Mary Cole, Interim Administrative Assistant mary@gracedowntown.net
Mary has been serving in the Grace office since 1997. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in Secretarial Administration and Business Education. Mary is a member of Grace church and participates in the Chancel Choir and Grace Ringers (handbell choir) and is a member of the Wesleyan Sunday School Class. She also sings in the Cape Fear Chorale.
Memorial Gardens
The Grace Memorial Garden is a special place on the church grounds for the scattering of the cremated remains of loved ones. The Garden serves as a fitting remembrance and is a visable symbol of our faith in the resurrection, life everlasting, and the church triumphant.The Garden is located on the south grounds of Grace United Methodist Church in an area between the sanctuary and the education building.
Grace Memorial Garden is a sacred space, consecrated for the remains of the dearly departed. The living find quietude in the garden surrounded by peace and beauty, while we remember with reverence loved ones whose souls rest in heavenly repose
The Imagine Grace Building Committee has commited itself to creating an activity building and welcome center by 2010.Approved in April 2008 and with ground-breaking planned for early 2009, the expansion of the church grounds will include a versatile, welcoming space for the Congregation. Chief among the additions is an activity center with a 350-person seating capacity.
This center will also serve as a youth-sized basketball or volleyball court. Restrooms, showers and a modern kitchen will compliment this center, making possible everything from wedding receptions, group dinners, children's church plays, sports, and more. It's a space that will allow Grace to create fellowship in new and exciting ways.
The expansion will feature a Welcome Center with an elevator serving three levels.
Visit the site often for progress and photos of the groundbreaking! If you have any questions about the new center, contact us.