About Us

History of Grace United Methodist Church

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.

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.

(Excerpted from a history by the late Virginia Walsh, former Church Historian.)

Staff

Scott Dodson, Minister

scott@gracedowntown.net

Pastor Scott was ordained as an Elder at the Annual Conference in June 2009 and is thrilled to be serving at Grace Church.  He is married and has two children.  Amy and Scott, were High School sweet hearts and have been happily married for 21 years.  Their daughter, Amanda, will attend NC State University in the fall, and their son, Richard, will attend New Hanover High School.

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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 also served as Director of Arts Education, Director of Arts Education and Public Relations, and as Director of Human Resources. 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 CapeFearCommunity College.

As an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the Eastern United States, Mr. Cribbs has conducted well over 100 district choruses, festivals, and school and church 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 Immediate Past President of NCMEA.

 

Mr. Cribbs has served as a church music director since 1968. 

 

He also performs as a tenor soloist within the area.

 

He is married to Cheryl Cribbs, and they have two adult sons, Adam and Neil. In 2008, Mr. Cribbs received the Lara Hoggard Award for Distinguished Service In Choral Music In North Carolina.  He was awarded the East Carolina School of Music Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009.

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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). 
 

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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.

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Marion Little,  Administrative Assistant

marion@gracedowntown.net

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.




 

New Activity Center

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 May 17, 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.

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

Planning Retreat Summary

          We were blessed to have a wonderful Planning Retreat on September 19^th.  I would like to thank the Long Range Planning Committee, all of the volunteers and all of the participants.

          The day was spent discussing many ideas and prioritizing the ways that new activities center should be used to further Grace’s mission and expand the Kingdom of God.  In order to help achieve those objectives, the activity center will be utilized by Grace members and shared with other people. 

          The five areas of discussion and the resulting top-priority items in each area are summarized below.

          Fellowship Activities

·        Church-wide Meals and Social Events

·        Receptions and Celebrations

Youth and Children’s Programs

·        Expansion of Youth and Children’s Programs

·        Safe Place for Youth and Children to Meet

Community Outreach

·        Meeting place for Civic and Charitable Organizations

·        Missions (e.g. Interfaith and Early Bread)

Spiritual Growth

·        Expansion of Current Programs

·        Additional Worship Services

Sports and Athletics

·        Sports Leagues for Youth and Adults

·        Health and Wellness Programs

The above top-priority items plus other ideas, offered by church members, will be referred to the appropriate committees for follow-up and action.  Much more detailed information will follow.  Please continue to pray for Grace as we prepare for the best use of the new activities center.

 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Scott  

Parking
Weekdays - The grassy lot beside the Cupboard may be available depending on Cupboard activity. The loading zone spaces on Grace Street at the front door of the sanctuary may be available. Street parking along Fourth is timed (2 hour limit).

Drop-off Lane:
The driveway entrance off Fourth Street is no longer usable. The parking spaces on Grace Street near the sanctuary doors can be used to drop off passengers. The alley from the Fifth Street side is available to access the grassy lot. 

Doors:
The Fellowship Hall entrance door will be left open for access on Sunday from the grassy lot, and has a keypad entrance on weekdays during most of the construction period.

If you have any questions about the new center, please contact us.