HISTORY

           Due to the need for a church in the area, neighboring families decided in circa 1864 to have service under a brush arbor. The Foulks family donated the land for the brush arbor service.

            In 1866 Wesley Chapel Church was officially organized through the Georgia Annual Conference. This was also the conference year the Methodist Church offered to set the colored members of the conference under black leadership. Therefore, in December 1870 in Memphis Tennessee, Wesley Chapel became a charter member of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church.

            Several years later, the Prator and Foulks families donated one and one tenth acres of land for the church and its burial grounds. The families that constituted the church at the time were the Foulks, Adams, Bowers, Edmond, Jackson, Long, Perry, Ramage, Tolen, Watson, Werts, and Williams families. On this land, the first building was completed in 1907 under pastor Reverend J.A. Walker and Presiding Elder Mabray. After the completion of the building, the Werts family and a few other members withdrew from Wesley Chapel and established the Shady Grove Baptist Church. Shady Grove is presently located two miles from Wesley Chapel!

            The historical landmark that serves as a guideline for the church is the huge rock that stands within the realty property lines as a symbol of a church built on a solid foundation. Currently, a logo is being designed to capture the symbolism of the rock.

             Wesley Chapel is historically important for several reasons. First, Wesley Chapel served as the first school for blacks in this area. The school taught classes through the seventh grade. Secondly, it is also historically known for having the first Masonic building in the area. Third, Wesley Chapel is the resting place for the mysterious sleeping preacher, Mr. Major Perry. Mr. Perry preached in his sleep for 45 years 4 months and 23 days. He preached the night of his death and he was a member of Wesley Chapel from 1890 until his death in 1925.

            Mr. Perry was just an ordinary uneducated farmer who was born a slave in Fairfield County, South Carolina in 1831. Major Perry first passed through the area of Batesburg after he had escaped Sherman’s Army. Awake, he could neither read nor write, but his sermons in his sleep were delivered in perfect English. No one has been able to explain how Mr. Perry could deliver these sermons in his sleep. Many people in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina could attest to the fact that this really happened!

            His ability to preach in his sleep happened after he had been very ill. There are several descendants of Major Perry still living, and he is buried in the Wesley Chapel Church Cemetery. In 1954 Wesley Chapel Colored Methodist Episcopal became Wesley Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal at the annual conference that was held at St. John Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Detroit, Michigan, and our very own, the late Brother Stan Williams, was a delegate at this conference.           

            The first church structure was completely destroyed by fire on Easter Sunday in 1964 during Reverend Joseph Bouknight’s ministry. For two years Wesley Chapel Church members held service at other area churches. Then under the leadership of Reverend D.W. Roston, the majority of the members decided to return to the old church grounds. A surplus army tent was purchased for services. Worship services were held there until the present building was partially erected in 1967. Under the leadership of Reverend D.W. Roston, the sanctuary was completed. In 1972, Reverend D.W. Roston started the youth Retreat. It was to educate the children and youth in the workings of the CME church, and religion. It was later named after him. The D.W. Roston event is held annually in the Charleston-Columbia District. Reverend Roston was the pastor of Wesley Chapel until his untimely death in 1973. 

            Later an educational and dining area was started under the leadership of Reverend L.C. Williams and completed under the leadership of Reverend A.L. Scott. Under the leadership of Reverend B.B. Boozer, a steeple was erected in 1985, the church floors were carpeted in 1988 and an organ was purchased. Then under the leadership of Reverend Matthew Thomas our church family was blessed to see the membership grow. In 1990, the membership purchased a church van, a new piano, remodeled the dining rooms and in 1997 added an educational building providing office space and classrooms.

            The Sons and Daughters that commenced ministry from Wesley Chapel were The Reverend J.H. Williams, who left a landmark in Alabama. Reverend Lena A Williams, and Reverend David Edmond, who both came under the leadership of Reverend A.L. Scott. Minister Robert Coleman came under the leadership of Reverend Matthew Thomas. Also under Reverend Seyvelle Parks, 2001-2003; the legacy of spiritual growth of this great fellowship continued.

            Under the leadership of Rev. Juliana Hosey, who assumed the pastorate in July 2003 until July 2015, a great outreach and visitation ministry was established for the members and community. A new sound system was purchased. along with minor renovations to the front restrooms. The church was painted inside and out and new carpet and pews were purchased. Also the light fixtures were added. The combined choir, male chorus and 2 bible studies were established under her leadership. We were assigned a new Bishop and Elder, Bishop James B. Walker, presiding prelate and J. Ronzell Maness presiding elder, respectively.

          Rev. Donnie Cobb assumed the pastorate in July 2015 where the legacy of spiritual growth saw several new members become a part of this body, new hymnals were purchased, and both the men’s ministry and women’s ministry were established.

          Rev. Dr. Acquirneta McNair, assumed the pastorate in Aug. 2017. Under her leadership, our spiritual growth continued, and we saw see new members and one baptism. We had some renovations to two of our restrooms and two new rooms were added just off the fellowship hall. Also, a prayer team and food ministry was established.

          In the year 2020 the world was affected by the global pandemic, coronavirus or Covid-19. Worship as we knew it came to a massive halt. Churches around the world were advised not to meet in their sanctuary. In order to continue to worship together, our services were held via phone conference calls beginning in April 2020. We continued through the remainder of the conference year, and we were assigned a new pastor for the 2020-2021 conference year.

          Rev. Dr. Doris L. Hicks assumed the pastorate in September 2020 during a global pandemic. Under her leadership, we continue to have service via phone conference calls! Parking lot services and ZOOM services along with a music ministry were added. We slowly saw the membership return. The air conditioning system was repaired, and we decided to return inside of the sanctuary for service. Before returning inside, the church was thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. We took the necessary precautions by taking everyone’s temperature before entering and everyone was required to wear a mask while inside. Social distancing guidelines were also adhered to. The phone, parking lot, and ZOOM services continued for those that prefer it.