USA > Maryland > Prince George's County > College Park > 100th anniversary, College Park United Methodist Church, College Park, Maryland > Part 1
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CLASS 3
CENTENNIAL
COLLEGE PARK
UNITED
METHODIST
CHURCH
OCTOBER 13, 1974
100th Anniversary
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COLLEGE PARK UNITED METHODIST
IBM 34091
CHURCH
College Park, Maryland
Congregation Organized 1874
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PREFACE
In commemoration of one hundred years of service to the people of College Park, Berwyn and the surrounding area, the College Park United Methodist Church has an interesting history. Contained on the following pages is a brief presenta- tion of this history along with a few photographs which may be familiar to some of the readers. It is hoped that this one- hundredth anniversary celebration will be a memorable occasion and that it will begin another one hundred years of bringing Christ into the hearts of the people.
College Park United Methodist Church 9601 Rhode Island Ave. College Park, Maryland 20740
Pastor
Associate Pastor
Walter J. Zabel
Richard G. Gray
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
Prior to 1874 there was a girls' school, located near Brown's Mill, later Mowatt's Mill, Edmonston Road, conducted by Miss Marianna Keech and her sisters. These girls and the families of Mr. John F. Tucker, Mr. John Baker, Mr. Brown, Mr. Daniel Carson, Mrs. William Hall, Mrs. Lester, Mr. Bewley, General Carrington and the Misses Joyners (Ada and Elsie) held Church and Sunday School Services in the public one-room log school located on the Edmonston Road, Charlton Heights, Maryland. Mrs. Mary Kind, mother of Mr. Leonard P. Steuart, a prominent business man of Washington, D. C., played the organ.
THE FIRST SANCTUARY
These same people together with Rev. Samuel W. Haddaway organized Haddaway Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In the year 1874 the church was built on a one acre lot on the Branchville Road approximately one thousand yards east of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station. This land was formerly owned by Jonathan T. Walker whose family donated it to the church.
Rev. Samuel W. Haddaway was the pastor in charge when Haddaway Chapel was built, and in appreciation for his fine work the church was named Haddaway Chapel.
The church was built of pine lumber with a brick founda- tion, and consisted of an auditorium, a vestibule and a room on the west side of the building, which was used by the primary department of the Sunday School. The main auditorium was approximately 30 x 40 and 20 feet high, a good size church for a small community. The pews were built of select yellow pine, and were quite comfortable to sit on.
In the surrounding rural community there lived approxi- mately one hundred people, and of this number about fifty of them attended the Sunday School and Church Services. However, during revival services the auditorium, which seated approxi- mately one hundred and fifty persons, was filled to overflowing .
Mr. G. W. Beall of the Beltsville Church rendered fine service, serving as Sunday School Superintendent during the. early years of the church.
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Around the year 1893 the Trustees of the Church sensed the need for a burying ground and decided to turn the church lot into a small cemetery, in which there has been buried some fifty persons. Among the first ones to be buried in the cemetery were an adult, Columbus C. Bacon, died 1895, and a child, Elsie L. Maddox, born July 5, 1894 and died July 25, 1896.
One of the saddest incidents in the life of the church occurred on December 7, 1901. While Rev. J . H. DuLaney was conducting the funeral services of Mrs. Cora Lilley (Wilson) Duvall, mother of William A. Duvall, then Superintendent of the Church School, Mr. Pinkney A. Scaggs, a pallbearer and an official member of the church (father of Mrs. Walter R. Harr, Miss Lucy Scaggs and Mrs. Edwin L. Rembold) was stricken with a heart spell and died instantly.
On February 12, 1907, the Trustees of Haddaway Chapel were incorporated, and they were, as follows: Rev. Frank A. Tyler, Pastor, Chas. A. Ricks, James E. Taylor and J. P. Boileau.
In October, 1907, while Rev. Chas. H. Buchanan was serving as pastor, the church burned to the ground. The janitor of the church was cutting and burning dry grass in the church yard when suddenly the wind came up and the fire got out of control and ignited the church building, and it was only a matter of minutes before the entire structure was ablaze. The janitor, Mr. Baker, worked heroically to put out the fire, but due to the lack of water and help it was physically impossible, hence the building was a total loss and the only things saved were the pulpit and organ. The most unfortunate thing was that the insurance had lapsed. The congregation was distressed at its loss, but not disheartened.
The embers were still burning when the preacher of the Berwyn Presbyterian Church, Rev. Reed, visited the home of Mrs. Cora L. Scaggs, a member of the congregation, and offered the use of their church. The members of the congregation were very grateful to Rev. Reed and the members of his congregation for their fine offer, but it was not necessary for them to accept as there was a hall in the community owned by Mrs. Cora Scaggs, and she offered it for use till such time as the con- gregation could build a new church.
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THE SECOND SANCTUARY
Mr. Pinkney A. Scaggs, who was a Trustee of Haddaway Chapel and one-time Superintendent of the Sunday School, during his lifetime was desirous of seeing the church moved to a more central location, and before his death on December 7, 1901, donated a plot of ground on Branchville Road at 51st Street.
The congregation, led by their Pastor, Rev. Wilmer P. Johnston, devised ways and means to raise funds to build a new church on the lot donated by Mr. Scaggs. In March, 1909, Rev. Johnston was succeeded by Rev. George H. Fielding who worked untiringly with the congregation to accomplish their goal. Success crowned their endeavors, and the new church was started in the year 1909, and on February 22, 1910, the
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cornerstone was laid and the church dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, ceremonies were conducted by the Pastor, Rev. George. H. Fielding, and the Birmingham Lodge of Masons. The Knights of Pythias of Berwyn, the same afternoon, donated to the church a handsome golden-oak pulpit table, which the congregation accepted with grateful appreciation.
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The church was then opened for public worship, although unfinished on the inside. The Board of Trustees continued with volunteer help to plaster and trim the interior, and special effort was made to get it ready for the wedding of M. Elinor Scaggs to Walter R. Harr, which took place June 29, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Harr were the first couple to be married in the new church, and the ceremony was conducted by Dr. J . H. DuLaney who was assisted by Rev. George H. Fielding, pastor in charge.
The Sunday School grew to such an extent that in the year 1919 it became necessary to build an addition to the church auditorium, and an addition was added to the west side of the building.
SOCIAL HALL BUILT
In the year 1924, having finished paying for the church building, the congregation felt that as there was no public hall in the community in which to have social gatherings that
they should build a hall which could be used for Sunday School, Epworth League and social events. To help them in getting started, the heirs of Pinkney A. and Cora L. Scaggs donated the building known as the Scaggs' Hall. This was the hall in which the congregation had met after their church burned. The old hall was razed and the material was used mostly for frame- work in the new hall.
On March 11, 1947, the corporate name of Haddaway Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, South was changed to Haddaway Chapel Methodist Church.
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In May, 1947, a meeting of the Church School Workers, Preacher, Stewards and Trustees was held and it was decided that there was a great need for additional classrooms to meet the ever-growing demands of the Church School. After much discussion, a motion prevailed giving the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, William A. Duvall, authority to proceed with the construction of twenty additional classrooms. On June 30, 1947, this work was started, and an addition was added to the north, south and east sides of the Church Hall. This under- taking was completed February 10, 1948, at a cost of approxi- mately $18,000.00.
The Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the Haddaway Chapel Methodist Church was celebrated October 8 and 9, 1949, in the pastorate of the Rev. Wilbur H. Wilson.
Wilber H. Wilson 19.49
Wife - Nancy
Children - Nancy Caroline and Frank
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In 1950 the Haddaway Chapel Methodist Church, more familiarly known as the Branchville Methodist Church, was separated from the Beltsville-Branchville charge and estab- lished as a separate charge with the Rev. John R. Esaias, Jr., as pastor. At this time, a parsonage adjacent to the church school was constructed.
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THE THIRD SANCTUARY
In 1954 a 2.2 acre lot was purchased as the site for a new church building at Rhode Island Avenue and Hollywood Road. Ground was broken on Palm Sunday, April 14, 1957 and the cornerstone was laid on August 11, 1957.
At a congregational meeting January 5, 1958, it was voted to adopt the name of "The Methodist Church of North College Park".
The Sanctuary of the new church was opened for worship on Sunday, April 27, 1958 and was consecrated on May 25. The Sanctuary was the first of three units planned to be built. The chapel in the present church continues the church's tradi- tion through some of its decorations and its name, the Haddaway Chapel.
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EDUCATIONAL - FELLOWSHIP BUILDING
Soon it was found that the growth of the Church and more particularly the Church School was such that more classroom space was needed. Accordingly plans were made for the second unit, the Educational-Fellowship building. Ground was broken for this structure on March 12, 1961. Construction progressed rapidly and the new building was completed and occupied on November 12, 1961. The Consecration of the new unit was set for March 11, 1962.
In 1959, the former church and educational building located on Branchville Road at 51st Street was sold to the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Prince Georges County, Inc. The Association dismantled the church building in 1972.
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MOST RECENT EVENTS
In 1963, the Greenbelt Road plot of land was divided into two parts. The front part had been occupied by the original church before it burned in 1907. This plot was sold to the Texaco Oil Company and is currently used as a gasoline station. The back part is occupied by the cemetery and is currently owned by the church.
Also in 1963, a new parsonage was purchased at 4715 Mangum Road in the Hollywood on the Hill subdivision of College Park. Shortly thereafter, the former parsonage in Branchville was sold.
After a pastorate of 16 years, Rev. John Esaias, Jr., was succeeded by Rev. C. Roger Elgert in June, 1966. Rev. Elgert served three years and was followed by Rev. Jack G. Buckingham in June, 1969.
On October 21, 1968, the Official Board passed a motion to change the church name to "United Methodist Church of College Park". The next month on November 18, 1968, the first meeting of the newly formed Council of Ministries was held. This organizational change in the church structure was carried out in accordance with instructions passed down to all churches in the country. About one year later in 1969, the church name was again changed to College Park United Methodist Church.
On February 13, 1969, the Administrative Board chose to go to the congregation for a vote concerning hiring a full time Associate Pastor. Based on an affirmative result from the congregational survey, William B. Price was hired as the first full time Associate at College Park United Methodist Church. At a special Administrative Board meeting on January 12, 1970, the decision was made to purchase an Allen II organ for $15,3,45. Installation of the organ also required increasing the size of the speaker system in the nave of the church sanctuary. In May, 1970, Mr. Price moved to another church and Mr. Richard Gray was hired as a Student-Pastor. After being or- dained in June, 1971, Mr. Gray was appointed an Associate Pastor to provide full time assistance to Rev. Buckingham in carrying out the ministry of our church.
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FORMER PASTORS
Over the first seventy-five years the Beltsville and Branchville Churches, with two exceptions, have been on the same circuit. The exceptions were from 1903 to 1908 when Branchville was united with Hyattsville, and 1923 to 1926 when Haddaway Chapel had its own pastor.
During the years 1874 to 1877 Rev. Samuel Haddaway served the charge. There are no records of the ministers who served the church from 1878 to 1885. However, beginning with the year 1886 they are, as follows:
John H. Kuhlman, Thomas M. Jones, Davis L. Blakemore, John Wesley Beall, William W. Waters, C. C. Eddington, Eldridge V. Regester, H. M. Reed, John C. Hawk, Henry T . Wirgman, J . Hervey DuLaney, A. M. Cackley, Frank A. Tyler, Chas. H. Buchanan, Wilmer P. Johnston, George H. Fielding, George W. Gaither, George T. D. Collings, Franklin F. Neel, Richard L. Wittig, G. W. Moore, Edward H. Davis, William B. Dorsey, Harvey L. Bivens, Harry S. Myerly, Thomas J . Lambert, Charles H. Cannon, Glenn J . Cooper and Wilber H. Wilson, who was pastor for the 75th Anniversary celebration in 1949.
Since 1949 our church has been blessed with a series of fine ministers. Each of these men contributed to the growth of our church. They are presented below along with the years they served at College Park and the names of their family.
John R . Esaias, Jr. 1949 - 1966
Wife - Ruth Children - John D., Ann, and Martha Student Pastor: Russell McClatchey
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C. Roger Elgert 1966 - 1969
Wife - Laura
Children - Janet and Linda
Student Pastors: William P. Carter Charles F. Gibbons
Associate Pastor William B. Price
Jack G. Buckingham 1969 - 1974
Wife - Kay
Children - Pat, Robert, Larry, Vickie and Tina
Student and Associate Pastor: Richard G. Gray 1970 - 1974 Wife - Faye
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Walter J . Zabel 1974
Wife - Nancy
Son - William
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LAYMEN TO BE REMEMBERED FOR THEIR DILIGENT EFFORTS IN THE RECENT YEARS OF THE CHURCH
One could write a large volume to list every layman who has contributed his or her efforts to the College Park United Methodist Church. Also, presenting a list of such people is always dangerous because one cannot help but overlook some hard worker of the past or present. Still, this book would not be complete if mention were not made of some of the devoted laymen (now referred to as laypersons) who contributed un- selfishly many, many hours of their time and talents to the church.
Ladies: Eleanor Harr, Anna K. Johnston, Vivian Moore, Helen Steffen, Ruth Esaias, Libby Heflin, Marie Schubert, Katherine Cherone, Olive Lewis, Ellen Richardson, Cora Lee Shipley, Ruth Rexrode, Ann M. Gray, Eudora Hruschka, Jewell Ghiz, Vivian Moore, Janet Hastings, Wanda Fitzsimmons, Meredith Tarbell and Adalene Barnes.
Men: Harold Moore, Wiley Godsey, Harold Hoecker, C. K. Powell, Innis Skinner, Walter Dawson, Raymond Hoecker, Thomas Schwartz, Matthew Gray, Paul Johnson, William Tarbell, Ralph Walley and Louis Weckesser.
This list is really just scratching the surface of the vast number of names that should be included; however, it should suffice to quote the words of Jesus for those listed and those omitted:
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Matt. 25: 21
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CHURCH ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS
Lay Leader - Ray Hoecker Lay Member - Olive Lewis Alternate Lay Members - Steve Cottrelle and Ruth Busbey
Administrative Board - Chairman, Robert Cameron
Secretary - Janet Hastings
Church Treasurer - Ed Eilertson
Financial Secretary - Meredith Tarbell
Youth Representative - Carol Weckesser
Pastor-Parish Relations Committee - Louis Weckesser
Finance Committee - William Tarbell
Trustees - Robert Montagne
Health and Welfare Representative - Lucille Kulwich Parsonage Committee - Adalene Barnes
Council on Ministries - Chairman, Ralph Walley Work Area Chairmen:
Ecumenical Affairs - George Brookhyser
Education - Katherine Cherone
Evangelism - Jim and Barbara Pilkerton
Missions - David and Mary Helman
Church and Society - Eudora Hruschka
Stewardship - Ken Lewis
Worship - Earl Montagne
Age-Level Coordinators: Children - Wanda Fitzsimons
Youth -
Adult -
Family - Adalene Barnes
President of United Methodist Women - Meredith Tarbell
Youth Representative - Brenda Walley
Chairman of 100th Anniversary - Louis Weckesser
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THANKS FOR THE CHURCH
For people over all the earth Who make thy Church, O Lord, Whose voices raise in songs of praise, We give Thee Thanks, O Lord.
For hands that stretch across the sea To tell Thy boundless care:
For gifts that go, Thy love to show, We breathe a thankful prayer.
For Fellowship within Thy Church; For work that we may do,
The chance to play, to learn Thy way, For these, we praise Thee, too.
Carolyn E. Muller
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