Our History

A Brief History

Sharon Church came into being 166 years ago, in 1851, when Lee's Church and Popular Springs Methodist Church consolidated. Lee's Church stood near "the Billie Blanton Place" on Burke Road near the present location of Plastic Oddities. Poplar Springs Methodist Church stood near the "Wins Jones Place" on Old Boiling Springs Road near the present location of Calvary Baptist Church. This organization was led by Rev. James Holmes. The new church was named Sharon Church by Landrum Smith. It was located just above the present pump house. The first church was a flat rectangular building with a fireplace at one end and wooden shutters for windows.  On one side of the building was a shed.  It was separated from the main part of the church by planks with open spaces between them. Slaves of those days worshiped in this area as the white families worshiped in the main part of the church. Rev. Martin Eddy was the first pastor serving the church during 1851.

In 1872 Sharon Camp Ground was built and added strength to the spiritual service of the church.  Sharon School, which was attended by some of our older members,stood beside the church. The exact date that the school was established could not be determined. The school was a wooden building with only one room to start, but later a second was added. The school consisted of grades 1-7 and had three teachers.

In 1884, when Rev. M.D. Giles was pastor, the second Sharon Church was built.  It was located near the present cemetery. This church was more modern than the first one. It was built with two front doors. The men entered through the left door and would sit on the left side of the church. The women entered through the right door and would sit on the right side.  The middle pews were for children and courting couples.

The third church was built in 1910 when Rev. C. H. Clyde was pastor.  It was located where the present church stands.  It was a frame structure, but was larger, more modern, and better equipped than the two former buildings. It was heated by two pot-bellied stoves. The large bell, which was later placed in the present church, was used in this third church. This church was dedicated in 1917 in a special service conducted by Bishop John C. Kilgo.

The present church was started in 1939 under the leadership of Rev. J.L. Rayle, the pastor at that time. It consists of a sanctuary and a two story educational building. It is said that each of the churches has some materials from the previous churches. The church was finished in 1940 and Rev. Rayle conducted the first service on the third Sunday in January.  When Rev. R. M. Hauss became pastor in November, 1940, there was a debt of $10,200. This debt was cleared by March 31, 1942 and a dedication service was held on May 10, 1942.  Bishop Clare Purcell was in charge of the service and the Honorable Clyde R. Hoey, former senator and governor, gave the memorial address. The sanctuary was remodeled in 1986 and is very lovely. A Hammond Organ was purchased in 1955 and was used until 1990, when a new Baldwin Digital Organ was purchased.

The Fellowship Building, known as the "Hut", was built in 1954 when Rev. W. L. Scott was pastor. Rev. Scott made the mantle for the fireplace. Many improvements have been made over the years.  The United Methodist Women remodeled the kitchen in 2000. Currently the Hut is used by many groups, including Sunday School, UMYF and Girl Scouts.

The "Disciple Ship Children's Playground" was dedicated on July 13, 1997 in memory of Viola Shields and in honor of her dedication to making disciples of the next generation.

As an extension of the playground, Aaron Triplett created a landscaped area, which included a bench and a children's playhouse, as  his Eagle Scout Project.  This was dedicated on July 10, 2011.

We also enjoy a lovely outdoor gathering space, the Norman Hawkins Pavilion, donated to Sharon United Methodist in memory of Norman and John Hawkins as well as in honor of Ruth and Yates Hawkins. It was dedicated on February 14, 2010.  Serving as a picnic shelter, equipped with running water, bathrooms, lights and a projection screen, this gives us a perfect place for holding outdoor events throughout the year.

Throughout the years, we have been blessed with talented clergy and lay leaders, a lovely physical plant, and one of the most beautiful church settings in our county.  We pray that the Lord will continue to bless us that we might be a blessing to others as we share the gospel story.