Hopwood

Founded in 1828 by members who withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church. First Church building was erected in 1833 on a lot donated by Gaddis Hopwood. Reverend Moses Scott was the first preacher to be called to the congregation. The Church was rebuilt in 1873 and in 1883 it was placed on the Fairchance Circuit. First members and Church Reformers were: Reverend James Hopwood and wife; Thomas Hopwood and wife; Reverend Thomas Johnson Nesmith and wife; Moses Hopwood Farr and wife; John Deford and wife; Thomas Hopwood and wife; John Bennington and wife; Henry Crayton and wife; Miss Maty Ann Criswell, S. K. Brown and wife; Mrs. Hannah Brownfield and Mrs. Margaret Devan. First minister who officiated in the Chapel was Reverend William College, pastor on the Union Circuit. In 1898, the house of Worship being too small, members began to work for the purpose of building a new Church. June 4, 1900 a lot was presented by W. A. Stone. The new Church stands on that lot. It was dedicated June 9, 1901. The basement was excavated in 1927 to construct a hall where the church often gathers for fellowship. The Church has been on various circuits over the years. Since 1965 it has been on the Hopwood-Brownfield Circuit. The membership in 1968 was 299. The membership on January 1, 2003 was 182. In 2018, Hopwood UMC became one of 14 churches in a newly formed cooperative ministry called South Fayette Cooperative Parish, serving communities in southern Fayette County