Chesapeake City United Methodist Charge
Chesapeake City United Methodist Charge
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    • Home
    • Groups & Missions
      • Small Groups
      • Missions
      • Prayer Requests
      • Sunday School
      • Adult Sunday School
    • PreSchool
    • Events
    • Online Giving
    • Pastor's Page
  • Home
  • Groups & Missions
    • Small Groups
    • Missions
    • Prayer Requests
    • Sunday School
    • Adult Sunday School
  • PreSchool
  • Events
  • Online Giving
  • Pastor's Page

Our History

 In the early 1800’s, the little Village of Bohemia began growing with  the digging of the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal.   Methodists in the area began holding “class meetings” for spiritual  growth in the Cropper home and country store (still standing at the  corner of Bohemia Ave. & First St.).  As membership increased,  another “class” formed meeting a block away where the old Town Hall is  now situated.  Then, in the 1830’s, while renting the public school  located on George Street near the current edge of the historical  district for their worship services, the Methodist congregation elected  seven trustees to purchase property.  On October 20, 1846, the deed was  signed to purchase property on Bohemia Avenue extending along 3rd Street  to George Street.  They built a small frame structure known as Trinity  Methodist Episcopal Church, the first place for Christian worship built  in the village now called Chesapeake City. 

Dedicated in 1847, the little frame chapel, known as Trinity  Methodist Episcopal Church, was the first known sanctuary in Chesapeake  City.  As the congregation continued growing, they felt the need for a  larger sanctuary.  After serving the congregation for over forty years, a  farewell worship service was held in the little frame chapel the  evening of May 19, 1889.  The next morning demolition began.
 
A  stone mason and a supervisor were hired and along with the volunteer  efforts of the members and townspeople, a new, larger, grander, Port  Deposit granite church was built, complete with stained glass windows of  imported Bavarian glass, over the foundation of the old frame chapel.  A  year after beginning construction, the new church was dedicated on May  18, 1890.
 
The education/fellowship building was added in 1958.   The name change came in 1968 with the national merger of various  branches of the original Methodist Episcopal Church.  Now known as  Trinity United Methodist Church, it still stands as a witness to the  community, not only as a house of worship, but providing many groups in  the community with a place for meetings.

The chandeliers are original, made of tin, and have been converted to electric.     


Wooden Cross (located on the Altar wall)


Thomas  H.P. Jaggers, a local craftsman, designed and handcrafted this  impressive cross. He considered Trinity’s architecture and décor, and  measured so that his design would fit perfectly. The cross is of Spanish  cedar and embellished with carving in relief. The dogwood blossoms and  leaves give a beautiful contrast to the natural sheen of the Spanish  cedar. The cross was dedicated on August 4, 2002, in memory of Ellison  Ireland, who was an active member of our church and community for many  years.     


Stained Glass Windows     


While  visiting out sanctuary, please take time to look at our beautiful,  stained glass windows. These windows were installed when the church was  built about 116 years ago, probably early 1890. They consist of  irreplaceable, hand-made glass from Bavaria, Germany. The faded, yet  still visible, over all patterns are grisaille, a French decorative  painting in shades of gray and/or black that was used for stained glass  at that time. The windows also contained spun-rondels, pressed jewels,  faceted glass, and flash glass. The process for flash-glass is  intricate which requires skilled artisans. Basically, two layers of  clear and red glass are fused together. Then the red layer is cut away  and etched to reveal the design in the clear glass. Stains are added to  define and enhance the design. These are incorporated into many  beautiful designs of Christian symbols. The dedications at the bottom of  the windows reflect church families and community history.     


Painting of Original Meeting Hall (by M.S.H Prigel)      


The  painting at the back of the sanctuary, of the little frame chapel was  painted in 1996, by M.S.H. Prigel, from an early photograph of the  original structure. The painting was presented to Trinity United  Methodist Church and now permanently hangs in our sanctuary. 

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