Darlington United Methodist Church

Darlington United Methodist Church
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
The Methodist Church in historic Darlington, Maryland.
Location	Darlington, Maryland
Coordinates	39°38′25″N 76°12′3″W
Built	1852
Architect	Unknown
Architectural style	classic
Part of	Darlington Historic District (ID87001571)

The outside of the church in June 2010

Darlington United Methodist Church is located in Darlington, Maryland. It is a pre Civil War structure, built in 1852, with white siding, large windows, and many historically original architecture. It is a church within the Baltimore Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. It is also one of two churches part of the Darlington Methodist Charge, the other being Dublin United Methodist Church in Street, Maryland. Prior to July 2014, the church shared pastors with Rock Run United Methodist Church, located in nearby Level, Maryland. There was a third sister church, Thomas Run Church which closed its doors in 1945.

History

With the purchase of land, known as “Phillip’s Purchase” from Joseph Worthington, in 1832 a log structure was built on the present site. It was later replaced in 1852 by the current frame structure, with a belfry and vestibule in 1892. A great revival occurred in 1896, with 185 converts in approximately six weeks.

The Church celebrated its 100th anniversary in August 1932 and was joined by Thomas Run Church (also known as Watters Meeting House) and Rock Run Church.

The Church sold land in 1936 for the new Darlington Elementary School, which replaced the old Darlington Academy located across the street from the church. The old academy building is now the home of Stephenson Lodge and Twice Blessed Thrift Store.

In 1956, the Christian Education Building was constructed and dedicated ten years in the presence of Bishop John Wesley Lord. It was dedicated in October 1978 to Mr. Robert Hostetter, who built it.

Our Church was selected to be on the Christmas in Darlington Tour in December 1978, which included six other properties of the village and area. The Church also started the Darlington Apple Festival, which officially began in 1986.

The inside of the Christian Education Building was severely damaged by a fire in December 2001 and was rebuilt in 2003. The new organ was purchased in 2004 and dedicated to Miss Laura Bradford, a long-time Church member and first grade teacher at the Darlington Elementary School.

The Church recently celebrated its 175th Anniversary in November 2007. We are one of 82 properties within the Darlington Historic District, which was listed in 1987 by Christopher Weeks.

Community activities

The Darlington United Methodist Church is very active in the local community. Although Darlington, Maryland is a small and quaint little hamlet, the activities embedded in its life appeal to so many. The biggest attraction of the year is the annual Darlington Apple Festival. Its numbers surge into thousands. It is the biggest fundraiser for the Church. The Church also participates with the local Darlington Lions Club.

Nearby Landmarks

• Conowingo Dam
• Havre de Grace
• Susquehanna River
• Chesapeake Bay
• Deer Creek Friends Meetinghouse
• Darlington, Maryland

Role of Ministers

The Role of Ministers since 1889:

The Church sitting in the midst of snow after a winter storm in early January 2011.

Visitors view this upon entering the Sanctuary through the Vestibule. This picture was taken before a wedding ceremony in September 2010.

1889 – 1891 G. R. SANNERS

1891 – 1893 J. W. FLEMING

1893 – 1895 H. M. THURLOW

1895 – 1898 ELMER LODIA DUTTON

1898 – 1900 W. D. PARRY WILLIAM

1900 – 1902 RICHARD N. EDWARDS

1902 – 1905 L. M. FERGUSSON

1907 – 1908 H. M. D. BEALL

1908 – 1911 J. THOMAS HART

1911 – 1915 L. ST CLAIR ALLENS

1915 – 1918 BURT CONSTANCE

1918 – 1921 R. H. K. GILL

1921 – 1923 REV. MULLINEAUX

1923 – 1926 STEVEN FITCH

1926 – 1928 WILLIAM BIGGS ELLIOT

1928 – 1931 LYNN ARBOGAST

1931 – 1934 RAYMOND E. MANLEY

1934 – 1937 HENRY J. MULLER

1937 – 1944 CHARLES H. MEAD

1944 – 1946 DONALD T. McINTOSH

1946 – 1947 VIRGIL T. MAYBRAY

1947 – 1948 HERBERT L. D. DOGGETT

1948 – 1949 CHESTER STEYER

1949 – 1951 GEORGE W. PFERDEORT

1951 – 1954 C. THOMAS SUBOCK

1954 – 1956 GLENN F. CLULOW

1956 – 1959 JOHN W. MACKEY

1959 – 1963 LUTHER W. STARNES

1963 – 1966 EDWARD L. THIGPEN

1966 – 1970 PAUL LEE GRANT

1970 – 1977 JOHN OLAN PRICE

1977 – 1983 WILLIAM B. HILL

1983 – 1988 RAYMOND KINGSBOROUCH

1988 – 1994 DARRYL C. ZOLLER

1994 – 1995 ALICE WESTBROOK

1995 – 1998 KHRISTA FERGUSSON

1998 – 1999 FINLEY GRAY

1999 – 2001 CHRISTOPHER CHARLES

2001 – 2013 GARY SIEGLEIN

2013 – 2014 JAMES W. RIDEOUT IV

2014 – 2016 JAMES KEVIN JOHNSON

2016 – LINDA YARROW

References

• Darlington United Methodist Church
• "Maryland Historical Trust". Darlington Methodist Church. Maryland Historical Trust. 02-1969.
• Jones, F. C. (1947). "The Village of Darlington"
• Farrington, H. W. (1930). "Kilts to Togs: Orphan Adventures" New York. The MacMillan Co.

External links

• www.jameswridoutiv.com
• The Darlington Apple Festival http://darlingtonapplefest.org/index.htm
• The Darlington Lions Club http://darlingtonmd.lionwap.org/
• The Baltimore Washington Conference http://www.bwcumc.org/church/2375
• Darlington United Methodist Church website http://www.darlingtonumchurchmaryland.org/
• http://www.darlingtonumchurchmaryland.org/Map_of_Darlington_United_Methodist_Church.pdf
• Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties http://www.mdihp.net/dsp_county.cfm?search=county&criteria1=M&criteria2=HA&criteria3=&id=13663&viewer=true