Size: 2 containers, 2.0 linear feet; 3 volumes, 0.5 linear feet

Restrictions: none

Accession #: MC 88 - 88

Provenance: donor

Processed: January 1992

Historical Sketch

Some of the first settlers of Charlottesville were Methodist and in early times held their services one mile north of town on the west bank of Six Mile Creek on the farm known as the Badger Place.

Later a small frame church was built at the Six Mile Cemetery two miles north of Charlottesville. It was built by the whole community regardless of affiliation. The church cost $70.00 in money and liberal donations of labor and materials. The church was dedicated in 1838 by John B. Burt. The first trustees were: Benjamin Fort, Rolla Ramsey, Andred Jackson, Anthony Foil and William Oldham.

The traveling preacher found his way to this church for many years until they found it necessary to have a church in town. At this time, a school house in Charlottesville on the east bank of Six Mile Creek was used until a church could be built. James Foley donated lots in the Foley addition and helped on the church. It was dedicated in 1855 by Rev. Cyrus Nutt, of Indiana Asbury University. The pastor in charge was Rev. Mendenhall. The church was remodeled and new seats purchased in 1890, T.D. Tharp being the pastor.

On June 25, 1902, a storm swept through Charlottesville, blowing the Christian Church down and damaging the Methodist Church. Soon after the storm, pastor James A. Ruly called the trustees together to plan a new church. The work was begun in August of 1903, and the cornerstone was laid September 21, 1903.

The church was dedicated January 31, 1904 by Dr. William D. Parr. The trustees were Robert Oldham, William McGraw, Winfield S. Lane, James C. Pratt and James Cranfill. At the close of the sermon, Dr. Parr stated that $2100.00 was needed to liquidate the indebtedness. By one o'clock, it was raised. In the evening, $500.00 more was raised.

In June of 1965, the Cleveland and Charlottesville churches combined to form Charlottesville, The United Methodist Church. Rev. Richard Doughty was minister at the time.

Collection Statement

This collection consists of minutes from the Ladies' Aid Society and W.S.C.S. from 1890 through 1946, membership records from c.1827 through 1972, Sunday School rosters from 1929 through 1969 and Sunday School secretarial records from 1916 through 1977.

folder 1: Baby Birthday Book, c. 1920-c.1925

2: Friendship Class Minutes, 1965-1975

3: Ladies' Aid Society Minutes, 1890-1901

4: Ladies' Aid Society Minutes, 1902-1904

5: Ladies' Aid Society Minutes, 1908-1924

6: Ladies' Aid Society Minutes, 1924-1933

7: W.S.C.S. Minutes, 1940-1946

8: W.S.C.S. Minutes, 1947-1952

9: W.S.C.S. Minutes, 1957-1965

10: Membership Records, 1900-c. 1905 [includes Cleveland & Willow Branch]

11: Membership Records, 1905-1907

12: Membership Records, 1909-1914

13: Sunday School Rosters, 1929-1930

14: Sunday School Rosters, 1931-1932

15: Sunday School Rosters, 1934-1941

16: Sunday School Rosters, 1939-1948

17: Sunday School Rosters, 1946-1953

18: Sunday School Rosters, 1951-1968

folder 1: Sunday School Rosters, 1965-1969

2: Sunday School Rosters, n.d.

3: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1916

4: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1926-1928

5: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1929-1931

6: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1933-1935

7: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1936-1938

8: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1939-1941

9: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1942-1943

10: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1945-1947

11: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1948-1950

12: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1951-52 & 1960

13: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1961-1963

14: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1964-1967

15: Sunday School Secretarial Records, 1968-69 & 1976-77

Meth. Vol. #3194 - Charlottesville [Cleveland] UMC Membership Records, c.1910's - 1960

Meth. Vol. #3195 - Charlottesville UMC Membership Records, 1947-1972

Meth. Vol. #3196 - Charlottesville Circuit Membership Records, c.1827-c.1871 [includes records from Charlottesville, Gilboah, Elizabeth City, Greensboro,

Zion's Chapel, McDonald's Chapel & Pleasant Hill Chapel or Chapple