Darlington United Methodist Church

Worship Service: 9:15 am Sunday morning
Sunday School during the worship service
Pastor James Johnson

100 percent handicapped accessible!!!
with a wooden ramp accessible from the parking lot and a lift located in the back of the education wing



Striving to make disciples of Jesus Christ, we are committed to spreading the gospel throughout the community and throughout the world.

HISTORY OF DARLINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
(taken from the 175th Anniversary Celebration 11-18-07)

It is not known when the society was formed in Darlington, or what minister brought about its formation. But we do know that Messrs. Strawbridge, Williams, and King were traveling and preaching throughout Harford County in Revolutionary Days, and it is quite possible they were heard in Darlington.
According to records at the Methodist Historical Society at the Lovely Lane Museum, there was a Methodist Class Meeting in Darlington as early as 1807. We also know that as early as 1816 meetings were held in the old Darlington Academy across the road from the site of the present church. The Journal of John Wesley Bond reveals that he preaced at the Darlington Meeting House on April 29, 1817 and visited Darlington nine more times during the next 21 months.
In the summer of 1832, a Board of Trustees was formed, and the tract of land on which the church now stands was purchased from Joseph Worthington. The first church was built of logs and was replaced by the present structure in 1852. Lumber was sawed for it by Mr. William Hopkins who owned and operated a sawmill on Nobles Mill Road. He was the great grandfather of William Scott, Jr. and Mrs. Walter Jourdan.
In 1892, the vestibule and belfry were added and a bell purchased. The pastor, Rev. J. W. Fleming, at the time paid tribute to his loyal women workers in the conference minutes as follows:
"Too much credit cannot be given to the ladies of the charge for their assistance in all departments of church work. It was largely due to their efforts that the much needed improvements have been made. Mrs. William Selfe deserves special mention as she was the largest donor to the bell. A tribute which she cheerfully paid in loving memory of her father."
The education building was added many years later under the Direction of B. G. S. Jourdan, Edward Knight, Robert W. Hostetter, and Edwin T. McNutt. The addition was dedicated by Bishop John Wesley Lord on May 15, 1966. Prior to that time, the building next to the Post Office on Main Street was used by the Darlington Methodists for social events. The building had been owned by Mr. J. Fletcher Hopkins and had been used as a General Store for many years; however, in 1938 the church trustees negotiated the sale of the building from Mr. Hopkins. The trustees at that time were: Joseph Andres, Thomas George, Herbert Gorrell, B. G. S. Jourdan, George A. Knight, Edwin T. McNutt, Clinton Scarborough, & Garland Thomas. Just prior to the construction of the present education wing, the previously used social hall was sold to James McCummings (Mrs. Mary Price's son-in-law).
In November 1997, a wooden handicap ramp to the church was added in memory of Robert W. Hostetter. Our church was damaged by fire on December 24, 2001, and under the direction of Jim Emerson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the difficult task of repair and renovation was completed.
In 2003, Darlington United Methodist Church received a generous bequest from Miss Laura Bradford which provided the funds for an annual scholarship program to assist students in furthering their education. Money was also provided for a new organ in our sanctuary, and a handicap lift that was installed to assist our parishioners and guests with access to our social hall.
A new cost of "liquid siding" was applied to the church in 2006 to help preserve our beautiful building. This work was completed under the direction of Jim Emerson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. In 2007, the concrete sidewalk was extended to the rear of the social hall.

Compiled from information printed in The Service of Dedication booklet, Sunday, May 15, 1966 and The Darlington United Methodist Church Directory, 2006.