Over 180 Years of History at Salem

Salem United Methodist Church was founded in 1828.  Originally a Methodist Episcopal house of worship, Salem is one of the oldest churches in this area of the state. It, like many other Methodist Churches in the area, has its origins in the Harris Meeting House which was founded sometime prior to 1778, possibly as early as 1771.

Bishop Francis Asbury visited the area and Harris Meeting House in 1798.  Asbury, a central figure in early American Methodism and largely responsible for the demomination's success in the United States, wrote in his diary, "Tuesday November 6, 1798 we crossed the Roanoke River at Mosely's Ferry and stopped at McLane's, here God is working amongst the people.  We came on Wednesday by riding two hours in the night, through the woods, to Harris' where I preached on Thursday the 8th from Second Peter 1-4.  On Friday we rode to Col. Edmund Taylor's.  Sabbath day at Banks Church I preached on Heb. 6 11-12 and administered the Supper of the Lord and ordained John Whitfield a deacon." (Vol. II of Asbury's Diary, p. 399)

Harris Meeting House was the first property deeded to the Methodists in Granville County. In 1828, a dispute took place among the members of the Harris Meeting House and those deciding to continue as part of the Methodist Episcopal Church tore down the structure and rebuilt it nearby.  They called the church "Salem" which means "peace."  The other members from Harris Meeting House fomed a church named "Rehoboth" which means "there is room."  Based on the development of churches in the area, many other congregations including Hermon Church, Shady Grove Church, Gray Rock Church, Marrow's Chapel, and Harris Chapel can trace their orgins back to Salem and Harris Meeting House. 

As the congregation at Salem grew, a new church building was needed.  In 1860, Col. Richard P. Taylor and James Crews bought additional land and paid for the construction of a new church building.  The construction work was done by John Short, a slave owned by Col. Taylor's wife.  The structure was dedicated in August, 1861.  Both Taylor and Crews, along with their wives, are buried in the cemetery next to Salem United Methodist Church.

The church building of Salem United Methodist Church was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1988.  In the Statement of Significance the following is noted, "Salem United Methodist Church, built in 1860-61, is significant for its handsome and unusual Greek Revival, Italianate, and Gothic Revival style architecture.  Its triangular temple front pediment, multiple brackets and exuberant, and varied decorative motifs were reminiscent of the work of noted regional architect Jacob W. Holt, who either designed the church or strongly influenced its construction.  One of only three extant church buildings raised in the county prior to the Civil War, the church is further significant as one of the county's oldest and most ornate, plantation era, non-residential buildings." 

Over the years, Salem United Methodist Church has grown.  Steps were added to the front of the church in the 1940s and in 1952 an organ was given in in memory of Ruth Ernestine, daughter of Rev. J. L. Smith.  That organ is still in service today.  Chimes were given in memory of N.G. Crews sometime shortly after the organ was installed in the sanctuary. Extensive remodeling to the building and the stained glass windows took place in 1954.  After many years of planning and effort, a fellowship hall and Sunday school facility was completed in 1963.  This building houses the church's kitchen, Sunday school classes, and pastor's office. 

Salem United Methodist Church is currently part of a two-point charge with Harris Chapel United Methodist Church.  Salem has been served by student pastors who are attending Duke University's School of Divinity since 1980.

The members of Salem United Methodist Church are proud of their long heritage.  They have added a "History Room" inside the church to ensure Salem's history is not lost and forgotten. The 'History Room" contains many artifacts and other interesting items from Salem's long history. Built in the 1800s, grown in the 1900s, and facing its future in the 2000s, Salem United Methodist Church continues to serve God and make disciples for Jesus Christ.

(Information adapted from Salem United Methodist Church: A Brief History of One Hundred and Seventy-Five Years, 1828-2003 by Thurman A. Horney)