Downtown in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Epworth United Methodist Church, 1894
Photographed By Laura Troy, November 4, 2007
1. Epworth United Methodist Church, 1894 Marker
Inscription.
Epworth United Methodist Church, 1894. . This 1894 Richardsonian Romanesque granite and sandstone church was designed by Norfolk architects James E. R. Carpenter and John V. Peebles. It was built to accommodate the growing congregation of the 1850 Granby Street Methodist Church at the northeast corner of Granby and Freemason Streets. Both churches originated from the 1802 Cumberland Street Methodist Church, the first Methodist congregation in Norfolk. , The congregation named their new house of worship “Epworth,” after the English home of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Gothic features on the 135-foot carillon tower include eight gargoyles. In the sanctuary, a stained glass dome designed by Edward J.N. Stent of New York is supported by arches bearing mosaic likenesses of female figures representing the cardinal virtues of faith, hope, love and charity. The Aeolian-Skinner organ was considered to be the finest in the South at the time of its installation in 1959. , Epworth members organized Norfolk’s first chapter of Goodwill Industries and the city’s first Circle of the King’s Daughters. They also participated in the establishment of Virginia Wesleyan College., (Caption, left picture): Cumberland Street Methodist Church (1802 - 1850), (Caption, center picture): Church Interior, 1952, (Caption, right picture): Granby Street Methodist Church (1850 - 1894), Illustrations courtesy of Epworth United Methodist Church
This 1894 Richardsonian Romanesque granite and sandstone church was designed by Norfolk architects James E. R. Carpenter and John V. Peebles. It was built to accommodate the growing congregation of the 1850 Granby Street Methodist Church at the northeast corner of Granby and Freemason Streets. Both churches originated from the 1802 Cumberland Street Methodist Church, the first Methodist congregation in Norfolk.
The congregation named their new house of worship “Epworth,” after the English home of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Gothic features on the 135-foot carillon tower include eight gargoyles. In the sanctuary, a stained glass dome designed by Edward J.N. Stent of New York is supported by arches bearing mosaic likenesses of female figures representing the cardinal virtues of faith, hope, love and charity. The Aeolian-Skinner organ was considered to be the finest in the South at the time of its installation in 1959.
Epworth members organized Norfolk’s first chapter of Goodwill Industries and the city’s first Circle of the King’s Daughters. They also participated in the establishment of Virginia Wesleyan College.
(Caption, left picture): Cumberland Street Methodist Church (1802 - 1850)
(Caption, center picture): Church Interior, 1952
(Caption, right picture): Granby Street Methodist Church (1850 - 1894)
Location. 36° 51.062′ N, 76° 17.366′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Downtown. Marker is on E Freemason St, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. This marker is part of the Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail
Photographed By Laura Troy, November 4, 2007
2. The Church
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
3. Epworth United Methodist Church, 1894 Marker
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
4. Epworth Church Centennial 1894-1994 Marker
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
5. In Memory of Eliza O Scott
April 7, 1822* June 1 1899
Whose Holy life, abounding zeal and tender sympathy marking her as a daughter of the king; and made her life a benediction to all.
"Thy statues have been my songs in the house of Pilgrimage."
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
6. Epworth United Methodist Church
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
7. Epworth United Methodist Church
circa 1920
8. Epworth Church, Norfolk, Va.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,695 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 8. submitted on October 7, 2015. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.