Lexington in Davidson County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
St. Stephen United Methodist Church
Est. 1868
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 13, 2023
1. St. Stephen United Methodist Church Marker
St. Stephen has and continues to serve the African American community to eliminate social injustices, promote civil rights and save souls.
August 6. 2021
Erected 2023 by St. Stephen United Methodist Church.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location. 35° 49.423′ N, 80° 15.084′ W. Marker is in Lexington, North Carolina, in Davidson County. Marker is at the intersection of East 1st Street and North Salisbury Street, on the right when traveling west on East 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 E 1st St, Lexington NC 27292, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Reformed Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Davidson County World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Robert F. Sink (about 500 feet away); Davidson County Vietnam War Memorial (about 500 feet away); Daniel Boone and Gen. Nathanael Greene (about 600 feet
this page online
Regarding St. Stephen United Methodist Church. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:
According to local tradition, a small contingent of formerly enslaved persons organized King Methodist Church in 1868, initially meeting at a site on Old Greensboro Road. The group did not have a permanent place of worship until 1874, when members paid $400 for the sanctuary that had been constructed around 1837 by Lexington’s white Methodist congregation on Salisbury Street’s south side.… King Methodist Church's purchase of the Salisbury Street property coincided with the completion of the white Methodist congregation’s $5,000 Classical Revival-style sanctuary on South Main Street. King Methodist Church became known as St. Stephen Methodist Episcopal Church by 1885, following member and community leader Robert Baxter McRary’s successful petition for the name change.
The circa 1837 sanctuary was destroyed by a fire on March 23, 1886. It is unknownwhere the St. Stephen congregation worshipped for the next six years, but on February 20, 1892 the Methodist Episcopal Church Board of Church Extension loaned St. Stephen trustees $200 to purchase additional property in order to erect a new church. Construction of a frame Gothic Revival-style sanctuary commenced soon after.…Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 13, 20232. St. Stephen United Methodist Church Marker
Reverend Pinckney Isaac Wells (1882-1954) led the St. Stephen and St. John congregations from 1917 until 1924. He resided between Thomasville and Lexington. Wells oversaw the 1921 construction of St. Stephen’s second sanctuary at a cost of $1,500. The brick-veneered building encompasses the frame 1892 church as a rear classroom wing.
Also see . . .
1. St. Stephen United Methodist Church (PDF). National Register nomination submitted for the church. (Prepared by y Heather Fearnbach; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 7, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. The majesty of the stained glass at St. Stephen UMC of Lexington. Davidson Daily website entry:
St. Stephen UMC is the oldest Black congregation in the Lexington District of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, and is further distinguished by occupying Lexington’s oldest extant African American sanctuary of any denomination. (Davidson Local) (Submitted on January 7, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 37 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 7, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
