Historic District in Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church
1890
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024
1. Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church Marker
Porter & Godwin of Goldsboro, NC, builder
Gothic Revival style double towered church built of Richmond pressed brick dedicated on 26 September 1890 for the Methodist congregation organized in 1847. Stained-glass windows designed and made by Ernest V. Richards. The Soong Memorial Educational Building erected 1921-1924 and named for Chinese entrepreneur Charlie J. Soong, 宋嘉澍 (1863-1918), who was baptized at this site in 1880.
Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 34° 13.808′ N, 77° 56.548′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is on South 5th Avenue north of Church Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Charlie Jones Soong (a few steps from this marker); Worth-Madden House (within shouting distance of this marker); Yopp House (within shouting distance of this marker); Simmons House (within shouting distance of this marker); J.W. Fleet House (within shouting distance of this marker); Carrie Hardy Gardner House (within shouting distance of this marker); A.M. Wilson House (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024
2. Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church Marker
Featured marker is between the two arched Gothic windows on the side wall of the church.
Regarding Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church. The church has been closed since early 2023 amid legal wrangling over its future and property. The dispute's origins date to late 2022, when the church began the process of disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church (UMC) over ideological differences. In March 2023, the UMC's North Carolina conference citing declining membership closed Fifth Avenue Methodist and changed the locks. The congregation sued to reopen the church and restart the disaffiliation process, but the suit was tossed by a local court. However, an appeals court overturned that dismissal in December 2024, and the suit remains pending as of mid-January 2025.
Also see . . .
1. Some Interesting Facts Of Fifth Avenue Methodist Church, Together With A Complete Roster Of (PDF). Circa 1940 typewritten history of the church by an unknown author. (via North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, Archives & History) (Submitted on January 13, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Our Heritage. Archived history of the church, which was organized in 1847 by Abel M. Chreitzberg. (Fifth Street United Methodist Church; archived March 27, 2023 via Internet Archive) (Submitted on January 13, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
3. Wilmington Historic District (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes this property and was listed in 1974. (Prepared by Survey and Planning Unit, North Carolina Division of Archives and History; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 13, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
4. Wilmington Historic District Boundary Expansion and Additional Documentation (PDF). National Register nomination that expounded on and expanded the district in 2003. (Prepared by Sherry Joines Wyatt and L. Robbie King; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 13, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 130 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 13, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
