HSUMC History
Methodism began in Fayetteville around 1788 through the efforts of Reverend Henry Evans and Bishop Francis Asbury. African American lay preacher Henry Evans built the first Methodist meeting house on Cool Spring Street. Bishop Asbury received the newly formed congregation into the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1808 and appointed Reverend Thomas Mason the first pastor. The church purchased its current lot at the corner of Hay Street and Ray Avenue in April of 1832. The first building at this site was dedicated on June 23, 1835. It was replaced by the current structure in 1908, the centennial anniversary of the official organization of the church.
Hay Street Church constructed a Sunday School facility in 1900 behind the old sanctuary that was said to be "the best arranged in the state." Additional educational facilities were added behind the present sanctuary in the 1920's to provide for the rapidly growing congregation and Sunday School membership. The latest addition was built in 1950. Extensive renovations to the entire structure were completed in 1978.
During the 1978 renovations, a two manual tracker pipe organ was installed in the sanctuary by Walter Holtkamp, Sr., of Holtkamp Company in Cleveland, Ohio. Variations in tonal quality are regulated by 24 stops, which control 1,653 pipes grouped into 32 ranks. At the time it was purchased, the organ cost $115,000. It was first played during Sunday morning worship on July 16, 1978. [More about our pipe organ]
Made in Salisbury, England, the beautiful stained glass windows adorning the church's sanctuary are a treasure. These windows feature the rare "Robing Glass" technique of glass staining in which the folds in the robes are actually blown into the glass. The creation of such "robing" is now a lost art. The church is currently in the process of having the windows cleaned and re-leaded to help extend their life and beauty.
Hay Street United Methodist Church has served as a light for the residents of Fayetteville since the late 1700's, helping to bring the gospel of Christ to the Cape Fear Region. We invite you to join us in "Sharing the Love of God from the Heart of the Community" at this vibrant, friendly, and active historical church in downtown Fayetteville.
