Thursday, September 26, 2013

Ocracoke Methodist Episcopal Church, South

The first church on Ocracoke was established in 1828. In 1844 the national Methodist Church split over the issue of slavery. The Ocracoke charge, like most Methodist churches below the Mason-Dixon Line, became part of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

So. Church, Howard St.




















Over the following years the "Southern Church" met in several different buildings. The most recent edifice was located midway on Howard Street, where Dicie's Cottage is today.

In 1883 a congregation affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church (the "Northern Church") was established on the island (more about that church tomorrow).

In 1939 the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; the Methodist Episcopal Church; and the Methodist Protestant Church united to form a new Methodist Church. Both Ocracoke Island churches were dismantled, and the present Ocracoke United Methodist Church was built on School Road. It was dedicated July 4, 1943.

Click here for a complete history of the Ocracoke Methodist Church.

Our most recent Ocracoke Newsletter is a compilation of humorous stories told by or about islanders. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092113.htm

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous1:16 PM

    I suppose records were not kept prior to a church needing a tax exempt status. Once the income tax was created to pay for the Civil War (which side do we have to thank for that) a church and record keeping and such was not important.

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