The Daily Record
Erwin Methodist Celebrates History, Pays Off Family Life Center
Erwin United Methodist Church celebrated its 112-year history and burned the mortgage note for its Family Life Center on Pentecost Sunday, May 15.
Payment of the $421,000 Family Life Center was completed in January. The building opened in 2011.
Church treasurer Willie Dorman, vice chairman of the Building Committee, recognized special guests during the Sunday worship service who were instrumental in building the Family Life Center.
That group included Julian Jessup, construction supervisor; Jim Williams, contractor/builder; Chad Massengill, vice president of First Federal Bank who represented Clem Medley, president and CEO of First Federal; Mike Eaker, who served as chairman of the Building Committee and Johnson Tilghman, legal adviser and leader of the Capital Campaign committee.
“No doubt, God’s hand was upon us,” Mr. Dorman said of the process that was involved in the building’s construction and payment.
An anonymous donor contributed a significant sum over several years. Pledges and payments from church members went a long way on the project as well.
Mr. Dorman noted that the 5,600 square-foot structure has been used for Bible studies, the Last Supper dramatization, school graduations, National Day of Prayer celebrations, Erwin Chamber of Commerce events, family gatherings, Vacation Bible School, reunions, church dinners, First Responder appreciation suppers, casserole, craft and bake sales, youth group meetings, family movie nights, United Methodist Women and United Methodist Men events, bazaars, festivals and special celebrations during holidays and the holy seasons of Advent and Lent. The church is looking into the possibility of developing the building as a Red Cross emergency shelter.
Members of the Building Committee and Building Finance/Capital Campaign Committee also stood for recognition at Sunday’s service.
Phyllis Dunn and Roy Tyson, lifelong EUMC members, gave a history of the church, which dates back to 1904. The present sanctuary at 600 Denim Drive was completed in September of 1966.
Erwin Methodist and Parker’s Grove of Linden comprised a twochurch charge for many years with the same pastor serving both churches. Parker’s Grove merged with Erwin Methodist earlier this year.
A dedication ceremony was held in conjunction with the note burning before a lunch in the Family Life Center on Sunday.
Representatives of various ministry areas were called up before the note burning including Mr. Eaker, Mr. Dorman, Joe Talley, Trustee chairman; Graham Stewart, Administrative Board chairman; Elaine Tilghman, Council on Ministries chair; Johnson Tilghman; Morning Lopp, church and financial secretary; Seth Lemon, youth president; Peggy Fowler, church historian; Peggy Jones, Sunday School superintendent; Phyllis Dunn, United Methodist Women president; Jerry Walker, United Methodist Men president; Susan Byerly, Pastor Parish Relations Committee chair; Mike Beasley, lay leader; Frances Collier, EUMC Pastor Parish Relations Committee and former Parker’s Grove lay leader.
Photos and documents of church history were on display at the Sunday dinner in the Family Life Center, which is located across the parking lot from the sanctuary.
From left are Erwin United Methodist lay leader Mike Beasley, church treasurer Willie Dorman and Pastor Don Mitchell. The mortgage note on the Family Life Center was burned Sunday in the urn on the table.
Submitted Photo
