A History of Hickory Grove UMC

Faithful Christians have worshiped here for 215 years and counting…

The story of Hickory Grove is still unfolding. And we’d love for you to join our history.

Far from being held back by history, we are propelled by the faithful witness of our ancestors. The history includes a rich legacy of faithful leadership within the church, as well as talented and faithful ministers. In every generation, leaders have innovated and taken risks for the sake of reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus. The following history includes a lot of emphasis on structures, but the heart of the church is our people. You’ll find warm and generous friends here.

1700s

As people settled in present-day Guilford County in the 18th Century, some folks wanted a place of worship. They gathered in this area under arbors to receive communion and hear the word of God proclaimed. The Methodist Church sent out pastors on horseback known as “Circuit-Riders.” This innovative system enabled the Methodist Church to expand its reach into the countryside.

1800s

The current property was deeded to the Hickory Grove trustees in 1808 for a place of worship. The original eight members were Hugh Little, Thankful Little, Polly Ann Little, James White, John Gordon, John Hiatt, and Pattie Hiatt. They began work on a little log building right away.

In 1829, the first sanctuary was built, and membership grew subsequently. In 1840, a brush arbor was built to accommodate camp meetings. Camp Meetings were a quintessential part of America’s Second Great Awakening. Families would gather for days on end to hear preaching, receive communion and enjoy Christian fellowship. Some camp meetings still meet to this day, but Hickory Grove ceased meeting in 1861.

In the mid-1800s Hickory Grove joined the Methodist Protestant Church, a split from the Methodist Episcopal Church. (They would later merge in the 1930s).

A new building was erected in 1889. This building saw revivals and dozens of Christians come to faith in Jesus Christ.

1900s

On March 3, 1930, the church burned. The story goes that a young man named Herbert was responsible for starting the stoves early on Sundays so that the building would be warm for worship. Apparently on this Sunday, Herbert became distracted and left the building, only to return to flames.

By that fall, the church had begun building a new brick building, which housed worship until 1971.

In 1961, Hickory Grove build a modern Educational Building to support the discipleship of young people, and 10 years later the present sanctuary was built. As a result of generous gifts and robust fundraising, the building was paid off in just about 5 years.

Montlieu UMC

In 1943, following years of planning, a group of faithful Methodists formed Lindsay Memorial Methodist in High Point, NC. They bought property at the corner of Montlieu Avenue and Gordon Street. (Funds for the church property were raised during the war. Mr. Roscoe Briley held worship services on a destroyer and collected $150, which went toward purchasing pulpit furniture). The first building was erected in 1945, and its more permanent structure was completed in 1959. The church changed its name to “Montlieu Avenue Methodist Church” at this time.

The church continued faithfully for 70 years, upon which it merged with Hickory Grove.

Charter members include: W.B. Delk, Ora Delk, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Cline, Topsy Delk, Betty Gwyn Delk Weekly, W.B. Delk, Jr., D.A. Neese, Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Allen, Mr. and Mrs. A.R. Kimrey, Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Harriss, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Harriss, Mr. and Mrs. V.G. Kirkman, Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Hassell, Jessie Murray, Harriet Murray, Lizzie Hutchens Delk, G.E. Thayer, Mr. and Mrs. L.D. Ridge, Wallace Ridge, Arlene Ridge Hayworth, Darrell Ridge, Wayne Smith, Betty Smith Bottoms, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Bradsher, Mrs. John Long, Mrs. W.A. Lambe, Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Carmichael, David Lee Carmichael, Mrs. Max Chadwick, Frank Hassell, Ruth Thayer Harman, Billy Ridge, Betty Jones Creed, Dr. J.D. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Jeranko, Mary Ruth Phillips, Jacqueline Hussey, Alice Hussey, Alfred Hussey, Nannie Jones, Wayne Ridge, Mr. and Mrs. John Ridge, Don Ridge, Mr. and Mrs. O.W. Thomas, Jean Davis Wagner, Dorothy Davis Smith, Beverly Davis Hollingsworth, Ellen Ray Davis Outlaw, Polly Lassiter Gibson, Mrs. A.O. Boles, Johnny Teanny, Harold Wyatt, Dr. and Mrs. J.D. Williams Jr, Maude Southern, Mrs. Charles Young.

2000s

Montlieu and Hickory Grove merged congregations in 2013 for the sake of missional effectiveness. The church would eventually sell the Montlieu building to a congregation of another tradition.

The early 2020s were challenging for all churches, but Hickory Grove rose to the challenge. Leaders enhanced the church to accommodate online worship experiences.

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the church is reminded of how integral in-person fellowship is. The church is excited about the days ahead. As beautiful as the past has been, the future will be even better.

God’s still writing an amazing story here, and we would love for you to take part!

Sources: A History of Hickory Grove written by Rev. Edgar Peeler in 1931, A History of Montlieu from its 1995 Homecoming

Pastoral History (1866-present)

1866- T.J. Ogborn

1871- W.C. Hammer

1875- T.T. Freer

1881- G.W. Boman

1887-J.R. Ball

1890- C.A. Cecil

1892- W.W. Amick

1894-W.C. Kennett

1896- W.C. Hammer

1899- C.E.M. Raper

1901- J.H. Stowe

1902- G.L. Reynolds

1904-D.A. Highfill

1906-O.P. Ruth

1907- J.R. Hutton

1908- D.A. Highfill

1910- J.H. Stowe

1911- T.A. Plyer

1913-T.F. McCulloch

1914-S.M. Needham

1916-W.H. Neese

1918-A.H. Hamilton

1920-J.H. Boumon

1923- C.H. Whitaker

1926- O.C. Loy

1928- W.F. Ashburn

1929-J.R. Hutton

1930- E.O. Peeler

1933-D.D. Broom

1935- C.B. Way

1937- J.B. Trogden

1941-H.C. Byrum

1943. V.A. Morton

1946- O.B. Williams

1948- A.D. Shelton

1956- B.D. Brown

1962- F.W.D. Bangle

1966- W.H. Key

1970= F.D. Beaty

1972- W.O. Cooper

1975- L.A. Scott

1979- J.L. McKinney

1983- H.C. Beck

1984- Budd Ellington

1986- M.C. Williams

1991- B. Holliday

1996- G.M. Smith

1997- E.R. Haire Jr.

1998- E. Coppedge-Henley

2002- J. Sherfey

2005- K. Easter Bayne

2009. L. Anderson

2014- W. Morrow

2023- L. Marshall

2024- J. Britton