Our History

As early as 1760, the Methodist movement had reached America, brought from England by the pioneer preacher Joseph Pilmore, who had been converted by John Wesley. Pilmore began organizing classes in the southern states, following the pattern of John and Charles Wesley. This movement reached North Carolina in 1772. On May 21, 1776, the first North Carolina Circuit was established.

Francis Asbury, the first bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, visited Swansboro at least three times. This is an excerpt from his journal:

“Wednesday, April 6, 1785-Preached at Swansbury in sight of the sea. Here are a wicked people indeed; nevertheless a few have joined society.”

“Saturday and Sunday, December 24 and 25 (Christmas), 1785 we held quarterly meeting at Swansbury, many people—little religion.” 

“Thursday, January 27, 1791—I had many to hear at Swansbury—the people were attentive—O that God may bless His word to them.” 

Little is known about the church until 1871. There was a church that was attended by all denominations in the vicinity of the present Waterway Realty. There was a Northern Methodist Church in the same area, which was sold to the Unitarians in 1907. This group came from the North and organized the Emmerton School.

The present church was organized on March 1, 1871. There were about 15 families in the village, and a few from the adjacent area who were members. This group worshiped in the Old Brick Store and in a school building located near where the First Citizens Bank building is currently located. The preachers served all the surrounding churches, living for a time in Belgrade and later in Maysville. Around 1880, the Methodists built a church at the corner of Church and Elm streets, where everyone worshiped until the Baptists built their own church.

The Swansboro Circuit was organized in 1908 and consisted of five and sometimes six churches. The parsonage was the house on the lot adjoining the church. About 1930, the congregation sold the church and the parsonage and purchased the Emmerton School property from the Unitarians. This was a U-shaped building and would house the sanctuary, the Sunday School area, and the living quarters for the parsonage family. This building is now the Swansboro Town Hall. 

A History of Stepping Forward

In 1935, more space was needed for church activities, and the parsonage family needed different living conditions. The solution was to build a parsonage on Russell Street with the churches sharing in the project.

By 1956, the church was again experiencing growth and realized the need for a full-time minister. After much thought and prayer, the Administrative Board decided to request station status. This meant buying out the parsonage shares and raising the budget from $2,600 to $8,500 in one year. At the meeting at which the decision was made to submit the request, the 18 members of the board pledged $4,000 of the $8,500.

In 1968, the church once again opened the doors to a new facility to accommodate growth and expanded church activities under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Moe. On March 7, 1971, the Swansboro Methodist Church celebrated its centennial with The Rev. Tommy M. Faggart, pastor, leading the service. The Rev. Charles H. Mercer preached the centennial sermon. Others participating were former pastors: The Rev. D. W. Charlton; The Rev. Paul Evans; The Rev. David L. Moe; The Rev. W.S. Hopkins, Jr.; The Rev. E. R. Shuller, and The Rev. Harry L. Rogers.

On September 22, 1974, the church’s dedication service was held. Rev. Faggart, pastor, led the services. The dedication sermon was delivered by Bishop Robert Blackburn, who also led the dedication ritual. The Reverends Harold Leatherman, Robert Dawson, and David Moe also took part in the service.

The next building project was a new parsonage. The old parsonage was moved to the church grounds and named the Robert Barnum Building. A beautiful new parsonage was built on the Russell Street lot.

In 1983, the church constructed a 7,500-foot addition to the fellowship hall and educational space, along with other renovations. This area housed a weekday child care center and preschool and served our Sunday School and other ministries until 2013. Swansboro United Methodist Church was now a vital part of the community, drawing many through its doors day in and day out.

Construction on a new 450-seat sanctuary was completed in late 1999.  A service of consecration and dedication was held in February 2000, and worship began in our new sanctuary.  As we look to the future of this church and the new facility to serve our ministries, we reflect on the years of service to the church and community as a congregation that steps forward in faith to worship God, instruct believers, and share God’s grace with others.

“Here We Grow Again!” On June 30, 2013, the church broke ground on a new Ministry Center. This new center was built to accommodate the need for an expanded Contemporary Worship space, children’s and youth classrooms, an enlarged fellowship area, and new space for the Child Care Center. This Ministry Center was consecrated on August 9, 2015.