History of Cherry Hill Church

The history of Cherry Hill Church began in 1800 in the small log house of John Spence near Singerly Station. The Society originally bore the name of Spence and weekday services were held in the little log house until 1812 when the class was moved to the Alms House at Luttons Corner. In 1813 the class moved again, this time to the village of Cherry Hill. There they met in the upper room of the home of Rachel Work, mother of David C. Work who for many years was the village blacksmith.

 

On September 30, 1831, a meeting was held to choose a Board of Trustees for the purpose of building the first church. The Rev. William Torbert presided and Robert Carter was elected as President. Other Trustees were Cloud Carter, Henry Spence, Levi Tyson, William McBride, Thomas Ricketts, Thomas Spence, Samuel Jenness and Samuel Burnite. Robert Carter donated a lot and construction began in the fall of 1831.This first church was 20 ft. x 24 ft., of frame construction and painted yellow. It stood on the opposite side of the road from our present church. The contractor was Samuel Burnite and it was completed in 1833 for the total cost $544.28.

 

At a Quarterly Conference held on June 25, 1836 it was resolved to hold the first camp meeting at Cherry Hill on August 22, 1836. The managers appointed for this event were Joseph Miller, J.T. Brown, and John E. Simpers, Thomas Warburton and Levi Baldwin. Records show that a series of tent meetings were held over the next 9 years.

 

On June 24, 1857 the Trustees met to discuss building a larger church. It was resolved to build a new brick church 40x60 ft. of stone foundation with a second story balcony to be used for classes, prayer meetings and Sabbath school. William J. Grant, David Parker and Joseph Miller were appointed to the building committee. The contract was awarded to Stewart Gallaher for $2955.00.

 

Joseph Aspril and Thomas Simpers laid the cornerstone on August 26, 1857. Under the stone on the southeast corner was placed the following: A Bible, a hymn book, the Discipline, Christian Advocate, Ladies Repository, Methodist Almanac, Cecil Whig, list of names of the Trustees, the building committee and contributors to the enterprise and the names of all the children in the community.

 

The Trustees meeting of January 20th, 1859 states, "resolved that we purchase carpet, lamps, blinds and other furniture for our church, the carpentry work being about done now.” $1184.50 was spent on roofing, seats, painting, etc. for a total cost of $4149.50.

 

The church was dedicated on February 13th, 1859. Rev. James A. Brindle was the minister and Rev. William Urie gave the dedication sermon. The evening speaker was Rev. H. L. Hurn and the total collection for the day was an amazing $1,092.90.

 

On April16, 1872 the Trustees agreed to build a parsonage on a lot adjoining the church. It was completed in November at a cost of $3200.00 A stable was also built at the cost of $250.00 A fair and festival was held on October 22, 1872 to raise money. Some items sold were a buggy, afghans, sewing machines and harness. Net profits for the day were $2061.15.

 

Minutes from the Trustees meeting of December 6th, 1875 will enable us to gain insight into the attitudes concerning the worship service during the late 1800’s.

 

Rules
1 st- All persons attending upon Devine Service in this church are required to be seated quietly and orderly, and remain until the meeting is dismissed, or permission given to retire.
2 nd- All persons are forbidden to talk or give any disorder during the hours of the service
3rd- Persons are prohibited from defacing the pews, floor, walls or furniture of the church by the spitting of tobacco or in any other way.
4 th- Upon the dismissal of the congregation all persons are expected to retire quietly from the church as any disorder, either before or after service will not be tolerated.

R. C. Carter Chairman
Wm J. Grant Secretary

Perhaps this will explain why in1877 the older members of the church were so opposed to the introduction of an organ into the worship service by Rev. France “for the improvement of singing”. It was considered by some people to be the “Devils Music Box”. With the passing of time attitudes changed and the Children’s Day Service of June 10, 1888 included not only the organ, but also the coronet and violin.

 

In 1877 to 1879 land was purchased for the cemetery and in 1881 a lot adjoining the church was purchased for a hitching ground and horse sheds.

 

In 1890 repairs were done to the church including a new roof, plastering of the walls and the installation of the memorial stained glass windows. Trustees’ minutes from this period tell of a flourishing Sunday school and of weekly prayer, class meetings and Sunday morning and evening services being well attended.

 

In 1960 the Cherry Hill School was purchased and moved to its present location at the rear of the church. It was consecrated on September 17, 1961 to the Glory of God in memory of Mary Evans Harlan (1869-1951) who devoted a lifetime of Christian service to our church and 40 years as a schoolteacher at Cherry Hill School.

 

On April 17, 1963 a special quarterly conference and church conference of Big Elk Chapel and Cherry Hill Church was held in which the motion was approved to merge the two churches.

 

In 1996, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Cherry Hill School- Harlan House (1896- 1996), renovations were done to the interior. Bathrooms were remodeled with new fixtures and wainscoting added to match the original walls. The wood floors were refinished, walls and trim painted and new draperies made for the windows. The Boy Scout Troop 22 that we have sponsored since 1980 assisted us.

 

In 1998 the church began a major restoration of the old cemetery where the original church once stood. This project involves the removal of overgrown vegetation and the repair, leveling, realigning and cleaning of the tombstones. This project is being undertaken to preserve our heritage. A walk through this cemetery is a walk through the history of the first 100 years of Cherry Hill United Methodist Church.

 

In 1999 Robert Johnson, Troop 22, B.S.A., began an Eagle Scout project in the old cemetery. This project consisted of locating and documenting the information on all of the tombstones and showing the old cemetery layout. He also made and installed two benches, which were placed beside the gates. This will be a tremendous asset to anyone researching his or her Cherry Hill roots.

 

In April of 2000 a new organ was dedicated during a special dedication service. It replaced the organ purchased in 1963.

 

Recent improvements to the exterior of the church include lighting for the stained glass windows for evening services, expansion and paving of the parking lot, a handicapped access ramp and new landscaping of the church.