Fork United Methodist Church - Fork MD
Posted by: Don.Morfe
N 39° 28.380 W 076° 26.880
18S E 375451 N 4370268
Fork United Methodist Church is the oldest Methodist Congregation in Maryland worshipping in its original location. James Baker gave land from his farm in 1773 and a log chapel was built. In 1827, the log chapel was replaced by a brick structure.
Waymark Code: WM14K7V
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 07/19/2021
Views: 2
TEXT from the Maryland Historical Marker in front of the church:
Fork United Methodist Church-Oldest Methodist Congregation in Maryland worshipping in its original location. Organized as Fork Meeting by Robert Strawbridge. Land near “The Forks of the Gunpowder” given in 1771 by James Baker, who converted to Methodism under the preaching of Rev. John King. Francis Asbury preached here June 9, 1776.
From the Church website:
"Fork United Methodist Church
Fork is the site of one of the oldest Methodist congregation in the country. The founder was James Baker, the first Methodist convert in the City of Baltimore.
In April of 1771, “James Baker from the Forks of the Gunpowder, deputy surveyor of the county, happening to be in Baltimore Town, and attracted by the crowd in attendance upon the first appearance of John King (who had studied under John Wesley in England) at a blacksmith’s shop at Front and French Streets, sat upon his horse and listened to the sermon.”
When James Baker arrived at home in Fork, after hearing Mr. King, he immediately opened his home as a regular preaching place for visiting Methodist ministers and he started a Society of Methodists. This society became the Fork Methodist Episcopal Church and eventually the Fork United Methodist Church.
One of the early preachers of Fork was Francis Asbury, who became the first bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America in 1784. Asbury kept a daily journal in which he recorded preaching at “Forks” or “Bakers” nineteen times between 1771-1815 in addition to a Quarterly Conference in April, 1775.
James Baker gave one acre of land from his farm for public worship and in 1773 a log chapel was built. In 1827, the log chapel was replaced by a brick structure which had been remodeled a number of times.
In 1953, a parsonage was built near the church and in 1960 the educational building was completed. Shirley Hall, which had been a Community and Lyceum Hall since the middle of the 19th century and purchased by the church in 1915, was no longer being used so it was completely demolished in 1969.
In 1998, the church was named an “Official Conference Historical Site.”
Ruth Collins, Records and History Secretary
forkumc.org/about-us/history/
Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1827
Age of Church building determined by?: Church website
If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Methodist
If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: From: 9:00 AM To: 12:00 PM
If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday
Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 9:30 AM
Street address of Church: 12800 Fork Road Fork, MD United States 21051
Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed
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