OUR STORY
Nottingham Myers United Methodist Church is an out-growth of the "Old Salem" meeting house which sat on the banks of the Patuxent River at Nottingham during the early mid 1800s; and more recently a product of the former Brooks and St. Mary's Methodist Churches.
On June 11, 1867, approximately two years after the end of slavery, one acre of land was purchased from the Mansfield Farm for the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) and was deeded to the trustees of the Colored Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church by John H. Skinner. The trustees whose names appeared on the deed were Henry Butler, James MacKall, Albert Scott, John Dockett and Nathaniel Brooks.
The first dwelling to be called Brooks Church was an old log building located directly beside what is now know as Brooks Church Road. It is not known when the building was completed, but it is know that this meeting house served as a church and a school. The labor and materials for the structure were provided by the Freedman's Bureau which was an organization established by the United States Congress on March 3, 1865, for the purpose of assisting freed black men in the construction of schools and hospitals.
During the fall of 1877, a new site for a school was purchased. However, it would be a few more years before the congregation would begin to build a new church. In the late 1800s a new church was begun. Due to various circumstances and obstacles, the building was not completed until 1889. It was not until the appointment of Reverend F. D. Myers to the Nottingham Charge in 1930 the present church was built. Upon accepting this appointment, Rev. Myers was told that one of this duties would be to build a new church. Construction was begun on this sanctuary in 1938. It was completed and dedicated, debt free in September, 1939.
On June 11, 1867, approximately two years after the end of slavery, one acre of land was purchased from the Mansfield Farm for the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) and was deeded to the trustees of the Colored Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church by John H. Skinner. The trustees whose names appeared on the deed were Henry Butler, James MacKall, Albert Scott, John Dockett and Nathaniel Brooks.
The first dwelling to be called Brooks Church was an old log building located directly beside what is now know as Brooks Church Road. It is not known when the building was completed, but it is know that this meeting house served as a church and a school. The labor and materials for the structure were provided by the Freedman's Bureau which was an organization established by the United States Congress on March 3, 1865, for the purpose of assisting freed black men in the construction of schools and hospitals.
During the fall of 1877, a new site for a school was purchased. However, it would be a few more years before the congregation would begin to build a new church. In the late 1800s a new church was begun. Due to various circumstances and obstacles, the building was not completed until 1889. It was not until the appointment of Reverend F. D. Myers to the Nottingham Charge in 1930 the present church was built. Upon accepting this appointment, Rev. Myers was told that one of this duties would be to build a new church. Construction was begun on this sanctuary in 1938. It was completed and dedicated, debt free in September, 1939.
The story continues...
St. Mary's Church in Croom was founded in 1900 after the purchase of an acre of land from James and Susan Saville for the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00). This land was deeded to the following trustees on December 20, 1900: Allen Spencer, William Miller, Charles Greenleaf, Jeremiah Douglass and Isaac Coates. At the time f the land purchase an old log building was on the property and it was used as a church until one could be built.
In 1947, Under the leadership of Rev. Frederick D. Myers, St. Mary's Church was renovated by Rev. Myers with the assistance of Mr. Eddie McClendon. At this time a choir loft, a choir room study and basement were added.
Sadly, St. Mary's Church was destroyed by a tragic fire in 1965. Following the destruction of the building the members began to hold services at St. Simon's Episcopal Church on St. Thomas Church Road. Through the generosity of Mrs. Catherine Pinkney, the members were allowed to use the hall at the Croom Settlement School to hold their Sunday School Classes. Her husband Wilmer Pinkney, and son Moscell, saw to it that heat was provided every Sunday Morning.
In 1947, Under the leadership of Rev. Frederick D. Myers, St. Mary's Church was renovated by Rev. Myers with the assistance of Mr. Eddie McClendon. At this time a choir loft, a choir room study and basement were added.
Sadly, St. Mary's Church was destroyed by a tragic fire in 1965. Following the destruction of the building the members began to hold services at St. Simon's Episcopal Church on St. Thomas Church Road. Through the generosity of Mrs. Catherine Pinkney, the members were allowed to use the hall at the Croom Settlement School to hold their Sunday School Classes. Her husband Wilmer Pinkney, and son Moscell, saw to it that heat was provided every Sunday Morning.
The merger
Although St. Mary's Church was destroyed by fire around 1965, it was not until the arrival of Reverend James K. McCants that an effort was made to combine the two churches. On September 1, 1968 the laity of Brooks and St. Mary's United Methodist Churches met for a church conference to discuss the possibility of the two churches merging.
Following the merger the Brooks and St. Mary's Churches a new name had to be decided upon. On September 29, 1968 after considerable debate the name Nottingham-Croom United Methodist Church was voted upon as the new church name. On January 6, 1969 another vote was taken to name the church Myers United Methodist Church in honor of the late Reverend F. D. Myers who served as Pastor to both churches for twenty four years.
Following the merger the Brooks and St. Mary's Churches a new name had to be decided upon. On September 29, 1968 after considerable debate the name Nottingham-Croom United Methodist Church was voted upon as the new church name. On January 6, 1969 another vote was taken to name the church Myers United Methodist Church in honor of the late Reverend F. D. Myers who served as Pastor to both churches for twenty four years.