Our Story

History of Forest Grove United Methodist

1850 –  Today

Forest Grove United Methodist Church has a long standing history in Hanover County, predating the Civil War, having been established and built in 1850. At that time under the guidance of the Reverend Andrew McDowell, the church was built on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. James P. Woodson. Family descendants remain active in the church today. Early on, Forest Grove was part of a five-point circuit, which included Saint Peter’s United Methodist Church, Mount Hermon United Methodist, Dunn’s Chapel and Bethel. Bethel United Methodist closed in the 1940’s but the other four charges on the circuit remain active.

Like many frame churches from earlier years, Forest Grove suffered a devastating fire, which destroyed it in 1880. The church was rebuilt in 1886. That same year, a pulpit Bible, still on display in the Narthex, was donated by William Solon and Jessie McDowell in loving memory of their parents, the Reverend and Mrs. Andrew McDowell.  The first Sunday school was established in 1899 and an additional half-acre of land was donated to Forest Grove in 1925 by Mr. Howard and Effie Gilman. In order to accommodate the growing Sunday school program additional classrooms were added in 1930 and in 1940. In 1944, Mr. W.W. Mallory donated an additional half-acre of land to Forest Grove.

The frame church was replaced by the current brick structure in 1960, under the leadership of the Reverend Wasena Wright, Jr. A parsonage was acquired under the leadership of Reverend Grant Bomberger. The sanctuary was renovated in 2000.

An established cemetery is located directly behind the church, with the oldest identifiable gravestone having a date of 1870. Lying in rest are many veterans including those from the Civil War, as well as friends, relatives, and citizens from the Ashland area.

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