Where We've Been
1824
On July 15, 1824, the Boswell family donated four acres of land to establish Sandy Ridge Methodist at the crossroads where our church stands today. Their names, along with those of 23 other charter members, are inscribed on the stone marker in front of our church office. The family’s ministry continued through Lois Boswell, who married Clarke Weddington. Their son, Reuben Weddington, is the person for whom Weddington Methodist Church is named today.
1824
Our first sanctuary was built by the hands of faithful church members who hauled timber, framed the structure, and worked together to create a house of prayer for all people. The earliest recorded baptisms date back to 1837 and included men and women, both enslaved and free, reflecting a commitment to making disciples and sharing the love of Christ with all people.
1890
Our second sanctuary was built alongside Weddington School and a parsonage, marking an important chapter in the growth of our church and ministry to the community. A local Charlotte newspaper celebrated the new sanctuary, writing, “Mr. Weddington built a fine church there. It is one of the prettiest churches in the country anywhere.”
1890
Over the generations, the school property changed hands, but its connection to the church remained. In 1918, the Weddington Academy property was given to the Western North Carolina Conference, and in 1933, the Weddington School property was sold to the Union County Board of Education. The church repurchased the school property in 1979, and in 1984, the building was dedicated as the Weddington Community Center.
1901
Upon his death in 1901, Reuben Weddington left hundreds of acres of land to the church, marking a pivotal moment in our history. His extraordinary generosity helped lay the foundation for generations of ministry, discipleship, and future growth.
1925
Our third sanctuary, built of brick at a cost of $8,500, was dedicated as a new space for worship and discipleship. Today, this historic space continues to serve our church, housing many of our administrative offices and the gathering place known as the Sandy Ridge Room.
1972
Under the leadership of Rev. Ernest Stephens, a new Fellowship Hall was built at a cost of $145,000, creating additional space for the growing congregation to gather, share meals, build relationships, and grow together in faith.
1980
Weddington Christian Preschool (WCP) was established, creating a nurturing, Christ-centered environment where young children could learn, grow, and experience the love of Jesus. WCP classrooms were located in the Fellowship Hall. For more than 45 years, the preschool has continued to its ministry and mission.
1990
As Weddington and the surrounding communities continued to grow, so did the church. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Lenny Stadler, the congregation voted to move worship and education to the former Weddington School property. The building was renovated to provide expanded worship space, educational classrooms, and dedicated areas for children. In May 1991, the church moved “on the hill".
1997
As the congregation continued to grow, the need for additional worship space became clear. On March 2, 1997, our fourth and current sanctuary was dedicated, creating room for more people to gather in worship and grow in their faith.
2001
Weddington Christian Academy (WCA) was established in a small white building on the church’s lower lot with a mission to provide quality, Christ-centered education. For 25 years, WCA has continued to grow, equipping students academically and spiritually.
2004
Following the move to the sanctuary “on the hill,” church membership grew significantly, creating the need for additional space. The Family Life Center (FLC) was built and dedicated. In 2011, Weddington Christian Academy moved into the FLC, further expanding the church’s commitment to Christ-centered education.
2012
Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Terry Moore, Weddington Methodist Church continued to grow, expanding its ministry and mission into surrounding communities. In 2012, Marvin Methodist became a campus of WMC. Today, the campus is home to the Weddington Christian Counseling Center and other vital ministries that provide care, encouragement, and support to our community.
2013
In 2013, Bonds Grove Methodist joined the Weddington church family, expanding opportunities for worship, fellowship, and discipleship. Today, the campus is home to a close-knit congregation that gathers for worship each Sunday at 11 a.m., while Weddington Christian Preschool, life groups, and Bible studies bring faith and community together throughout the week.
2014
In 2014, Benton Heights Methodist joined the Weddington church family, becoming our Monroe Campus. In 2017, the campus celebrated its first bilingual worship service, expanding opportunities to share the Gospel across languages. Today, bilingual worship, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, Homework Help, and other ministries continue to thrive. This campus also holds a special place in our church’s history, as it is where Rev. Dr. Terry Moore preached his first sermon in 1984.
2020
In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought in-person worship to a pause. Though our church family could not gather physically, our clergy and leadership recorded worship services each week, keeping us connected. As in-person worship resumed, God planted the seeds for something more: an opportunity to reach people wherever they are. What began as a response to an unexpected challenge has grown into a thriving Online Campus.
2023
In 2023, the Brazilian congregation joined the Weddington Methodist Church family, further expanding our ministry across cultures and communities. Gathering weekly for worship in Portuguese, this congregation continues to grow in faith, fellowship, and discipleship.
2024
Weddington Methodist Church became affiliated with the Global Methodist Church, a world-wide body of Christ serving together. Membership continued to increase, reaching over 5,000 people! We are so thankful for the way God is working in and through our church family, academy, and preschool.