In 1715, a parcel of land at Forke Bridge, near what is now the village of South Mills in Camden County, NC was dedicated to the glory of God for the purpose of worship. From that day until present, this same piece of consecrated ground has remained essentially the same.

Often compared to the hymn “The Church in the Wildwood”, this lovely white church with simple rainbow colored panes is a reflection of a simple way of life. Three denominations have occupied the same location on Old Swamp Road near Joyce Creek, which is home to McBride today. The crown government of England was intolerant of churches in the colonies outside of the Church of England. Prior to the Revolutionary War, it is likely most Methodists met in homes. By 1784, hostility had subsided enough to permit the Methodists to worship in a church known as Forke Chapel. Previously, Forke Chapel, a former Anglican Church or a part of the Church of England.

One November 14, 1792, a lease was drawn granting Elisha McBride and Joshua Gamberling, (in trust of the Methodist Society) and Joshua McPherson and Morgan Cartwright, (in trust for the American Episcopal Church), a parcel of land for joint use of worship.

McBride was erected in 1792, rebuilt in 1837, and again rebuilt and remodeled in 1882. At present the sanctuary is essentially as it was in 1882. The arched trusses on the inside of the sanctuary are quite striking. Huge curved beams add a distinct architectural interest to the vaulted ceiling. Notes on the memories of George F. Pearce (recorded by his daughter-in-law Jessie Pearce) state, “Papa says he remembers the large supports of the roof. They were built on the ground and then raised with a tackle. Mr. Riggs gave whiskey to the colored help because he thought it made them work better.”

Access to the gallery or balcony leads one up a curved stairwell past an intimate brush with stained glass panes. Some of the older original pews upstairs are reminders of McBride’s longevity and provide respite to reflect on the beauty of this historical sanctuary. This vantage point also provides an even greater respect for the sites construction.

Classrooms, fellowship hall, furnace room and kitchen were added at later dates. In 1965, Dr. Hersey Spence donated a colorful stained glass window of “Jesus praying in the garden” which replaced a tear drop window in the front wall of the church above the gallery.

In addition to the church, there was once a one room school. (An additional room was added later.) The church and school were the center of the community. H.E. Spence in his little book “ McBride A Mother in Methodism” wrote, “Adjoining the churchyard and closely connected with the church, stood the old schoolhouse, a one-room, one-teacher school; yet that little school had untold influence in the community. The church people frequently used the house

for afternoon preaching when the weather was too cold and the crowd too small for the larger church sanctuary. Occasionally a traveling showman would give an entertainment there, with a part of the proceeds going to the church to save himself taxation and to gain the patronage and support of the community. p5

At least nine-tenths of the outstanding persons in the northern section of Camden County were connected in some way with McBride Methodist Church or Sunday School.” p7

I remember the old services as well as if it were yesterday. The women came into the church early. The men sat outside on the roots of the big oak tree which stood in front of the church or stood around chewing tobacco, swapping yarns and talking about the weather. During the services, the men occupied benches on the side to the left of the pulpit and the women to the right. Sheep and goats a la the Parable. It was not customary for mixed groups to sit together, unless, of course, a young man escorted his lady friend as a sort of suitor. The old women and old men frequently sat in the “Amen Corners.” They were literally that……Some of the men who sat out in the main section of the church got next to the wall so that they could lean their heads against it and go to sleep, if the sermon proved to be too tedious. Large dark grease spots were left on the wall where they leaned their heads. Sometimes they would chew tobacco and spit on the floor. When we went out to do the spring cleaning, the men would take along chisels to scoop the tobacco remnants from the floor. p7

Though McBride has been recognized nationally as a historically significant monument among the earliest American Churches, the most important part of her heritage is the ministry and outreach which has been lovingly and enthusiastically developed over the years.

Sources:

McBride United Methodist Church ~ Two Hundred Years of Ministry and Outreach – Ina D. Lane

McBride A Mother in Methodism – H. E. Spence

Notes – Martha Ann

Compiled by Donna Stewart

McBride Church Service Times: 9:30am – Sunday School

10:30am – Worship

MCBride Church 252-772-771-3176

Historical contact for McBride – 252-771-2857

marthaann50@yahoo.com

For information on McBride’s NC Historical Marker: http://www.ncmarkers.com/Results.aspx?k=Search&ct=btn