History of Rehoboth United Methodist Church

The Virginia Conference minutes of 1829 listed Caroline Charge for the first time as a separate appointment. No verification can be found prior to that time that Rehoboth was an organized unit, although it is believed to have been.

From 1830 to 1850 the “Old Rehoboth Meeting House” was down the road from the present structure. In 1856, the present sanctuary was constructed of hand-made, oven-fired bricks from the fields near Partlow. Captain Partlow was responsible for having the church built and the stained glass window behind the pulpit is in his memory. The other windows in the sanctuary were shipped from England and are believed to be handmade, which accounts for the bubbles in them. The pews are still in their original design, being spaced widely to allow for the hooped skirts of the period. The dividing petition in the center kept the men on one side and the women on the other. The original oil lamps, pulpit and chancel rails are still in use. The balcony was designed and used for the plantation owners’ slaves with a separate outside entrance. This entrance was closed with bricks and the current balcony steps were installed.

In March 1962, the first spadeful of soil was turned for the Educational building, with the first classes being held in September 1963. Our church school continues to be a vital part of our ministry to persons of all ages.