Mission Statement  - Fulton UMC

We are a family of God's people dedicated to serving Jesus Christ, gaining power through the Holy Spirit, and sharing this with everyone we meet. 

We serve our community through the church and are willing to give of ourselves in time of need. 

We are devoted to continue to grow as Christian servants through worship, Bible Study, fellowship and outreach.

Historical Statement - The United Methodist Church

On April 23, 1968, the United Methodist Church was created when Bishop Reuben H. Mueller, representing The Evangelical United Brethren Church, and Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke of The Methodist Church joined hands at the General Conference in Dallas, Texas.  With the words, "Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The United Methodist Church," the new denomination was given birth by two churches that had distinguished histories and influential ministries in various parts of the world.

The United Methodist Church shares a common history and heritage with other Methodist and Wesleyan bodies.  The lives and ministries of John Wesley and his brother Charles mark the origin of their common roots.  Both John and Charles were Church of England missionaries to the colony of Georgia, arriving in March 1736.  It was their only occasion to visit America.  Their mission was far from an unqualified success, and both returned to England disillusioned and discouraged, Charles in December 1736, and John in February 1738.

Both of the Wesley brothers had transforming religious experiences in May 1738.  In the years following, the Wesleys succeeded in leading a lively renewal movement in the Church of England.  As the Methodist movement grew, it became apparent that their ministry would spread to the American colonies as some Methodists made the exhausting and hazardous Atlantic voyage to the New World.

Organized Methodism in America began as a lay movement.  To strengthen the Methodist work in the colonies, John Wesley sent two of his lay preachers, Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore, to America in 1769.  Two years later Richard Wright and Francis Asbury were also dispatched by Wesley to undergird the growing American Methodist societies.  Francis Asbury became the most important figure in early American Methodism.  His energetic devotion to the principles of Wesleyan theology, ministry, and organization shaped Methodism in America in a way unmatched by any other individual.  In addition to the preachers sent by Wesley, some Methodists in the colonies also answered the call to become lay preachers in the movement.  The first conference of Methodist preachers in the colonies was held in Philadelphia in 1773.

For more information on the history of the United Methodist Church, see "The Book of Discipline" of the United Methodist Church, which serves as the church's governing constitution.

Our Church History - Fulton United Methodist Church

In the late 1700's, the Methodist Church was in its early stages.  However, the circuit-riding preachers' dedication to spreading the gospel caused Methodism to grow quickly.  The Yadkin Circuit was organized in 1780, with the circuit-riding Reverend Andrew Yeagan as Minister in Charge.  While Andrew Yeagan traveled on horseback along the Yadkin trading path, he encountered two families - Joseph Hanes and John Lowery.  These families would eventually settle in the Fulton community and would play a major role in founding the Hebron (now Fulton) Church.

In the early days, trade routes followed rivers, and along these trails, campgrounds would spring up where travelers could spend the night.  These campgrounds became the headquarters of early revival leaders and local religious groups.  Fulton was an ideal location for such a campground.  It is believed that the campground sat where the old brick church of Fulton stands today and was organized into a congregation about 1802.  The Fulton ferry was located on the river close to the church.  Weary travelers would use the campground and gather under the shade of the great oak trees to hear the word of God preached, while waiting to cross on the ferry.

In 1826, Joseph Hanes deeded land to the Hebron Methodist Episcopal Church (now Fulton United Methodist Church), and the first known church structure was built.  The Cooleemee Plantation adjoined the Fulton lands.  The Hairstons, owners of Cooleemee Plantation, were Episcopalians, and Fulton Methodist members let them hold services in the church at Fulton until they built a church of their own at Fork.  Even today, Fulton and the Episcopal Church at Fork remain close and once a year, special services are conducted together.

A brick church building was started in 1888 and was financed by Peasant Hanes, B. F. Hanes and John W. Hanes, grandsons of the original founders of the 1826 Hebron Church.  It was built as a colonial-style structure.  This beautiful House of Worship was dedicated in August, 1889.

In the spring of 1965, Fulton Methodist Church was notified of a generous gift given by the late Miss Katherine J. Hanes, the second of nine children born to Peasant H. Hanes and Mary L. Forture Hanes.  In February 1966, plans for a new church building were started.  The ground breaking ceremony took place on April 28, 1968, and on May 20, the new church was started.  Construction was completed in early September, 1969, and the church was dedicated in memory of Katherine J. Hanes on September 21, 1969.  With the completion of the new church, the doors to the old church were closed.  The beautiful old church stood silent.  However, in 1976, the Fulton congregation was notified that because of its rich history and unusual architecture, Fulton Methodist Episcopal Church South had been placed on the National Register of Historic Sites.  The old church is one of only five buildings in Davie County to receive that distinction based on its historic architecture.  It is the only brick Victorian church in the area.  And, the stone work on the church is not found in any other part of the country.  As the years passed, the old church began to deteriorate, but the Historical and Genealogical Society of Davie County stepped in to help restore this beautiful, historic church in December, 1989.  A multi-phase plan to restore the church to its original state was put into place.  Now this beautiful old church is used for special occasions - weddings, funerals and other special church events.

For more information on the church architecture, you may request a copy of our church brochure, and for more complete information on our church history and the architecture, you may purchase a copy of "The History of Fulton Methodist Church" book (printed in 1993) at a cost of $12.50. 

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Contact names for use of our facilities:

Wedding Service -                      Pastor Kirk Tutterow           336-998-8117

Funeral Service -                       Pastor Kirk Tutterow          336-998-8117

Cemetary Plot -                          Nelson Young                      336-998-4390   or

                                                    Gerry (Chunk) Livengood   336-998-4334 

Fellowship Hall -                       Joyce Jones                         336-998-4833