The Methodists came early to the Delmarva Peninsula, appearing first in Queen Anne’s County, where they earned the name of “New Lighters”. And indeed, the preachers brought a new spirit with them, buoyed by the teaching of John Wesley.
By the mid-1700’s, Methodism on the Peninsula come in like an early tide, awash with a ministry of love to which the settlers could relate. No more of heavy taxation to support the Protestant Church of England. The tide flooded Saint Michaels in 1774. Not yet a town of any description, with a few planters living near the harbor and families of settlers associated with shipping and boatbuilding, the community was centered around the Miles River and the branch of the Choptank, known today as Broad Creek.
An English trading company sent James Braddock, factor for their Saint Michaels store, to conduct and carry on their business. Braddock dealt in trade goods, tobacco, and land. Shortly after his arrival in the turbulent years preceding the Revolution, he acquired that part of Saint Michaels known today as “Braddock’s Square”.
In 1781 he gave the Society of Methodists one-half of two lots on St. Mary’s Square. Here they erected the first place of Methodist worship in Talbot County. The meeting house was visited by Joseph Cromwell, Freeborn Garretson, William Watters, and many other Methodist preachers who rode the Talbot circuit. On one instance, Bishop Asbury spoke to a gathering of more than five hundred persons at Saint Michaels.
The first church of brick was about thirty by forty feet with fifteen foot corner posts. It was known as “hip-roofed” with the gable ends also constructed in that fashion. The front facing the Square had two large double doors with windows in between. The roof facing the Square had three dormer windows. The interior was lighted with tallow candles. Overhead, three galleries seated the overflow from the ground floor benches. The faithful were interred in the cemetery at the rear of the building.
Shortly after the War of 1812, the Methodists adopted the formal name of “Sardis Chapel”. It was to remain under that title until 1955.
By 1828 the congregation had grown so large and strong that dissension crept in, not only here in Saint Michaels but throughout the entire conference. The difference centered around the powers of the Bishops and Presiding Elders and the rights of the lay people. Many of the most prominent families of Sardis Chapel left and formed a Methodist Protestant Church. Both churches were situated on St. Mary’s Square, and it has been said the two congregations tried to out-sing and out-preach each other on Sundays.
In 1829 Sardis Chapel was incorporated under state law to secure the original property on the Square.
In 1830 major renovations were accomplished, including the removal of the gables facing the square and the placing of a door in the south side for the Negroes who were seated in the gallery.
In 1839 with the influx of planters to the Saint Michaels area, the first church was razed and a brick building was erected. The corner-stone was laid on July 4, 1839. The church was forty by fifty feet and had galleries on three sides. The men occupied one side and the women the other of the three lines of pews. This building still stands on St. Mary’s Square, presently occupied by the Masonic Order.
The Methodist Protestant Church continued on the southwest corner of the square and then entered a new building erected on the corner of West Chestnut and Talbot Streets. This congregation remained separate until all Methodist churches were united after 1939.
By 1869 the Southerland M.P. Church was too small for the membership and it was decided to construct a new brick church on lots purchased on Talbot Street. The corner-stone was laid on April 12, 1871. The building was to be forty-six by seventy-six feet and sixty feet from the ground. During the four years of construction, services were held on the first floor which now holds the offices and Sunday School rooms. The building was dedicated on May 14, 1873, and was debt free.
During the next thirty years some building changes were made, including the exposing of the ceiling beams and a series of step benches at the rear of the sanctuary. A furnace room and kitchen were added to the rear of the building.
In 1915 the Estey organ was purchased and installed. This organ is still in fine condition and fills the sanctuary with beautiful music.
The Methodist churches were united in 1954. The Methodist Protestant was merged with Sardis Chapel (Methodist Episcopal) under the name of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Southerland Methodist Protestant on the corner of West Chestnut and Talbot Streets was torn down and the bell preserved and mounted on the lawn in front of Fellowship Hall.
A major renovation was completed in 1971 with the addition at the front of the church to provide for the installation of an elevator and bathrooms. A beautiful lounge and lovely chapel were built in place of the old kitchen and furnace room.
Adjoining the church is Fellowship Hall, containing a large recreational and meeting room with kitchen facilities. The two main buildings are connected with a brick archway and a garden for quiet meditation.
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church is the culmination of sincerity and the expression of love for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. All who enter here are blessed for they will hear the Word of God.
