West Market Street United Methodist Church
| West Market St. United Methodist Church | |
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| Basic information | |
| Location | Greensboro, North Carolina, United States |
| Affiliation | United Methodist Church |
| District | Western North Carolina Annual Conference |
| Country | United States of America |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Episcopal polity |
| Leadership | Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster |
| Designated as NHL | |
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West Market Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South
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| Location | 302 W. Market St., Greensboro, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 36°4′25″N 79°47′36″W / 36.07361°N 79.79333°WCoordinates: 36°4′25″N 79°47′36″W / 36.07361°N 79.79333°W |
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1893 |
| Architect | Foulk, S.W. |
| Architectural style | Romanesque, Richardsonian Romanesque |
| NRHP Reference # | 85003198 |
| Added to NRHP | December 19, 1985 |
West Market Street United Methodist Church is one of the oldest churches in Greensboro North Carolina, over 175 years old; West Market is located in downtown Greensboro across from the courthouse. West Market is a relatively large church with approximately 2000 members, though not all are active. The current sanctuary was completed in 1893, the third sanctuary built by the congregation. Today the church has grown, with a larger wing adjacent to the sanctuary, and other properties held at other locations. The current Pastor is Dan Martin, with associate pastors Pam Strader, Scott Nowlan, Pat Spicer, Tom Shriver, Ginger Shields, Erin Althaus, and Bill Ellison.
The congregation dates back to the 1820s, 12 years after the founding of Greensboro. They met in a male academy, which continued until 1830, when they bought a lot, and by 1831, had a small, two story building. This building was the first church building built in the Greensboro area. The congregation was around 60 members at this time.
Shortly after this a female school was established across the street from the church. A new church was completed in 1851. This church was the first to be known as "West Market Church", and the congregation was now approaching 200. The congregation now, having built two different churches, decided to build a third, and in 1893, the current sanctuary was completed, being dedicated in 1901, when the debt was paid.
In 1930, it was reported that the congregation had reached almost 2000 members. Around this time, an Episcopal church, which had separated from West Market Street, re-joined the church. In 1951, construction began on the education building that currently adorns the property.
In 1953 the building was dedicated. The total cost of the project was $53,000, almost the same cost as the sanctuary itself had cost in 1893. In 1962, construction of the Leak Chapel began, as did work on the church office building. In 1968, the current name of West Market Street United Methodist Church was adopted. The church has since undergone a number of smaller renovations to it.
The church currently has three services, all on Sunday. They consist of: a traditional, "early service" at 8:30 am every Sunday; a contemporary service at 9:40 am; and a traditional "late service" at 10:55 am.
The latter is the most visited. The church hosts a wide variety of services that are unique to a specific holiday or time in the church year. These include a Christmas service, an Easter service, and services during the week preceding Easter. The church also hosts a variety of events that, while not necessarily services in that they lack a sermon, are well attended and feature a wide variety of music celebrating Christian customs or values.
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