AUMC 70th Stories

From a Cinder Block Dance Hall to a Church

The Methodist Conference, in 1955, noting the need for a new Methodist Church in northern Durham purchased Smith Dance Hall after the dance hall had lost its liquor license. However, much work was needed to transform the minimalist cinder block building into space that could be used for worship, Christian education and fellowship. The members worked together sanding floors, painting, installing partitions, moving doors and windows, erecting a steeple, putting in heating and rest rooms, and digging a well and septic tank at night by the light of kerosene lanterns. Money for these improvements and to pay the mortgage came from Barbeque and Brunswick Stew Suppers, donations from members, and some donations from other Methodists as solicited by Dr. Henry Glass, the first pastor. It is truly amazing what the original membership did to transform the modest building, which was outside of the city limits of Durham at the time. The original mortgage was paid off in January of 1959.

The 1960’s were turbulent and transformative years. Some, if not all, will remember the Civil Rights movements and legislation, the Vietnam war, first man on the moon, political assassinations (e.g., JFK, MLK, RFK), birth control pill, muscle cars, and The Beatles.

The church grew steadily from 41 members (34 charter members) in 1956 to 111 in 1961, and by 1965 a larger sanctuary and classrooms became necessary (nearly 250 members). The original dance hall section was brick-veneered, renovated and made into classrooms and a fellowship hall. In 1965 a new 120-seat sanctuary and a few classrooms were added in front of the original block building. The first service in the new sanctuary was held on March13, 1966.

Although church membership still continued to grow in the 1970’s, the neighborhood was becoming more commercial, and Aldersgate did not have land

to expand its facilities. Therefore, careful consideration began regarding the possibility of relocating. The next article will detail the discussions, events and planning that resulted in relocating to a new site and new building.

The Third Decade

The 3rd decade (1976-1986) of the little “dance hall church” ushered in many changes. Rev. Potter’s tenure ended and Rev. Bob Wallace became our shepherd for the next 13 years and challenged us in many ways.

This was also a time of change in the world. The USA celebrated its bicentennial (1976)

and the first American women participated in the US space program (1983). Sadly, Elvis died (1977) and the Challenger exploded on its 10th launch (1986), setting the space program back for years.

In 1974 Durham held its first CROP Walk which at the time was a grueling 10 miles. Soon, Aldersgate enthusiastically embraced the CROP Walk, participating every year since as a church wide mission. Bob Wallace and Susan McLean were co-chairs of the city-wide walk for several years and started challenging other churches and businesses to form teams and compete for the most money raised (Golden Sneaker award). They also suggested that the 10 miles be reduced to 10K which made it easier for seniors and families to participate. Today the Durham Crop Walk is the largest walk for hunger

in the United States.

During this time period, Aldersgate planned and held the first Moravian Lovefeast led by Randy Gordon. Georgene Breuckner and Joan Coble introduced the Chrismon Tree and made the first ornaments. Elizabeth King led a group to make our first banner (a communion banner). These are traditions that are still celebrated.

With the exploding growth happening in Durham, the UM Conference saw the need for a church in the NW sector of Durham County. Bethany UMC was approached first and voted against relocating. Aldersgate embraced the relocation idea for several reasons – one being the inability to accommodate growth at their current location, another being surrounded by commercial properties. Cluster meetings were scheduled, discussions held, votes taken, tears shed, and prayers (lots of prayer – change is difficult) offered. In 1980 the wheels were set in motion. A 4-acre property was located at Bivens and Umstead and purchased for $50,000 from Mr. Terry (1982). The Duke St. & Horton Rd. property had to be rezoned from residential to commercial (a long and arduous process). Finally, the old church property was sold for about $350,000 for commercial use. The building committee submitted dreams, wants, and needs to the architect who came up with the design for the beautiful building that we now occupy.

On May 26, 1985, our last service and a deconsecrating of property and buildings was held for the old church. The ground breaking service for the new property was held July 14, 1985. We then moved to Christ Chapel Wesleyan Church on Massey Rd. for 16 months during the construction process. At this time Christ Chapel sold their church to the North Carolina Korean Church with whom we shared the space for several months. We lovingly refer to this period of our history as our “time in the wilderness.” On September 7, 1986, we had our first service in our new building. The next week we had our dedication/consecration service and celebrated our 30th anniversary as “The Church at the Crossroads.”

An Interview with George and Regina Carver

During this year celebrating Aldersgate’s 70 th year, it is interesting to see where we came from. We joined Aldersgate in 1973. We were in our 20’s and pregnant with our first child. Bill Simpson was the pastor. We joined a Young Adult group that met at night to socialize. We enjoyed the group and felt comfortable with them. Some of them were the Shipmans, Yorkeys, Steegers, Swaringens, and Martins. We were from Roxboro and the small size of Aldersgate Church was a good fit for us. Roy Swaringen and Mo Brueckner visited us from the church. Laurie was born. Our second child, David, was

born the night after George helped Bob and Chris Wallace move into the parsonage.

We began to get more involved in the church. Regina served as secretary of the Administrative Board when Burton King was the chair. George remembers getting mad at a board meeting when discussing the budget. He remembers how Burton calmed him down. Reba Tiller, the music director of the church, taught Laurie to play the piano. Laurie still enjoys playing the piano. The Family Life Center opened in 2000 when Regina was working in the church office. They made so many friends at Aldersgate. It seemed that everyone was welcoming.

Regina felt that the Disciple Classes were the most meaningful to her. There was Disciple I, II, III, and IV. Each one was 34 weeks of intensive study with 2 or 2 ½ hour classes and ended with a retreat at the beach. Regina even taught one with Jane Bahor. It was a strong time, causing classmates to really bond with each other.

George remembered the Methodist Men workdays; clean-up days, yard work, and even sanding the floors in the old Dance Hall. He also went on the first mission trip to Pear Tree River in Jamaica when Johnny Branch was pastor. Six of them went to tear down an old building to prepare for a new church and community building to be built later. A few of the others were Bill Smith, Dana Leeson, Carl Chemieleski, Andy McCorrison, and Johnny Branch.

George also remembered the church offering camping at Kerr Lake for several summers. He got a kick out of teasing Weeks Tiller about one incident. Weeks was drinking a cup of hot coffee when someone asked him what time it was. When he tipped his arm to read his watch, the hot coffee spilled on his lap. From then on, his “friends” would occasionally say to Weeks, “What time is it?”

There were four Circles that women could join: Wesley, Agape, Laura Terry, and Helping Hands. They did service projects, fund-raising for Missions, some Bible study, and lots of fellowship. That was another opportunity to really bond with others in the group. Aldersgate became our family. We have been blessed with many ministers who brought us together as a family.

The 4th Decade

The 4th decade (1986-1996) began with a new logo and slogan as well as a new location. We became known as “Cornerstone of a Caring Community” in part due to our new location at the “corner” of Bivins and Umstead Roads. Rev. Bob Wallace continued as the pastor until 1991 and was replaced by Rev. Charles Pollock.

The world saw many changes during this decade. The end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the birth of the World Wide Web, Sony launched the original PlayStation, and Pixar released Toy Story to name just a few.

In September 1986, we held the first services in the current church. The building that currently houses The Wesley Room, kitchen and offices was the fellowship hall. A big open room with accordion like partitions that separated Sunday school classrooms. This was quite a lively place on Sunday mornings. The sanctuary was built to accommodate 250 including the choir and over the next few years, our attendance grew steadily enough to raise consideration of having two services. The Sunday School classes experienced similar growth.

Aldersgate’s music program expanded to include a large adult choir, Sunbeam and Rainbow choirs for youth from 4 years through 5 th grade, a Youth choir for grades 6 through 12, a bell choir, and a brass ensemble. The children’s choir during this decade presented “Back to the Creekbank”, “Good King Wenceslas” and “Amazing Grace” with Betty Jane Upchurch as Grace. The Adult choir presented “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “An Appalachian Nativity”, and Vivaldi’s “Gloria”.

In January 1988, after hearing that the Cub Scout Pack program had enrolled forty-five boys, the Administrative Board voted to renew sponsorship of the Boy Scout Troop that had disbanded 10 years prior. Troop 400 just celebrated its 150 th Eagle Scout! The United Methodist Men also reactivated in 1988. The United Methodist Women’s organization continued to grow with four Circles meeting twice monthly.

The growth of our church allowed growth in outreach ministries. We provided volunteers and financial support for DCIA (Durham Congregations in Action), Meals on Wheels, and Durham County Mission Society. Aldersgate was a longtime member of CONDUIT (Churches of Northern Durham United in Intentions), which provided services

for residents at Oxford Manor public housing development. Aldersgate also sponsored a second refugee family, the Nguyen family from Vietnam.

At the end of this decade, Aldersgate began looking toward enlarging its footprint at Bivins and Umstead and planning for the future, which would include the Family Life Center, the picnic shelter, and the activity field.