WALLACE MEMORIAL
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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1844 - First Methodist Church built in Fox Hill

1875 - Break begins when request for organ  is raised

1895 - Small group leaves to worship at Knights Templar building and land is donated to build new church.

1897 - New church is accepted within the Maryland Conference

1906 - Renamed Wallace Memorial Methodist Protestant Church in honor of William Wallace.

1939 - Affiliated with the Virginia Annual Conference, and renamed Wallace Memorial Methodist Church.

1945 - Church spire declared unsafe and bell removed.

1950 - Construction began for a new parking lot and parsonage as well as classrooms that were added to the back of the building.

1971 - New metal bell tower erected beside the church

1995 - Centennial celebration year begins with family gatherings

1996 - Centennial celebration closes with dedication of new bell foundation.

2001 - New stained glass window -  the “Good Shepard” - added to sanctuary.

2003 - New organ and sound system donated by the Bill Link family.

2009 - New website launched.

Wallace Memorial United Methodist Church can trace its beginnings to 1875 when the Reverend Baugham recommended to the congregation of the First Methodist Church in Fox Hill that an organ be purchased for the 30-year-old church.  Many members of the congregation did not like the idea of “bringing musical instruments into the church,” and eventually a group living closer to the bay began worshipping in the Knights Templar building on Beach Road.  

At about that same time, Mr. William P. Wallace donated a parcel of land in the Grandview neighborhood for the purpose of erecting a new church building.   One year later, and with only 24 charter members, the cornerstone for our new church was laid.   The first minister, Reverend Goodrich, served only part-time, as he was also charged with serving churches in both Prince George and Surry counties.   It is told that he would traverse the 70-plus mile (each way) journey by crossing the James River by ferry and completing the remainder of his trip on horseback. 

In spite of the lack of a full time minister, our small neighborhood community flourished thanks to the many faithful members who taught and carried on church business.  A hardworking, loyal following of watermen, fishermen, and the military who believed in the Lord and put faith in each other held the community together.  In 1897, the congregation was accepted into the Maryland Conference. Our first full time minister was the Reverend George H. Stockdale.

In 1901 the first parsonage was built.  In 1906, we were named Wallace Memorial Methodist Protestant in honor of Mr. William Wallace, whose picture continues to hang in the Ladies Sunday School room and social hall.  We became known as Wallace Memorial Methodist Church in 1939, after affiliating with the Virginia Annual Conference. 

The original structure of our church building, which is the present day sanctuary, at one time had a lofty steeple with a belfry.   A large bell would peal out its joyful notes, calling all to worship and to toll the sorrowful last rites of departed members.  In 1945, however, the spire was declared unsafe for the heavy bell and it was removed.  Placed on a metal tower next to the church in 1971, the bell was remounted again in 1996 on a newly bricked foundation in the front of the church.  It rang out the closing of our Centennial year that July.   

Over the years, much has happened to our church’s physical structure.  A new narthex (entrance or lobby) was added in 1945, followed by the Social Hall/Ladies Sunday school and the addition of nine classrooms to the back of the building in 1950. The purchase of adjacent lots allowed for the expansion of much needed parking, and the erection of a new parsonage, which was dedicated in 1962.  

In September of 1995, we began our Centennial Celebration with a church supper and presentation by our church historian. On July 14, 1996, we concluded our 100th year with a homecoming and Centennial Service that included ringing once again our old church bell. 

In May 2001, we installed and dedicated our new stained glass window, the “Good Shepherd,” in the sanctuary. The window was made possible through use of our Memorial Funds. 

Other more recent improvements have included the addition of a Technics organ and sound system, thanks to memorial donations made by the Link family. Lucille Link donated the organ in honor of her late husband Bill Link, a lay leader and church organist until his passing in February 2003.   His sons donated the funds for the new sound system, which now allows us to record sermons for members not able to get to church regularly because of health or medical related issues.  

Today, Wallace Memorial United Methodist Church continues to be a close-knit community that reaches out to those who most need us. Yet we have the resources to keep in touch with the times.   We offer a contemporary worship service with our “Wallies” worship band. We are beginning to explore how best to use online social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter.   

There is no doubt we experience a closeness here that tends to get lost in bigger congregations.  It makes us family. Our heritage is rich with people who believed in getting things done, and in contributing to our community.

The bottom line at our church: All people are welcome.