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A little history on the beginnings of Emmanuel United Methodist Church and some fun facts of the activities that we have come to be known for!

 

In 1771, a group of people erected a church known as Milburn Chapel thanks to a land donation from the Milburn family.  The Milburn family had been active Quakers, attending the Quaker Meeting House in Clear Brook.  Sadly, the Milburn family had been dismissed from the Quaker Church.  This dismissal led them to donate the land for building another church.  The church was located just southeast of Emmanuel UMC’s current location.  The church was non-denominational and served many faiths.

 

The significance of the Milburn Chapel to the Methodists is that it attracted the attention of Francis Asbury in 1786.  Asbury was a British-American Methodist minister who became one of the first two bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States.  He came to Stephenson seeking out John Milburn and returned several other times after 1787 for the dedication of the building and to preach.

 

During the Civil War, the Stephenson Depot was used as a gateway to Winchester.   Milburn Chapel became a shelter for troops, their horses and temporary shelter for the wounded.  The building did sustain some damage from use during the Civil War.  It was decided in 1887 that the need for a church was strong and an effort was organized by some who had attended Milburn Church.  A new church was built on land deeded by Dr. John S. and W. Roy Stephenson.  It was a one room, wood structure.  It was to be dedicated to the worship of God and to be known as Emmanuel Methodist Episcopal Church South.  The Reverend F.A. Strother served as the first pastor, while also serving the Brucetown Church and a church in Berryville. 

 

Over the years, the church served many.  During 1901-1904, the building was used by a group of Presbyterians for afternoon services, while the Methodists met in the morning and evening.  In 1904, the Presbyterians constructed the Clear Brook Presbyterian Church.

 

In 1936, an addition was put on the church to extend the building back 10 feet along the east side and two classrooms and a vestibule were added on the west (front) side. 

 

More additions came in 1947, on the north side, a large school room, social room, and kitchen were added as well as a basement with a cistern to provide a water supply and a central heating system.  The heating was no longer dependent on a wood burning or coal burning stove. 

 

In 1957, through generous monetary and land donations, the brick building was erected on the south side of the original wood building.  This became the new sanctuary which allowed for renovations to the original church so that additional classrooms could be made.  Also, indoor plumbing was added and welcomed!  The minister serving at this time was Reverend J.S. Peebles.  Finally, in 1968, the parsonage was built on a lot at the south side.  The final renovation to the building took place in 1982 as more classrooms were needed.  The picnic shelter was added in 1990.

 

Emmanuel has welcomed many through their doors and thanks to the Ellis family, Emmanuel became known for their Famous Ellis Family Chicken Barbeque.   The Barbeque was started as a fundraiser in the late 60’s.  Esther P. Ellis, grandmother of Jackie Brondstater and Penny Hounshell, wrote the recipe for the barbeque sauce and continued to make it until her death in 1978.  Their grandfather, Leonard C. Ellis, Sr. grilled the chicken until his death in 1982. Jackie shared that after her grandmother passed away, her mother, Christel Ellis, made the sauce until she passed away in 1997. After the death of Leonard, their father, Stewart Ellis, barbecued the chicken. When their mother died, Jackie inherited her grandmother's 12-gallon WWII Army pot to make the sauce! After Stewart Ellis passed away, his grandson, Adam Hounshell has been making the chicken on Stewart's trailer grill.

 

Like other churches, Emmanuel has had Yard Party’s and Auctions, Spaghetti Dinners and Breakfasts.  Many worship services have been led by past and present ministers and lay servants.  Sunday School classes formed friendships that continue today.  We reach out to the community through a weekly Food Pantry which is open on Mondays from 4-6 pm and we also provide a Community Meal on the 1st Wednesday of the month from 4:30-6 pm.

 

We welcome anyone seeking a church home.  We will do all we can to welcome you as you enter our doors and invite you to come again.  We pray that you will come to know the unending love of God and feel his grace and mercy.  Emmanuel United Methodist Church hopes to be a light to all those feeling lost.

 

(Thank you to Richard Swartz, Leo Clowser, Jackie Brondstater, Penny Hounshell  and other past historians  for sharing the church history.)