A History of Hickory Grove UMC

Faithful Christians have worshiped here for 215 years and counting…

The story of Hickory Grove is still unfolding. And we’d love for you to join our history.

Far from being held back by history, we are propelled by the faithful witness of our ancestors. The history includes a rich legacy of faithful leadership within the church, as well as talented and faithful ministers. In every generation, leaders have innovated and taken risks for the sake of reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus. The following history includes a lot of emphasis on structures, but the heart of the church is our people. You’ll find warm and generous friends here.

1700s

As people settled in present-day Guilford County in the 18th Century, some folks wanted a place of worship. They gathered in this area under arbors to receive communion and hear the word of God proclaimed. The Methodist Church sent out pastors on horseback known as “Circuit-Riders.” This innovative system enabled the Methodist Church to expand its reach into the countryside.

1800s

The current property was deeded to the Hickory Grove trustees in 1808 for a place of worship. The original eight members were Hugh Little, Thankful Little, Polly Ann Little, James White, John Gordon, John Hiatt, and Pattie Hiatt. They began work on a little log building right away.

Sometime around 1830 a church was built, and membership grew subsequently. In the 1840s, a brush arbor was built to accommodate camp meetings. Camp Meetings were a quintessential part of America’s Second Great Awakening. Families would gather for days on end to hear preaching, receive communion and enjoy Christian fellowship. Some camp meetings still meet to this day, but Hickory Grove ceased meeting in 1861.

In the mid-1800s Hickory Grove joined the Methodist Protestant Church, a split from the Methodist Episcopal Church. (They would later merge in the 1930s).

A new building was erected in 1889. This building saw revivals and dozens of Christians come to faith in Jesus Christ.

1900s

On March 3, 1930, the church burned. The story goes that a young man named Herbert was responsible for starting the stoves early on Sundays so that the building would be warm for worship. Apparently on this Sunday, Herbert became distracted and left the building, only to return to flames.

By that fall, the church had begun building a new brick building, which housed worship until 1977.

Montlieu UMC

In 1943, following years of planning, a group of faithful Methodists formed Lindsay Memorial Methodist in High Point, NC. They bought property at the corner of Montlieu Avenue and Gordon Street. (Funds for the church property were raised during the war. Mr. Roscoe Briley held worship services on a destroyer and collected $150, which went toward purchasing pulpit furniture). The first building was erected in 1945, and its more permanent structure was completed in 1959. The church changed its name to “Montlieu Avenue Methodist Church” at this time.

The church continued faithfully for 70 years, upon which it merged with Hickory Grove.

Charter members include: W.B. Delk, Ora Delk, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Cline, Topsy Delk, Betty Gwyn Delk Weekly, W.B. Delk, Jr., D.A. Neese, Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Allen, Mr. and Mrs. A.R. Kimrey, Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Harriss, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Harriss, Mr. and Mrs. V.G. Kirkman, Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Hassell, Jessie Murray, Harriet Murray, Lizzie Hutchens Delk, G.E. Thayer, Mr. and Mrs. L.D. Ridge, Wallace Ridge, Arlene Ridge Hayworth, Darrell Ridge, Wayne Smith, Betty Smith Bottoms, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Bradsher, Mrs. John Long, Mrs. W.A. Lambe, Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Carmichael, David Lee Carmichael, Mrs. Max Chadwick, Frank Hassell, Ruth Thayer Harman, Billy Ridge, Betty Jones Creed, Dr. J.D. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Jeranko, Mary Ruth Phillips, Jacqueline Hussey, Alice Hussey, Alfred Hussey, Nannie Jones, Wayne Ridge, Mr. and Mrs. John Ridge, Don Ridge, Mr. and Mrs. O.W. Thomas, Jean Davis Wagner, Dorothy Davis Smith, Beverly Davis Hollingsworth, Ellen Ray Davis Outlaw, Polly Lassiter Gibson, Mrs. A.O. Boles, Johnny Teanny, Harold Wyatt, Dr. and Mrs. J.D. Williams Jr, Maude Southern, Mrs. Charles Young.

2000s

Montlieu and Hickory Grove merged congregations in 2013 for the sake of missional effectiveness. The church would eventually sell the Montlieu building to a congregation of another tradition.

The early 2020s were challenging for all churches, but Hickory Grove rose to the challenge. Leaders enhanced the church to accommodate online worship experiences.

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the church is reminded of how integral in-person fellowship is. The church is excited about the days ahead. As beautiful as the past has been, the future will be even better.

God’s still writing an amazing story here, and we would love for you to take part!

Sources: A History of Hickory Grove written by Rev. Edgar Peeler in 1931, A History of Montlieu from its 1995 Homecoming