St.Mary's UMC has its beginning in the homes and under the shade trees in Walnut Cove NC.  Shortly after the civil war, a group of dedicated Christian leaders began weekly worship services. Scriptures were read, songs were sung and the word of God was preached.  Those instrumental in organizing these early gatherings were: Armsted Bailey, Thomas G. Bailey, Pink Hairston, Jerry Huffman, George Stanfield, and others.  Weekly services continued until a parcel of land was donated by W.A and Annie E Lash. A deed was drawn up conveying this land to the trusteeship of Armstead Bailey, George Stanfield, Pink Hairston, Jerry Huffman, and their successors.

​

The building materials for the church came from a track of timberland owned by Armstead Bailey.

 

By 1890, the church began as St. Mary's Methodist Episcopal church was built and ready for worship service. Rev. Sandy Gibson was the first conference appointed pastor. Rev. Gibson was a dynamic leader ad the church prospered.

 

In 1903, ad adjoining lot was purchased fro W.A and Annie E Lash for the purpose of building a parsonage.  Trustees of this land wee Len Bailey, Joe Dalton, Elizah Gibson, and George​ Stanfield. A parsonage was soon erected.  Occupants of the parsonage were: Rev. Sandy Gibson, Rev. W.O. Wagner, and Rev. Littlejohn.

Ministers that succeeded Rev. Gibson were: Rev. Mayes, Rev. Robinson, Rev. J.A. Blanton, Rev. D. McRae, and others. The church continued to make progress.  

​

In 1932 during the pastorate of I.A. Friende, an attempt was made to renovate the church.  The depression, which was n progress, slowed the renovation project almost to a standstill.  The faith and dedication of hardworking members such as Will and Rachel Hairston, Samuel Withers, Thomas G. Bailey, Richard Bailey, Armstead Bailey, Earnest Welch, Oscar Lash, William H. Bailey, Mary D Hairston, Coar Bailey, Maggie Estes, John and Nannie Hairston, Harrison Bailey, Jonas Bailey and many others, kept the church going.

​

Abe Scales and Maggie Estes served as class leaders.  they collected money for the Elder fund, from the church membership,  Each one had a group to collect dues. The church survived the Depression and continued to make progress.  Many hardworking, dedicated people help to keep the church going and growing.  Among them were: George Haislip, George L. Joyce, John Anthony and C.H. Goolsby who served as Sunday School Superintendents for more than fifty years. Mrs. Kenivia H.Ingram, Mrs. Martha E. Hairston and Mrs. Catherine Goolsby were some of those who served as the church organist.  Sunday School teachers were George L. Joyce, Marrie Estes, and Catherine B Goolsby.

​

The tradition of collecting money from the church membership continued over the years.  During that time the church had two captains who collected from two groups made up of the church membership.  Mr. C.H. Goolsby and Mrs. Dorothy H. Dalton served as captains for more than twenty-five years.  This collection is now called "the Annual Drive", which takes place in November of each year.

​

During the years the church building has had construction projects, one of the construction projects was done under the pastorate of Rev. D.C. Skeen.  During the 1950s, the building was remodeled under the leadership of Rev. H.W Phillips.  As in the past, members and friends of the church did most of the labor.  The remodeling included adding a new wing,​ installing modern equipment, and bricking the structure.  The remodeling at this time was complete in 1956.  Rev. Phillips was the pastor for 15 years.

​

1968 through the merger of several branches of the Methodist Churches, St. Mary's Methodist Episcopal Church became St. Mary's United Methodist Church. The pastor was Rev. L.M. Mayfield

​

Rev. Garland Warren became our pastor in 1973.  He was also the pastor of Lovell's Chapel UMC in Pilot Mountain NC and Mallalieu-Jones UMC in Mt. Airy NC.  During his pastorate at St. Mary's, we were able to tile the church basement floor.  Rev. Warren served until 1975.

​

The first woman was appointed to serve our church in June of 1975, the Rev. Sadye Joyner-Milton.  She served until  June 1978.

​

Rev. Paul G. Carter came to St. Mary's in June 1978. he served our church until he became ill in the spring of 1984.  During his pastorate, our church received a certificate for having the highest percentage increase in membership in the Western North Carolina Conference in 1982.  In 1985, our church was again renovated and expanded to provide more room for the choir and pastor.  Two restrooms, choir room, pastor's study, and a handicap ramp were also added

​

In 1986, Rev. Johnny Green succeeded Rev. Smilen Neal as pastor.  During his pastorate, the church purchased an adjoining lot from the Fred Gray heirs.  Rev. Green served St. Mary's UMC until is death on March 12, 1989. Rev. James W. Gwyn serviced as pastor until June 1989 when rev. Paul a. Bethel was appointed.  Pastors, to name a few, who has pastored St. Mary's UMC are Rev. Shirley Donnell, Rev. Clyde Moore, Rev. Dr. Otto Harris III, and Rev. Terry Harris.

​

Our current pastor is Rev. Clark G. Boyd