Dedication to be held for historic Dorchester County church

Wheatley Methodist Church sits in northern Dorchester County, Maryland’s Fork District, on land King George II granted to a William Wheatley during the early 18th century.

It was built 1784 to be a “preaching house served by clergy of those people called Methodist.” The building, constructed of heavy old-growth timber framing secured with wrought nails, has existed since one year following the end of the American Revolution and five years prior to George Washington becoming the first elected American president.

History shows most early American rural churches were demolished or abandoned and left to decay. Wheatley Methodist Church has existed for 240 years, continuously serving its original intent.

Deterioration due to element exposure and tests of time has mandated various repairs and updates, but this historical building has known only one structural change, with the addition of its Victorian era recessed pulpit.

In 2019, an existing colonial-era horizontal wood plank interior wall covering was discovered underneath the then-presenting Victorian era pressed tin. Further search revealed serious construction issues questioning the building’s safety and caused the building be condemned.

Members’ faith directed a decision to preserve the historic structure. The five-year preservation project from 2019 to 2024 quickly became the pride of surrounding communities.

Financing for the over $100,000 project materialized from donations of monies, time and materials; multiple fundraisers; and two matching grants awarded by the Bartus Trew Providence Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation ($15,000) and the Choptank Electric Trust Inc. ($2,400).

The church is believed to be the oldest American Methodist church with a continuously active congregation worshiping in its building. It is this community’s only house of worship, and it maintains a tangible link to its original American heritage serving religious family life, within an agricultural community.

Sunday, Sept. 15, special events will commemorate the church’s 240th anniversary and completion of the preservation project. Events include tours beginning 2 p.m., a dedication service at 3 p.m., an outdoor gospel concert featuring the Jones Boys at 4 p.m., and a lite summer supper buffet. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs as outside seating is limited.

Regular Sunday worship services are held 10 a.m. The church is located at 5802 Wheatley Church Road in Rhodesdale.