115-540: Capon Chapel ( / ˈ k eɪ p ən / KAY -pən ), also historically known as Capon Baptist Chapel and Capon Chapel Church , is a mid-19th century United Methodist church located near to the town of Capon Bridge, West Virginia , in the United States . Capon Chapel is one of the oldest existing log churches in Hampshire County , along with Mount Bethel Church and Old Pine Church . A Baptist congregation
230-715: A bishop ) to organize a separate Methodist Society. Together with Coke, Wesley sent The Sunday Service of the Methodists , Methodism's first liturgical text and the Articles of Religion , which were received and adopted by the Baltimore Christmas Conference of 1784, officially establishing the Methodist Episcopal Church. The conference was held at the Lovely Lane Methodist Church , considered
345-412: A lectern that is accessible by a small wooden step; the altar is accented by a large wooden backdrop of casing with dentil molding. Each of the church's interior walls is covered with pine wainscot panelling and wallpaper, and topped with wooden crown molding . Wooden swag moldings accentuate the four symmetrically-placed six-over-six double-hung sash wooden windows, the doorway's wooden casing, and
460-687: A "circuit rider", taking the gospel to the furthest reaches of the new frontier as he had done as a preacher in England . The first official organization in the United States occurred in Baltimore, Maryland , in 1784, with the formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the Christmas Conference with Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke as the leaders. Though John Wesley originally wanted
575-623: A German Moravian who was passing through England and who believed that a person is saved solely through the grace of God and not by works. John had many conversations with Böhler about this topic. On May 25, 1738, after listening to a reading of Martin Luther 's preface to the Epistle to the Romans , John came to the understanding that his good works could not save him and he could rest in God's grace for salvation. For
690-553: A Spirit-filled and Christ-like life aimed toward love. Wesley never claimed this state of perfection for himself but instead insisted the attainment of perfection was possible for all Christians. Here the English Reformer parted company with both Luther and Calvin, who denied that a man would ever reach a state in this life in which he could not fall into sin. Such a man can lose all inclination to evil and can gain perfection in this life. Wesleyan theology maintains that salvation
805-436: A ball at the tip. A shield with the emblem reading, "The Stewart Iron Works, Cincinnati, Ohio", is emblazoned on the fence's gate. The cemetery's eastern extension is surrounded by chain-link fencing . United Methodist Church The United Methodist Church ( UMC ) is a worldwide mainline Protestant denomination based in the United States , and a major part of Methodism . In the 19th century, its main predecessor,
920-460: A basal pair of small leaflets; they range between 2 and 10 cm (0.79 and 3.94 in) in length and, rarely, up to 15 cm (5.9 in), with a margin that is serrated or entire (smooth). Twigs may be hollow or chambered, depending on the species. The flowers are produced in the early spring before the leaves, bright yellow with a deeply four-lobed flower, the petals joined only at the base. These become pendent in rainy weather thus shielding
1035-580: A building which had been erected in 1763 by a German Reformed congregation. At this time, Methodists had not yet broken away from the Anglican Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church was not founded until 1784. Richard Allen and Absalom Jones became the first African Americans ordained by the Methodist Church. They were licensed by Saint George's Church in 1784. Three years later, protesting racial segregation in worship services, Allen led most of
1150-526: A church at the Capon Chapel site was in March 1852, when Joseph Pugh allocated the land to three trustees for the construction of a church and cemetery. During the early years of Capon Chapel, no Protestant denomination was the exclusive owner or occupant, and the church was probably utilized as a "union church" for worship by any Christian denomination. Capon Chapel was used as a place of worship by Baptists until
1265-559: A daily devotion hotline. Capon Chapel's cemetery is surrounded by a wrought iron fence made by Stewart Iron Works , and contains the remains of John Monroe, William C. Nixon, West Virginia House of Delegates member Captain David Pugh (1806–1899), American Civil War veterans from the Union and the Confederacy , and free and enslaved African Americans . Capon Chapel, along with its cemetery,
SECTION 10
#17330855482321380-482: A forested and narrow anticlinal mountain ridge, rises to the west of the Cacapon River Valley, while the forested, rolling foothills of the anticlinal Timber Ridge rise to the valley's east. The church and cemetery are accessible through a gravel driveway to the north; to the west, a cluster of tall oak trees blocks access to the road. Capon Chapel is landscaped with boxwoods on its north and south sides,
1495-518: A founding member of the Royal Horticultural Society . The following species of Forsythia have been documented: A genetic study does not fully match the traditionally accepted species listed above, and groups the species in four clades : (1) F. suspensa ; (2) F. europaea—F. giraldiana ; (3) F. ovata—F. japonica—F. viridissima ; and (4) F. koreana—F. mandschurica—F. saxatilis . Of
1610-475: A holy life. Other students mocked them, saying they were the " Holy Club " and "the Methodists", being methodical and exceptionally detailed in their Bible study , opinions, and disciplined lifestyle. Eventually, the so-called Methodists started individual societies or classes for members of the Church of England who wanted to live a more religious life. In 1735, John and Charles Wesley went to America, hoping to teach
1725-425: A large obelisk that lists the names of his three wives and their respective children. Nixon's gravestone is deteriorating due to advanced weathering; it is made of limestone and contains a carving of an open book. Following the purchase of a rectangular land tract around 1990, the cemetery was expanded on the east side. This section of the cemetery is excluded from the church's historically-recognized boundaries, as it
1840-532: A living tree naturally and inevitably bears fruit. Wesleyan theology rejects the doctrine of eternal security , believing that salvation can be rejected . Wesley emphasized that believers must continue to grow in their relationship with Christ, through the process of Sanctification. A key outgrowth of this theology is the United Methodist dedication not only to the Evangelical Gospel of repentance and
1955-607: A maxim among Methodists, who have always maintained a great diversity of opinion on many matters within the Church. The United Methodist Church allows for a wide range of theological and political beliefs. For example, former President George W. Bush ( R -TX), former First Lady Laura Bush and former Attorney General of the United States , Jeff Sessions , are United Methodists, as are Senator Elizabeth Warren ( D -MA), former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and former Senator Max Cleland (D-GA). The Pew Research Center 's 2014 US Religious Landscape Study concluded that
2070-648: A much larger number of adherents than registered members. On January 3, 2020, a group of Methodist leaders proposed a plan to split the United Methodist Church over issues of sexual orientation (particularly same-sex marriage ) and create a new traditionalist Methodist denomination ; the Global Methodist Church was formed in 2022. Prior to the establishment of the Global Methodist Church, some Methodist congregations had already left
2185-627: A new charter for the entire land grant from James II in 1688. Following the deaths of Lord Colepeper, his wife Margaret, and his daughter Katherine, the Northern Neck Proprietary passed to Katherine's son Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron in 1719. Under Lord Fairfax's ownership, the Cacapon River Valley was predominantly inhabited by English-speaking settlers as early as the late 1730s. The majority of these settlers had come from Pennsylvania and New Jersey , many of whom were either Quakers or former Quakers who were attracted to
2300-596: A part of the RCRC locally. At the same General Conference, delegates voted to delete a four-decade-old statement from the Book of Resolutions which affirmed the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision on the legality of abortion. A new resolution was re-adopted 56–2 in a resolutions subcommittee, decrying gender-selective abortion while also describing abortion as "violent" and opposing abortions done for "trivial reasons." The resolution passed in
2415-558: A personal relationship with God, but also to the Social Gospel and a commitment to social justice issues that have included abolition, women's suffrage, labor rights, civil rights, and ministry with the poor. Methodist theology stands at a unique crossroads between evangelical , holiness and sacramental, as well as between liturgical and charismatic , and between Anglo-Catholic and Reformed worship. It has been characterized as Wesleyan–Arminian theology with an emphasis on
SECTION 20
#17330855482322530-556: A retaining wall; an erect form found by Fortune near Peking in 1861 was for a time classed as a species— F. fortunei . Forsythia viridissima , meanwhile, had overtaken it in European gardens. The Scottish plant-hunter Robert Fortune "discovered" it—in a mandarin garden of the coastal city of Chusan (Zhoushan)—before he ever saw it growing wild in the mountains in Zhejiang province. Forsythia × intermedia , as its name suggests,
2645-506: A separate denomination. In March 2021, conservative leaders of the UMC unveiled the name Global Methodist Church for the new traditionalist denomination, along with a new website and logo. The next General Conference was set for 2024. At that time, delegates were expected to vote on the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation. The conservative Transitional Leadership Council said
2760-403: A single holly on its east side, and forsythias along its west side. The Capon Chapel property consists of the church structure (c. 1852), and its associated cemetery, which is enclosed partly by the historic wrought iron fence and partly by a chain link fence. A flagpole stands at the center of the cemetery's eastern perimeter. The land upon which Capon Chapel is located was originally part of
2875-400: Is M. Christopher Duckworth; and it offers services four Sundays a month. A small group of committed congregants maintain the historic church and cemetery grounds. Brenda Hiett is the church's caretaker, as of 2015. Throughout its existence, Capon Chapel has been known by various names, including "Capon Baptist Chapel" and "Capon Chapel Church". According to the church's caretaker, Brenda Hiett,
2990-567: Is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family Oleaceae. There are about 11 species , mostly native to eastern Asia, but one native to southeastern Europe. Forsythia – also one of the plant's common names – is named after the botanist William Forsyth . Forsythia are deciduous shrubs typically growing to a height of 1–3 m (3 ft 3 in – 9 ft 10 in) and, rarely, up to 6 m (20 ft) with rough grey-brown bark. The leaves are borne oppositely and are usually simple , though sometimes trifoliate with
3105-527: Is a hybrid of F. suspensa and F. viridissima , introduced in continental Europe about 1880. Repeated crosses of the same two parents have made reiterations of F. × intermedia quite variable. A bud sport of a particularly showy ( spectabilis ) form is widely marketed as F. × intermedia 'Lynwood Variety'. This cultivar has gained the Royal Horticultural Society 's Award of Garden Merit , as have F. × intermedia Week End 'Courtalyn' and F. Marée d'Or 'Courtasol'. About
3220-477: Is a large to very large shrub with paler blossoms, and can be grown in a weeping shape on banks. Many named garden cultivars can also be found. Budding Forsythia cuttings are frequently brought indoors, for their opening blooms, in the early spring. Vegetative propagation is usually achieved via cuttings , taken from green wood after flowering in late spring to early summer. Alternatively, cuttings may be taken between November and February, though this may reduce
3335-657: Is also interred in the cemetery. Captain David Pugh was an elected representative Hampshire County, who voted to secede from the Union in 1861. Older gravestones in the cemetery are generally cut from limestone , and the gravestones placed after 1900 are predominantly made of polished granite . Most of the gravestones have weathered significantly. The gravestones are generally rounded or rectangular in shape, and are placed on small stone foundations. The gravestones of prominent local leaders are more ornate in character, including that of Captain David Pugh and his family, who are buried under
3450-454: Is at once "catholic, evangelical, and reformed." Today, the UMC is generally considered one of the more moderate and tolerant denominations with respect to race, gender , and ideology , though the denomination itself includes a wide spectrum of attitudes. Comparatively, the UMC stands to the right of liberal and progressive Protestant groups such as the United Church of Christ and
3565-693: Is concealed by a stone veneer . The west elevation is covered with white-painted clapboarding and is undecorated, with the exception of an off-center concrete block chimney and a single drop pendant similar to the one located at the top of the gable. The concrete block perimeter foundation is visible on the south side of the church, as is the metal embankment doors that allow access to the church's basement. The church's north and south sides consist of two symmetrically placed six-over-six double-hung sash wooden windows , along with operable green-painted louvered wooden window shutters . The clapboard sidings vary between 3 and 6 inches (7.6 and 15.2 cm) in width. At
Capon Chapel - Misplaced Pages Continue
3680-462: Is decidedly Wesleyan . It embraces liturgical worship , holiness , and evangelical elements. The United Methodist Church has a connectional polity , a typical feature of a number of Methodist denominations. It is organized into conferences . The highest level is called the General Conference and is the only organization which may speak officially for the UMC. The church is a member of
3795-482: Is home to archives and a museum on Methodism. In the more than 220 years since 1784, Methodism in the United States, like many other Protestant denominations, has seen a number of divisions and mergers. In 1830, the Methodist Protestant Church split from the Methodist Episcopal Church over the issue of laity having a voice and vote in the administration of the church, insisting that clergy should not be
3910-687: Is incompatible with Christian teaching", and ending bans on same-sex weddings and gay clergy. On May 28, 2024, the UMC's branch in the Ivory Coast voted to leave the UMC in response to the General Conference decision to allow same-sex marriages and gay clergy. With 1.2 million members, the Ivory Coast was the UMC's largest single presence outside the United States. Christianity • Protestantism The United Methodist Church seeks to create disciples for Christ through outreach, evangelism, and through seeking holiness, also called sanctification , by
4025-547: Is largely considered the first United Methodist theologian. The officially established Doctrinal Standards of United Methodism are: These Doctrinal Standards are constitutionally protected and nearly impossible to change or remove. Other doctrines of the United Methodist Church are found in the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church . The basic beliefs of the United Methodist Church include: The key emphasis of Wesley's theology relates to how divine grace operates within
4140-456: Is located on its east side, facing toward Timber Ridge, and away from the Cacapon River and Christian Church Road. The east side consists of a front gable façade of white-painted clapboard siding. The church has one entryway, which is a centrally-located, four-paneled wooden door, topped by wooden dentil molding and a rectangular, four-light transom window. The transom is the only window on
4255-468: Is the act of God's grace entirely, from invitation, to pardon, to growth in holiness . Furthermore, God's prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace interact dynamically in the lives of Christians from birth to death. According to Wesleyan understanding, good works are the fruit of one's salvation, not the way in which that salvation was earned. Faith and good works go hand in hand in Methodist theology:
4370-782: The Baptist and Methodist denominations. The Baptists established the oldest extant churches in Hampshire County. After the end of the American Revolutionary War , Baptist preachers continued their attempt to gain a foothold in what is now the Eastern Panhandle region. During the Baptists' early growth in Hampshire County, the best known Baptist ministers were John Monroe (1750–1824) and Benjamin Stone (1743–1842). Monroe preached at
4485-586: The Congregational Methodist Church and Methodist Protestant Church , or became members of the Association of Independent Methodists . On May 10, 2022, the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church ruled that annual UMC conferences in the United States cannot leave the church for the Global Methodist Church; only individual churches may do so. The Romania-Bulgaria Conference has left
4600-813: The Episcopal Church on certain issues (especially regarding sexuality), but to the left of historically conservative evangelical traditions such as the Southern Baptists and Pentecostalism , in regard to theological matters such as social justice and Biblical interpretation. The UMC is made up of a broad diversity of thought, and so there are many clergy and laity within the UMC that hold differing viewpoints on such theological matters. In appealing for tolerance of diversity of theological opinions, John Wesley said, "Though we may not think alike, may we not all love alike?" The phrase "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity" has also become
4715-654: The Methodist Episcopal Church , was a leader in evangelicalism . The present denomination was founded in 1968 in Dallas, Texas , by union of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church . The UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley in England, as well as the Great Awakening in the United States. As such, the church's theological orientation
Capon Chapel - Misplaced Pages Continue
4830-695: The National Register of Historic Places . The county received funding for the surveys from the State Historic Preservation Office of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Capon Chapel was one of the first of eight historic properties to be considered for placement on the register. The other seven properties were Fort Kuykendall, Hickory Grove , Hook Tavern , North River Mills Historic District , Old Pine Church , Springfield Brick House , and Valley View . According to
4945-537: The New Birth . This experience can occur in different ways; it can be one transforming moment, such as an altar call experience, or it may involve a series of decisions across a period of time. Sanctifying Grace is that grace of God which sustains the believers in the journey toward Christian Perfection : a genuine love of God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and a genuine love of our neighbors as ourselves. Sanctifying grace enables us to respond to God by leading
5060-786: The Northern Neck Proprietary , a land grant that the exiled Charles II awarded to seven of his supporters in 1649 during the English Interregnum . Following the Restoration in 1660, Charles II finally ascended to the English throne. Charles II renewed the Northern Neck Proprietary grant in 1662, revised it in 1669, and again renewed the original grant favoring original grantee Thomas Colepeper, 2nd Baron Colepeper and Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington in 1672. In 1681, Bennet sold his share to Lord Colepeper, and Lord Colepeper received
5175-609: The World Council of Churches , the World Methodist Council , and other religious associations. As of 2022, the UMC had 5,424,175 members and 29,746 churches in the United States. As of 2022, it had 9,984,925 members and 39,460 churches worldwide. In 2015, the Pew Research Center estimated that 3.6 percent of the U.S. population, or nine million adult adherents, identified with the United Methodist Church, revealing
5290-470: The mother church of American Methodism. The new church grew rapidly in the young country as it employed circuit riders , many of whom were laymen , to travel the mostly rural nation by horseback to preach the Gospel and to establish churches until there was scarcely any village in the United States without a Methodist presence. With 4,000 circuit riders by 1844, the Methodist Episcopal Church rapidly became
5405-472: The unincorporated community of Bubbling Spring in southeastern Hampshire County . Capon Chapel is 894 feet (272 m) east of the Cacapon River , from which the church derives its name. The church and cemetery are situated atop a grassy hill on a 0.96 acres (0.39 ha) plot of land, at an elevation of 869 feet (265 m), in a rural agricultural area within the Cacapon River Valley. Dillons Mountain,
5520-539: The Baptist Little Cacapon Church contributed one dollar to the general fund of Capon Chapel, demonstrating that the Baptist community still continued to operate from or associate with the church in 1904. In addition to the Baptist faith, Methodists started coming to the Cacapon River Valley during the latter half of the 18th century. Methodist Episcopal Church circuit rider Francis Asbury traveled through
5635-430: The Book of Discipline, that prohibited same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. Many progressive UMC leaders and churches, especially in the United States, are supportive of gay marriage and ignored the injunctions in the Book of Discipline. Many conservative members of the UMC did not like the trend of the UMC trending towards endorsing gay marriage and, hence, have initiated movements to split-off from
5750-480: The Cacapon River Valley, and were one of the families that came from Wales through Pennsylvania in the late 17th century. The grant's deed told the trustees to conceive "a Graveyard and for a house for the Public Worship of Almighty God for the use of all orthodox Christians", and specified that the land was only to be used for religious worship and "for no other purpose". The deed further stipulated that inheritors of
5865-606: The Capon Bridge area in 1781. In 1890, the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church established its presence in the Capon Bridge area under the leadership of G. O. Homan. According to Maxwell and Swisher, the Capon Bridge Methodist circuit consisted of the following places in 1897: Capon Bridge, North River Mills , Green Mound, Augusta , Sedan , Park's Hollow, Sandy Ridge, and Capon Chapel. Capon Chapel
SECTION 50
#17330855482325980-744: The Church of England. Though not always emphasized or appreciated in the Anglican churches of their day, their teaching emphasized salvation by God's grace, acquired through faith in Christ. Three teachings they saw as the foundation of Christian faith were: These clergymen quickly became popular, attracting large congregations. The nickname students had used against the Wesleys was revived; they and their followers subsequently became known as Methodists . The English preacher Francis Asbury arrived in America in 1771. He became
6095-647: The Confessing Movement within the denomination and have organized into the Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion and Sexuality (TUMAS) to further their position within the denomination. On the other side, the Methodist Federation for Social Action and United Methodist Women continue to represent pro-choice views. Forsythia Rangium Juss. in G.-F.Cuvier Forsythia / f ɔːr ˈ s ɪ θ i ə / , / f ɔːr ˈ s aɪ θ i ə /
6210-576: The General Conference to occur, some conservative United Methodist congregations left the United Methodist Church to become a part of the Free Methodist Church , a traditionalist Methodist denomination aligned with the holiness movement . After the launch of the Global Methodist Church on May 1, 2022, a number of traditionalist United Methodist churches entered into the Global Methodist Church . Other former United Methodist churches that disaffiliated joined various Methodist denominations , such as
6325-456: The Global Methodist Church would be officially started, with individual churches or conferences able to join, when the General Conference adopted legislation implementing the Protocol, although the Council intended to "consider bringing the new church into existence without delay" "if it becomes apparent" that leaders "who covenanted to support the Protocol no longer do so." Not wanting to wait for
6440-478: The Hampshire County Commission's compliance officer, Charles Baker, places of worship were not typically selected for inclusion in the register; however, Capon Chapel and Old Pine Church were exceptions, because both "started out as meeting houses". Capon Chapel is among the earliest existing log churches in Hampshire County, along with Mount Bethel Church and Old Pine Church. Capon Chapel was added to
6555-524: The Louisiana Annual Conference left the United Methodist Church, with seven congregations being from Baton Rouge and six from New Orleans. The disaffiliations from the conference were scheduled to take effect after December 31, 2022. St. Timothy, one of the largest Methodist churches in Louisiana, voted for disaffiliation on November 1, 2022. To prevent certain congregations from disaffiliating,
6670-578: The Methodists to stay within the Church of England, the American Revolution decisively separated the Methodists in the American colonies from the life and sacraments of the English Church. In 1784, after unsuccessful attempts to have the Church of England send a bishop to start a new church in the colonies, Wesley decisively appointed fellow priest Thomas Coke as Superintendent (the equivalent of
6785-601: The National Register of Historic Places on December 12, 2012, in recognition of its representation of the rural religious architecture of the Potomac Highlands region, and for its service as an important rural church in Hampshire County. Capon Chapel is a single-story, rectangular, front gable log building , covered with white-painted wooden clapboard siding, and topped with a green standing seam metal roof , along with metal snow guards . The church's main façade
6900-413: The North River, Crooked Run, and Patterson's Creek churches during the early 19th century. According to historians Hu Maxwell and Howard Llewellyn Swisher in History of Hampshire County, West Virginia (1897), Monroe was a minister for Primitive Baptists , who were adherent to a strict interpretation of the Calvinist theology of the Ketocton Association. Monroe probably established a Baptist church on
7015-442: The UMC churches in the United States. The 2024 General Conference, the first since the delayed 2020 conference ran from April 23 to May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina . With no debate since many of the more conservative congregations had left, proposals approved included having separate regions outside the United States in order to allow each region to have its own policies, removing language stating "the practice of homosexuality
SECTION 60
#17330855482327130-453: The UMC due to progressive tendencies in the American leadership of the UMC. Over 100 churches in Florida and North Carolina had filed or were considering lawsuits. Some of the largest churches in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas were planning to leave. As of 2022, any church that disaffiliated would be responsible for paying two years of apportionments and unfunded pension liabilities. Fifty-eight churches belonging to
7245-474: The UMC ordered that certain churches be closed before disaffiliation votes could occur. Several annual conferences designated certain remaining congregations as "lighthouse congregations", which offer support to UMC parishioners who objected to their former congregations' disaffiliation. As of December 30, 2023, the number of UMC churches in the United States that were approved for disaffiliation stood at 7,660. This figure represented approximately one-quarter of
7360-402: The UMC to join the Free Methodist Church , a traditionalist Methodist denomination aligned with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement . Other former United Methodist congregations joined various conservative Methodist denominations , such as the Congregational Methodist Church , or became members of the Association of Independent Methodists . As of December 30, 2023, the number of UMC churches in
7475-523: The UMC. On January 3, 2020, the denomination's leadership released a proposal to split the Church over what it described as "fundamental differences" over homosexuality , particularly same-sex marriage (see § Homosexuality below). The United Methodist Church would hold a special session to repeal the ban on same-sex marriage. The proposal would need to be approved by the General Conference in order to take effect. The 2020 General Conference , originally scheduled to be held in Minneapolis , Minnesota ,
7590-410: The UMC. As of May 2022, the South Georgia and Northwest Texas conferences were making preparations to leave the UMC; however, these proposed transitions would require UMC General conference legislation. Early in 2022, according to the United Methodist News Service, the United Methodist Church approved 300 requests by individual churches to leave the denomination. The Wesleyan Covenant Association, which
7705-614: The United Methodist Church is a branch of the Church visible , to which all believers must be connected as it is the only institution wherein the Word of God is preached and the Sacraments are administered. Some argue that the United Methodist Church can lay a claim to apostolic succession , as understood in the traditional sense. As a result of the American Revolution, John Wesley was compelled in 1784 to break with standard practice and ordain two of his lay preachers as presbyters , Thomas Vasey and Richard Whatcoat. Thomas Coke , already an Anglican priest , assisted Wesley in this action. Coke
7820-594: The United States that were approved for disaffiliation stood at 7,660. This figure represented approximately one-quarter of the UMC churches in the United States. In May 2024, the United Methodist Church General Conference repealed bans on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage. The movement which would become the United Methodist Church began in the mid-18th century within the Church of England . A small group of students, including John Wesley, Charles Wesley, and George Whitefield , met at Oxford University . They focused on Bible study, methodical study of scripture, and living
7935-400: The additional species, F. koreana is usually cited as a variety of F. viridissima , and F. saxatilis as a variety of F. japonica ; the genetic evidence suggests they may be better treated as distinct species. Forsythias are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the brown-tail and Gothic moth . Two species of forsythia are at
8050-419: The base of the church's north side, concrete blocks are visible under the foundation. On the church's south side, a small strip of the roof's eave confirms the original location of the chimney. The interior of the church consists of a large, open floor plan, with wooden pews lined perpendicular to the north and south sides, thus creating a central aisle . The altar is a small wooden pulpit , which serves as
8165-483: The believer of sin . It is in justifying grace we are received by God, in spite of our sin. In this reception, we are forgiven through the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The justifying grace cancels our guilt and empowers us to resist the power of sin and to fully love God and neighbor. Today, justifying grace is also known as conversion , "accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior," or being " born again ." John Wesley originally called this experience
8280-669: The black members out of St. George's; eventually they founded the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church and the African Methodist Episcopal Church . Absalom Jones became an Episcopal priest. In 1836, the church's basement was excavated to make room for a Sunday school. In the 1920s, a court case saved the church from being demolished to make way for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge . The case resulted in the bridge being relocated. Historic Saint George's welcomes visitors and
8395-401: The cemetery contains approximately 270 interments , including John Monroe (1750–1824), Virginia House of Delegates member William C. Nixon (1789–1869), West Virginia House of Delegates member Captain David Pugh (1806–1899), American Civil War veterans from the Union and the Confederacy , and free and enslaved African Americans . Gertrude Ward (1896–1988), a local historian and orchardist,
8510-469: The church's east side. Unpainted wooden railings are on each side of the entryway. The clapboard siding on the church's east side is horizontal, and varies between 5 and 7 inches (13 and 18 cm) in width. The overhanging eave of the church's roof is accentuated by a single wooden drop pendant at the top of the gable . The modern electricity meter is located to the right of the main entrance. The non-loadbearing concrete block perimeter wall on this side
8625-466: The church's roof and siding were installed around 1900. A wrought iron fence, made by Stewart Iron Works in Cincinnati, Ohio , was installed around the church's cemetery. Electrical conduits were added to the interior of the church when it was electrified around 1930, and further electrical updates were made in 2011. The church's perimeter foundation of concrete blocks replaced the original stone piers in
8740-586: The constituting General Conference in Dallas , Texas . With the words, "Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The United Methodist Church" the new denomination was given birth by both churches which had distinguished histories and influential ministries in various parts of the world. Prior to the United Methodist Church's May 2024 General Conference, the UMC had rules, found in
8855-530: The daily consent agenda with no debate. As an official organization, however, "the General Board of Church and Society continues to be an advocate for a full range of safe and legal reproductive health care – including, in certain cases, the option to safely and legally end a pregnancy." Nevertheless, the United Methodist Church holds that "while we understand the need for women to have access to safe, legal abortions, we also 'mourn and are committed to promoting
8970-522: The diminishment of high abortion rates'." and they "are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother, for whom devastating damage may result from an unacceptable pregnancy. In continuity with past Christian teaching, we recognize tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, (in the eyes of God) and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures." The Church cautions that "Governmental laws and regulations do not provide all
9085-561: The early 1970s, and its wide, heart pine plank floors were sanded and re-lacquered. Around 1990, the Stewart Iron Works fence and gate were restored by White’s Ornamental Ironworks. In 2008, following surveys of historic properties throughout the county, the Hampshire County Historic Landmarks Commission and the Hampshire County Commission embarked upon an initiative to place structures and districts on
9200-440: The first time in his life, he felt peace and the assurance of salvation. In less than two years, the "Holy Club" disbanded. John Wesley met with a group of clergy, and afterwards said "they appeared to be of one heart, as well as of one judgment, resolved to be Bible-Christians at all events; and, wherever they were, to preach with all their might plain, old, Bible Christianity." The ministers nonetheless retained their membership in
9315-430: The flowering spectacle of the following spring. Low-hanging boughs that touch the ground will often take root, adding to the total mass of the plant, but can be removed for transplanting. A common practice (known as layering ) is to place a weight over a branch to keep it on the ground and, after it has rooted, to dig up the roots and cut the rooted part from the main branch; this can then be planted. Forsythia suspensa
9430-644: The gospel to the Native Americans in the colony of Georgia . Instead, John became vicar of Christ Church in Savannah . His preaching was legalistic and full of harsh rules, and the congregation rejected him. After two years in America, he returned to England dejected and confused. While sailing on his original journey to America, he had been impressed with the faith of the German Moravians on board, and when he returned to England he spent time with Peter Böhler,
9545-438: The guidance required by the informed Christian conscience." The Church emphasizes the need of a supportive ministry to women who have experienced abortions: "We further encourage local churches to make available contact information for counseling agencies that offer programs to address post-abortion stress for all seeking help." Members of the United Methodist Church who identify with the anti-abortion position come mostly from
9660-459: The heart of the selected forms and garden hybrids: Forsythia suspensa and F. viridissima . "These two species are, as it were, the founder-members of the forsythia family" writes Alice Coats ; they were the earliest species brought into Western gardens from the Far East and they have each played a role in the modern garden shrubs. Forsythia suspensa , the first to be noticed by a Westerner,
9775-623: The historic ecumenical creeds , the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed ; which are used frequently in services of worship . The Book of Discipline also recognizes the importance of the Chalcedonian Creed of the Council of Chalcedon . It upholds the concept of the "visible and invisible Church," meaning that all who are truly believers in every age belong to the holy Church invisible , while
9890-496: The individual. Wesley defined the Way of Salvation as the operation of grace in at least three parts: Prevenient Grace , Justifying Grace , and Sanctifying Grace . Prevenient grace , or the grace that "goes before" us, is given to all people. It is that power which enables us to love and motivates us to seek a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This grace is the present work of God to turn us from our sin-corrupted human will to
10005-446: The land had to be Pugh's descendants. During the church's early years, no Protestant denomination was the exclusive owner or occupant of Capon Chapel, which indicates that the church was probably utilized as a "union church" for worship by any Christian denomination. Since no single denomination oversaw the church during this early period, few records of its early activities and construction exist. Later records suggest that Capon Chapel
10120-453: The largest Protestant denomination in the country. St. George's United Methodist Church , located at the corner of 4th and New Streets, in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia , is the oldest Methodist church in continuous use in the United States, beginning in 1769. The congregation was founded in 1767, meeting initially in a sail loft on Dock Street, and in 1769 it purchased the shell of
10235-494: The late 19th or early 20th century. In the 1890s, Capon Chapel was added as a place of worship on the Capon Bridge Methodist circuit of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church . As of 2017, Capon Chapel remains a Methodist church, now a part of the United Methodist Church , holding Methodist services four Sundays per month at 1pm. Open table communion is held on the first Sunday of each month. Capon Chapel also maintains
10350-480: The loving will of the Father. In this work, God desires that we might sense both our sinfulness before God and God's offer of salvation. Prevenient grace allows those tainted by sin to nevertheless make a truly free choice to accept or reject God's salvation in Christ. Justifying Grace or Accepting Grace is that grace, offered by God to all people, that we receive by faith and trust in Christ, through which God pardons
10465-570: The northern and southern Methodist Episcopal Churches and the majority of the Methodist Protestant Church merged to create The Methodist Church . The uniting conference took place at First Methodist Church (now First United Methodist Church) of Marion, Indiana . On April 23, 1968, the United Methodist Church was created when the Evangelical United Brethren Church (represented by Bishop Reuben H. Mueller) and The Methodist Church (represented by Bishop Lloyd Christ Wicke ) joined hands at
10580-413: The only ones to have any determination in how the church was to be operated. In 1844, the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church split into two conferences because of tensions over slavery and the power of bishops in the denomination. The two general conferences, Methodist Episcopal Church (the northern faction) and Methodist Episcopal Church, South remained separate until 1939. That year,
10695-429: The original heart pine planks. Concrete blocks and cut stone border the building's perimeter to prevent animals from entering the church's crawl space. Within the crawl space, log carrier beams support the building, on which the bark remains extant. The cemetery is less than an acre in size and is located to the immediate east of the church, surrounded by a wrought iron fence manufactured by Stewart Iron Works. As of 2012,
10810-429: The plants are nicknamed Easter Tree in honor of the coming spring. Two species/hybrids are commonly cultivated for ornamental use, Forsythia × intermedia and F. suspensa . They are grown in several climates and gardening zones , prized for being tough and reliable perennial plants . F. × intermedia is the more commonly grown, smaller plant and has an upright habit with vivid flowers. F. suspensa
10925-547: The political preferences of US adult members of the United Methodist Church was 54 percent Republican / lean Republican, 35 percent Democrat / lean Democrat, and 11 percent independent / no lean / other. The topic of abortion is complex for the United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Church affirms these two sentences in The Social Principles: "Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life makes us reluctant to approve abortion. But we are equally bound to respect
11040-598: The power of the Holy Spirit . The flame in the church logo represents the work of the Holy Spirit in the world, and the two parts of the flame also represent the predecessor denominations, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren, united at the base symbolizing the 1968 merger. The United Methodist Church understands itself to be part of the holy catholic (or universal) church and it recognizes
11155-415: The reproductive parts. The fruit is a dry capsule, containing several winged seeds. There is a long-standing belief that forsythia flowers produce lactose , but lactose occurs only very rarely in natural sources other than milk, and attempts to find lactose in forsythia have been unsuccessful. The genus is named after William Forsyth (1737–1804), a Scottish botanist who was a royal head gardener and
11270-686: The sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother and the unborn child." (Book of Discipline ¶161.J). The denomination is committed to "assist[ing] the ministry of crisis pregnancy centers and pregnancy resource centers that compassionately help women find feasible alternatives to abortion." In 2016, the United Methodist General Conference voted to withdraw from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), an organization in which it formerly held membership. Annual Conferences could still choose whether to remain
11385-549: The site of the present-day Capon Chapel, where he is buried in the church's cemetery. However, other sources claim that a Baptist congregation began gathering at the Capon Chapel site as early as 1756. Increased settlement and the arrival of other religious denominations in the Cacapon River Valley were further facilitated following the completion of the Northwestern Turnpike in the 1830s, which connected Parkersburg with Winchester . A small community began to develop near
11500-567: The succession of bishops in the Church of Alexandria was preserved through ordination by presbyters alone and was considered valid by the Early Church . Methodists today who would argue for apostolic succession would do so on these grounds. While many United Methodist congregations operate in the evangelical tradition, others reflect the mainline Protestant traditions. Although United Methodist practices and interpretation of beliefs have evolved over time, these practices and beliefs can be traced to
11615-662: The time of the First World War further species were discovered by plant hunters in China: F. giraldian (found in Gansu, 1910) and F. ovata (collected from seed in Korea by E.H. Wilson ) have been particularly useful as seed parents in 20th-century American crosses. Forsythia are early spring-flowering shrubs with yellow blooms, often seen in private gardens, public landscaping works and parks—notably during Eastertide ), when some of
11730-405: The transom window. The wooden pews are simple, with cushions added for comfortable seating. The original ceiling is obscured by a dropped ceiling , which also conceals the electrical conduits for the church's brass chandeliers . Prior to the church's electrification, kerosene lanterns were used for light, and the lanterns remain in the church for decorative purposes. The church's floor consists of
11845-512: The turnpike's Cacapon River crossing, 2.01 miles (3.23 km) north of Capon Chapel's present-day location. The community later became the town of Capon Bridge. The land on which Capon Chapel was built belonged to William C. Nixon (1789–1869), a member of the Virginia House of Delegates . Nixon's mother-in-law, Elizabeth Caudy (1773–1816), was the first person to be buried in the church's cemetery. While various sources estimate that Capon Chapel
11960-477: The work of the Holy Spirit to bring holiness into the life of the participating believer. The United Methodist Church believes in prima scriptura , seeing the Bible as the primary authority in the Church and using sacred tradition , reason , and experience to interpret it, with the aid of the Holy Spirit (see Wesleyan Quadrilateral ). Therefore, according to The Book of Discipline , United Methodist theology
12075-471: The writings of the church's founders, especially John Wesley and Charles Wesley (Anglicans), but also Philip William Otterbein and Martin Boehm (United Brethren), and Jacob Albright (Evangelical Association). With the formation of the United Methodist Church in 1968, theologian Albert C. Outler led the team which systematized denominational doctrine. Outler's work proved pivotal in the work of union, and he
12190-487: Was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 12, 2012, in recognition of its representation of the rural religious architecture of the Potomac Highlands region, and for its service as an important rural church in Hampshire County. Capon Chapel and its associated cemetery are located to the east Christian Church Road (West Virginia Secondary Route 13), approximately 2.01 miles (3.23 km) south of Capon Bridge and 1.14 miles (1.83 km) northeast of
12305-411: Was built around the 1750s, there is no physical or documentary evidence to support this claim. The first documented mention of a church at the Capon Chapel site was in March 1852, when Joseph Pugh allocated 88 and one-half poles, or approximately 0.55 acres (2,200 m), to three trustees: David Pugh, another David Pugh, and Robert Pugh. The Pugh family, which was of Welsh descent, were early settlers in
12420-493: Was gathering at the site of the present-day church by at least 1756. Primitive Baptist minister John Monroe (1750–1824) is credited for establishing a place of worship at this site; he is interred in the church's cemetery. The land on which Capon Chapel was built originally belonged to William C. Nixon (1789–1869), a member of the Virginia House of Delegates ; later, it was transferred to the Pugh family. The first documented mention of
12535-463: Was helping congregations join the Global Methodist Church, said that 1,000 more churches were expected to hold votes on proposed departures from the UMC later in the year and that 300 of 800 Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference churches were considering leaving. Methodist churches and congregations in Slovakia , Bulgaria , Croatia or Romania also expressed dissent and intentions to disaffiliate from
12650-488: Was not associated with the church during the period of its greatest significance. The cemetery perimeter is lined on three sides by a cast wrought iron fence, accessible by a gate 3 feet (0.91 m) in width at its western entryway. The wrought iron fence is 4 feet (1.2 m) in height, and has approximately 1-inch (2.5 cm) diameter tubular fence posts, which are supported by three horizontal metal rails. The fence posts are capped with white-painted stylized arrows, with
12765-538: Was not commonly used as a Baptist place of worship by the early 20th century, and developed into a permanent stop along the Capon Bridge Methodist circuit, which later grew to include Central Church at Loom and Bethel Church at Neals Run . In 1976, the circuit's pastor was Thomas Malcolm. Capon Chapel remains a Methodist church, now a part of the United Methodist Church . As of 2015, Capon Chapel's congregation numbers five. The church's Methodist circuit pastor
12880-703: Was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic . In November 2020, a small group of the progressive wing announced their intention to create a new denomination, the Liberation Methodist Connexion . It was launched on the First Sunday in Advent through an online service. However, organizers of the Liberation Methodist Connexion announced on 18 December 2021 that no progress has been made to set up
12995-588: Was seen in a Japanese garden by the botanist-surgeon Carl Peter Thunberg , who included it (as a lilac) in his Flora Japonica 1784. Thunberg's professional connections lay with the Dutch East India Company , and F. suspensa reached Holland first, by 1833. In England, when it was being offered by Veitch Nurseries in Exeter at mid-century, it was still considered a rarity. Not all the varieties of suspensa are splaying and drooping, best seen hanging over
13110-483: Was then "set apart" as a Superintendent (bishop) by Wesley and dispatched with Vasey and Whatcoat to America to take charge of Methodist activities there. In defense of his action to ordain, Wesley himself cited an ancient opinion from the Church of Alexandria , which held that bishops and presbyters constituted one order and therefore, bishops are to be elected from and by the presbyterate . He knew that for two centuries
13225-564: Was used as a place of worship by Baptists until the late 19th or early 20th century. While it remains unclear why or how the church became associated with the Baptists, its use by the denomination is possibly associated with the Second Great Awakening , a Protestant revival movement during the early-to-mid 19th century that gained momentum throughout the United States. According to the December 1904 issue of The Baptist Home Mission Monthly ,
#231768