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New Street UMC to celebrate Homecoming

By Staff | Oct 27, 2017

New Street United Methodist Church will celebrate its Homecoming this Sunday with a special service and a luncheon to follow. The event comes on Reformation Sunday, during which the Protestants celebrate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses.

While the Methodist Church is separate, Pastor Dee-Ann Dixon explained that the Homecoming coincides with this 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Coming to New Street, Dixon said, will be family members of those who have served in the past in the pastoral role. Dixon has filled the Pastor seat at New Street for 17 years.

Memorabilia and historical items outlining the story of New Street will be on display during the Homecoming celebration.

The church has been in existence since 1778 and in the current building since 1854. A split between the north and south during the Civil War also split the members of the church’s congregation. Those who became known as Methodist Episcopal North remained in the church building while those in the Methodist Episcopal South held services in what is now the War Memorial Building.

The congregations came back together in 1940 and the Shepherdstown Community Club purchased the War Memorial Building and services for Shepherdstown Methodist congregants combined back into the church on New Street.

Dixon explained that in years past there have been Homecoming celebrations, but not since her tenure at the church.

There have been renovation efforts over the past few years, she said, and this weekend will allow the community to see what’s been happening at New Street as well as to delve into its historical past.

“We have been doing some things to celebrate Methodist History Month,” Dixon shared. The Homecoming celebration will be the culmination of those activities as well as a way to welcome all who wish to join services and learn about the church that has played a significant role in the history of Shepherdstown.