History of the Gibbsboro United Methodist Church

The Gibbsboro United Methodist Church is the outgrowth of a year of Hymn Sings. In 1895, James White inspired and organized Hymn Singings at the School House on Sunday Evenings. As the Hymn Signings progressed the Reverend William H. Staulcup form Berlin held special preaching services. In February 1896 a movement begun to build a sanctuary which was built and dedicated July 19, 1896. In October 1897, the church received the Reverend A.C. Struthers as their first appointed minister of the Methodist Protestant Church.

The original sanctuary was a one-room structure, which was enlarged in 1925 by adding a basement and extending a new wing. In 1956, an Education Building was constructed and in 1959 a completed renovation of the original structure was completed as it remains today.

Today’s history of the church is marked by growth and Christian concern as the church involves itself in the community in many aspects of the ministry. A present building project is that of a new Parsonage. The Gibbsboro United Methodist Church stands as a credit in the community for those who love Christ and serve Him well. (written 1975)

Our buildings however are not the most important part of our church history. The people and their faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ are the real heart of our history. One of the most important groups in the church are the children. Our Sunday school has children of all ages, but focused on the nurturing of the children who are the future of our church. “I remember when I was a young child”, says Helen Patterson, “in Sunday school Mrs. Parker, my teacher said to me’ someday we would be the church of tomorrow.” That day has come for my generation as it has for those in the past and will for our children in the future. (1996)

Thanks to everyone, especially our gracious Lord Jesus Christ, who has helped through the years to make this 100 year Anniversary of our church a truly “100 Years of Ministry – A Glorious Past and a Bright Future,” How can we have anything but a bright future when “The Lord of Hosts is With Us!”
(written by Rev. Don Knott 1996)  

In 1999, Rev. Rob Lewis was appointed to serve the congregation in Gibbsboro. The church had been guided previously by two gifted pastors, Rev. Don Knott and Rev. P. Daniel Hall. The church began to focus on its ministries with children and youth. The Vacation Bible School program grew from a small gathering of 40 or so kids to its apex of nearly 120-140 kids in 2001-2005. The youth ministry grew as well.  Trips to Delanco Camp, Duck N.C., and yearly trips with the group to New York City engaged the youth and weekly Bible Study and Youth Group meetings were well-attended.

In 2000, the Gibbsboro UMC began a monthly “Breakfast with Friends” program at the church before school.  In the fall of 2001, almost one half of the students were in attendance!  The church also began reaching out in new ministries such as “Angel Tree,” “Samaritan’s Purse,” and the development and deployment of a food pantry ministry.

It seems as if the current moment in the life of Gibbsboro UMC is really significant. There is a renewed upsurge in attendance and participation in ministry. Visitors to our church reflect back a lot of positivity regarding their visit and often come back multiple times. Once more, ministries with children and youth are growing prominently with renewed enthusiasm and a sense of purpose. The administrative team at the church is encouraged as our attenders have begun, once more, to seek God’s best direction in ministry. 

We can confidently say, “God is up to something good at Gibbsboro UMC.” (written by Rev. Rob Lewis 2014)

The History of the Methodist Religion

The Methodist branch of Protestant religion traces its roots back to 1739 where it developed in England as a result of the teachings of John Wesley. While studying at Oxford, Wesley, his brother Charles, and several other students formed a group devoted to study, prayer and helping the underprivileged. They were labeled "Methodist" by their fellow students because of the way they used "rule" and "method" to go about their religious affairs.

The beginning of Methodism as a popular movement began in 1738, when both of the Wesley brothers, influenced by contact with the Moravians, undertook evangelistic preaching with an emphasis on conversion and holiness. Though both Wesley brothers were ordained ministers of the Church of England, they were barred from speaking in most of its pulpits because of their evangelistic methods. They preached in homes, farm houses, barns, open fields, and wherever they found an audience.
Wesley did not set out to create a new church, but instead began several small faith-restoration groups within the Anglican church called the "United Societies." Soon however, Methodism spread and eventually became its own separate religion when the first conference was held in 1744.To read more about the Methodist Religion [click here]