Our congregation’s story dates as far back as 1865, when a group of devoted worshipers gathered every Sunday in a small, one-room log structure situated about two miles south of where our current physical structure sits. This first building was known as Pinedale Methodist Church and was part of a collection of churches referred to as the Villa Heights Charge of the Methodist Church. It was there that ministries like the Ladies Aid Society, which we now call our United Methodist Women’s group, got their start.
Sometime during the 1930’s – the date of which isn’t exactly clear – Pinedale Methodist Church closed its doors, but a small remnant of the congregation asked the Rev. C.H. Wickham to reopen the church. In 1941, Rev. Wickham did just that, and the parcel of land where you can currently find our church was purchased. Records show the original landowner was a Mr. Rockingham Paul, and the congregation adopted its new name in recognition of the name on that deed.
In 1942, construction completed on a simple basement structure that became the new congregation’s regular meeting place. A second stage of construction finished in 1948, and in 1952, pews were purchased for the church. On October 3, 1965, the Bishop Walter C. Gum helped dedicate the physical structure we now enjoy, complete with classrooms for all ages, a wonderful nursery, fellowship hall, kitchen, and beautiful sanctuary.
Today our physical building is used throughout the week as a gathering place for everything from Bible studies and congregational meetings to our after-school program that accommodates young children in our community. Through the years, regardless of our physical surroundings, the congregation of Rockingham Court UMC has remained true to the ideals of its original visionaries who sought to share Methodism, with its emphasis on spiritual formation, community outreach and meaningful worship.