Our History
This history of Edgerton Memorial United Methodist Church was originally compiled by Francis Woodard (October 12, 2003)
A picture of “Selma Methodist Church in 1869” appeared in the Selma Methodist of July 31, 1928. This little newspaper reports that a revival led by Rev. A.R. Raven of the Smithfield circuit preceded organization in Godwin’s School House about one mile north of Selma on River Road. He claimed this to be “the first religious organization in Selma.” A picture of the schoolhouse still hangs in the front church foyer of EMUMC. The picture was taken in 1931 and shows, by then, a dilapidated building. As two of the original members of the church belonged to the Godwin family, it is likely that the little building was on Perry or Simon Godwin’s property. Charter members were Charles E. Preston, David & Alice Turner, Perry Godwin, Simon Godwin, Mr. & Mrs. Harrison Puttman and D.B. Graves.
A year after, in 1870, the second Methodist meetinghouse was built at the old Mitchener Depot about one mile west of Selma. As the town had continued growing in this location, that church building was torn down and the lumber used for the third Methodist meetinghouse. Located on the north and west corner of Massey and Noble streets, the building became later became a school and then a residence where the future Mayor Harry Blackley lived until he was 20 years old. Because of zoning laws, the building which was the third meetinghouse was changed greatly by owner Joe Creech. As the building was renovated, within a wall an old newspaper was found with President Madison’s name in it. Madison was the President of the United States between 1809 and 1817. (Note by current typist: It does appear people hung on to newspapers for quite some time before ultimately reusing them as building insulation!)
The fourth structure to serve as the Methodist meetinghouse in Selma, NC, was built in 1878 on the present site, the southwest corner of Anderson and Sumner streets. This frame church faced Sumner on a lot given by John A. & Susan Waddell. Members of the building committee were Dr. J.W. Vick, W.L. Graves, and J.A. Mitchener. Three handwritten messages from the secretary, Mr. Graves, survive. Lumber was cut on the branch below the Selma Cotton Mill with pews being built from the heart of the trees. (Note by current typist: We still have at least some of these pews – they are the straight ones scattered around the building.)
While the earliest membership records are the names of the eight charter members, the earliest church register lists 106 members who joined from 1886 to 1894. Both “Corinth”, “Selma”, and “Selma Methodist” occur as early names for this gathering. The present name honors Noah Edward Edgerton, who died in 1921.
Noah Edward Edgerton grew up near Kenly, NC, in a family of the Quaker faith, though they attended the local Methodist Church. Young Edgerton moved to Selma around 1885 to take a job as a telegraph operator, later agent, and attended the then-named Corinth Methodist Church where he served as prominent member and leader. He also soon entered the textile industry and prospered greatly as he rapidly enlarged his financial interest, such as founding Selma Cotton Mill and the V-C Chemical Co. Continuing to expand his business connections, he moved to Raleigh in 1918 but never lost his love for the Selma Methodist Church. This devotion for the community was passed on to his son, Ed Edgerton. The current “old chapel” was previously where Sunday School was taught and the room is named after Alma Edgerton, Ed Edgerton’s wife, who taught the class during her time at the church. When the elder Ned Edgerton died unexpectedly in 1921, the church, changed its name to the current Edgerton Memorial in his honor. His son, Ed, said his father so revered the church premises that he went outside in the street to smoke his cigar! (Note by current typist: Please note the inside of the church is non-smoking now – thank goodness!)
Ed and Alma continued the tradition of financial contributions to the church, as did their daughter Mishew Edgerton Smith. By the time N.E. Edgerton died, however, a new brick building facing Sumner Street had replaced the frame building, which had been moved behind the brick one and then faced Anderson street. The brick church was completed in 1910 and cost $11,552. Members of the building committee were N.E. Edgerton, W.F. Call, and J.A. Spiers. (Note by current typist: If you are counting, this is the fifth building and it is still standing today, just with additions and renovations.) On July 31, 1910, a daylong program of dedication included guest soloists and ministers. Bishop John C. Kilgo, President of Trinity College (now Duke University), gave the dedication sermon. Dr. Hubert Poteat was the guest organist from Wake Forest College (now University and since moved to Winston-Salem).
Between 1900 and 1920, the church was deeply interested in mission work. Perhaps partly as a result of this emphasis, the church organized the Selma Cotton Mill Sunday School in 1909, reorganized in 1915 under the superintendence of “Brother” George F. Brietz. In 1922 plans for a new brick Sunday School annex began with the appointment of a committee: Dr. G.D. Vick, M.R. Wall, W.T. Woodard, G.F. Brietz, S.I. Wood, W.H. Call, R.W. Etheridge, and Pastor G.B. Perry. Mr. Call was treasurer while his wife was the church organist for 50 years. To make room for the new building, the frame Sunday School building, which had been in turn moved for the brick church, was itself taken apart and rebuilt as a Scout Hut behind the church. The Rev. Dan Sharpe, Scoutmaster, was assisted in this project by J.C. Avery, Jr. and E. Hogue Vick. It was completed in 1928 and cost $15,000. Church membership in 1931 consisted of 356 members. Sunday School members numbered 716 in 1924 and 524 a year later, the two mill Sunday Schools probably included.
The Depression of the 1930’s took its toll on Edgerton, which felt “financial and moral effects” from the closing of the cotton mills. A severe polio epidemic kept children at home on doctor’s orders. Nevertheless, by 1936 indebtedness on church property was only $800 and attendance was normal. Mrs. Alma Edgerton gave new hymnals that year and in 1939, gave the funds for redecorating the sanctuary. Her gift of $15,000 in 1940 made possible a chapel within the annex by conversion of two existing rooms.
Extensive repairs were required in 1942 when the explosion of a munitions truck at the intersection of Hwy 301 (S Pollock St) and 70 (Anderson St) broke nearly all church windows and damaged a brick wall. WWII was raging and the explosion came during dark early morning hours of March 7th. Police Chief Bradley Pearce shouted in some areas “The Germans are coming!” Seven people in total were killed when a car attempted to pass the truck just as it exploded even though the crowd had been warned by the driver to stay well away. A local restaurant/tavern at the site was demolished, the locally famous “Catch-Me-Eye.”
The Sunday School sponsored by Edgerton had first met in the Selma Cotton Mill boiler room and later in a building purchased by Mr. N.E. Edgerton. It later moved to West Railroad Street from the southeast corner of Raiford Street where it had been a general store belonging to W.H. Etheredge. Around 1941, this Brietz Chapel was so damaged in a storm that it was demolished and a new structure was built by the Mill owners.
In 1951 a new parsonage on Sumner Street next to the church replaced the old one on the southeast corner of Railroad and Green Streets. Dedicated in August, the brick parsonage cost $14,000. Hurricane Hazel left its mark on the church in 1954. Repairs were made for broken windows, walls, and damaged church interior. A major sanctuary renovation took place in 1959. Changes included double doors in the west wall, enlargement of the choir loft, division of the chancel, new pulpit furniture and ceiling tiles at the cost of $10,500.
An early morning fire destroyed the interior of the upper story of the Educational Building on Sunday, September 27, 1959, but the Homecoming and Dedication of the renovated sanctuary took place that day as planned with Walter B. Anderson, SBI Director and Methodist laymen as speaker. In 1962, Homecoming featured dedication of an enlarged and renovated educational building. Added were a fellowship hall, kitchen, pastor’s study, three classrooms, nursery, and a new heating and air conditioning system. This was a more recent and extensive renovation and cost $52,000. (Note from current typist: This is not today’s “Fellowship Hall” but is all connected to the sanctuary. Currently, this is where the church office sits.)
