Franconia United Methodist Church

Here follows an article excerpted from the "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum in 2004 and written by Sue Patterson:

HISTORY OF THE FRANCONIA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Prior to 1896, the Methodist and the Baptist held services in the same building called the Union Church on Beulah Road (now Beulah Street). In 1896, the church burned down and the congregations were left without a place of worship. At that time, Mr. Levi Rogers gave the land and a Church was built and dedicated as the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church North. (This building is still being used by another denomination on Beulah Street.) According to the conference minutes, the church was on the Accotink circuit. By 1912, the Church was part of the East-Fairfax Charge of the Baltimore Conference.

In 1942, the members of Bethel purchased the present site on Franconia Road from Mrs. Kathy Higham for $1500. In September 1950, ground was broken for the Church basement, which was used for worship services, social hall, kitchen and classrooms. The cornerstone was laid in March 1951. There are 125 member names in the cornerstone. The name was changed to Franconia Methodist Church.

The parsonage was constructed two years later. The first service was held in the new sanctuary in December 1954. As the membership grew, construction continued. The Wesley Building was built in 1957. This building is now occupied by the community service organization, Koinonia. The education building, Cokesbury Hall, was built in 1960. The wings to the Sanctuary were built in 1965.

With a membership of over 700, the congregation became a part of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in 1968. When fire severely damaged the sanctuary in May 1975, worship services were conducted in Cokesbury Hall for seven months while the sanctuary was rebuilt.

In 1996, the Church celebrated its 100th anniversary. In the last ten years during the tenure of the present Minister, the Reverend David Manner, the Church has undergone an extensive remodeling effort. This Church is alive and well in the Franconia Community, and reaches out to the community through various program to include the pre-school program, Koinonia, Musical Programs, Missions trips, and support to the Rising Hope UMC in the Route One Corridor.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Spring 2006 "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum:

“FIRST LADY OF FRANCONIA” - Clara Agnes Bradley Walter
Written by Jac Walker

When the family moved to Franconia, they felt as many do that it was like a big family. This writer can attest to this as I was fortunate to be a part of it. My mother, Ruby Cooke, referred to Clara Walter as the “First Lady of Franconia” as she was very involved in every phase of church and community growth. Over the years, Clara and James were never complacent; they spearheaded many church and community projects in Franconia.

Clara was reared a Catholic and it was not until after her mother passed away that she joined the Franconia Methodist Church, as she thought it to be the friendliest church. The church was located on Beulah Road. She served four years (1951-54) as president of the Franconia Methodist WSCS (Women Society of Christian
Service) now known as United Methodist Women, and nine years as Treasurer.

She organized the first Circles (group meetings in members homes) in the 1950’s when they were part of the
WSCS. She became a great business and salesperson for the church. The building fund for the present church on Franconia Road grew with sales of vanilla, brooms, baskets, and many, many boxes of Jello. Clara sold everywhere, which was not accepted by some who considered her to be “a money changer in the temple." Daughter Joyce recalls picking up newspapers in her wagon every Saturday for the building fund. Joyce also recalls there was a cake made to sell every day.

Clara fondly remembers bringing the pump organ by truck to the grounds of the new church foundation on Franconia Road for a sunrise service in 1947. She also recalls the purchase of a new organ (more Jello sales), and pledges from neighbors for a window or a bench. James made nameplates identifying the church donors. He also filmed the ground breaking and other significant events of the church.