“And on this rock I will build my church.”
Matthew 16:18
Get to know us!
Outside, we have that small-town coziness you would hope for in a county church. Inside, you’ll encounter people with huge hearts for the Lord. Our mission is to make disciples for Jesus Christ in everything we do. Christ is the rock upon which we are built. Join our family and help us fulfill our mission!
St. James
It all began in 1825, when William Taylor and his wife bought a small parcel of land with the aim of starting a church. One year later St. James was built, and in 1832 it was deeded to the Methodist Protestants. Fast forward several decades to 1902; our present sanctuary was constructed, complete with a dozen breathtaking stained glass windows dedicated to the many faithful church members who made it all possible. After a fellowship hall was added in 1959, St. James became the imposing structure we see today. Known affectionately by both church and community members as a “tower of strength,” St. James United Methodist Church has become a proud reminder that God’s house stands the test of time. It is steeped in history yet full of a modern desire to make disciples for Christ so that it can carry on for generations to come. In only a few years St. James will celebrate its bicentennial anniversary!
Salem
In 1853, a Methodist Episcopal church was founded in an area of Kent County originally known as Bel Air. A little over a decade later, the church was moved to its current site in the heart of the beloved town of Fairlee. Salem grew over the decades to include a fellowship hall, and when the old Fairlee Elementary School permanently closed its doors in 1969, Salem moved the school bell into the church’s bell tower where it rings every Sunday morning precisely at 9:30 a.m. to signal the beginning of the worship service. The sanctuary boasts all the charm of a country church with its stained glass windows, colonial blue paneling, and tin ceiling. Yet the most compelling charm you’ll find at Salem is from the members themselves. They are ever-ready to welcome a new face into their church family. The roots of history run deep at Salem United Methodist Church, and the people’s hearts are full of the love of Christ.