Sweet Find: John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church — Road Trip 2020

12Nov
by Oh, the Places We See
John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, Oxford Neck MD

One thing you hope you’ll find on any road trip is something unexpected. So, imagine us driving along Maryland Hwy. 333 outside Oxford, MD on our way to Assateague, VA and finding this little collection of white buildings. Although all were closed and locked with no one onsite to talk to, we took pictures, savored the moments spent there and did a bit of research later at home.

Sign: John Wesley ME Church, Oxford Neck, MD

Talbot County’s John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church (founded 1838), served Oxford Neck and its population of whites and African Americans (50% free, 50% enslaved) until 1993 when the congregation was disbanded. The site was a place of worship (Easton Circuit register documents list 31 white and 26 black members worshiping together in 1851), but it was also a place for the recruitment of Union solders for the U. S. Colored Troops. The church’s online history mentions that almost all documents and church records were lost.

John Wesley ME Church, Oxford Neck MD

In 2012, area residents formed the John Wesley Preservation Society for the purpose of reinforcing and renovating existing structures in order to preserve the history and lifestyle of Talbot County African-Americans.

You can’t help but be struck by the simplicity of the buildings, none of which had air conditioning or electricity.

Side view: John Wesley ME Church, Oxford MD
Structural renovations strengthened the foundation and steps and added lighting.

A cook shop provided meals and refreshments for church goers, but it seemed quite small compared to what we see at churches today.

Cook Shop, John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, Oxford Neck
An African American Museum is housed in the original Cook Shop, but it was closed the day we were there.

Out back, a cemetery offers some history of those buried there, but the Preservation Society requests help in identifying the 64 unnamed gravesites and markers found in the burial site.

  • Cemetery in back of John Wesley ME Church, Oxford Neck MD
  • Graves at John Wesley ME Church, Oxford Neck MD

Although there were traditional markers in the cemetery, we were intrigued by what appeared to be concrete graves with curved coverings. (If any of you know something about these, please leave us a comment below.)

Cemeter with concrete graves, John Wesley ME Church, Oxford MD
Intriguing for their form and purpose were the graves near the outhouse at the back of the property.

Through the efforts of numerous businesses and interested people in Talbot County, Maryland, and beyond, the John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church in Oxford Neck is definitely a sweet find . . . .

and one that will remain with us for a long, long time.

Simple facade: John Wesley ME Church, Oxford MD
Aging but still standing, thanks to efforts of the John Wesley Preservation Society, Oxford Neck, Maryland.

Keep your eyes open — you never know what you’ll find on a road trip!

Rusha and Bert

16 thoughts on “Sweet Find: John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church — Road Trip 2020”

  4. WanderingCanadians

    This is why I love road trips so much because you have the freedom and flexibility to stop along the way at random things that peak your interest. It’s neat that you’re able find the history of some of these historic places.

    Reply

It makes our day to hear from you.