Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church began in an open-sided shelter and was originally named Kent Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church when it was founded in 1867 under the leadership of Rev C.A. Kent, Bro. Lowe Tomlinson, and Joseph Lane, (a trial minister). By 1870 the shelter gatherings had transformed into a series of prayer meetings held in the homes of various prospective members. In 1873, trustees of this newly organized church purchased two acres of land for $45 at 369 Macon Street, approximately 1 1/2 miles south of the McDonough public square. The first church building constructed on that site was destroyed by a storm. The church was then reconstructed during the 1880s as a one-room building that included a choir stand and a pulpit. A bell tower was added in 1906 that housed one of the largest bells in Henry County.

By 1920, the congregation began construction of a new church building at the Macon Street location. This new church transformed Wesley Chapel into one of the largest churches in Henry County. By its completion in 1924, the church building was bricked and featured five stained glass windows. Wesley Chapel was praised as one of the finest black churches in the South. In addition, the first parsonage was constructed between 1922 and 1927. Firmly anchored in doctrinal standards of the United Methodist Church, Wesley Chapel hosted three annual conferences in 1909, 1927, and 1936 under the Old Atlanta Conference. As technology evolved, Wesley Chapel transformed into the modern ages with the addition of electric lighting and indoor plumbing in the 1930s, the installation of an oil furnace in 1943, and the addition of air conditioning in 1967. The worship environment was also enhanced with the addition of a crystal chandelier in 1953, a concert grand piano and an organ in 1984.

In the ‘90s, Henry County’s population more than doubled! In 1992, Wesley Chapel embraced the opportunity to transform its ministries despite the limitations of an aging building and landlocked property by launching a building fund program. In 1998, the congregation voted to relocate, and 10 acres of land were acquired in 1999 at 397 Racetrack Road. Groundbreaking for the new $2.13 million facility was held on May 7, 2002, with a projected completion date in early 2003. The five stained glass windows and the bell tower from the Macon Street church were incorporated into the design of the new church campus. The first worship service at our current location was held on our church’s 136th anniversary, February 16, 2003.

Membership growth, worship attendance and outreach ministries flourished following the opening of the new church campus. Of particular note is the 2007-2010 timeframe under Pastor Sharma D. Lewis. As the first female pastor appointed to Wesley Chapel, she led through a transformative period of unparalleled membership growth with over 525 new and restored members and unmatched growth in worship attendance from 450 to 715. Pastor Lewis left Wesley upon her appointment as Superintendent of the Atlanta Decatur Oxford District. She became the first pastor of Wesley to be elected a Bishop of a United Methodist Episcopal conference.

A transformative period in recent history began after the United States declared a COVID-19 national emergency on March 13, 2020 that forced the church’s sanctuary and meeting spaces to close. Under the leadership of Pastor Bert Neal III, Wesley Chapel responded by ushering in a new era of livestream worship services using weekly teleconference and internet options: ZOOM, YouTube and Facebook Live. In-person worship services resumed on February 27, 2022. Hybrid worship services are now being taken to a new level by our current pastor, Reverend Belinda McCastle.

The forty-nine appointed pastors of Wesley Chapel have guided continuous transformation of the church’s worship and ministries. From its origin in an open-sided shelter to its current presence on a beautiful, expansive, modern campus; Reverends C.A. Kent, George Ansley, Patrick H. Travis, Eldridge McMillan, John F. Dorsey, King Harris, Woodrow Williams and Bishop Sharma Lewis led major construction initiatives.

From prayer meetings in homes of prospective members to its current state of hybrid in-person and livestream worship services, Reverends Dr. Robert Stovall, King Harris, Woodrow Williams, and Dr. Bert Neal III led major initiatives that increased access to worship services such as the radio ministry, multiple bible studies, transportation ministry and alternative Sunday worship schedules.

From 1867 to this present day and time, God has blessed Wesley Chapel in ways too numerous to mention. Aside from assisting its own members in times of need, Wesley continues to serve the McDonough community through its many outreach ministries including H3 (Help, Heal, and Hope) hot meal distribution, Stop Hunger Now (international meal packaging), the United Methodist Men’s prison ministry reuniting children with incarcerated parents, and the Christmas Angel Tree gift program. There are numerous active ministries for all ages, including a Youth Ministry and Choir, Young Adult Ministry, Jolly Seniors, Care & Visitations Ministry, Girl Scout Troops, and Drive Thru Coffee & Prayer, serving coffee, pastries, prayers, and bibles to morning travelers. To God be the glory for the things he has done! For we’ve come this far by faith leaning on the Lord.