Our History :

On April 5, 1787, the first formal Methodist service was held in Camden, SC. The sermon topic was "They Made Light of It." Bishop Francis Asbury preached. Later in the day, he presided and organized a church that has continued in Camden for over two centuries. -Rachel Montgomery "Methodism in Camden"

The first meeting house in Camden was a small, long, plain, unimpressive structure. It was constructed about 1798 on King Street, midway between Church and Campbell streets. A few years later, the building was enlarged and painted. After the 1825 Quarterly Conference, a lot on West DeKalb Street was purchased and a new church was built. The simple edifice with plain adornments was completed in 1828.

In 1830, a small parsonage was erected on the rear of the property. Two generous members of the DeKalb Street Church, Mrs. Sarah Ciples and Mrs. Amelia Haile, deeded about four acres of property at Hampton and Lyttleton Streets to the Methodist Church in 1851. They built and furnished a spacious ten-room Methodist Parsonage.

Early in 1875, a building committee was appointed. The site used for the simple rectangular brick structure was on the proeprty endowed by Mrs. Ciples and Mrs. Haile. A year later, the basic structure was complete. It was dedicated in May 1879, and stands today. In 1896, the Lyttleton Street Church was enlarged by twenty feet and an organ was installed. In 1899, the exterior of the brick church was plastered. Sunday School rooms and a steeple were added in 1900. In intervening years many improvements and renovations were made to the stately building.

The present Education Building was built in two stages in 1959 and 1965. The Music-Fellowship annex, office, library, and covered walks were finished in 1980. In 1992, a "Family Life Center" was completed and consecrated to the glory of God. We confidently place our future in God's hands. Our vision statement for 2000 and beyond...