Our Rich History
Cherrydale United Methodist Church is proud of its heritage. It is and has been an active congregation that is constantly striving to make the Good News of the Gospel come to life in people’s hearts and lives.
1899
In May of 1899, Cherrydale UMC began as a Sunday afternoon bible class held in a grove of oak trees near the corner of Lee Highway and North Lincoln Street. Reverend Jesse W. Norris, pastor of the Potomac Circuit, now known as Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, established the Cherrydale mission as well as several other churches in the surrounding area. He secured a tent for outdoor meetings and, later, a nearby empty store served as the meeting place. The address was 7 Lee Street, now 2107 North Lincoln Street. Dr. James A. Straughn, the pastor of Mt. Tabor Church in Washington, DC, frequently walked out from the city and preached in the tent in the grove.
1907
The mission continued to be ministered to by the pastor of Mt. Olivet and steadily grew in numbers. Church services were held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Donaldson on North Nelson Street until the first section of Cherrydale’s church building was built on a lot at the corner of North Monroe and 20th streets for $993.
1908
Sunday, March 3rd the church was formally organized with fourteen charter members.
1910
Rev. R.W. Coe, then a student at Westminster Theological Seminary, was appointed as the first pastor of the newly independent church.
1911
Main sanctuary was erected and dedicated on August 11
1917
Scout Troop organized as Troop No. 1 of Cherrydale, VA, but is now known as Troop No. 149
1939
Cherrydale became a part of the new church organization formed when the three main branches of American Methodist – The Methodist Episcopal Church, The Methodist Episcopal Church South and the Methodist Protestant Church – united to form The Methodist Church.
1952
A large lot on the corner of Lorcom Lane and Nelly Custis Drive was purchased for $24,000 as a new location for the church.
1957
In September, Mrs. Grace Burke, Cherrydale’s last living charter member, broke ground for the new church. The building was designed by well-known Arlington architect, Mr. Elmer Cappelmann. The Cannon Construction Corporation of Alexandria, VA was awarded the contract to build the church at a cost of $252,000. Construction began on November 7th.
1958
On Sunday, May 18, a service was held on the site and Bishop James Straughn, former pastor when Cherrydale was a missionary appointment, delivered an inspiring message. Minister W. W. Hayzlett, Mr. Eugene Cannon of the construction company, and members of the Building Committee laid the cornerstone with a gavel used by President George Washington in laying the cornerstone of the Capitol Building of the United States of American which was loaned to the church by Potomac Lodge No. 5 F.A.A.M. of the District of Columbia.
On Sunday, November 9, seven hundred thirty-eight people attended the morning Service of Consecration led by Bishop Paul N. Garber. Ninety-two new members were received into church membership on that memorable morning.
1959
The congregation voted to purchase the present parsonage on Nelly Custis Drive.
1962
In June, Rev. Ernest K. Emurian began his 19 year tenure. A celebrated composer of many hymns and religious songs, as well as a playwright and author, his talents extended our ministry beyond the bounds of our church and enriched ecumenical Christianity throughout the world.
1965
A three-manual Wicks Pipe Organ was purchased at a cost of $30,000.
1968
Sunday, March 3rd the church celebrated our 60th anniversary and 10th anniversary of the new building. During that time, the church membership grew from 643 to over 1200. This same year, the merger with the Evangelical United Brethren Church occurred and Cherrydale became a part of the United Methodist Church.
1981
A large stain glass window was installed over the tower entrance door – a gift from the United Methodist Women in honor and memory of all the women of our church.
1984
Cherrydale’s popular Living Nativity tradition was held for the first time on the church lawn.
1985
Ministerial Scholarship Fund was established
1997
Garden for burial of cremanes established at the tower entrance
1998
Church library established and dedicated
2011 Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Foss came to be our Pastor. She shared her gifts and ministry with us for nine years and left in July 2020.
2015
Youth take first international mission trip to Belize
2020
Our current pastor, Rev. Dawn-Marie Singleton, began her tenure at Cherrydale in the midst of the pandemic due to COVID-19.