Where God has led us
The story of Long's Chapel is a rich one. Its pages are filled with the hand of God writing on the lives of His people. From its inception in 1859 with only a handful of individuals who were probably unaware of the journey God was inviting them to take, Long's Chapel has prospered. The journey has led to growth on our campus through increased membership, spiritual development, and community outreach.
1892
Participants build the “little white church” across the street from our existing campus and renamed “The Richland Institute” to “Long’s Chapel.” From 1892-1929 occupants worshipped and did Sunday school in all the corners of this little church's main room. The bell in the current bell tower is from the little white church belfry.
1929
Long’s Chapel moved across the street (to the present location) and built a new church building to house growing worship and Sunday school ministries. In 1932, Long’s Chapel received its first full-time pastor.
1965
The Long’s Chapel weekday kindergarten program began by enrolling 35 children. (There was a privately owned kindergarten in the community that was closing, so the church assumed that responsibility.) This was before public school offered a kindergarten program. A kindergarten-type child care program to help children prepare for elementary school has been a part of Long’s Chapel ever since. Now our Child Enrichment Center enrolls close to 100 children birth-preschool years.
2001
A new Sanctuary building was completed to meet the demand of an overflowing worship space with additional education and play space for children. Due to an emphasis on Reaching, Growing, and Serving, Long’s Chapel rapidly expanded in membership and worship attendance to become the largest United Methodist Church in North Carolina, west of Hickory.
2021
In 2006, the Evangelism Team and Church Council teams acknowledged the overcrowded facilities and needed to accommodate more persons due to the growing membership. In October 2017, the Building Committee presented the proposal for a new addition to the church members. 97% voted to proceed on this exciting journey birthing the Imagine… campaign. In October 2021, Long’s Chapel received the occupancy certificate for the new building that features an indoor playground, updated facilities for our Child Enrichment Center, a new Community Room, additional meeting spaces, a cafe area, a new kitchen, and more.