In the summer of 1896 a group of residents of the then-suburb of Baltimore asked the Rev. Henry Holland to hold services in the community.  Rev Holland, the pastor of a nearby Methodist Protestant Church, had come to participate in the closing exercises of the local school. He agreed to their request, and began holding afternoon services in the grove of trees adjacent to the school.  (Then on Haverhill Rd).

When the weather discouraged outdoor services the group met in the homes of the members until they were able to erect a frame building on land donated by two families of the church.  This building, erected by volunteer labor with donated materials, was ready for its first Christmas service by December 1896.  Subsequently a neighborhood grocery and convenience store, it still stands at the corner of Coolidge Ave. and Haverhill Rd.  – a long block from the present church.

Sometime later land was purchased and a parsonage was built next to the church.  A typical Sunday schedule included morning worship, Sunday school in the afternoon, Christian Endeavor Society in the early evening, followed by an informal evening gospel hymn sing and meditation.

After 27 years, the programs of the church, both spiritual and fellowship, had taxed the small space, and a committee was formed to explore the possibility of relocating and building a larger edifice. Land on the highest point in the community was acquired and plans drawn up for the new church.

In spite of financial hardships, the congregation carried on its spiritual and programmatic  activities. The Women’s Missionary Association – later the W.C.S.C. and United Methodist Women – provided opportunity for participation in the world-wide mission of the church; the youth groups – Christian Endeavor and later Youth Fellowship – as well as the Sunday School saw to the spiritual and social needs of the upcoming generations. Following World War II, new housing was built in the community and the population grew, resulting in more members added to the rolls. By 1952, work was completed on refurbishing the buildings, the Sunday School was bursting at the seams, and a new education building was being planned. It was opened in 1960.

The congregation considers itself a friendly one, welcoming strangers and making them friends. In its 110-year history, Violetville Church has sent six of its sons to the  clergy ranks.

Today, our membership is about 153 – many aging and not able to participate fully. Average attendance is about 40. However, there is a core of early-middle-agers and a few young adults who are active leaders. We have a small but vibrant Sunday School program, a Vacation Bible School that reaches the entire community, and hopes for the future.

The last paragraph of a history written in 1971 says:

Any history of the church is a record of smooth sailing interrupted by storms, of victories gained many times after much sacrifice. Through all the trials of the depression, wartime and changes in the community – both physically and socially – there remained (remains) an undying faith in the church. Time after time, when it looked as though the church would have to end its journey, a way was found to continue its ministry to the community. Consecrated individuals among its members kept it nourished until it blossomed again.

May it be ever so!

Betty Ammons

3/28/2007