Metropolitan Methodist Church of Rome celebrates 156th anniversary
Established in October of 1867, The Metropolitan Methodist Church of Rome has been celebrating its 156th anniversary all this month.
“It’s amazing to think that it was 156 years ago that a group of newly freed people gathered together with the desire to plant a church in the middle of Rome at 700 Broad Street,” said church member Vanessa Buchanan. “I’m so happy to be here to celebrate 156 years.”
From the pulpit Rev. Charles E. Reese, Jr., who was officially welcomed as Metropolitan’s 39th pastor this past March and also serves as Community Development Director for Spalding County, spoke of what lies ahead as being equally important as what lies behind.
“We have been so blessed at this church in the last 156 years, but we still have a long way to go. God is not through with us yet. We have not yet arrived, we are still growing,” he said. “This church has gone through Jim Crow laws, two World Wars and even a pandemic. But guess what? You are still standing.”
The golden anniversary is being celebrated with a special event each Sunday in October. On Oct. 8 the congregation wore matching t-shirts in honor of Metropolitan Methodist’s 156 years.
“We are spending time this month remembering and paying homage to those who made sacrifices to get this church standing on this corner, and the countless contributions made to this very community for 156 years,” Reese said.
Metropolitan Methodist of Rome wishes to invite the community to join the celebration. Services begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, downtown Rome at 700 Broad Street.