 On December 5, 1915, the Hawthorne Lane Methodist Episcopal Church, South officially began. The first service was held in Elizabeth College (now Presbyterian Hospital) with a charter membership of189. Rev. R. D. Sherrill was appointed the first pastor. A lot on the corner of Hawthorne Lane and E. Eighth Street was deeded to the church by the Oakhurst Land Company, B. D. Heath, President. Elizabeth and Myers Park were both brand new neighborhoods on the edge of Charlotte, population 40,000. The was built at a cost of $38,119 and the first service was held in the new building on December 3, 1916. The first bulletin from May 1916 described the new facility as follows: “The arrangement of the building, designed by Louis H. Asbury for the Hawthorne Lane congregation, represents the latest and best ideas in church architecture. The church auditorium will be 56 x 77 feet in dimention and will seat about 650 people. “The Sunday School auditorium, together with the class rooms which can be thrown into it, will seat about 450 people. On special occasions, the Sunday School can be thrown into the church proper, giving a total seating capacity of 1100. The needs of the Sunday School have had the special attention of the architect and the building committee, with the result that every department of the Sunday School work has been provided for. “In the basement of the church are provided a kitchen, library or club room, a hall for receptions, entertainments, etc and designed to meet the demands of a modern active congregation in all phases of its work.” In 1916, a two-story frame parsonage with four bedrooms and two baths was constructed next to the church office. This parsonage was used until the mid-1960’s when it was torn down the site was converted for parking. B. D. Heath donated an adjoining lot on E. Eighth Street in 1919 for the construction of the Education Building. In 1925, the new 3-story Education Building was put into service. Mr. Heath again donated a lot to the church in November 1923 which would soon be home to a multi-purpose gymnasium. Over the years, this building has been used for Cub & Boy Scouts, an Explorer Post, Brownie Troops and many other church and community groups not to mention many athletic and recreational activities. The church school classrooms at the rear of the sanctuary were converted into a chapel in the early 1940’s. During 1953, the church pipe organ – nearly 40 years old – was replaced with a new one. The organ was updated in 1997-98 and the chapel has been redecorated several times. In April 1993, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission and the Charlotte City Council designated Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church as a Historic Landmark. This designation was awarded because of architecturally significant features and appointments such as the bell tower, slate roof, nave ceiling of American chestnut and stained glass windows with cast stone tracery. The interior woodwork moldings, wooded screen, balustrades, wainscot and panels emphasize the volume and shape of the interior spaces provided by the Akron architectural plan. The eye level pulpit in a semi-circular pattern provides the best sight lines for all members. The bowl-shaped sanctuary was used in the early days of America for theater and traveling ministers. The ceiling is constructed of now extinct wormy chestnut panels and resembles an ancient sailing vessel. Early Christians favored a round Church instead of a long Church which was adapted from Roman courthouses. Over the last 90 years, Hawthorne Lane UMC has been served by 26 Senior Ministers. |