200 Years of Methodism in Barnstable

DID YOU KNOW? On January 20, 1784, during a fierce winter storm, Reverend William Black’s boat took refuge in Hyannis. He was the honored founder of Methodism in Nova Scotia, and during his stay here he sowed the seeds that inspired the first Methodist church in Barnstable in 1819

On  Sunday, September 15, 2019, the United Methodist Church of Osterville celebrated 200 years of Methodism in Barnstable, followed by a luncheon and speakers presenting the story and development of Methodism in the town of Barnstable. Enjoy our video presented to our attendees that reflects back on our history and purpose in our beautiful community.

Video features our former Pastor, Rev. Heather Bailes Baker

The United Methodist Church, A History

First Barnstable

Rev. William Black, the founder of Methodism in the Canadian maritime provinces, was traveling from New York to Boston by packet when his storm-tossed ship was forced to anchor in Hyannis harbor on January 20, 1784. He thereupon traveled to Barnstable Village to preach six sermons. Whether Dr. Jonas Whitman was among those who heard Rev. Black preach is unknown, but eventually, there was a Methodist class meeting in Dr. Whitman’s West Barnstable home. As this class (known as the Great Marsh Class) grew in size, smaller groups broke away to form their own classes, usually along geographical lines, transportation being the problem it was in those days. These classes all fell within the so-called Barnstable Circuit, which erected its first church building, in Barnstable Village, in 1826. There were then eleven classes within the Barnstable Circuit, but by 1837 some of these classes had died out, merged, or built their own church building. Methodism (known as Methodist Episcopal in the early days) in Barnstable Village gradually died out and the Barnstable Village church closed in 1894.

Then Hyannis

One of the eleven classes mentioned above was the Hyannis Class. In 1841 they built a meetinghouse on Main Street, Hyannis. Five years later a split occurred, one faction becoming Protestant (or Wesleyan) Methodists and the other remaining Methodist Episcopal. Neither Society prospered, so when a new Congregational Society was organized in Hyannis in 1854, Methodists of both Societies joined it. The Main Street meetinghouse was purchased by the Congregational Society as their house of worship. In 1917 the Congregationalists and Universalists merged to become the Hyannis Federated Church.

Marstons Mills Next

Among early Methodists who traveled to West Barnstable to attend the class at Dr. Whitman’s home were Lewis Hamblin and Eldred Baker, Sr., who lived in a part of Marstons Mills known as Hamblin’s Plain. As more of their neighbors joined them in worship, it became evident that they should form a class of their own, and thus, 200 years ago, in 1819, the Hamblin’s Plain Class was organized. People from Osterville, Cotuit, and Cotuit Port joined this class.

And Then Cotuit

Around 1846, members of the Hamblin’s Plain Class who lived in Cotuit and Cotuit Port withdrew to establish their own Society, which met in the newly-built Cotuit Port Meetinghouse on Main Street, Cotuit. This building provided a house of worship for three denominations: Methodist, Baptist, and Congregational. In 1879, this melded group was reorganized under the name Independent Christian Church. By 1900 most Methodists had withdrawn from the congregation to hold meetings in various places in Cotuit and Santuit. Finally, in 1901, a church building was erected at High and School Streets by the Cotuit Methodists. The Congregationalists and Methodists re-combined to become the Cotuit Federated Church in 1923. To this day, the Cotuit Federated Church maintains its affiliation with the Methodist denomination.

…And so, to Osterville!

As of 1819, there were people from Osterville meeting with the Hamblin’s Plain Class in Marstons Mills. Their number increased, so a separate class, known as the Osterville Class, was formed in 1829, with about 10 members. This group was officially a part of the Marstons Mills Methodist Society in the Barnstable Circuit, and its members traveled to the Mills to attend formal Sunday worship services in the Main Street meetinghouse.

Growth, Change, and Resilience

Time and events test every institution, and the United Methodist Church in Osterville is no exception. While a spiritual place, the church is also a human place…

Living the Vision Today

Our Vision Statement, “Together In Christ – Committed to Serve” was adopted by the Church Council in 2009…

200th Anniversary Committee

Special Thanks from the Committee

The 200th Anniversary Committee wishes to thank all those who have given their voices to the anniversary video.