It was in 1882 that the Blue ridge Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church sent the Reverend William Franklin to Morehead City to organize a church. It is from its first Pastor that the church takes its name.

Charter members bore surnames that are now replete in the membership rolls. They were Caroline Wade, Richard Willis, Hettie Willis, Lottie Ann Willis, Walter Willis, jane Willis, Ida Willis, Rebecca Willis, Emma N. Willis, Seawood Willis, James R. Guthrie, A.P. Guthrie, Hancy Guthrie, Amos Wade, David F. Guthrio, and R. Chadwick.

From 1882 until 1895, services were held in a store building at what is now 1206 Evans St. In 1895, the Reverend Cas Stevens was appointed Pastor, and a new wooden building was erected at the corner of Twelfth and Arendell Streets, the present site of the Church, in those days the edge of town. It was this buuilding that is still remembered as the one constructed of timbers from a wrecked ship on the beach, timbers which the membership hauled one piece at a time from the water. A sketch of this structure with its gracefully proportioned steeple appears on the cover of this booklet.

Demolished shortly before the First World War, work was begun on a brick edifice, but the war and soaring prices caused the work to be delayed, and it was not finished until about 1923. For years, it was the only brick church in Carteret County. Oldtimers recall the familiar figure of Aunt Mary Wes Willis, a shawl about her shoulders, a kerchief about her head, a stick in her hand, standing like the angel of the Lord threatening any rascal who, on coming from the school, might presume to take one of those precious bricks. It was this same Aunt Mary Wes who saw to it that the ministers did not die of malnutrition; a pounding was held every now and again.

In 1926, the congregation was host to the Annual Conference under the presidency of Bishop Thirkield.
Before three branches of Methodism united in May, 1939, Franklin Memorial was also known as the First Methodist Episcopal Church. A few years ago new furniture was placed in the sanctuary, and in 1961 the building was air conditioned. The present membership stands at 305.

Below is a sketch of the parsonage which stood at 1211 Arendell Street for almost forty years. The first parsonage was at what is now 819 Arendell Street. Begun about 1911 when Mr. Plint was Pastor, the one seen on the next page was torn down during the ministry of Mr. Reynolds about 1950. This sketch and the one on the cover were done by Bill Collins.

Solomon outlined the work of the Ladies when of "a virtuous woman," he said, "She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy" (Proverbs 31.20).

The Charter Members of the Aid, as it was called were:

We thank Thee, Lord, Thy paths of service lead
To blazoned heights and down the slopes of need;
They reach Thy throne, encompass land and sea,
And he who journeys in them walks with Thee.
--Calvin W. Laufer

At Unification, the Ladies' Aid became The Woman's Society of Christian Service (WSCS). Twenty three women signed up as charter members of this new organization. In addition, there was an honorary member, Baby Billie Gaskins who was brought by her Grandmother, Brittie Guthrie, to each meeting. That baby is now the church organist. The Charter Members were

The waves forever move; The hill forever rest;
Yet each the heavens approve, And Love alike hath blessed
A Martha's household care, A Mary's cloistered prayer.
-- John Banister Tabb

". . . I will set thy stones in fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires" (Isaiah 54:11).

Like polished stones, the officers of a Christian Organization must lend brilliance to the group. Presidents of the Ladies' Aid and of the Woman's Society of Christian Service have been

The Methodist Men's Club was chartered during the pastorate of Mr. Payne who was here 1952-1954.

The Presidents of the group have been

God needs a man....
A strong arm, a steady hand
To point the way, to take a stand
For Truth.

God needs a man....
A clear mind, perceptive eyes
To teach His way, to vitalize
The Truth.

God needs a man....
A strong heart, unspotted life
To lead the young, to lead the strife
For Truth.

God needs a man....;
It takes a man, a man's man
A weakling cannot gulf the span
To Truth.
--r.d.w.

One of the most important jobs in the Church is that of Church Sunday School Superintendent. Those holding that high office were

Walter Willis
N.S. Levister
Edward Guthrie
Johnny Willis
Jeses Willis
Gerald Davis
Lawrence Brown
T.S. Davis
Alvin Lewis
Cicero Guthrie
Monroe Willis
Walter Lewis
D.B. Willis

Pastors who have served our church are

"And the night shall be filled with music"

The motto of those stalwarts who established our Church was summed up a century ago by Alfred Lord Tennyson when he spoke of another kind of hero. Of us he said,

....and tho
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,--
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Of those who strove, who sought, who found, there are yet two who have not yielded. The oldest living member of the Church is David Guthrie who is now 91 and who joined the Church about 1897. Then there is one who is celebrating her eightieth birthday with the Church this year, Mrs. Molly Guthrie.

Three persons taught Sunday School classes for years and years consecutively. They are Clayton Guthrie and the late John Mart Lewis and the late Ann Maria Guthrie.

Setting some sort of a record surely is our Sunday School Secretary, Earl Willis, who has served in that office for thirty two consecutive years.

Youth meets age in Grace McBride who at 13 is our youngest member.

The Ministry of Music is as vital as any in order to a meaningful worship experience. Here is a list of our organists through the years.

Jennie Graham Willis
Lucy Guthrie
Viletta Lewis
Becky Lewis
Harris Lewis
Catherine Styron
Dora Guthrie
Leta Blomberg
Adeline Land
Lavonna Guthrie
Jane Langdale
Billie Wade

God is at the organ; I can hear
Amighty music echoing, Far and near.

God is at the organ and the keys
Are storm strewn billows, moorlands, trees,

God is at the organ; I can hear
A mighty music, echoing far and near.

--Egbert Sandford

Daisies have been called "The people God sends to set our hearts free." Another has said,

The miracle of one pale rose is proof enough of God!

Standing foremost in memory as "the flower lady" is Mrs. Dessie Guthrie who grew the flowers which for many years she placed in the Church.

Saints are God's flowers, fragrant souls
That His own hand hath planted.
Not in some far off heavenly place, Or solitude enchanted.
But here and there and everywhere,
In lonely field or crowded town,
God sees a flower when He looks down.

One such I knew, and had the grace
To thank my god for knowing
The beauty of her quiet life
Was like a rose in blowing,
So fair and sweet, so all complete
And all unconsious, as a flower,
Thant light and fragrance were her dower.

A vow to keep her life alive
In deeds of pure affection,
So that her love shall find in them
A daily resurrection;
A constant prayer that they may wear
Some touch of that supernal light
With which she blossoms in God's sight.
--Henry van Dyke

The Commemoration Committee is composed of Mesdames Mecola Guthrie, Adeline Land, Lula Lewis and Messrs. Walter Lewis, Earl Willis, and Robert D. Wood. The Committee is grateful to all who helped in whatever fashion.