Art by Jerry Miller
Early Years
Mt. Vernon-Goodwin School building was the sight of our first Sunday School class, May 20, 1945 which grew from 57 members to 75 and interest in building a church sprang up. A revival was held in the school building and Rev. Howard McLamb returned his love offering to start a Church Lot Fund. With Rev. McLamb’s help, the church was organized in October 7, 1945 by Rev. H.B. Porter, Superintendent of the Raleigh District. Rev. Herman S. Winberry, then a ministerial student at Duke, was sent to serve as the first pastor of the newly-organized Westover Methodist Church. Westover and Pleasant Grove Church shared the minister until Westover could support a full-time minister. Rev. Winberry served for two years.
As the church grew, the congregation decided to buy a lot on Hillsboro Road on which to build a church. Rev. W.N. McDonald, ministerial student at Duke, succeeded Rev.Herman Winberry. Rev. Hollis Huston was sent to serve after Rev. McDonald left. On June 27,1948 the church lot on Hillsboro Street was sold and by July 27, 1949 another lot was bought that was more centrally located. The lot on the corner of Powell Drive and Carolina became the site of our current location and the ground-breaking ceremony was held April 3, 1949 and the work on the basement began immediately. Rev. George Megill, a ministerial student at Duke was sent to be our fourth pastor . During his second year of ministry the first service was held in the new church on October 14, 1951. Rev. Megill served Westover for a total of 5 years. At the end of the year 1951 the church had 135 members and 157 on the Church School roll. The church had a value of $50,000 and a debt of $25,000. In June, 1953 a lot was bought adjoining the church property and a six-room parsonage was built. The Megills moved in on December 15,1953.
Our Educational Building was constructed adjacent to the church building in 1963 and a preschool program was started in 1967 during the pastorate of Rev. Ralph Fleming, Jr. In 1969 Rev. Kermit Braswell succeeded Rev. Fleming and several improvements were made including air conditioning for the sanctuary of the church. The present parsonage was purchased in May 1973 for $44,000. In 1975 Rev. Kenneth Sexton succeeded Rev. Braswell. More improvements followed, such as pew cushions and a new organ was purchased and installed. The church membership was 734, and total assets were $500,000. In 1988 Rev. Vassar Jones was appointed to Westover and served two years. The United Methodist Men’s group saw much growth during this time.
Reverend Robert Shields was appointed to Westover in July 1990. The Administrative Council was adopted as a new form of church government; pre-school classes for the hearing impaired were added; church membership was 792 and the church property value was in excess of $1,500,000. Through the years fund-raising projects such as plays, gardens, suppers, bazaars, fish frys, and the State Fair booth have always been a vital part of our church history. The church still successfully operates a fair booth each year to raise funds that support ongoing projects and missional outreach. Rev. Johnnie Wright served from 2003 to 2013 and Rev. Claire Clyburn served from 2013 to 2019. In July 2019, Rev. Sung Moy served Westover as Lead Pastor from 2019 to March 2022. March 2022 Pastor Rich Cooper was appointed as Interim Pastor and in July 2022, Pastor Damion Quaye was appointed Lead Pastor and currently serves in that position.
Westover UMC has always had a heart for West Raleigh: current missions in the Raleigh area include support for Methodist Home for Children, collecting school supplies for AB Combs, Westover Community Garden, AA and NA.
Excerpts from Church history compiled by: Janet Burke