The idea of a “Mile Marker” traces back to the days of the Roman Empire before the birth of Jesus. The Romans used markers made of stone to help travelers measure distance, as well as to identify the specific road they were on within the Empire. In the United States, Congress approved the first mile markers back in 1806, with the federal government creating the first interstate highway system in 1925 – “Mile Marker #1” located in Fort Kent, Maine.¹ If you hear someone talk about a “milestone,” we have the Romans to thank for that expression. And in Benson, NC, if you hear people talk about “the Methodist Church,” we have the vision of a few local 19^th century families to thank for establishing Benson Methodist Church on September 16, 1898.

On Sunday, September 17, 2023, we will celebrate our church’s 125th Anniversary – a very special “mile marker” that will allow us to consider how far we have come, where we are today, and where the straight and narrow path of the Gospel leads.

With only a few pictures of the original 1898 wood-framed church building to look at, the growth of the Benson Methodist Church must have been significant, considering the construction of our current sanctuary in 1915.²

The names of the Methodist Church in Benson, NC:

• • The church was established as the Benson Methodist Church on September 16, 1898, as part of the NC Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
  • In 1939, American Methodist Churches reunited to become the Methodist Episcopal Church, though in local conversation, our church name remained the Benson Methodist Church.
  • In 1968, the Methodist Episcopal Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to form the United Methodist Church, and our church’s name became the Benson United Methodist Church.
  • At the end of 2022, our church went through the process of Disaffiliation from the UMC and became the Benson Global Methodist Church on January 1, 2023.

As part of the 1974 anniversary, Stella Creech concluded: “The history of the church [has not included any] great outstanding events as the world regards history, but a steady growing power for good in the community. It has not sought to write its history in glowing events, but in the lives of those who make up its membership and constituency.” ²

We have only been the Benson Global Methodist Church since January 1^st of this year, which may not be a big deal “as the world regards history”, but for 125+ years our church remains a mile marker for the Kingdom of God. From this corner lot on East Church St. – no matter the season, the culture, or the date – Jesus Christ is our reason for being and our cause for celebration! ^{3 and 4}

 

 

Billy A. Olsen, Pastor

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” ~ Jesus, from John 12:32

 

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Sources Consulted:

1. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/americas-first-mile

2. History of the Benson United Methodist Church, 76th Anniversary, 1974 compiled by Stella Creech with forward by Rev. Jack Crum; aka “the little yellow book.” Pg. 10.

3. Many thanks to the late Ralph and Mickie Delano for compiling various church and local historical records in the early 1980s. The Delano’s love for history and devotion to our church has proven to be a great gift.

4. Thanks also to the 2022-2023 efforts of Judy Johnson and Simone Sawicki for helping to catalogue written material and pictures from the Church History Room.