Following a revival meeting at Old Bethany School House, near Bethany Church, on the 10th of November 1909, a group of 21 persons organized and decided to build Canaan Methodist Protestant Church. A one-room structure was completed and the first sermon preached on the fourth Sunday in March, 1911. Dedication of the church was held in July, 1911. In the fall of 1912, the church was painted white inside and out.
Four large Sunday School classrooms were built and a concrete porch was added in 1929. In 1933, a fence was placed around the cemetery boughtwith funds raised by the Ladies Aid Society. Another room was added to the back of the church in 1936. A belfry was erected in the autumn of 1936 and a bell donated by Mrs. W. P. Pickett of High Point was installed. A hand-carved, solid walnut cross was placed on the steeple.
Our name was changed in 1939 to Canaan Methodist Church, which was later changed to Canaan United Methodist Church.
In 1941, a renovation program began. Walls were sheet-rocked, hardwood floors were laid and new pews were installed. Plans for an Educational Building were made in 1944 and a building fund was set up in March 1945. Work began in 1946. The one-story brick veneer building with a full basement contained seven classrooms, a pastor’s study, a fully equipped kitchen and an oil furnace large enough to heat the proposed new church. An electric organ was installed and a piano was purchased for the downstairs assembly room. The educational building was dedicated in the early fall of 1949. A connecting causeway between the old church and the new educational building was installed, linking the two buildings temporarily.
Four large Sunday School classrooms were built and a concrete porch was added in 1929. In 1933, a fence was placed around the cemetery boughtwith funds raised by the Ladies Aid Society. Another room was added to the back of the church in 1936. A belfry was erected in the autumn of 1936 and a bell donated by Mrs. W. P. Pickett of High Point was installed. A hand-carved, solid walnut cross was placed on the steeple.
Our name was changed in 1939 to Canaan Methodist Church, which was later changed to Canaan United Methodist Church.
In 1941, a renovation program began. Walls were sheet-rocked, hardwood floors were laid and new pews were installed. Plans for an Educational Building were made in 1944 and a building fund was set up in March 1945. Work began in 1946. The one-story brick veneer building with a full basement contained seven classrooms, a pastor’s study, a fully equipped kitchen and an oil furnace large enough to heat the proposed new church. An electric organ was installed and a piano was purchased for the downstairs assembly room. The educational building was dedicated in the early fall of 1949. A connecting causeway between the old church and the new educational building was installed, linking the two buildings temporarily.
In the spring of 1950, the old church was torn away and construction on the new sanctuary began. During construction of the new modern brick church, regular worship services were held in the assembly room of the educational building. The first service in the new sanctuary was held on May 6, 1951.
In the tower of the new sanctuary hangs the old bell and on the pulpit rests the same Holy Bible. At the top of the church the cross, moved from the old steeple, glows from the light within. Chimes were installed in 1953. In 1957, a new part was added to the Educational Building, consisting of three floors and ten more classrooms. Canaan celebrated its first fifty years with special activities on Friday and Saturday night and Sunday morning, November 8, 1959. There were three charter members living at this time and Canaan’s membership totaled 225. The sanctuary was renovated, adding extra seating, the vestibule area was enlarged and many other changes were made in 1998. Beautiful stained glass windows were installed that illustrate the life of Christ from birth to resurrection.
The first Fellowship Hall was built in 1961. The current Fellowship Hall was completed in January 1990. In 2003, five classrooms and a large youth room were added to the back, with a storage area beneath. Early Worship Services are held in the Fellowship Hall every Sunday morning. Christian fellowship and the true and faithful dedication of members is the foundation of a church. Canaan UMC has grown in beauty, faith and loyalty for the better things of the great kingdom of God Almighty and will continue to grow because we are faithful in our support and stewardship. We strive to serve God in all that we do, working together to make Canaan UMC the best that it can be by loving Christ and loving each other.
In the tower of the new sanctuary hangs the old bell and on the pulpit rests the same Holy Bible. At the top of the church the cross, moved from the old steeple, glows from the light within. Chimes were installed in 1953. In 1957, a new part was added to the Educational Building, consisting of three floors and ten more classrooms. Canaan celebrated its first fifty years with special activities on Friday and Saturday night and Sunday morning, November 8, 1959. There were three charter members living at this time and Canaan’s membership totaled 225. The sanctuary was renovated, adding extra seating, the vestibule area was enlarged and many other changes were made in 1998. Beautiful stained glass windows were installed that illustrate the life of Christ from birth to resurrection.
The first Fellowship Hall was built in 1961. The current Fellowship Hall was completed in January 1990. In 2003, five classrooms and a large youth room were added to the back, with a storage area beneath. Early Worship Services are held in the Fellowship Hall every Sunday morning. Christian fellowship and the true and faithful dedication of members is the foundation of a church. Canaan UMC has grown in beauty, faith and loyalty for the better things of the great kingdom of God Almighty and will continue to grow because we are faithful in our support and stewardship. We strive to serve God in all that we do, working together to make Canaan UMC the best that it can be by loving Christ and loving each other.
"I pray you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ."
Philemon 14:6
Philemon 14:6