Hello
Greetings and welcome to Edisto Island United Methodist Church (EIUMC), a warm and hospitable community situated in the serene and picturesque setting of Edisto Island. Our church boasts a long and storied legacy, tracing its roots back to the aspirations of Ernest Godwin and his spouse, Veda, who envisioned establishing a Methodist Church on the island. Thanks to the support of Reverend JR Jones and other dedicated individuals, their dream came to fruition.
Our Story
Our journey began in the summer of 1987 with weekly worship services at the Edisto Beach Lions Club on Myrtle Street. As our congregation grew, we realized that we needed more than just summer services. Soon, our worship expanded to monthly off-season services, and eventually, we gathered every Sunday, year-round.
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EIUMC's growth continued as Ernest and other dedicated members took on leadership roles, and Reverend Olene Civils of Bethel UMC in neighboring Walterboro, SC, began leading our services. Over time, we were blessed to have Luther Lee donate land to build our very own church sanctuary, inspired by the Methodist Church in Havelock, NC.
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Through the tireless efforts of our members and local volunteers, we broke ground on June 26, 1993, and built our beautiful sanctuary with the help of a $35,000 allocation from the UMC-Charleston District. By March 1994, we held our first service in the unfinished building, and the completed sanctuary was dedicated on August 28, 1994. In June 1996, our status changed from "Mission" to "Church," with 60 charter members and 13 affiliate members.
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Our commitment to serving the community extended even further when Nancie and Harold Greene opened our Clothes Closet thrift store in August 2006. In honor of their hard work and dedication, the store was renamed Nancie's Clothes Closet in 2015. The store continues to support the Edisto Island community and various missions worldwide through the sale of gently used clothing and other items.
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Today, we are led by Reverend Kevin P. Stroop, who has been our pastor and spiritual leader since 2015. Our congregation is active, friendly, and eager to serve the Lord through worship, study, prayer, fellowship, and mission outreach. We warmly invite you to join us, whether you live on Edisto Island or are just visiting.
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At Edisto Island United Methodist Church, our doors are always open to those who seek to enter. We look forward to welcoming you into our congregation and sharing our journey of faith together.
