A Methodist Presence in Southern Berkeley County Since 1841
Tucked along Winchester Avenue in Bunker Hill, West Virginia, Bunker Hill United Methodist Church has been a fixture of the small unincorporated community for more than 180 years. Founded in 1841, the congregation carries a heritage that reaches back to the era when the surrounding countryside was largely agricultural and the local Methodist circuit served more than five churches. Today the church describes its mission simply: to enable all people to have a personal relationship with Christ through discipleship and ministry, and to grow as Christians while reaching out in love and service to all.
Two Sunday Services, One Welcoming Door
Bunker Hill UMC holds two distinct worship gatherings each Sunday so that people with different musical and liturgical tastes can find a home. The Traditional Service begins at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary and is offered both in person and online through Zoom. Participants can join by video or, for those who prefer audio only, by dialing 1-301-8592 and entering Meeting ID 304 229 8508 followed by Password 001. The Power in Praise service follows at 11:15 AM in the Upper Room and offers a more contemporary worship experience. There are no dress codes - suits and recreational sports gear are equally at home - and the congregation welcomes visitors with the words, "Come as you are."
Communion is observed on the first Sunday of each month. The table is open to all who desire to connect with God through this holy means of grace, and traditional bread, gluten-free bread and grape juice are available. Those who prefer not to participate are invited to relax and enjoy the music during that portion of the service.
The Crusaders Sunday School and Small Groups
At 9:00 AM each Sunday, the Crusaders Sunday School class meets in the social hall and welcomes adults of any age. The class is described as an excellent way to become integrated into the life of the church, with time for fellowship, Bible study and prayer before the 10:00 AM worship service. The congregation is also open to developing additional classes as interest grows.
Beyond Sunday morning, the United Women in Faith (UWF) gathers on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall, September through May. Guest speakers share about local agencies and advocacies, the group supports mission work, and members describe their evenings as a great time together. All women are invited.
The Table: A Friday Meal for the Community
On the first and third Friday of each month from 4:30 to 6:00 PM, the church hosts The Table, a drive-thru meal program open to anyone in the community. Inspired by Isaiah 58:10 - "if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness" - the program packages meals individually so friends, family or neighbors can pick up food on behalf of someone in need. There are no obligations to the church or any organization, and prayer and fellowship are offered upon request.
Reaching Out Beyond the Building
Outreach is woven into the life of the congregation. Each month members collect a designated pantry item for Loaves and Fishes, a food pantry in Martinsburg that serves Berkeley and surrounding counties. The church also supports Community Alternatives to Violence through the UWF, providing scholarships to women in need and distributing gift cards to families who have experienced fire losses. Globally, the women of the church back Operation Christmas Child and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
Youth and Children
A youth group meets on Sunday evenings during the program year with a shared dinner at 5:00 PM followed by group time until 7:00 PM. Youth Sunday is observed once a year during the regular worship hour, giving young people a chance to take leadership in the service. The church has also historically maintained a nursery attendant position so that families with young children can participate in worship and small groups.
What United Methodists Believe
Bunker Hill UMC shares a Christian heritage with other believers and confesses faith in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in salvation through Jesus Christ, and in the celebration of the two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Members point to four sources - the Bible, the Confession of Faith, the United Methodist Book of Discipline, and the writings of John Wesley - and to four guides for belief: the primacy of Scripture, tradition, experience and reason. The congregation emphasizes the dignity of every person, tolerance across differences of opinion, the primacy of grace, and the unity of faith and good works. Baptism is performed by sprinkling, immersion or pouring and is open to both infants and adults, while communion is celebrated with grape juice in solidarity with those affected by alcohol addiction and to allow children and youth to fully participate.
A Building with Two Histories
The original Methodist Episcopal Church building still stands two blocks from the present campus on land contributed by Elisha Boyd on July 30, 1841. During the Civil War, Union troops used the structure as a hospital and stable, and by 1863 the building had fallen into partial ruin from the burning of pews and flooring for warmth. The congregation repaired and furnished the building by 1869 and continued to worship there until 1912. The historic structure, known today as the Boyd Building, is maintained by the church and serves as a community recreation center.
Ground was broken for the current church in March 1912, the cornerstone was laid in June, and Bishop Earl Cranston dedicated the completed building on December 15, 1912. An educational wing was added in 1965 and the parsonage was completed in 1901. The church has been a station church since 1979.
Weddings and Visiting
The sanctuary, with its curved layout, stained-glass windows and traditional feel, seats 125 comfortably and is available for weddings to both members and non-members. Pastor Katy Mossburg is available to officiate and provide pre-marital counseling, though couples may also bring their own officiant with church approval. A large social hall downstairs is well suited to wedding receptions, and Sunday ceremonies may be scheduled after 12:00 PM.
For first-time visitors, parking surrounds the church building. Sanctuary entrances are closer to the road, while the downstairs fellowship hall can be reached from the opposite end. A handicap ramp is available on the north side of the church. The church office is open Tuesdays from 12:00 to 3:00 PM and Fridays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and messages can be left at any time through the contact form on the church's site or by calling (304) 229-8508.