Vass United Methodist Church has an impressive history that dates back the year 1886, when religiously inclined early settlers of what is now Vass and the Cranes Creek community felt a need and were willing to sacrifice to meet that need.

              Very few of the people had the means of transportation and the nearest churches were Union and Cypress Presbyterian, a Baptist Church in Cameron—each several miles away—and Shallow Well Methodist, three miles to the east. Most who attended had to walk.

              A group of interested persons from the two communities decided to build a Methodist Church within easier reach. William Johnson donated land a mile out from the village and a one-room frame building was completed in 1886. The donor did not live to see the completion of the building, his death coming in 1885, so it was named Johnson’s Grove Methodist Episcopal, South, in his memory. His grave is in the cemetery, which still bears his name.

              Johnson’s Grove, the mother church of the Vass Methodist, was growing institution from the start with much interest in the Sunday School, superintended for the first 25 years by Angus Cameron (generally known as “A” Cameron) and attended by various denominations.

              Jewell Edwards McMillan, in a poem she wrote of her little-girl memories of the place: A white church with a cemetery in front: two front doors, the left used by the men and right by the women; oil lamps on the small shelves placed high on the walls; a big black stove in the middle of room; the sweet music of the small organ; each class in its own corner, etc., ending with:  “Here my Christian foundation was securely, firmly laid. As the years pass I ask God, that the vision will never fade.”

              “Old Johnson Grove” as it was lovingly called, was left standing for some time after its 33 years of usefulness as a place of worship. It was eventually sold to W.J. Allen of Vass.

              Charter members were transfers from Shallow Well. Byrd, Cameron, Collins, Edwards, Graham, Johnson, McDuffie, McFadyen, McCraney, Monroe, Patterson, Smith, Thompson, and Wright families made up the early enrollment.

              Johnson’s Grove was on the Manly Circuit along with Blue’s Crossing (Aberdeen), Keyser, Hoffman, and Old Hundred churches. During approximately the first quarter-century the circuit was served by: The Revs. M. A. Smith, H. J. Jackson, L. M. Chaffin, J. W. Crowson, J. H. Page, J. E. Thompson, G. A. Oglesby, E. G. Kilgore, D. N. Caviness, D. A. Watkins, and J. W. Bradley.

              Vass Circuit was formed in 1911 and Johnson’s Grove was linked to Cameron and Lemon Springs. The Rev. C. C. Brothers was the first pastor under this grouping , with Rev. W. F. Trawick, W. B. Humble, and J. E. Benson following.

              Found in an old church record book was a penny postal card addressed to Mr. A. Cameron, giving the Vass circuit’s assessment for 1913-14. The total for the three churches, exclusive of pastor’s salary and orphanage support, was $247. Postmarked in Rockingham, the card was signed by A. McCullen, president, and L. Lee Grand Everett, secretary.

              In the early days, members did not pledge as we do today. Conference made the assessments and the church stewards or finance committee would meet and assess the members as they thought they should or could pay. One undated list, thought to have been in the teens, is in the Johnson’s Grove records. For the men, there was one $20 assessment (he paid $25), one $10, and one $5, and the other ranged down to $1.00. One man was not assessed. The women, whose chief income was from butter and eggs, were asked for $1.00 each as a rule; one was assessed 50 cents and three were not asked to contribute.

              As Johnson’s Grove Church and the Vass community grew, it was strongly felt that a building with better Sunday School facilities should be located in town. During Mr. Benson’s pastorate (1917-1918), a move in that direction was started.

              On November 11, 1917, A. Cameron, W. B. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Cameron, E. B. Thompson, G. S. Edwards, W. P. Davis and W. D. Matthews met to formulate plans. A. Cameron offered to donate a desirable lot in the center of town and it was decided to erect a brick building there. A steering committee was named: A. Cameron, chairman; W. J. Cameron, treasurer; and W.D. Matthews.

              An old deed shows that on February 20, 1917, Mrs. Caroline Byrd conveyed to A. Cameron a tract of land containing an acre, more or less, in consideration of $300. The description indicates that it is the church lot. Construction began in July 1918.

              The building committee and their helpers worked so successfully and so loyally did the members respond, that in less than a year, in May 1919 the new building with vestibule and sanctuary on the first floor, and hall in the basement, was completed, furnished and dedicated. It was gratefully acknowledged that the generosity of A. Cameron did much to make this speedy progress possible.

              The Rev. Mr. Benson had shown much interest in the new building, but ill health forced him to resign before it was completed and the Rev. L. H. Joyner was the first pastor of what became Vass Methodist Episcopal Church, South with Johnson’s Grove membership. He was followed by the Rev. F. B. Noblett.

              From 1923 to 1952, the Vass Church was again linked with the Aberdeen (Aberdeen-Vass Circuit) and received a new name in May 1939, Vass Methodist Church, due to the union of three former Methodist Churches, Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, South, and Methodist Episcopal Protestant. The ministers following F.B. Noblett (1922-1923), were E.H. McWhorter (1923-1925),W.V. McRae (1925-1928), G.B. Starling (1928-1930), W.C. Ball (1930-1934), L.M. Hall (1934-1937), S.J. Starnes (1937-1939),S.A. Maxwell (1939- 1942), Daniel Lane (1942-1943), J.O. Long (1943-1947), T.J. Whitehead (1947-1952). In 1952 Vass became a station appointment for 1 year and was served by Frank Weir (1952-1953). His year of service was completed by Walter C. Smith, who returned to serve Vass again in 1954. In November 1953 Vass was put on the West End-Vass Charge until the next year. The minister that served during that period was E.C. Boulton (1953-1954).

              In 1954 Vass Methodist Church attained station statue. Under the leadership of Walter Smith, 1954-1956 an educational building costing $33,000 was erected at the rear of the church in the summer of 1955, and occupied on September 10, 1955. It was decided by the Rev. O.L. Hathway, District Superintendent, on August 4, 1957. This added four classrooms, a kitchen, fellowship hall, and rest rooms.

              Rev. J.B. Eskridge served as pastor 1956-1957. During this time the church decided to build a parsonage.

              On a lot given by the son and daughters of the later Mr. and Mrs. A. Cameron, a $12,000 brick parsonage was built in the Spring in 1957. It was furnished and ready by July 1st for the church’s first full-time pastor, the Rev. T. Fant Steele, who served until 1961.

              During the pastorate of Rev. David L. Moe (1961-1964) the children’s building was constructed at the church site, adjacent to the existing structure. This added five classrooms, a pastor’s study and two restrooms.  Mrs. May McK. Cameron, widow of A. M. Cameron sold the church 3.76 acres adjacent to the church for additional parking, in 1961.

              The next pastor was the Rev. Charles W. Wooten, who served the Vass Church for six years (1964-1970). The sixth year he was pastor of the Cameron church, also a connection that continued until June 2006.

              In 1968 Vass received a new name, The Vass United Methodist Church, due to joining The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren by the General Conference in Dallas, Texas, April 23, 1968.

              The Rev. Chester D. Brown served the two churches for five years (1970-1975). During his stay the basement classrooms were painted and other needed repair work done.

              The Rev. Joseph C. Parker was assigned to the Vass-Cameron in 1975. In 1976-1977 complete renovation of the sanctuary was accomplished, made possible by a bequest made to the church by the late Rena Cameron Borst and other substantial gifts.

              Painting, new light fixtures, wall-to-wall carpeting, pew cushions, redoing of the altar rail and choir sections, new choir robes, and public address system and restoration of new stained-glass window added so much beauty and dignity of the sanctuary.

              In 1979, two new concrete walks were added on the front lawn to make the church accessible from the center front, which added to the appearance and convenience. Also, in 1979 protective window coverings were installed over the stained-glass windows.

              The Annual Conference of 1980 saw Mr. Parker transferred to Selma and the Rev. Harold M. Chrismon assigned to Vass-Cameron. The congregation bade Mr. Parker and wife, Eunice, a fond fare-well and gave Mr. Chrismon and wife, Jackie, a hearty welcome as the new parsonage family.

              Completed in October 1983 was an attractive ramp leading to the newly built extension with its matching brick steps (the original ones were concrete) and the ramp added greatly to the appearance of the building and to the convenience of the church-goers.

              Jessie Brooks Read and husband, Arthur L. Read, had made and undirected gift of $10,000 in memory of her relatives who were members of this church.  

              At a Memorial Committee meeting called by the chairperson, Marjorie Bullock, on November 6, 1983, it was unanimously voted that the ramp and the renovation of four classrooms be a memorial to the relatives named Mr. and Mrs. Read in their gift. The matter was reported to the Administrative Board that night and received favorable action.

              In 1983 Rosa Furr, a long-time member of the church, willed her house and 10 acres of the property to the church. The home and property were sold in 1984. A portion of the proceeds were used to purchase the Cox house and the fourth acre of property adjoining the church property. Horace and Irene Mullinix donated to the church two lots in Lobelia, which were sold to also benefit the purchase of the Cox property.

              February 1985, Rev. Chrismon was appointed to serve the Hope Mills UMC and Rev. Lloyd Graham Royall was assigned to the Vass Church. The women of the church decided to have a Chrismon tree in the sanctuary for Christmas 1986. They organized workshops and completed the Chrismon before Christmas. Each year we proudly display the Chrismon tree in the sanctuary. In 1987 the handicapped parking pad was completed and the fellowship hall was completed.

              After the smoke was drained from the furnace in 1988, the classrooms in the education building were cleaned and painted.

              Rev. W. Arthur Warren was appointed as pastor July 1989. 50 new Bibles were placed in the sanctuary in 1993 using memorial funds for Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Lassiters’ parents. The fellowship hall roof was re-shingled. The senior citizen group began meeting in 1993.

              Rev. Peggy O. Witt served the church as pastor beginning in June 1997 through December 1998, at which time, Rev. James Mentzer was assigned as new pastor. The church joined the Sandhills Interfaith Hospitality Network to help homeless women and children in Moore County. The Johnson Grove cemetery road was paved in 1999. The church also started supporting the Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care.

               Glennie K. Perry sister of Vick and Linwood Keith willed to the church $25,000. to be invested and income be used for cemetery expense.

              Rev. Gregg A. Presnell was appointed to our church from 2003 to 2006. During this time a new heating and air condition system was installed in the sanctuary and education building. In 2006 the roof of the education building was replaced.

              In July 2006 Vass and Cameron churches became separate stations. Clarence Garner, a retired Methodist minister, from Robbin became our first part-time pastor. A new water heater was bought for kitchen. The pastor’s study was also painted, carpeted, and given new light fixtures, making the area a very comfortable space for the pastor. With a part-time pastor, the Trustees decided to rent the parsonage. The church was successful in renting the house in February 2007.

              June 2007, the church was awarded a grant of $5,000 from the Board of Mission Methodist Church to change the men’s restroom into a handicap bathroom.

              Rev. Garner retired for the second time in June 2007 and Rev. Phil Brown from Whispering Pines became our next part-time minister.

              Under the leadership of Rev Brown, the church building was refurbished with new sound system, exterior and interior painting, new carpet, new pew cushions and new protective coverings for the stained-glass windows. The men’s restroom in the fellowship hall was converted into a handicap unisex restroom.

             Hayes and Doris Harbour in 2008 donated nine tenths of an acre of land adjoining Johnson’s Grove Cemetery.

             In 2009 the Fellowship Hall was renovated; the carpet was removed and floor was refinished. Music book cabinet was built and windows were replaced with vinyl windows.

            Bill Mierisch, lay leader, and Rev Brown were instrumental in organizing an after-school literacy program which provided tutors to help Hispanic students with reading and math homework.  Vass UMC partnered with Cypress Presbyterian Church to provide tutors and transportation. The program began in January 2011 and ended in 2015 due to lack of volunteers.

           July 2012 the church received a $25,000 gift from the Estate of Mary Lynn Keith. The bequest was to be designated for the building and renovation of the church.  Improvements were made to the landscaping in time for 2012 Homecoming.

           A Yamaha digital keyboard was purchased with memorial funds and individual donations which enriches our worship services.

           In 2014 Rev Brown announced his retirement and July 2014 Rev Berry Barbour was appointed as our new part-time pastor.  He and his new bride, Ann live in Goldston.

          November 2015 water was discovered coming from under the floor of the basement, causing mold and mildew in the basement and sanctuary.  The conference got involved and sent a licensed Environmentalist to inspect and make recommendations.  Problem was not as bad as it was initially thought. Puro Clean was hired to clean/eliminate the mold and mildew. Howell’s masonry cleaned and sealed the north and south walls of the sanctuary. Roofwerks Inc repaired the slate roof.  The walls in the sanctuary were painted.

         After several unprofitable attempts at renting the parsonage, the Trustees, with approval from the Conference building committee, decided to sell the property. The property sold in July 2017 and proceeds put in the building fund account to be used for much needed maintenance and repairs of the church. 

        The ladies restroom in the Fellowship Hall was remodeled with new fixtures, tile flooring, vanities, and painting before the 2017 Homecoming.  In 2018 the two restrooms in the Education Building were renovated with new flooring, new fixtures, and painting.  The outside of all buildings were power-washed and painted in 2018 as well.  The Fellowship Hall also received a new roof in 2018.

       Rev Tim Caudle was assigned to our church in July 2018 as a part-time minister. He and his wife, Peggy Lynn, live in Fuquay Varina. Our church is his Rev Caudle first assignment as minister.

       The church through the years has been involved in many ministries to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the town and surrounding communities.  Examples other than those already mentioned include: youth fellowship, school supplies for needy students, sponsoring needy families at Christmas, Moore County Crop Walk, Lions Club, Boy & Girl Scouts, 4-H Performing Arts, Ala-Non, Buckets/kits for Flood victims, etc.

       July 8, 1923 the Women’s’ Missionary Society was organized with 16 members.  It was a very active group of women and divided into two circles. March 18, 1973 the ladies society’s name was changed to United Methodist Women. They had fundraisers to raise money to purchase things for the church and the parsonage. They sold steak knives, bottles of vanilla, cookbooks and held yard sales and bazaars

       The Methodist Men’s Club was started in the 1940’s. they, like the women, needed to raise funds for projects. They held chicken, turkey, and barbeque dinners, sponsored yard sales, and worked in the booth at the Cameron Street fair.

        While it is impossible to measure the influence of the early Christians who sacrificed and labored to make Johnson’s Grove and the Vass church possible, there is evidence that their dedication will be more far-reaching than they dreamed, as already six ministers have emerged from its membership. The first, the late Rev C.B. Thompson, son of the Bryant Thompsons, served from 1916-1934.

        The next three were third-generation members of the church: the late Rev. Arthur L. Thompson (1926-1967), son of the late Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Thompson and grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Bryant Thompson; the late Rev. Fred Davis (1950-1989 ) son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Herman Davis and grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Davis; the late Rev. Angus McKay Cameron (1951-1991) son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Cameron and grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. Cameron.

       The fifth, the Rev. David Grissom (1970-2012) son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Grissom of Vass, came when he was a small boy, grew up in the church and married Sue Wooten, daughter of the late Rev. and Mrs. Charles Wooten. While David is enjoying a well deserved retirement, we take every opportunity he’s available to have him come as a guest speaker.

       The sixth, Rev Mamie Oldham Alley, daughter of Myrtle Oldham, grew up in our church and gives the church credit for her becoming a minister. She began her ministry in 2013 at the Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Robbins. This is her 6th year there.

        Many members no longer with us gave unselfishly of their time and talents and we’d like to mention each of them. However, we can only list a few long-timers: Edith C. Tyson, pianist-organist for approximately 50 years; Rena C. Borst, 40-year treasurer; W. Hollifield Frye, Men’s Bible Class teacher for 15 years; and Pauline Frye, Ladies Bible Class teacher for 50 years. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Smith also served as teachers for some time, then felt led to start a tabernacle, hoping to reach some that were not attending any church. In 1929 the Smiths had a revival meeting in the Old Johnson’s Grove Church and pledges were made to build an open-air tabernacle.  The tabernacle was built in 1930 on land donated by A.M. Cameron. Over time the building was improved until it was brick with three classrooms and a piano. In 1946 the Sunday School enrollment was 77 and preaching was bimonthly.

       The Smiths both died in 1958 and their daughter Gladys and husband, Lucian Frye, members of the Vass Methodist Church, continued the Tabernacle ministry. The Tabernacle closed after Sunday School on August 17, 1975. The Fryes returned to the Vass Methodist Church and many from the Tabernacle joined our congregation.

       Proud of the church heritage, our present members will continue to hold high the torch lighted by those who have gone before. The ministries of our congregation enable us to serve the spiritual needs of our members and the community.  One of our very successful ministries being, Joy Fellowship. In 1992 Lois Key and Nora Grissom began the Joy Fellowship Luncheon for senior citizens in the community. They met monthly for devotion, fellowship, planned program and covered dish luncheon.  It was so popular that persons who were not seniors began coming. The program continued for twenty-seven years. To honor our active and retired members of the congregation, one of our long-standing members donates beautiful Quilts of Valor that she makes.  Additionally, we have been blessed with many talented musical leaders and choir members giving of their time and talents. Our music ministry continues to enrich our worship service.

         The church, through the years, has been involved in many ministries to meet various spiritual and physical needs of the town and surrounding communities.  Examples other than those already mentioned include: youth fellowship, bible study, community vacation bible school, Ecumenical services at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, school supplies for needy students, sponsoring needy families at Christmas, Moore County Crop Walk, Lions Club, Boy & Girl Scouts, 4-H Performing Arts, Ala-Non, Buckets/kits for Flood victims, etc  

         We give thanks and praise to God for the wonderful life of the Vass United Methodist Church. May God continue to richly bless us in His ministry in our church, to the local community and around the world.