History of Community Methodist Congregation in St, Croix V.I.

Mr. Felix Pitterson, and his late wife Dona Consuelo Santiago who were outstanding civic leaders donated parcel #7, Estate Hogensborg on February 1959. The grantee was the Board of Home Missions and Church Extensions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a religious corporation organized and existed by virtue of the laws of the state of Pennsylvania .

The Methodist Episcopal Church in 1960 became a part of the United Methodist Church . The Church made a significant contribution to the religious, social, and educational development of Saint Croix with the development of institutions at #7 Hogensborg and Hermon Hill. The Hispanic congregation worshiped at Community and the English speaking congregation worshipped at Hermon Hill. In 1970 the Hispanic congregation moved to the site in Hermon Hill, and continued to operate as an autonomous Church. The English speaking congregation returned to the Hogensborg site in approximately 1970-1971, with 11:00 AM worship and an early service at Hermon Hill for English speaking members of the Methodist congregation on the Eastern end of the island.

The chapel in Hogensborg was built in 1960 and initially, it served as a chapel for kindergarten students of the CUMC under the General Board of Global Ministries Home and Missions Programs of the United Methodist Church .

Over the years ministers assigned to Community were: Reverend Stroud, Reverend Boyd Mortez, Reverend Jeffrey Gerber, Reverend Albert E. Moffett, Reverend Bennett, Reverend Varlyna Wright, Reverend Mark Young, Reverend Gilbert Santiago, Reverend Charles Durante, Sister Neva Edwards, Reverend Jennings Martin and presently Reverend Gilbert Laban.

Community United Methodist continues as a multi-ethnic, multi-racial church in the West Indian and Wesleyan traditions. The Church works in collaboration with other religious groups. The first service held by Frederiksted Methodist as a group convened at the Community United Methodist Church on January 11, 1976. They presently conduct services in the Bethel Chapel.

Due to the logistics in overseeing the work on St. Croix the congregation was attached to the Puerto Rican Conference in 1990. However it was soon clear that the work could be better directed directly by GBGM in the office in New York .

By 1996, because of the logistics and the availability of a pastor on St. Croix the Revs. Sam Dixon and Keith Rae of GBGM first approached the St, Croix Circuit of the MCCA to assume temporary pastoral oversight responsibility of the congregation.

As this sporadic dialogue progressed with GBGM, CUM congregation was established as a mission Church, with financial support by Global Ministries. Because of changes at Global Ministries, the congregation was informed that it was now an autonomous Church and the Rev. Durante was assigned as pastor with continued support from Global. In 2003 upon the death of Rev. Durante the dialogue towards the merger began in earnest with the Rev. Selwyn Vanterpool President of the LID Conference.

Over the ensuing years since the 1970's, the Rev. Jennings G. E. Martin served the congregation intermittently and in April, 2003 Sister Neva Edwards was appointed as fulltime Lay-Pastor. Under the guidance of Sam Dixon and Keith Rae the congregation overwhelmingly voted to merge with the MCCA and in 2004 the Circuit Council consented and a proposal was formally transmitted to the LID Conference for approval.

Through the able leadership of Sister Neva Edwards, and the influence of Rev. E. Dustan Richardson, the Church formed a transitional team under the leadership of Sis. Martha Edwards to prepare the way towards an eventual consummation of the merger with the Circuit. Having voted overwhelmingly to unify, the small yet faithful congregation has been praying without ceasing, and patiently waiting for the long anticipated transfer to occur.

At the annual 2006 Connexional Conference of the MCCA in Antigua the merger agreement was presented by the Rev. Keith Rae of GBGM. The Conference accepted the proposal and the circuit was authorized to initiate the legal instrument to officially effect the merger. As fellow Methodists the small congregation was warmly accepted into the fold and actively participated in varied activities such as the Aldersgate Celebration, new fundraising projects, confirmation classes, outreach activities, bible study, and other activities that would cause the congregation to grow.

Due to financial dictates, the Church was required to incorporate. St. Croix Community United Methodist Church was incorporated on December 7, 2007. With the retirement of Sis. Neva Edwards the Rev. Gilbert Laban, a Probationer Minister was appointed as Pastor.

Finally, in December of 2010 after resolving the property transfer issues between GBGM and the Women's' Division who owned the adjacent CUM Center, the one acre property with the Chapel, parsonage and classrooms were deeded to the St. Croix Circuit. On March 20, 2011, the congregation voted to dissolve the non-profit corporation and rename to Community Methodist Congregation.

Today, though we are small in numbers, we have faith that this is a rebirth and with God's help we will be an asset to the St. Croix Circuit of the MCCA. The Community Methodist Congregation pledges to exercise all the powers and privileges, perform all duties and obligations of the Church as set forth in the Constitution and Discipline of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas .