John McNeel: The Father of Methodism in Hillsboro

 

John McNeel is a central figure in the early religious history of Hillsboro, West Virginia, specifically in the establishment of Methodism in the region. His arrival in the Little Levels area around 1765, the construction of the White Pole Meeting House, and his family's continued involvement in the Methodist church solidified his legacy as a pioneering figure in the community's faith.

• A Providential Arrival: John McNeel, originally from the Cacapon River area in Frederick County, Virginia, arrived in the Little Levels seeking refuge after believing he had killed a man in a fight. This "flight for his life" led him to what he saw as a safe haven in the secluded valley, surrounded by mountains.

  • This sense of deliverance and gratitude to God for finding a new home deeply influenced McNeel's commitment to establishing a place of worship.

• Building the "White Pole Meeting House": Shortly after settling in the Little Levels and marrying Martha Davis, McNeel constructed a small log cabin dedicated to religious services. This humble structure, known as the White Pole Meeting House or Mount Tabor, is considered the first church built west of the Allegheny Mountains.

  • The name "Mount Tabor," likely chosen by McNeel, evokes a sense of pilgrimage and spiritual transformation, referencing the biblical site of Jesus' transfiguration.
  • The sources suggest that McNeel built the meeting house as a testament to his gratitude for God's protection and guidance.
  • While the exact date of construction is uncertain, the sources suggest it was completed sometime between McNeel's arrival in 1765 and his participation in Dunmore's War in 1774.
  • The White Pole Meeting House served as the center of Methodist worship in the Little Levels for several decades, hosting early circuit riders like John Smith and Bishop Francis Asbury.

• A Family Legacy of Faith: John McNeel's dedication to Methodism extended beyond the construction of the meeting house. His family played a vital role in the growth and development of the church in the Little Levels.

  • His wife, Martha Davis McNeel, is described as a devout Methodist who shared her husband's commitment to their faith. During McNeel's absence during Dunmore's War, Martha demonstrated her unwavering faith by burying their infant son in a grave she dug herself behind the White Pole Meeting House.
  • The McNeel family's names appear prominently in early church records and membership lists. Several of their descendants served as trustees for both the White Pole Meeting House and later Methodist churches in the area.

• From Mount Tabor to Wesley Chapel: While the White Pole Meeting House eventually deteriorated and was replaced by other churches like Mill Run Church and the first Wesley Chapel, John McNeel's foundational role in establishing Methodism in Hillsboro remains undisputed.

  • The sources celebrate McNeel as the "Father of Methodism in the Little Levels" and highlight the significance of his pioneering efforts in bringing organized religion to the frontier community.

John McNeel's story is a testament to the power of faith and gratitude in shaping a community's spiritual landscape. His actions laid the groundwork for a thriving Methodist presence in Hillsboro, a legacy that continues to this day through the ongoing work of Wesley Chapel and other Methodist churches in the region.