Summary of the "The White Pole Meeting House" by Frank A. Johnson

 

John McNeel builds a meeting house called "The White Pole Meeting House." John McNeel, a pioneer who settled in Little Levels around 1765, built a cabin for worship as thanks to God for his deliverance. McNeel believed he had killed a man, but he later found out the man was not seriously injured. The meeting house earned its name during Dunmore’s War, when McNeel left to fight and his wife gave birth to a son.

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Circuit Riders begin to travel to the area and hold services. The area was under the directorate of the Bedford Circuit until 1787, when the Greenbrier Circuit was formed.

One of the first Methodist preachers to visit was John Smith, who preached at James Callison’s in 1787.

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A new church is built at Mill Run. A new church was built at Mill Run before 1830.

This church later burned down, likely because someone needed the nails.

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A parsonage is built and a school is established. A school was built in 1842, later called the Little Levels Academy and then Hillsboro Academy.

In 1846, a parsonage was built near the academy.

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The first Wesley Chapel is built. In 1852, the Huntersville Circuit was divided, forming the Little Levels Circuit.

The same year, they built the first Wesley Chapel in Hillsboro.

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The Civil War breaks out, and the Baltimore Conference splits. During the Civil War, a battle was fought near Wesley Chapel, and the Joseph Beard house was used as a hospital.

In 1866, the Baltimore Conference split into a northern and a southern branch.

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District Conferences are held in the area. In 1868, District Conferences began in the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

The fifth session of the Lewisburg District Conference was held in Hillsboro in 1871.

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A new Wesley Chapel is built. In 1893, Wesley Chapel was struck by lightning and burned.

It was rebuilt in 1894, and dedicated in 1895.

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Wesley Chapel and Sharon form the Hillsboro Charge. The desire to create a separate charge was considered in 1915, and the following year, the Hillsboro Charge was formed.

It consisted of Wesley Chapel and Sharon, with Mr. Eye as pastor.

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A new parsonage is built next to Wesley Chapel. In 1948, a new parsonage was built beside Wesley Chapel.

It was formally dedicated by Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke in 1951.