During the spring of 1779, Methodist pioneer

Freeborn Garrettson visited this area to bring

the message of his faith to the people. The

efforts of Reverend Garrettson and others who

followed were met with considerable success.

Numerous “societies” or “classes” were organized

as a result. Meetings were often held in private

residences, there being a considerable distance

to travel to the nearest organized church.

Around 1880 a group of local residents began to

hold services in the Good Hope School House.

Soon after, they started to conduct “woods” or

“bush” meetings in the open air nearby. A camp

meeting ground was subsequently constructed. In

1892, on one day alone, fifty-eight youth were

baptized at Westwoods Camp. While meetings were

well-attended, they were discontinued in the

mid-1890’s when the services were merged with

those that were being held at other churches nearby.

In 1890 the congregation began the construction

of a church. On March 23, 1891, trustees were elected,

and the land where the church was built was conveyed

to them by Joshua G. West. The building was completed

later that year. The church was affiliated with the

Gumboro Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal denomination.

It was given the name Westwoods to reflect its wooded

surroundings, and to honor Joshua G. West and the other

members of his family who had been instrumental in its

creation and growth.

Marker is on Westwoods Road (County Road 426), on the right when traveling west.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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