We celebrate that 25 years ago, our church was moved by the Holy Spirit to relocate to this site so that, with God’s help, we can continue transforming lives and creating more room for more people in our community to live like Jesus. Since its original beginnings in 1903, the sacrifices and determination of our church family have built an invaluable legacy in the greater Fuquay Varina area.
Today, we encourage you to explore the Heritage Walk experiences and consider your gifts, your calling, and your place in contributing to the continuing legacy of transformational discipleship we each have as part of the FVUMC family.
When this facility was being constructed, the team recognized an opportunity to build an intention into the very foundation. As a concrete footing under the platform in the pulpit area was poured, a pocket cross, dove pin, and dirt from the two earlier church sites were added -
- The cross, to represent our call to follow Jesus.
- The dove, to represent the Holy Spirit and our collective calling to serve as ministers of peace.
- The dirt, to represent our history of making disciples in the greater Fuquay-Varina area since 1903 - as Fuquay Springs Methodist Church, Fuquay Methodist Episcopal Church, and now as Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church.
Heritage Walk Resources
Heritage Walk Descriptions
For those unable to attend in person, we share the following descriptions of the sites featured on the three Heritage Walks.
Perimeter Trail
1 - Easter Resurrection Cross
It was Easter 2020. As the community sheltered in place, those in our FVUMC family brought garden-fresh flowers to fill the Resurrection Cross on the corner of Judd and Academy. This symbol brought hope to a hurting world. “Alleluia! He is risen. He is risen, indeed!”
Thank you, God, for being with us at all times, in all places and under all circumstances.
2 - Prayer Labyrinth
Created first as a grass pathway in 2005, the Prayer Labyrinth was carefully located on the property to serve as a meditative resource. In recent years, it has been featured during Holy Week as a Stations of the Cross experience.
Pause, breathe deeply, and celebrate the Abiding Presence of God along life’s path.
3 - Pond and Amphitheater Area
Our spring-fed pond nourishes the Covenant Community Garden, and our Amphitheater has been the setting for weddings and other gatherings, scouting explorations, confirmation sessions, youth programs, and nature walks by friends and neighbors.
“As a deer longs for flowing water, so my soul longs for you, O God.” Psalm 42:1
4 - Covenant Community Garden
The Covenant Community Garden began in 2007. Over 25,000 pounds of produce has been harvested from 2010-2024 for the feeding ministries of FVUMC and the F-V Emergency Food Pantry through twice weekly donations.
God of Creation, thank you for providing food from the land so that we and our hungry neighbors may be nourished.
5 - Gaga Ball Pit + Youth Ministry
Born from an Eagle Scout project, we celebrate that the Gaga Ball Pit has been the site of an abundance of fun, music, fellowship, and serving opportunities for youth seeking to be “Moving with the Spirit”. We’re grateful for the ways youth serve as the church leaders of today.
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Be good friends who love deeply. Romans 12
6 - Lawn + Grounds Team and Adopt-A-Spot
We celebrate that this shed houses equipment for our servant leader Lawn + Groundskeeping Team. Their dedication saves FVUMC more than $65,000 per year! Partnered with our Adopt-a-Spot caretakers, our 18+ acre property remains vibrant and welcoming for all.
God of green grass and growing plants, we are thankful for the beauty of the earth.
7 - Clothing Closet Ministry Storage Sheds
We rejoice that over 6,000 persons have been served through The Clothing Closet in the last 10 years. FVUMC is grateful for the clothing donations and for the volunteers from FVUMC and other area churches who spend countless hours sorting, setting up for, and hosting this ministry.
Lord, bless conversations as clothes are received, sorted, and shared so that all may have basic necessities of life offered with dignity and kindness.
8 - The Party Lot (a.k.a. Gravel Parking Area)
The Party Lot helps us make more space for more people; organizes the Seeds of Faith Preschool carpool line; and provided a safe place for pandemic activities including food pantry collections, fall event kick-off, and a Holy Week drive through experience.
Thank you, Lord, for our church framily: friends who are like family. We rejoice to have overflow parking as we gather for worship + fellowship.
9 - Prayer Chapel
Our Prayer Chapel is a haven for loved ones to offer up prayers, a gathering place for Sunday school and special worship services, a serene place for caring conversations, and a place where church leaders gather to envision the mission + ministry of the church.
We love because God first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Lawn Walk
10 - Welcome Tent
In recent years, our Welcome Tent has served as a starting point for many who’ve become part of the FVUMC family! We celebrate that our open doors have allowed our church and this facility to serve our neighbors, our community, and our world in so many ways through the years.
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” 1 John 4:19
11 - Grass Berm and Front Lawn
The grass berm and front lawn are an invaluable part of our property. Through the years, the lawn has been home to church-wide celebrations, Confirmation services during COVID, pumpkin patches and hay rides, scout campouts, egg hunts, and our Easter Sunrise worship services.
From the hilltop berm, look around and pray for each person you see that they might be “Moving with the Spirit” in everyday life and for those yet to know the Spirit within.
12 - Children's Wing + Seeds of Faith Preschool
With a vibrant preschool and active children’s ministry, this facility was designed having the needs and safety of our children as top priorities. Thanks to the R3 campaign, our newly-renovated Camp Quay Kids room now serves as a larger space for our kids.
“Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’” Matthew 19:14
13 - Front Patio
A recent addition to our facility, the front patio serves as a place of hospitality where we can “linger a little longer” and get to know one another better. Already, it’s been home to gatherings for lunches and evening meals, small group studies, s’mores, and fellowship.
Thank you, God, for the gift of this church family and the opportunity to welcome new friends in Christ.
14 - Columbarium
The Columbarium gives church members and their families an opportunity to select a final resting place at the church which has been central to their lives. God created us from dust, and the promise of the resurrection testifies to God’s ability to create us anew for heaven’s dwelling.
Who are the people who have helped you to know Jesus? Give thanks for the influence of those saints in your life.
Indoor Displays
A - Music Ministries
Celebrating our diverse music ministries which are offered to individuals from age 4 to 104! Over the years, children’s programs like MADREC have evolved into Kids NPraise, and our youth and adult musicians have actively participated in contemporary and traditional groups.
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord. Worship the Lord with gladness.” Psalm 100:1
B - Scouting Ministries
Supporting young people’s growth in character and leadership has always been part of FVUMC’s mission. One of the ways this church has lived out that commitment is serving as a location in the community where various Scouting programs meet. We are grateful for all of those who give of their time and talents to help these scouting programs nurture the leaders of tomorrow - including over 100 Eagle Scouts and Gold Award recipients and countless scouts who have earned religious awards.
C - Pentecost Cross
This Pentecost Cross was created during a unifying “Pentecost in the Park” worship and celebration of ministries service. John Wesley reminded early followers, “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.”
As you gaze at the cross, which piece of fabric might represent you? KNOW that YOU are a valued part of our church family.
D - Bible Stand + Painting
First published in 1886, this Bible was given to Fuquay Springs Methodist Church in the early 1900's. It includes story illustrations along with maps and reference materials and was “written to increase the interest in and simplify the Word of God.” The painting of Mary and Jesus is by Kathy Whaley Ammon and was featured as part of a sermon series a number of years ago. The painting was given in honor of the children of the church by Seeds of Faith Preschool.
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
Personal experiences, world events, and faith inform my work and inspire art that speaks of life and the experiences that give life substance. Exploring concepts of love and relationship through the figure, vibrant color and expressive brush, my paintings are whispered stories of faith in the midst of life and love. -- Kathy Ammon, artist
E - Columbarium
See above
F - Family Bathroom
Over the past several years, FVUMC leaders have envisioned ways to help our building continue serving the church family and community. One of 11 projects that make up the Revise, Refresh, Renew Campaign (or R3 for short!), the Family Bathroom just opened this summer and includes ADA-accessible fixtures, a full-size changing table, and a shower. We’ve also combined children’s classrooms into a larger space called Camp Quay Kids, replaced the original audio/visual systems in the Centrum, and are finishing renovations on the adult wing. More projects in the works!
G - Worship Heritage Cabinet
This Heritage Cabinet holds so many memories of saints of the church and movement of the Holy Spirit! Along with handwritten membership registers are scrapbooks noting generous memorial gifts, a brick from the original Fuquay Springs Methodist Church building, a Baptismal Font donated in 1935, and a custom-designed Communion chalice.
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4: 4-6
Pen and Ink Drawings
These three pen and ink drawings were carefully crafted by life-long F VUMC member, Newton Prince, Jr. They show the original Fuquay Springs Methodist Church, located on South Main Street, completed in 1904. The congregation then built what is now First UMC’s sanctuary in 1931 during the Depression. For a growing community, our present location was dedicated in 1999 with the inscription:
“This building is just bricks, glass, and wood. It is the hearts that live here that make this a church….”
H - Armenian Journey - Project Agape
During the world-wide pandemic, Armenians of Project Agape have been on a most unexpected journey. Uprooted by war and fleeing under the cover of night, persons have lost lives, their land, homes, possessions, and life as they’d known it. Shoeboxes offer hope and remind those steadfastly re-building lives that we care!
Lord, help these shoeboxes filled with gifts from our hearts to offer joy, hope and Christ-centered love to the resilient children and families of Project Agape.
I - Centrum
We have had over 4,075 worship services in the Centrum, and no two have been alike! At their foundation, the focus of each worship service is the same: Transforming lives, deepening our discipleship, and creating more room for more people in our community to live like Jesus.
“Let everything that breathes, praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:5
J - Stained Glass Windows
Each time our church family has decided to relocate in order to make more room for more people to know God, it has been important to bring the rich history and sense of rootedness to the new locations. One way this has been accomplished is by relocating the original stained glass window from Fuquay Springs, along with the windows in the prayer chapel. As we leave each Sunday, the inscription on one of the newer windows installed in the lobby reminds us that we, “Enter to Worship, Exit to Serve.”
K - Mission + Ministry Heritage Cabinet
This cabinet displays mementos from the building’s construction, the congregation’s 100th anniversary, and highlights from the rich history of ministry and mission that is such a strong part of this church family. We give thanks for the missional outreach work of past and present ministries including Covenant Community Garden, La Escuelita, mission workteams, Clothing Closet, and Habitat for Humanity teams.
Painting
One of the highlights of our mission trip to Costa Rica was traveling by bus with some of the young women residing at La Posada de Belén to a nearby garden and wildlife refuge. I happened to be near one of the young women as she toured the butterfly exhibit and noticed her fascination with the Luna butterflies. What a beautiful moment of light for this young woman who was only 15 with three children of her own. She was smiling in joy as she interacted with the butterflies. Only recently rescued and brought into the program at La Posada, this moment was truly a miracle breakthrough for her healing.I painted this picture based on a photo I took of that wonderful day. - Leila Hartman, artist
L - Kitchen in Mission
Over the years, our church kitchen has been a vital part of the mission and ministry of the congregation. It’s next to impossible to count the number of pancakes that have been consumed, Main Street Kitchen and Thanksgiving meals that have been cooked and shared with the community, tomatoes that have been sliced, and bowls of soup that have been ladled as part of special worship services, retreats, youth group meetings, scouting events, men’s breakfasts, and much more.