Our Local History

Franklin Memorial Methodist Church is a family of believers with a rich and wonderful heritage dating back to the mid to late 1800’s. The church’s humble beginning was with settlers from the Banks of Cape Lookout, who, due to devastating hurricanes and economic struggle, over decades packed up their houses and floated them to the mainland and the new city of Morehead. It has been said that, as the sailing skiffs came across the Sound, it looked like the Israelites carrying the tabernacle to the Promise Land. They were relocating to a better place that the Lord had provided!

These Cape Bankers brought with them their Wesleyan Methodist heritage, and Franklin Memorial was planted soon after. In 1889, William Franklin was appointed as the first pastor, for whom the church is named. Many pastors have served the church since those days. There have been years of strong ministry, prosperity, and growth, as well as years with sickness, storms, and hard economic times. 

Known for its wonderful cooks, Franklin has served many meals in the Promise Land community through the years. 

Today, our congregation remains a humble, faithful, and loving church who has a desire to worship God and to grow in membership and in ministry. As did our founding fathers, we continue on that faith journey to a better place that the Lord has provided!

Visit our History Room!