Church History

CBUMC has a unique historical connection to three other churches in the Town of Colonial Beach. The original 1882 survey of Colonial Beach noted no organized church within town limits. Between 1882 and 1887, a group of ladies from various religious denominations formed a group known as the Ladies’ Colonial Beach Union Chapel Association.  A deed to the current property was conveyed to the trustees of the association November 14, 1887, and a white frame structure was built on the site. This chapel had twin towers, one of which contained a bell that had been cast in Washington DC in 1885. The same bell is part of the sign in front of the church today.


Sunday services were conducted in the chapel on successive weeks by the Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists, and Roman Catholics. This continued until the other denominations built their own churches. A court order issued in 1928 stated that since the property had been used exclusively by the Colonial Beach Methodist Episcopal Church South for the past fifteen years, other denominations had no claim to the property. It is at this time the church became known as CBUMC.

In 1947, a structure on the adjoining property, referred to as “Smiling Thru”, was purchased and used for church school and fellowship activities. This building building, badly damaged by fire in 1949, was demolished, and the old white frame chapel was moved to that site to allow space for the construction of a new sanctuary. The first worship service in the new sanctuary was held on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1952 at 7:00AM. This service was a union service, attended by members of the Baptist, Episcopal and Roman Catholic Churches, The original denominations of the Ladies’ Colonial Beach Union Chapel Association.


In January 1963, the original white frame chapel was demolished to make space for the addition of classrooms, a fellowship hall, and a kitchen. In 1968, the church joined with the United Brethren Church to become the CBUMC.


From 1887 to present, over forty pastors have served in this location. Presently, CBUMC has an active food pantry, men’s and women’s groups, seasonal bible study, prayer groups, a Thrift Shop, and numerous committees on which to serve. We are thankful for the years of service provided through this church and it’s ministries.  It is our prayer that we may continue to do His work and spread His word throughout future generations.