Where we worship
A weekly series that profiles various places of worship in Columbia County
Alan Smith, pastor of Marvin United Methodist Church, stands in front of the church at Wheeler and Belair roads in Martinez. The church is a small, close-knit family with two Sunday services and many Bible studies.
Photo by Quandra Collins
Marvin United Methodist Church
Address: 4400 Wheeler Road, Martinez
Telephone: 863-0510
Affiliation: United Methodist
Services: Sunday worship service, 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Sunday evening youth study, 6 p.m.; Monday Disciple Bible study, 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; youth fellowship program, 6:45 p.m.
Pastor: Alan Smith
Congregation size: 135 adults, 15 children
Membership: Most who attend are from Columbia and Richmond counties.
Founded: 1891
"We've been on this basic site since 1891," he said. "We were on the opposite corner, and then in 1956 we moved to this corner. We still own this historic cemetery, which has been here since the 1890s."
Known for: "This church was named for Bishop Marvin, who was a 19th century bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church south," Smith said. "That was one of our earlier names. The United Methodist Church has had many names over the years.''
Music: The church offers traditional music accompanied by a keyboard and a grand piano. Smith also said the church has several choirs, including youth, chancellor and praise choirs.
"The chancellor choir and youth and praise choir alternate leading the hymns as a blended service on Sunday mornings," he said.
What would you say to someone who's thinking about giving your church a try?
"The main thing is that they would find a close friendly fellowship of people who want to grow together," Smith said. "Our logo is loving people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.''
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing the faithful today?
"Not being co-opted by the world, but to do what God calls them to do and to really struggle with what it means to be faithful," he said.