Our Church
Our History
Our church was organized in 1866 and was named "Harmony Methodist Episcopal Church, south". The first pastor was Francis Mercer. Harmony was a strong church and became the mother church of the South Methodists in Talbot County and established churches in Trappe and Hillsboro. In 1940, the major branches of Methodism merged to form the United Methodist Church and of the three Methodist churches in Royal Oak, the Harmony building was chosen as the place of worship.
The church continued to serve the community over the decades and in the early 1990's major renovations and the addition of our fellowship hall was completed. The new parsonage was completed and a dedication service was held in the spring of 2004.
While it is important to acknowledge our history and honor those whose sacrifices provide us with our beautiful house of worship, we also recognize that the church is the people - not the steeple. The true church is "the ones who meet together in my name." (Matthew 18:20) As we look ahead, our congregation strives to be relevant and welcoming - inviting all into communion with God.
Our Pastor
Chris Pettit was appointed pastor of Royal Oak United Methodist Church in July of 2009.
Chris is a licensed local pastor and is currently working on his Master of Divinity.
His desire is to encourage Christians to recapture the devotion of the early church as described in Acts 2: 42-47, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Chris is married to Krista Pettit and they have two children, Rachel and John and Bear the dog.
