Methodist Church Dates Back Two Centuries

Commack United Methodist Church (CUMC) was founded in 1783 and built in 1789. It's cemetery has between 135-150 graves, with additional burial spots available. The chapel that is used today was built in 1969. 

The 1789 Chapel, as it is called, is still in use by the Korean Methodists, said John Muller, CUMC's historian and long-time Commack resident. Additionally, it is used for special ceremonies and occasions. 

Muller put together information on the history of the Church for their 225 anniversary – in 2008. 

The story, according to Janice T. Wood's history published in Muller's commemorative book, is this: 

James Hubbs heard John Phillips, a Methodist local preacher, speak in Cow Harbor (Northport) in 1783 and invited him to speak in his home. Two years later, in 1785, Ezekiel Cooper was appointed to the Long Island Circuit of Methodist Churches, which included "Comac." 

The land for the Church was purchased for "two pounds, five shillings," said Woods' essay. 

The cemetery was purchased at the same point – it is behind the "1789 Chapel" and contains graves from the end of the 18th century until the mid-20th century.

Muller said the property on the other side of CUMC's fence – by the White Castle – was originally used as a training ground for revolutionary soldiers when Town Line Road was the center of town, with the general store on the corner of Jericho Tpke. 

The 1789 Chapel today is remolded – the took the original pipes out of it and re-wired the building in the 1920s – but still holds it's original look. It is a two-story chapel, with the upstairs previously used for segregation purposes, Muller said.

The chapel that is used today was built in 1969, complete with the stained glass windows donated by members of the congregation.

The red wooden cross that frames the front of the chapel was hit by lighting in 2009, Muller said. It will be repaired in the coming months as the process involves dismantling the entire structure and repairing it from the top down.  

For more information about the Commack United Methodist Church and to visit the cemetery, visit CUMC's website. 

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