Simpson United Methodist Church
Charleston, WV
Nine Rivers District

Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church, historically known as the Simpson Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, originated in Charleston, West Virginia. The Washington Conference (Black) of the Methodist Church was organized in 1864, one year before the Simpson group began worship services and there is no record that Simpson had an organized congregation before 1865. The Washington Conference sent Simpson its first minister in 1866 and the congregation continued to worship in the church basement of Asbury. Around 1869 the congregation moved into a building on Quarrier Street near Capitol Street.

By 1870, the congregation had grown in sufficient numbers to erect a church home. Thus, the church officials purchased a lot near the corner of Quarrier and Dickinson Streets and built the first church building, a frame structure. In January 1887, this structure, the third church home of Simpson was destroyed by fire. The reconstruction of a stately edifice began immediately on the same site and was completed in 1888, becoming one of the most outstanding Black Churches in the state and in the Washington Conference. In 1888 the church was officially named Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church in honor of Bishop Simpson.

Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church stands as a landmark to a significant era in Charleston and the Kanawha Valley. In the first half of this century, an abundant African-American population occupied the neighborhood surrounding this church building. Businesses that successfully supplied the needs of this community were housed nearby: pharmacies, grocery stores, hair salons, funeral homes, schools and other churches. Most of these institutions exist no more. Simpson Memorial is a tangible reminder of those prosperous times between 1914 and 1941.

Simpson Memorial Church survived the era of change within the community and within Methodism. On June 9, 1965, Simpson was among the congregations that transferred from the Washington Conference to the West Virginia Conference. It remains a vital congregation in the West Virginia Conference. In 2016, Simpson celebrated its 150 years of faithful service. Simpson glorified the Lord throughout 2016 with a revival, an Anniversary Banquet, concerts, special guest speakers, picnics, a Praisefest, and more. Indeed, 2016 was a year of jubilee and a time of holy conferencing at Simpson.

In 2023 Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, Bishop of the West Pennsylvania Annual Conference, was the guest preacher at the 157th anniversary homecoming service.