Like so many congregations formed in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, the credit belongs to an itinerant preacher who migrated from Ireland in 1760 and settled in Sam’s Creek. Pipe’s Creek is noted as being the first congregation and it still stands as a tribute to his work and God’s presence in the 21st century.
By 1854, The Democratic Advocate reported the Salem congregation was started in 1854 as a Methodist Episcopal Church. The sanctuary we enjoy today was built in 1879. Prior to that time the congregation had met in a building made from timber hewn in the woods. Only the metal ceiling was purchased from Sears, Roebuck & Company. That early building was moved to Winfield and served as a Black church and school during weekdays. It was destroyed by fire.
Preachers were limited in the 1800’s, so circuits were created that included up to six churches and one preacher served all. Salem initially was a part of the New Windsor Circuit, which included Salem, New Windsor, Stone Chapel, Bethel, Ebenezer, and Bethesda. History notes that Reverend Hedges rode to his appointments on a large bay horse with saddlebags. In 1899, the Circuit had grown to eight churches, now known as the West Falls Circuit and served by two ministers. This Circuit now included Taylorsville, Salem, Ebenezer, West Falls, Bethesda, Watersville, Mt. Olive and Morgan Chapel.
By 1909, the West Falls Circuit was split and Salem became a part of Winfield Circuit along with Taylorsville and Ebenezer. The budget for the entire Circuit was $1,815 with Salem’s portion being $272.25. The minister was paid $1,000.
By 1913, during the ministry of Reverend Hall, renovations were undertaken that included changing the interior from a center-aisle arrangement to two aisles. At this time, the stained glass windows were placed in the church. They were purchased from Gittiers and Baltimore.
In 1914, members saw the need for a building where groups could have meetings and hold suppers to raise money to help with church expenses. Lumber for the building was cut from trees on the church property. By fall, the first fried chicken dinner was held. The price was $0.25 with music provided by the Taylorsville Band. The meals were prepared on a wood range until 1955 when the Young Adult Group provided a gas stove.
The 60th anniversary of the sanctuary building was held in 1939 with a week-long series of services.
By 1941, renovations occurred again in the sanctuary. The floor was painted; electricity was installed thereby disposing of the coal oil lamps in the large hanging chandeliers. Records note that these were hard times for the church. Only by the grace of God and a few faithful members were the church doors kept open.
At this time, the unification of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church South and the Methodist Protestant Church was completed and became known as the Methodist Church.
Further renovations were accomplished in 1951 with more room added to the kitchen, lights installed on the church grounds, grading in front of the Church Hall and lower side of the cemetery, and a new floor in the church with new carpet. Inside cost $282; outside $255.
Membership in January 1960 is noted as 89 members. February 1961 saw damage by smoke from the oil burner. Insurance helped with the clean up and services continued. By August 1968, the Health Department set new requirements for public church suppers. Since health standards required modernizing equipment, a water system, etc., members rented the Winfield Fire Hall and enjoyed even more success with suppers. By this time, suppers cost $5.00.
In June 1969, Salem was moved from the Washington West District to the Baltimore District. Expenses in that year were $4,458.20.
In 1976, an organ was purchased. In this year also, Ebenezer Church decided to have a full-time pastor leaving Salem with no pastor. Reverend Ken Brown was appointed in June and worked part-time on the Conference program staff and part-time for Salem. These were years of change in the community with a number of houses developed on what had been farmland. In the years of 1976-80, membership grew more than 20% with 38 new members. In 1978, a mid-week Bible study was taught by the pastor and a prayer group was begun that met once a month. In October of 1978, there was a revival with average attendance of 63.
Also in 1976, a choir was organized. By 1978, in cooperation with St. James and Stone Chapel Churches, a summer day camp for middle-school children was started which contributed to a children's choir that sang once a month. Because of a large response, enrollment in the program, called “Kaleidoscope,” had to be limited to 50. The program was successful for some time. It is noted that “graduates” of Kaleidoscope organized a United Methodist Youth Fellowship. By the summer of 1980, Salem offered a Vacation Bible School. Twenty-seven children attended. Having the additional building was credited with making the growth possible.
Groundbreaking for a new building was begun on March 18, 1979, exactly 100 years since the construction of the original sanctuary. The construction was completed in time for the September 9, 1979 service. Dr. L. Carroll Yingling, District Superintendent, preached on “the Predicament of Progress.” That evening there was a hymn-sing with special music from the choir of Union Street UMC, St. James UMC, Sam’s Creek Church of the Brethren Youth Choir and other small groups. In 1980, the budget was $14,892 with Conference apportionments at $3,335. The following year saw an increased budget of $15,810.
In the next decade, church leadership approved improvements that included paving the parking lot, painted the building, and installed a lighted, large sign in the front of the church that allows lettering to list events.
By 2002, Salem had enjoyed the service of several seminary students. Attendance had decreased and there were few programs. On July 1, 2002, Dr. Louis Shockley, District Superintendent of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, assigned the Deer Park Missionary Disciple, Walt Bosman Jr., to Salem as its part-time pastor. The now Reverend Bosman continues to commit his energies to rebuild Salem’s membership and spirituality through outreach to the surrounding community and to bring vitality through strong Bible-based preaching and teaching. In the following six months, services included a September 11 Remembrance Service, a gospel hymn sing – each of these activities saw attendance of nearly 100. A Vacation Bible School was held in July with 20 children attending.
By 2003, Saturday Youth Fun Days With Scriptures were begun; Bible study restarted on Monday evenings, as well as joint “Praise/Prayer & Healing Services” with Deer Park UMC. The Easter Season enjoyed Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Services, followed by an Easter Sunrise Service and Breakfast and the regular Easter Sunday Celebration Service.