History of Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church

Our Genesis (Our Beginning)

Reverend Dr. Gloster R. Bryant, District Superintendent, officially organized Camphor Memorial Methodist Church to honor one of the most devoted servants in Christian warfare: Bishop Alexander Priestly Camphor in Africa, who died in the same year, 1919, when the church was officially organized.

According to church history, on a snowy evening in early 1919, the late Mr. and Mrs. Alfred McFarland and their children hosted ten people for a prayer meeting, and they decided to start a church.

These original guests were John P. Douglas, Sr., John P. Douglas, Jr., Mrs. Julia D. Lewis, Mrs. J. B. Crafton, Mrs. Louise Douglas Johnson, Mrs. Mabel Douglas Hardaway, Mrs. Inez Douglas Bruce, Mrs. Tennia Thomas, Miss Lucille Shannon, Bertrand Shannon (a baby) and Mr. J. B. Crafton.

Our First Home

In 1920, Attorney W. T. Frances drew up incorporation papers, and a home for the congregation was sought in St. Paul. The first permanent home for the congregation was the Danish-Norwegian Methodist Church located at 13th and Broadway Streets. It was purchased for $13.500.00, which the small congregation paid for with the assistance of the ever-generous and congenial Board of Missions and Church Extensions of the Methodist Church.

The building on Broadway was made of red brick and had a massive organ. It also featured a large kitchen and dining area despite having two furnaces. During the winter months, members still wore their coats and sweaters inside. A parsonage was connected to the church; both buildings were spacious but challenging to heat. The downstairs area had a big pot-bellied stove at the front and a cookstove at the back.

Ground Breaking (Our Present Location)

Under the leadership of Rev. F. C. Walker, the congregation purchased the Messiah Episcopal Church building at 585 Fuller Avenue (our present location) in August 1931. In 1968, Camphor became a member of the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, and its name was changed to Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church.

This building was demolished in November 1970, and the congregation worshipped for 15 months in the Hallie Q. Brown Center. Groundbreaking for the new Camphor Church was held on May 7, 1972, under the interim pastorship of Rev. Frank Dreisbach. Under the leadership of Thomas Sligh, the congregation moved into its new home and celebrated its first worship service on Sunday, February 18, 1973.

The outreach ministry increased during Rev. Douglas Simpson’s tenure, including local outreach to new SE Asian immigrants and Hispanics and national outreach to Monrovia, Liberia.

Interior improvements were made during Rev. Allen Clark Harris’ tenure, including critical property and system improvements, a nursery's construction, and a van's purchase.

During Rev. Oliver White’s tenure, a grant from the Board of Global Ministries purchased new carpeting and church pews. Carl Walker became the Sanctuary Choir director, and the choir grew and worked with the pastor in outreach ministry throughout the district and outstate Minnesota.

The plans to expand the building began in the 1990s when Reverend Rufus Campbell was the pastor. During 2004-2005, interior and exterior renovations were finished under Reverend Gloria Roach-Thomas, with extra space added to the existing structure. The renovated church building was dedicated on September 11, 2005.

Camphor Memorial is dedicated to finding innovative approaches to strengthen its connection with the local community and to share the teachings of Jesus with the world beyond the four walls.

Camphor's Legacy (Previous Pastors)

2023-2024: Rev. Dennis M. Oglesby, Jr.

2022-2023: Rev Frenchye MaGee (Interm)

2018-2022 Rev. Dr. Ronald Bell

2003 - 2018 Rev. Gloria Roach Thomas

2003 - 2018 Rev. Cynthia Williams (associate pastor)

1989 - 2003 Rev. Rufus Campbell

1986 - 1989 Rev. Oliver White

1980 - 1986 Rev. Allen Clark Harris

1978 - 1980 Rev. Douglas Simpson

1972 - 1978 Rev. Thomas Sligh

1971 - 1972 Rev. Frank Dreisbach (interim)

1967 - 1971 Rev. Joseph Pilate

1966 - 1967 Rev. Warren White

1952 - 1966 Rev. Jerome Del Pino

1948 - 1952 Rev. J. D. Dorsey

1938 - 1947 Rev. R. E. Skelton

1933 - 1938 Rev. H. M. Moody

1932 - 1933 Rev. J. P. Pierce

1930 - 1932 Rev. F. C. Walker

1927 - 1930 Rev. H. B. Hays

1925 - 1927 Rev. P. H. Morrow

1924 - 1925 Rev. E. E. King

1923 - 1924 Rev. D. M. Jordan

1921 - 1923 Rev. H. W. Simmons

1920 - 1921 Rev. J. H. Greer