Lawrence Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church

Served for many years by circuit riding ministers, then methodist congregation dates from 1838, making it Charlotte's oldest religious society. People worshipped at the home of Jonathon Searles, in a temporary courtroom in the Eagle Hotel, and in the county Courthouse until the built a chcurch on this site in 1859. Enlarged in 1875 to seat 285 prople, the building soon became too small for the growing congregation and was replaced by the present church in 1903.