Little Grove United Methodist Church continues to be a shining star to its community, members, and visitors. Her bell rings long and loudly each Sunday morning as a call to worship as folks gather in to love God and one another. We look forward to all that God has in store for us! Before (and after) each service, we gather for donuts, homemade muffins, piggies-in-blanket and fresh coffee in a time
of fellowship with our pastor and church friends. "Passing the Peace" is a special part of every service at Little Grove ...a time of hugs, handshakes and a good bit of chatter! This tradition, started by Mr. Clayton Brothers, is a time to lay all hard feelings and ill wills on the altar and go forth, passing the peace in the spirit of love and forgiveness. The very first Frisco Methodist church was located on the soundside behind what is now Bubba's Bar-B-Que. Maggie Austin, "there has been a Methodist church here since early time, probably before the new Post Office was established, which is when the name of the village changed from Trent to Frisco. It stood out on the old main road which ran along the shore of Pamlico Sound and crossed two bridged drains, Patsy's Bridge and Arthur's Bridge, and was locaed south of Arthur's Ditch, near Mr. Dewey Basnett's and Mr. Ulysses Rollinson's grocery store." For several years follwoing the "Storm of 1933", Methodist worship services were held at the old school house in Trent until finally, through much prayer, devotion, and faith, Little Gove United Methodist Church was constructed in its present location in 1939. Several kerosene lanterns, the church bell, pulpit, and three choir chairs, salvaged from the storm wreckage, continue to be a part of Little Grove's charm today, even after the flood waters of the "Storm of 1993" -Hurricane Emily. Little Grove was dedicated in July 1940 and held its very first Homecoming celebration, with a covered dish "dinner on the grounds" at that time. Each May, we continue to celebrate Homecoming, much like the very first, followed by a week of Unity Revival in which local churches gather together for worship and fellowship under the leadership of a different pastor each night. History speaks loudly for Unity at Little Grove. Mrs. Magggie spoke of two churches in Trent, the Methodist and the Disciple church (Pentecostal). "We attended services in the morning at the Methodist church and Sunday School in the afternoon at the Disciple church." Little Grove continues to be home of senior citizen fellowship meetings where island senior citizens gather for a meal and time of singing and sharing. The church also serves as the central location and meeting place for Methodist Youth Fellowship, Cub Scouts, and Discipleship Bible Studies. We will long remember those before us, treasuring the faith and dedication of ancestors. We cherish our present church family and visitors and we pray that the same faith, warmth, love, and friendship that has brought Little Gove through the centuries will take her into the new Millennium. To God be the glory forever and ever.
