Enon takes its name from John 3:23, “Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people kept coming to be baptized”. The image of flowing streams, cleaning water and abundant water continues to exemplify the character of Enon’s membership and ministry.
Beginning in 1837, with a primitive church house, Enon has evolved in its ministry along with the community that surrounds it. In 1880, by mandate of the third quarterly conference of the Hanover Circuit (Charge), a new building, valued at $1,100.00, was built. By 1853, Enon recorded 45 members and by the end of the Civil War, 68 members belonged to Enon. By 2007, the membership of Enon United Methodist Church totaled 240.
Built on land donated by John Haw, a local prominent citizen, Enon sits on the Civil War battlefield, the Battle of Haw’s Shop, called by Grant and Sheridan as “the hardest cavalry fight of the war”. 27 unknown Confederate soldiers are buried on the existing property.
Enon and Salem Presbyterian have supported the residents of the Studley area for more than two centuries. During the early years, services were conducted by preachers on the Hanover Circuit (Charge). The contemporary name of Studley came into general use near the end of the 19th century when the post office derived its name from the name of the local plantation where Patrick Henry was born.
Enon formed a Sunday School early in its history, and by 1863 Sunday School was an important aspect of the church’s ministry. Sunday School was not a year-round event during the middle 1800’s and was generally closed during the winter because of cold weather and bad roads. The Sunday School began to meet year-round after the 1880 sanctuary was built and local roads were improved.
Enon’s history is one of growth and change as indicated by the building of a series of additions to the 1880 sanctuary: choir and side rooms (1916), east wing (1956), vestibule (1960), west wing (1972), Carillon steeple (a gift of the Norwood family in memory of their daughter, Kimberly - 1989) and an impressive full service fellowship hall and kitchen (1992). The evolving physical structure is an affirmation of the important role the church plays in the life of the Studley community and is a response to the significant increase in membership as new citizens continue to move into the Studley area.
Adapted from church notes by Bob Tate and Marla M. Coleman
