Founded in 1818, The History of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church is a story of great need and faith. In the beginning, Reverend Thomas Douglass of the Tennessee Conference was exploring new areas that needed access to a local congregation and came to the Cypress Creek area in Lauderdale County. The community’s need met passion, and a church was established by the name of Wesley Chapel. Thanks to a donation of land by Henry Kilpatrick, the church was able to be built along with a cemetery for the community. The cemetery saw its first burial in 1819 and has since been open to all members of the community regardless of background.

The establishment of the church and cemetery was not the only way Wesley Chapel met the needs of the community and shared faith. As the church and community developed, Wesley Chapel strived to engage wholly in the community. It served as a schoolhouse in the early days. During the civil war, it housed soldiers. On the first Sunday in June the church would host the community for a special Homecoming service and meal. The church even sought to engage the youth and provide both a time of learning and a place to serve others in the community.

As the community grew and the church alongside it, more space was needed to carry out the ministry of God. In 1955, one member started the dream of a new building with a gift of faith and $50 in dimes. In 1965 there was enough to build the new basement, which held Christmas Sunday for the community that very same year. The Sanctuary was finished shortly after with the first service on February 6^th, 1966. Since, the church has only moved forward, bringing in inspirational stained-glass windows in 1976, a beautiful pavilion in 2001, and a multi-use fellowship hall in 2004. Each step, each project focused on the goal to share the word of God while engaging with the community. Wesley Chapel continues this tradition today, proclaiming Christ is Lord and seeking to actively support the wonderful community of Central Heights.