Jenkins Memorial Church

Gazing upon Jenkins Memorial Church, one can’t help but sense the echoes of its humble beginnings. Jenkins Memorial Church began not within these walls, but on a porch. In the early 1900s, Magothy Methodist Church was the sole year-round Protestant church in Pasadena, Maryland. Reverend Charles S. Harrison, its pastor, was transferred but returned due to his daughter’s health. He found part-time work at Community Methodist Church in Riviera Beach, a summer resort community. To supplement his income, Rev. Harrison sold household goods, inviting his customers to church. They came, seeking a year-round spiritual home. James Jenkins, a local resident, offered land for a new church. Rev. Harrison accepted, leaving the Methodist Conference to establish an independent church. Jenkins Memorial Church, named after its benefactor, was founded on the porch of the Benway home in Riviera Beach. The church’s cornerstone was laid in 1931. The current building of Jenkins Memorial Church stands as a testament to the community’s growth and faith. It has evolved with the times, adding a new entryway, a ramp for accessibility, a fellowship hall, and sanctuary updates. At its heart, Jenkins Memorial Church remains a place of connection and relationship with Jesus. It focuses on bringing God’s new life to the Pasadena area, connecting people to Jesus for salvation and new life, and spreading that life into the world. The church embraces the analogy of branches connected to a vine, symbolizing the believer’s connection to Jesus Christ. It’s a community of believers, redeemed disciples, ambassadors of Christ, and new creations. They strive to be a compassionate and caring community, serving others with humility. Jenkins Memorial Church offers a variety of ways to connect and grow in faith. From Sunday services and Bible studies to community outreach and missions, there’s a place for everyone to serve and be served. The church’s vibrant history reminds us that even from the simplest of beginnings, great things can grow, nurtured by faith, service, and a shared love of God.