Isle of Hope United Methodist Church

the isle of hope united methodist church was organized december 18, 1851 on the mainland near the intersection of skidaway and bethesda road, but was later moved to the island. the site on parkersburg road was a gift of dr. stephen dupon by deed dated june 29, 1859. the edifice was constructed from funds contributed by residents of the island and the citizens of savannah. the church remains the same as it was built with few exceptions. the straight-back pine pews are the original pews in the church at its construction. during the war between the states it was used as a hospital, ministering to the injured soldiers. among those were 33 young volunteers from effingham county who died and were buried in the church yard. a contingent of sherman’s army used the church as a camp during his occupancy of savannah and the original bell was melted to make cannon balls. after more than one hundred and fifty-eight years, the isle of hope united methodist church continues to be a symbol of beauty a