In August 1856, after several revivals in southern Chesterfield, local residents organized a Methodist congregation. That December, trustees Watkins Perkinson, Alpheus Rowlett, Edward Cousins, John Dunstan, and James J. Ivey purchased a one-acre plot from William R. and Nancy Traylor for $10. A brush arbor was built beside River Road and became known as Perkinson’s Arbor. The congregation met there until the sanctuary was completed in 1857.
The original church featured two front doors and double aisles. In 1919, the interior was remodeled, and a vestibule and bell tower were added.
For many years, Wesley Chapel shared pastors with nearby churches. In 1956, it was paired with Woods Church on a two-charge conference; both received full-time ministers in 1980.
In 1953, Sunday School classrooms were added behind the sanctuary. The 1960s brought a fellowship hall, kitchen, restrooms, and central heat. Additional classrooms and a nursery were added in 1976, along with more land from Harvey and Erzell Andrews.
By 1995, the church had outgrown its facilities. That September, services expanded to 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. A 4,000-square-foot addition was built in 1977 and later named the Richard H. Maitland Education Wing in honor of his service. Fundraisers included the memorable February Follies, where members performed skits and musical numbers—even as California Raisins.
In 1998, a pavilion was built and later dedicated to Marvin G. Foster, a devoted member of the United Methodist Men. The group also added a storage building in 2005.
Due to fly ash issues, the Maitland Wing was gutted and renovated in 2010. New restrooms, a music room, and a youth room were added, and the JC Smith Family Life Center—including a new kitchen—was completed in 2011, named for Mr. Smith’s dedication to the project and the church.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the church paused in-person worship but continued to share the gospel online. Worship has since resumed in person, and services are now live-streamed and viewed worldwide.