John Wesley Preservation Society and Museum

The John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church (JWMC) of Oxford Neck was organized in 1838 and served Oxford Neck, the location of many plantations and many now-forgotten black communities like Mills Town and Screamersville. The historical proximity of Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, and other African American leaders has generated keen interest in abolition and slavery in Oxford and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This church straddles a unique place in history as the Civil War emerged and slavery came to an end.

Almost all of the history, original documents and church minutes were lost. However, significant progress in researching the history of the church been made. Archaeological work by Richard Grubb and Associates and a summary history by Paul Tourart have helped to establish this timeline.