Charles Wesley UMC was a new church plant in McLean, VA when it met for the first time in May 1958.  Among the charter members was Janet Nelson Davenport and her young family. Her son, Craig Nelson was the first infant baptized in the church. 

On December 22, 2019, Rev. Marti Rigenbach baptized two of Janet’s great-grandchildren, Brooks Wren and Lilly Nelson. Lilly is the granddaughter of Craig Nelson the first infant baptized at the church. As it turns out, Lilly was the last infant baptized at Charles Wesley. 

a family baptism photo

All baptisms are a reminder that the love of God follows the generations and that the growth of the kingdom of God is a continuous activity. The baptisms of the Nelson children bring the story of Charles Wesley full circle. Congregations may change, new churches are established and others close but the legacy of the people of God lives on in the lives of the baptized children of God. 

The legacy of Charles Wesley lives on not just in the lives of families it touched but in the ministries it blessed. Charles Wesley left the following legacy gifts after closing its doors this summer:

Share                                                                                $30,000             

Society of St. Andrew                                                   $30,000             

Second Story (formerly Alternative House)            $25,000             

McLean Falls Church Day Care                                  $25,000             

Falls Church Homeless Shelter                                   $20,000             

Wesley Housing                                                             $20,000             

Appalachia Service Project                                         $15,000             

Heifer International                                                      $5,000               

Food for the City                                                           $5,000               

Martha’s Table                                                              $5,000               

            Total Legacy Gifts                                         $180,000