International Mother's Day Shrine facts for kids
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Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 11 E. Main St., Grafton, WV |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1873 |
| Architect | Phillips and Anderson |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000667 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 18, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | October 5, 1992 |
The Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church is often called the "mother church" of Mother's Day. On May 15, 1962, it officially became the International Mother's Day Shrine. This church is a special place to honor all mothers.
It is famous because Anna Jarvis first thought of the idea for Mother's Day here. The church is located on Main Street in downtown Grafton, which is in Taylor County, West Virginia.
The church building is named after Edward Gayer Andrews. He was a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He led the church's opening ceremony on March 16, 1873. The International Mother's Day Shrine became a National Historic Landmark on October 5, 1992. This means it is a very important historical site. The shrine holds a special service every year for Mother's Day. You can also visit it by making an appointment. It is available for weddings and group tours too.
Contents
What Makes the Andrews Methodist Church Special?
The Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church was named after Edward Gayer Andrews. He was a bishop who led the church's opening ceremony on March 16, 1873. In 1903, beautiful stained glass windows were added. These replaced the plain windows that were there when the church was built. The chancel (the area around the altar) has religious art by George Blaney. This art shows the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
How Mother's Day Began
The Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church is most famous for holding the very first official Mother's Day celebration. This happened in 1908. Anna Jarvis started Mother's Day. She wanted to honor "a mother's private service to her family." Anna wanted Mother's Day to be a way to remember her own mother, Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis. Her mother had passed away in 1905.
After the first celebrations in 1908 in Grafton, West Virginia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Anna's idea quickly became popular across America. Anna worked hard to make Mother's Day an official holiday. She chose the second Sunday in May for the holiday each year. This was because it was the anniversary of her mother's death in 1908. The white carnation became a symbol of the day. Anna chose it because it was her mother's favorite flower.
The celebration of Mother's Day spread to many other countries very quickly. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made an important announcement. He said that flags should be flown "on the second Sunday in May." This was to show "our love and reverence for the mothers of our country." This announcement was a big win for Anna Jarvis. It officially recognized her holiday and honored mothers all over America. The year 2014 marked 100 years since President Wilson's announcement. The International Mother's Day Shrine in Grafton, West Virginia, holds special events to remember this anniversary.
Mother's Day Around the World
Mother's Day quickly became popular in other countries. By 1909, when Anna Jarvis asked for a third Mother's Day celebration, many places joined in. "Forty-five states, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico" celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Anna Jarvis was surprised by how fast other nations adopted Mother's Day. She said, "Where it will end must be left for the future to tell. That it will girdle the globe seems now certain." She believed that the celebration would spread all over the world.
In May 1932, Mother's Day was even adopted in Japan. This happened after Christians there had observed it for 19 years. This shows how far Anna Jarvis's idea reached. It also shows how Mother's Day was accepted internationally. The worldwide spread of Mother's Day makes the Shrine in Grafton even more connected to people around the globe.
See also
