Aldersgate Sunday, May 22, 1960 marked an important day in the history of Midland, the City of Beautiful Churches. Recognizing that Methodism in Midland was experiencing a rapid, steady growth, a new Methodist congregation was founded. With support and guidance from First United Methodist Church, fifty families paved the way for the future of Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
The Rev. Ben Whaley, former minister of youth and education at First Church, was named the new church's pastor. With no church building, the congregation met in the gymnasium of Parkdale Elementary School.
The original 50 families soon grew to nearly 100 families. A full church program developed including Sunday School classes, youth fellowship, prayer and Bible study groups in addition to worship services. A parsonage was constructed in 1962 across the street from the site of a proposed church building. The cornerstone laying and consecration service for the church building was held on October 20, 1963.
The church continued to expand through the years. The Rev. C. Frank Davenport, and then, the Rev. Harold W. Diehl led the congregation through the 60s. In 1970,the Rev. Zack A. Clayton was appointed pastor and guided the congregation for 20 years. Dr. David A. Stout was the pastor from 1990 to 2003. Dr. Phil Rice served as interim pastor from 2003 to 2004 and then served as Minister of Visitation. The Rev. Douglas R. Trebilcock was pastor from 2004 to 2006.
The Rev. Mark D. Miller started serving as pastor in 2006.
The Rev. Karen L. Knight and the Rev. Pamela Jean Scott have served the church as associate ministers. Dr. Orville McKay, the senior minister at First Church when our church was founded, served as Minister of Visitation from 1992 to 2003.
In 1968, a second building project added an education wing for Sunday School classes, a pastor's office, and other activities. In 1989, a third building project restructured the sanctuary to make it barrier-free, added a foyer and office addition, added classroom and storage facilities, and increased the size of fellowship hall.
With a history of strong lay leadership and positve pastoral guidance, Aldersgate seeks to be a leader in the Christian community and our local community.
The name Aldersgate comes from John Wesley's (the founder of Methodism) "Aldersgate" experience. After a church service at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, he was asked to attend a society meeting that was held on nearby Aldersgate Street. On hearing a reading describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, he felt his heart "strangely warmed".
OTHER ALDERSGATE CHURCHES
Graphic courtesy of Alexandria Aldersgate UMC.
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HISTORY
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UMC
http://www.gbgm-umc.org/AldersgateUMCMI/history.html 10/10/07 JIM