Located in the historic district of Bourne Village, the Bourne United Methodist Church began with the missionary efforts of Jesse Lee in 1791, and was formally organized in 1794.  The first meeting house was constructed in 1831, and survives as the present sanctuary. 

Over the years the building has undergone numerous expansions and renovations.  The latest of these occurred in 1991-1993, when the exterior of the building received new siding, the sanctuary was restored, and an antique tracker organ was installed.

The building continues to provide a spiritual home for the congregation, a place for church and community celebrations, meetings places for the congregation and the town, and as a landmark in Bourne Village.

As a United Methodist congregation we are a Protestant church whose streams of spiritual life and thought flow from the early Christian church to the present. We share the common historical and spiritual heritage of the Methodist Church, founded by the Rev. John Wesley; and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, founded by Philip Otterbein. United Methodists have been called the "most American" of the Christian churches.

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

There are three generations of stained glass artistry in the Bourne church.  Three windows remain from the 1880 renovation, one of these being in the forward overhead chancel.  The Tiffany-style windows of geometric theme are in the majority, and were installed in 1899.  The transitional style “Good Shepherd” window was acquired at the same time.  There are three “classical” style windows.  The “Light of the World” and the “Boy Jesus among the Doctors” were installed in 1946.  In Crain Hall is a “Madonna” window.  We consider ourselves fortunate to be stewards of these priceless art works.