AVONDALE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
89 AVONDALE AVENUE AT WEST STATE STREET
COLUMBUS, OHIO 43222-1410
PHONE:  (614) 224-3633 OFFICE HOURS: TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS 
FAX:   (614) 224-3638 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
EMAIL: avondalechurch@yahoo.com WORSHIP     Sundays 10:30 am
WEBPAGE:

http://www.gbgm-umc.org/avondale

 CHURCH SCHOOL   Sundays  9:30 am
---From the calling of Jesus Christ 
in the bottoms of our heart
To the ministry of Jesus Christ 
in the Heart of the Bottoms---
We at Avondale are pleased to offer what we have and are because of Christ who is our source of hope and joy. You are precious in God’s sight, so valuable that Jesus gave His life for you.  May this church be a constant reminder of whose you are and how much greater is what He has yet in mind for you.

Avondale Church exists:
---To be a fellowship of believers where all people can come and experience the love of Jesus Christ; and
---To open our building, life, and witness to the community.

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HISTORY.
HISTORY OF OUR COMMUNITY.
The settlement of Franklinton was founded in 1797 by Lucas Sullivant.  The first church in Franklinton was a Presbyterian church built in 1811 just off McKinley Avenue near N. Souder Avenue.  By 1890, Columbus had expanded west across the Scioto River to include the area of Avondale Avenue.
HISTORY OF OUR BUILDINGS.
On November 3, 1901 the first services were held in a storefront at 965 West Broad Street.  There were 12 people at the morning service and they took up an offering of $.64.  From this humble beginning, within 5 years our present church structure was completed.  The dedication took place on September 16, 1906.
In 1947, the church purchased the home at 83 Avondale as a parsonage.
In 1973, the original parsonage on West State was razed and the newer section of the church building was built, extending the building to the alley. 

In October 1976, fire burned much of the church but it was restored and paid off by 1980. 
AVONDALE PASTORS.
1901-1916 Rev. A. J. Wagner, Organizer and Founder 
1916-1918 Rev. B. C. Ewing
1918-1920 Rev. J. O. Emerick (went on to found the Cypress Wesleyan Church)
1920-1920 Rev. J. A. White
1920-1925 Rev. Harvey C. Elliott
1925-1927 Rev. H. O. Davis
1927-1955 Rev. Delbert S. Mills, our longest serving pastor
1955-1964 Rev. Carl L. Wilson
1964-1974 Rev. Louis C. Matthew
1974-1986 Rev. Calvin Wise
1986-1997 Rev. Orlo D. Freshly
1997-  Rev. Kevin M. Chambers
PERSONS WHO HAVE LEFT AVONDALE TO ENTER ORDAINED MINISTRY:
Harold E Davidson
Demi B Edwards
Allan M Garner
John L Morgan
Steven D Osborne
HISTORY OF OUR FAITHLESSNESS:
---We began as a missionary outpost to bring Jesus Christ to the people of this area; however, we grew comfortable with the first group of people and neglected the continuing need of people in the area. 
---We have thought first of ourselves when planning our worship and events. 
---We have often handed out assistance to others but have not adopted them into our family. 
---We have allowed careless actions and misunderstandings to break up our relationships with individuals and neighbor churches. 
---We have played a part in turning people away from Christ’s church, many have left us and have not become an active part of Christ anywhere else. 
---Often we have been disobedient in relation to our denominational family and the calling of Jesus Christ in our lives.
HISTORY OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS:
But God has always been good to us.  Despite our years of often falling short, God in Jesus Christ still calls and equips us to be a missionary outpost in this area; that both persons in and out of the area can work together in bringing to Franklinton all that our Lord Jesus Christ desires for it to be.  Without Him we fail miserably; we’ve seen that enough times.  With Him broken relationships can be restored, lives can be filled with purpose and peace, persons can know His salvation, and our whole community can be a witness to the power of Jesus in human lives.

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INVOLVEMENT IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH.

This church works at being an open community, encouraging each person to live out their life as the Holy Spirit leads, and start new ministries.  Presently there are these opportunities for persons to grow in their faith:
FOR CHILDREN:
For the smallest children we have nursery care available during the Sunday School and Worship times, and Sunday School for all ages.  On alternating Sundays there is a Children’s Worship during part of the Worship service.
Throughout the year the church sponsors events for children of the church and neighborhood.  Vacation Bible School is in the summer and an Easter Party is in the spring, and other events are scheduled from time to time.
FOR YOUTH:
Youth are recognized at Avondale as full participants in any of the adult activities.  Specifically for them is their Sunday School class, the Youth Fellowship, and occasionally Basketball or Volleyball teams.
FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS:

Sunday School classes

Currently an adult Sunday School class meets.  In addition to class time, class members also are in involved in social and service projects.  For additional study, there are other classes offered occasionally.

United Methodist Women.

The women meet for fellowship and service.

Fellowship & Social Groups.

A Dartball team and a few home groups are meeting on a regular basis.
REGULAR EVENTS:
Sundays 8:30 a.m. Breakfast for all
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship
Mondays 7:00 p.m. Group meeting at neighborhood home
Tuesdays 7:00 p.m. Bible study at an area home
Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. Youth Fellowship
Thursdays 7:30 p.m. SONFellowship at Sunshine Annex, Rich & McDowell

First Mondays

 12:00 p.m. Cheerful Gleaners luncheon

Third Mondays

 12:00 p.m. United Methodist Women 

Third Mondays

 6:30 p.m. Christian Homebuilders

Third Tuesdays

 6:30 p.m. Packing lunches for the homeless

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MISSION PROJECTS.
Avondale is not only a resource for meeting the community’s needs.  It is also a base for reaching needs all over the world.  Among the many ways we reach beyond us are these:

United Methodist Missions.

United Methodist Churches everywhere are called upon to give a share to ministries all over the world.  Approximately 17% of the money that is contributed to the church goes to fund mission projects throughout Columbus, Ohio, the United States, and throughout the world.

Gladden Food Pantry.

The church supports the local pantry both financially and with contributions of food.

Open Shelter Ministries.

The church offers support through money and supplies to homeless men in our neighborhood.

Special projects.

We send contributions to help continue the work of Red Bird School in Kentucky, Wings of the Morning Aviation program in Southern Zaire, and the Westside Free Store in Columbus.

Franklinton Churches.

We have been an active part of all the cooperative efforts of the neighborhood churches.

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SPECIAL EVENTS.
Please join us at any of these events or others when they are available:
--- Church Picnic, in the summer at Darby Creek;
--- Our Anniversary Celebration, second Sunday in November; 
--- Franklinton Lenten Series, in the weeks before Easter, six Sunday evening services at different area churches;
--- Palm Sunday Parade, the Sunday morning before Easter, on the streets of the neighborhood, donkey and all.

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Join our family and help us
to build up each other in Love
and bring Christ's new Life
into our community.

revised 12/15/2006