History

The history of First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh encompasses the history of Methodism within the city of Pittsburgh over a period of more that 200 years. In 1796, early Methodists established the first Methodist Society and built a meeting house downtown. In 1832, when the Methodist denomination split into the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Protestant Church, our congregation also divided into two separate churches downtown.

When Christ Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Pittsburgh burned in 1891, the congregation decided to rebuild in two new locations: the new Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church was built on the North Side, and Christ Methodist Episcopal Church was built here in the East End.

In 1939, the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Protestant Church denominations reunited, and subsequently, here in Shadyside in 1946, the First Methodist Protestant Church (formerly at South Aiken Avenue and Howe Street) united with the nearby Christ Methodist Episcopal Church (here at Centre Avenue and South Aiken Avenue). Calling itself the First Methodist Church of Pittsburgh, the newly merged congregation used the Christ Church building and used the "First" church name.

Further consolidation of several churches in the downtown and Oakland areas during many phases of urban development all contributed to our development as a church. United Lincoln Methodist Church (Lincoln Avenue and Meadow Street) and Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church (Forbes Avenue and Murray Avenue) united with First in 1964 and 1966, respectively. Back in 1934, the Oakland Methodist Episcopal Church (Forbes Avenue and Bouquet Street)also had united with Christ Methodist Episcopal Church.  

In 1955, the sanctuary chancel was remodeled and a new wing was added to the church (including the parlor, fellowship hall, chapel and Sunday school rooms).

In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Church merged to form the United Methodist Church; thus, we now have two United Methodist churches (First and Albright) in the same city block.

First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh is the largest United Methodist Church within the City of Pittsburgh. We are part of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. The superintendent of the Pittsburgh District has an office here in this hub of United Methodist ministry. Throughout our complex history, we have followed John Wesley's challenge to be grounded in a personal, heart-felt faith that is expressed in our life together and in a powerful prophetic and compassionate ministry to the community and world.

For a more detailed history of our church, click here to read more about our heritage and the path that brings us to where we are today, courtesy of the University of Pittsburgh's digital library and members of our congregation.