A History of Monroe United Methodist Church

For over 150 years our church has been a part of the Monroe community.

The Methodist church was formed in England by John Wesley in the late 1700's. Wesley and his brother, Charles, had a profound transformational experience which led them to try to imbue the Anglican church, of which they were a part, with a heightened fervor and devotion. The term "Methodists" was originally a derisive term given by critics in an attempt to ridicule the disciplined lifestyle pursued by Wesley and his followers. The Methodists came to place a special emphasis on personal experience and fellowship in Christian service. Eventually, significant differences between their groups and the Anglican church led the Methodists to formally split with the Anglicans.

Methodists had been meeting in England for 25 years before their beliefs began to take hold in the American colonies. Under the leadership of Francis Asbury, many American preachers first learned their vocation. These early clergymen traveled widely throughout the sparsely settled areas to administer the sacraments to the Methodist people. At first there was only one annual conference for the entire country. The sect's rapid growth caused it to periodically create new conferences as the new country and the Methodist religion grew.

The original church building here in Monroe was opened on April 5, 1841. A simple meeting house, the church at this time was part of a circuit of Methodist societies which included Vail's Gate, Salisbury Mills, Oxford, and Chester. In the mid-1800's a Sunday School was organized.

The Original Meeting House

By 1895, the circuits were divided into preaching stations, and Monroe became a separate charge. At about this time the Village of Monroe was incorporated. Two years later the parsonage was built next door to the church. Throughout this time the church's physical structure gradually grew: a narthex and classrooms were added to the first floor, followed by a large meeting and dining room on the second. A steeple and belfry were added, and the church largely resembled the place we worship at today.

In 1905, electricity was added to the church. In 1908, the rear of the church was expanded to include a large pipe organ and a choir loft. Around this time, the pressed tin ceilings and stained glass windows were installed. The Methodist church on Maple Avenue was coming into its own.

In September 1940 the church celebrated its one hundredth anniversary. Appropriately, church membership soon reached 100. In 1958, the present parsonage, built in 1904, was purchased.

But still more space was needed for the growing congregation. In 1966 construction of a new education building was completed under the supervision of R. Thomas Eikhof.

As the Monroe area grew during the 1970's and 1980's, our church grew along with it. In striving to meet the needs of many people, the church schedule included prayer groups, Bible studies, church retreats, and special worship services. Marking the milestones of many lives, there were baptisms, weddings, and memorial services.

In 1990, Creative Children Christian preschool, a non-profit church education program, was established. In this year, Monroe Methodist also reached its 150th anniversary. A major renovation was undertaken including: updating the worship center; building a ramp to allow for handicapped access; reconstructing the church steeple; and refurbishing the parsonage.