The Story Behind Simpson UMC!
The Simpson United Methodist Church had its beginning in the year 1888. The first frame building, belonging to the Asbury Methodist Church, was moved from East
16th and Capitol Avenue to East 31st and Walnut Street.
On September 9, 1888, a Sunday School was organized. The Church was formally organized on January 13, 1889. It was named the Walnut Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Two years later the
church was renamed in honor of the pioneer bishop, Matthew Simpson.
In 1901, the church was moved to its present location on East 26th and Capitol Avenue. By the spring of 1913, the congregation had outgrown the old structure, so a decision was
made to renovate and enlarge the building. Work was begun in the spring of 1914, and completed by the end of the summer. The remodeling indebtedness was $3,000.
In the summer of 1921, a parsonage was built just north of the church at a cost of
$4,000. On Sunday, May 28, 1938, the church celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Early in 1954, plans were made to build an educational building. However, when the architect submitted his sketches, it was discovered that there was not enough space
for the new building. The project lay dormant until September 15, 1958, when the church was given a lot at 2543 Capitol Avenue, in memory of Mrs. Charles Frye. It was decided that by moving the parsonage to this lot there would be enough space for the
new educational building. Accordingly, the parsonage was moved in April of 1959; the educational building was begun July 23, 1961, and completed the following May.
In 1965, the congregation approved the building of a new church, since the old
structure was beyond repair. It was begun in November of 1969. It was completed within a year and consecrated on November 22, 1970. The hopes and dreams of the congregation had become a reality.
The real history of our church, however, is
largely unwritten, for the building itself is but a symbol of the devotion and love for God of its members and pastors through the years. It will continue to rest on the unrecorded acts of those who bear their Christian witness in terms of love and
service for others.
