The History of Our Church

In 1859, the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed. During the 1800’s membership increased encouraging the church to move to West Park and Front Streets away from where the trains ‘would frighten the horses during services’. The name of the church changed to Beulah Methodist Episcopal Church.

The bell which still rings in the steeple today was purchased for $50 in 1904. Thirteen years later on a cold December night, the church burned to the ground.

A significant event happened in 1939, as the three major branches of Methodism united and the church underwent yet another name change, and Grove City Methodist Church was created.

Growth came to the community and our church and on Palm Sunday in 1957 ground was broken on Columbus Street for a new and larger church.  The United Methodist Church of today came together in 1968 when the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church united.  The Evangelical United Brethren Church had resulted from a merger in 1946 between the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and the Evangelical Church.  The Methodist Church had been formed in 1939 from a union between the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Protestant Church, and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

As the body of the church continued to grow in its ministries, additional classrooms, office area, kitchen and a Family Life Center were needed. They were completed and dedicated in October 1984.

The sanctuary was remodeled in 1995-1996 adding twelve beautiful stained glass windows. With evolving preferences in styles of worship there was a need to add a contemporary worship service. The first service of its kind was neatly positioned between the two traditional services and eventually became so popular that a second was added to Sunday morning services.

In July 2003, leaders from various areas of the church met to discuss the church’s growth in attendance and ministries and to determine the direction of the church. New ministries ideas offered and the need of more space was identified.

Average worship attendance in 1995 was 496 and at the end of 2007 it stands at 754.

Next phase of growth brought new additions, one being a 500 seat Worship Center/Multi-purpose room which held a celebration and dedication service in November 2006 and is now home to the Contemporary Worship services and new classrooms for the nursery area which area nearer to both worship areas.

As our church continues to grow in space and family, we invite you to come grow closer to the Lord with us!!