Greenfield First United Methodist Church Greenfield OH

Welcome to Greenfield First United Methodist Church!

At Greenfield First United Methodist Church, we want you to be a part of our community. We are a church for people of all ages, wherever you are in your walk with Christ. Greenfield is our home and we want you to feel like you belong here. Our church serves not only Greenfield, Ohio but all of Highland and Ross Counties. We can’t wait to see you in church at Greenfield First!

 

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In 1784, the American Revolution and John Wesley opened the way for the establishment of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. Methodism came to the Greenfield about two decades later when an itinerant preacher held services in 1804 at the farm of John Robbins on Buckskin Creek in Ross County.

Methodists later met at the home of Michael Hare, and subsequently at the home of Charles White on Rapid Forge Road. The mantel of the present Memorial Room and the four-pointed star above it came from the room used for services at the White home.

In 1822 the First Methodist Church was organized in Greenfield. Meeting places included the Log School House on the Old Burial Ground and the cabinet shop of John Boyd. A brick church was built on E. Mirabeau Street in 1828, and a stone church was constructed in 1833.

Many circuit-riding ministers visited the Greenfield Charge during this early period, with 51 listed in the church records from 1804-41.

The next home of the Methodists was at Mirabeau and Second Streets. While under construction in 1860, the building was destroyed by a tornado. The church was rebuilt in 1863, destroyed by fire in 1880, and rebuilt again in 1882.

By 1900 a larger church was needed. Edward Lee McClain proposed the building of a church with facilities for social and institutional work. A site was purchased on the corner of Fourth and South Streets, and on November 11, 1902 the cornerstone was laid for the first institutional church known in Ohio.

Institutional features included reading rooms in the basement, two fully equipped bathing departments, each containing Turkish, Russian, shower, tub and plunge baths, lavatory, lockers and dressing rooms, and a splendidly equipped gymnasium.

The Institutional Methodist Church was dedicated June 6, 1904, which also marked the 100th anniversary of Methodism in the Greenfield area. Great revivals occurred during this golden era of the church, with membership at about 1,000.

A souvenir program noted the church's beauty: "In addition to the fine ornamental windows, handsome domes and the windows donated to the Sunday School, we have been very fortunate in having presented to us three most beautiful figure windows, all executed by the Tiffany Studios of New York."

"GREENFIELD'S CALAMITY" was the headline in the Greenfield Republican of May 1, 1910 . The newspaper described how "the First M.E. Church, the pride of the city and one of the finest church edifices in the state," was wiped out by fire, with the loss set at more than $100,000.

The present Methodist Church was built on the foundation of the church that burned. Work commenced in May 1911 and was completed in October 1912.

The new church was furnished in a style similar to that of the previous building, with art glass by J. & R. Lamb of New York and a pipe organ installed by the Estey Organ Company of Brattleboro, Vermont.

The next several decades were relatively tranquil. One highlight was the establishment of the Memorial Room in 1937 for literary and social purposes.

The sanctuary was remodeled to its current style in 1941. Previously the chancel had been in the Akron style, with the organ situated in the center and the pipes exposed (as in the Presbyterian Church today).

More remodeling took place in 1951. Until this time there was a two-story Sunday School auditorium, with the balcony located where the current high school and junior high rooms are found. As a result of this renovation, one of the church's two domes was covered over. The project resulted in more space for classrooms, offices and a new chapel.

On April 23, 1968, the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church. All participating churches became part of the United Methodist Church.

Many improvements have been made to the church since the 1960s, including: rebuilding pipe organ, 1965; elevator installation, 1971; handbells, 1976; carillons, 1980; padding of pews and overhead fans, 1980s; brass chandeliers for Memorial Room, 1990; walnut cross, 1992; lights for stained glass windows, 1993; Advent wreath, 1994; bookcase for Memorial Room, 1999.

One of Greenfield's first community bicentennial-related events took place at First UMC in October 1997. The vesper service featured pastors and musicians from many local churches and helped set a tone of optimism, cooperation, respect for the past and faith in the future. Other observances of the bicentennial have taken place in recent years, capped by a visit from the bishop on October 24, 2004. Bishop Bruce Ough delivered a stirring message, and those in attendance were moved by the sounds of the refurbished and expanded pipe organ played by David Pettit, whose father, the late Howard Pettit, was the pastor of the local Methodist Church from 1965-71.

The church's mission is "To Love As Jesus Loves." Members have tried to follow the example of Jesus Christ both locally and by participation in missions to other countries through giving and on mission trips. The church is active in the Greenfield Area Ministerial Association, which operates the Christian Center and New Directions youth ministry.

Thanks to a bequest from George M. Waddell, the church was able to undergo some major remodeling and improvements to its historic facilities in 2011.

Bible studies, campouts at Paint Creek State Park, an active music ministry, an energized youth program and the ongoing Open Door ministry are just a few of the programs and activities of the Greenfield First United Methodist Church. A Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class was completed in 2011, and the church's beautiful Christmas Eve service is a longstanding tradition in the community.

In 2012 the church celebrated the 100th anniversary of the beautiful building at the corners of South and Fourth Streets, rebuilt on the same site where a tragic fire destroyed the original structure. On Nov. 4, 2012, renowned organist and composer David Howard Pettit and a group of professional musicians from the greater Cincinnati area performed music written by Pettit that was inspired by the J & R Lamb stained glass windows in the church sanctuary. The church was a featured stop on the Greenfield Historical Society's Tour of Homes on Dec. 2, 2012.

Many pastors and their spouses have served the church faithfully throughout its long history. Rev. Emory Clark and his wife Ruth came to Greenfield FUMC in June of 2013 and, like those who preceded them in ministry, shared their special gifts with the congregation and the community of believers. Together with local, district and conference leaders and the congregation, they worked to make Greenfield FUMC a great place to worship, grow love and serve! The Clarks left Greenfield FUMC in September 2015 for an assignment at the New Hope UMC near Logan.

​A new chapter of service began in September 2015 as Pastor Kevin Hall arrived in Greenfield to shepherd our flock.

As Greenfield First United Methodist Church looks ahead to the challenges and opportunities to come, there is still much work to be done. With God's blessing, the church will continue in the tradition of John Wesley to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.