First United Methodist Church, Goshen, is celebrating its 175th anniversary with a special service Sunday.
Worshipers who attend the 9 a.m. service at the downtown campus on Fifth Street will join with those who attend the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services at the Life Center on Plymouth Avenue for a 10 a.m. “One Voice” celebration service at the Life Center.
As part of the day’s celebration, the church will burn the mortgage for the Life Center. Each family in the congregation received a miniature copy of the mortgage to bring to the celebration to burn.
The past several weeks the church has been holding a campaign to eliminate the rest of the debt owed on the facility. That indebtedness began at $2.7 million and on Tuesday was finished being paid off.
Beginning in January, First Church will begin a six-month church-wide visioning process. The next phase in the life and history of First Church is called “Ignite for Christ.”
First United Methodist Church history
n 1832 — First Church erected its first sanctuary at 113 S. Sixth St., Goshen.
n 1839 — First Church purchased land with the help of a member, John Carpenter, to provide a “burying ground” for the Goshen community. In 1859 that cemetery, Oakridge Cemetery, was given to Goshen.
n 1874 — The present sanctuary was built at the corner of Fifth and Jefferson streets. The first service was held in the basement on Jan. 31, 1875.
n 1877 — After three and a half years, the auditorium was completed and the pipe organ installed. On June 16, 1877, the church was dedicated and debt-free. The walnut pews, constructed from a local walnut grove, are still used today.
n 1926 — Wesley Hall and the gym were built to be used as a social center for Goshen.
n 1968 — The “Garden Room,” was built for offices, a parlor, nursery facilities, kitchen, restrooms and other meeting rooms for classes and small groups.
n 1989 — An elevator to the sanctuary was installed and both the sanctuary and Wesley Hall were renovated.
n 1993 — First Church opened its doors for a Hispanic ministry.
n 1998 — Plans and construction began on the new facility to house the Life Center. A group was meeting to worship at the middle school auditorium prior to the Life Center being built.
n 2000 — Construction was completed at the Life Center. The first service at the new facility was held Dec. 10, 2000.
n 2002 — The “Peak” service began at the Life Center. It serves as a separate worship to reach out to Generation X’ers.
n 2007 — Pastors Ed and Brenda Fritz will lead worship as First United Methodist Church celebrates its 175th anniversary by “burning the mortgage.”
