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Church History/Mission
Celebrating 100 Years
In May 1903, James A. Taylor wrote to the United Brethren Publishing House at Dayton, Ohio to renew his "Telescope" subscription. He also asked why there was no United Brethren Church in Richmond. In June 1903, Rev. Charles Broughman and his wife were sent to establish one. At first, meetings were held in the east end of town, and then moved to the GAR Hall, over what is now the Second National Bank Building. The struggling congregation of 16 paid 75 cents for use of the hall and 50 cents extra to use the piano. Often the Reverend used a tuning fork to save the charge of the piano. Later, in order to cut down on expenses, meetings were held in the homes of members.
The church organization was formally signed by the 16 persons willing to assume the obligations of church membership on September 11, 1903. Rev. O.C. Taylor, son of James A. Taylor, was the first Sunday school superintendent.
In 1904, Rev. Morton Hobson became pastor of the church. At one point he devoted all his time raising funds for the purchase price of $8,000 for the first church building located on North 11th and B Streets. Along with 22 church members, the church was dedicated in August 19, 1906. By 1908, membership was up to 81 people and by 1910 the Women's Missionary Society was formed.
The church grew to 470 members in 1927 under the leadership of Rev. H.S. James, who served the church for 18 years.
Amidst financial storms of the period 1930-35, a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the church was held August 16, 1931 with Rev. H.C. Schlarb pastoring 350 members.
Rev. Russell Ford served the church from 1936-37. He had a fine voice and artistic talent. One of his paintings hangs in our church library today, a reminder of his talents and giving heart to the church.
During Rev. Homer Achor's ministry, the congregation took three important steps. A new church site was purchased, a building fund started and a new parsonage was purchased. The current site cost $6,500 in 1944. One of the best remembered events of those years was the response made by members for a Jeep to be sent to Lloyd and Marjorie Brown Wickstrom in Nigeria, Africa doing mission work there.
In 1946, the Evangelical and United Brethren Churches merged and the name was changed to the Richmond First Evangelical United Brethren Church. By 1953, the church was 50 years old with about 559 members. A church celebration was led by Rev L. Elwood Peyton, who served until 1958.
Ground was broken in 1955 on Pentecost Sunday for this church building and dedicated in November 1956 to the cost of $260,000 and indebtedness of $105,000. Surrounding lands were purchased in 1959 and 1962.
We became the First United Methodist Church in 1968 when the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren churches merged.
The 75th Anniversary was celebrated in 1978 with Rev. Heedlie Cobb, who served this church 21 faithful years. Rev. Ellis Hukill followed, serving the next 6 years.
 A new organ was purchased for $26,800 in 1988 while Rev. Jeffery Trees was pastor. It was dedicated in 1989, when Rev. Glenn W. McGuire ministered here.
The church is growing under the leadership of the current pastor, Mark D Wesler. With the need to expand once again, plans to renovate, upgrade and improve our church building are on the horizon. We look forward to the challenge just as those first faithful church members did 100 years ago.
We invite you to share in this established congregation and venture into the next 100 years knowing that God will guide and direct us as we seek to follow Him.
On a Mission for Christ
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