History & Beliefs

First United Methodist Church is one of four United Methodist congregations in Lancaster. The others are Sixth Avenue, Mills Memorial, and Maple Street. The United Methodist witness has been in Fairfield County and Lancaster since 1799.

Our History

93 years and several church buildings after Methodism established itself in Lancaster, the current building of the First United Methodist Church, located on the northwest corner of High and Wheeling Streets, was built beginning in 1905. Major renovations took place in 1950, including the construction of the education wing of the church. In 1957, the Rising property, located on the southwest corner of High and Wheeling Streets, was purchased, and it continues to be used for education, meeting rooms, and for extra parking. In 2005, the church looked to the future and stepped out in faith to purchase land on the west side of Lancaster and to construct Crossroads, located on Fair Ave., a multipurpose facility to extend the reach of its ministry in this community. It was dedicated in April 2007.

Our Beliefs

As United Methodists, we have an obligation to bear a faithful Christian witness to Jesus Christ, the living reality at the center of the Church’s life and witness. To fulfill this obligation, we reflect critically on our biblical and theological inheritance, striving to express faithfully the witness we make in our own time. Learn more about the United Methodist beliefs here.
Safe Sanctuaries
Safe Sanctuaries allows our sanctuaries, classrooms, mission encounters, camps, retreats, and all spaces where we gather to worship and serve God to be places of trust. View our Safe Sanctuaries policy here.

Lancaster First UMC

163 E Wheeling St.

Lancaster, Ohio 43130

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Crossroads Ministry Center

2095 West Fair Ave.

Lancaster, Ohio 43130

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