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.