How it all started...
Founded in 1857, First UMC was the first Methodist Church in Gainesville, Florida and is the “mother” church of many of the other United Methodist Churches in town. Our very own Epworth Hall, built in 1883, was the original site of the East Florida Seminary which would later become the University of Florida.
In 1886, our first brick sanctuary was built. This sanctuary was converted to our current Fellowship Hall and Christian Worker's Chapel in 1942 when our current Gothic-style sanctuary was built between Epworth Hall and Fellowship Hall.
Although many changes have occurred over the years, including adding and subtracting ministries, building renovations, and more, one thing has stayed the same - our love for Christ shown by our commitment to making our community and our world a better place.
In 1886, our first brick sanctuary was built. This sanctuary was converted to our current Fellowship Hall and Christian Worker's Chapel in 1942 when our current Gothic-style sanctuary was built between Epworth Hall and Fellowship Hall.
Although many changes have occurred over the years, including adding and subtracting ministries, building renovations, and more, one thing has stayed the same - our love for Christ shown by our commitment to making our community and our world a better place.
Expanding the vision...
At First UMC, our mission is to “Connect our Church with our Community and our Community with Christ!” We commit to worshiping God, not only on Sunday mornings but the other six days of the week through actions of kindness, service, and love in our families, community, and world. We have a core focus on caring for the marginalized in our community.
Our faith family helps those in our community through our Community Outreach Ministry which provides support in such areas as utilities, rent, bus passes to those in need, along with providing a Communion service and nourishing meal every Monday. To extend our reach, we have also teamed with various local organizations such as Family Promise and the Helping Hands Clinic. You can find more information on all of these ministries on our Community Care Ministries page.
Where we are headed...
We believe that we should not be serving only those in need, but also seeking justice for those who have been, and still are, marginalized. With open hearts, open minds, and open doors, we strive to live as a faith family that welcomes and affirms those of every race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic condition, family structure, and mental or physical ability into all aspects of the life of this congregation.
In 2019, after the decisions of the United Methodist Church's General Conference affecting our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters, our faith family overwhelmingly voted to become a Reconciling Ministries congregation. (More info about Reconciling Ministries can be found at rmnetwork.org.)
In 2019, after the decisions of the United Methodist Church's General Conference affecting our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters, our faith family overwhelmingly voted to become a Reconciling Ministries congregation. (More info about Reconciling Ministries can be found at rmnetwork.org.)
