Our History
155 Years of Faith, Fellowship & Community
Celebrating Our Past. Embracing Our Future.
For more than 155 years, Goshen United Methodist Church has been a place where faith is nurtured, lives are transformed, and communities are united in the love of Jesus Christ. Our story is one of courage, perseverance, and unwavering faith, built upon the legacy of generations who believed in creating a welcoming place of worship for all.
Our roots trace back to Brooke Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, founded in 1870, and Stewartown Methodist Episcopal Church, established in 1914. Both congregations were founded by African American families whose vision and determination created lasting spiritual homes during a time when opportunities for equal worship were limited.
Before the Civil War, Black worshippers attended services at Goshen Methodist Church but were required to worship separately. Refusing to let those barriers define their faith, local leaders purchased land in 1870 and built the first Brooke Grove sanctuary the following year. Although the original building was later destroyed by fire, the congregation's faith never wavered. They rebuilt in 1879 and continued growing until a new sanctuary was dedicated in 1952, a testament to their resilience and commitment to God's work.
Meanwhile, as the Stewartown community expanded in the early 1900s, neighbors gathered faithfully in private homes before officially establishing Stewartown Methodist Episcopal Church in 1914. The church soon became a cornerstone of worship, education, fellowship, and community service.
For decades, Brooke Grove and Stewartown shared pastors, ministries, choirs, and outreach efforts while faithfully serving their neighboring communities. Recognizing God's call to better serve a growing and increasingly diverse population, the two congregations prayerfully chose to unite.
On January 1, 1991, Goshen United Methodist Church was officially formed through the merger of these two historic congregations. In December 2001, the church dedicated its current worship facility, creating a unified home where members could continue building on the rich foundation established by those who came before them.
Today, more than a century and a half after that first congregation was established, Goshen United Methodist Church continues to honor the legacy of its founders by living out Christ's love through worship, discipleship, outreach, and service. While our history spans 155 years, our mission remains as relevant today as ever: to welcome all people, grow together in faith, and share God's hope with our community for generations to come.
