Church History
During
the winter of 1836-37, the first Methodist Episcopal class in Union City was
formed by the Rev. Peter Sabin and D. Davis, who were the pastors of the
Coldwater Circuit. The Congregationalists organized at nearly the same
time, however, the first meeting of the Methodists preceded the
Congregationalists by a few weeks. The
first sermon preached in Union City, was from a Methodist preacher.
Members of the first class were David Hull, a cabinet maker, leader; Isaiah W.
Bennett; and Mrs. Carpenter Chaffee and her family. The first
meetings held were in the Sub-Treasury at the corner of Broadway and East High
Street. Later, they took place at the “little red schoolhouse’, at the
northeast corner of Ellen and Ann Streets, on alternate Sundays, until the
spring of 1847. Next, people used J.C. Leonard’s new barn for a meeting
place.
In 1847, a new frame church was built one-half
block west of the corner of Ellen and Ann St on a lot purchases for
$50.00. The cost of the church was about $1,300.00. Later, the building moved downtown and became
a part of the Opera House.
The cornerstone of the current church building
located at the corner of Ellen and Ann Streets, was laid on Thursday, September
2, 1880. The new church, built by John R. Simmonds, was dedicated on
Sunday, August 28, 1881 and cost approximately $10,000.00. This church
building is still in use with a basement added in the early 1900’s and
restrooms and handicap accessibility added in 1994.
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