| A group of Methodists, looking to build a
church, purchased a plot of ground, eighty by one-hundred fifty feet on West
State Street in the Borough of Media, for the sum of $200. The deed bears
the date August 21, 1851. A Church Charter was granted on November 24, 1851.
In the summer, meetings were held under an apple tree located on the church
property. When the weather turned cold, worship services were held in the
newly built Media Court House, and in the second story of Mark Packard's
barn. A Sunday School was organized in 1853. The church was built in 1854; a
two story stone building forty by sixty feet, with the sanctuary on the
second floor. It was dedicated on August 26, 1855. The Village Green Circuit
served the church until it became a separate station with its own minister,
in 1859. A parsonage was built in 1877, on the site of our present
sanctuary. Throughout the years several additions
were added to the church building. However, during the 1950's, it became
increasingly evident that a new and larger facility was needed, with the
sanctuary on the first floor. Ground was broken for our present sanctuary on
January 29, 1956, and the parsonage razed. Because of a steel strike,
progress was slow. The cornerstone was laid September 15, 1957. Opening
Sunday was December 8, 1957. On that Sunday we met in the old church and the
entire congregation and choirs, led by the minister, proceeded to our new
sanctuary singing a familiar hymn. It is noted that more than 625 persons
attended opening ceremonies. The church was dedicated December 16, 1962 and
the mortgage burned. Construction began on the education wing in 1969, and
the original church demolished. The cornerstone was laid on March 22, 1970
and the building dedicated on April 15, 1981.
In the year 2001, we celebrated 150 years of ministry to
the congregation and the community. We are a busy, active church living our
mission statement: Reaching out in Christian love to share the joy of Christ
to all people.
Alma Lawton
Church Historian |
