Our History
Our Heritage
As United Methodists, we have a strong heritage that dates back to the 1700’s and the life of John and Charles Wesley. John Wesley believed that people should experience Christ in a personal way. They also believed that God’s grace is transformative and creates within us a new kind of person with different motivations, dispositions, attitudes, and values. Our faith should impact how we live. God’s grace in our lives leads to holiness of heart and life. Wesley believed, as we do today, that it is the charge of Methodists to spread “Scriptural holiness” throughout the land.
July 7, 1866, the trustees of the Crawfordville Methodist Episcopal Church, South purchased four lots on which to erect a church structure. The first location of the church facility is located slightly south of the residence of Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Rehwinkel, long time members of Crawfordville United Methodist Church.
In 1907 the first church building was completely destroyed by a disastrous fire that swept through the community destroying many structures. A new church was not built immediately, but the parsonage was torn down and materials salvaged to help in the construction of the new church. It is noted that in 1928 this second church was remodeled extensively.
By August of 1950, a new church facility was needed and rather than renovate the old one, in November of 1950 with $500 to begin, construction began on a new church. In 1951, the second structure was dismantled to make room for the second sancturary which was completed in 1952.
In 1961 the construction of an annex was added and dedicated in 1964. This area currently houses the church offices, Sunday school rooms, nursery and choir room. In 1972 the parsonage was completed and in 1984 a new educational facility was built consisting of six new Sunday school rooms, large fellowship hall, kitchen and two restrooms. In 2000, the CUMC congregation worked toward completion of the sanctuary we know today. The bell from the 1907 structure rests in our new steeple and the 19th century stained glass window is located above the choir loft. For a complete history, please see our church directory.
CUMC History
