Chronology of First United Methodist Church

1860

The first Methodist church is built at the corner of Church and State, which is dedicated three years later

1868

To serve 99 members of their congregation who lived east of the railroad tracks, they build a church on the northeast corner of Sixth and University. This church is known at Conference as the University charge, but locally it is referred to as Second Methodist.

1878

The first parsonage is bought at 206 W. University

1889

Construction of a new brick church is completed. Membership is 400.

1895

Another parsonage is built at 306 W. Hill Street.

1902

A third parsonage is purchased

1907

Construction of a Stone Church is completed to replace the brick church. Membership is 813.

1912

The church renames itself as the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Champaign.

1917

They build a new parsonage at 407 W. Hill Street, their fourth.

1923

Construction of their Parish House is completed.

1940

Following the merger in 1939 of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Protestant Church they drop the word “Episcopal” from their name and become the First Methodist Church of Champaign.

1957

They begin the process of founding Faith Methodist Church. In January the church buys 5.2 acres of land on Prospect Avenue where Faith now. They also purchase the lot on which their Educational Building now stands.

1989

First Church celebrates 100 years on the corner of Church and State. This celebration comes 26 years late because the frame church stood on this corner in 1863.

1995

The Church receives an award “For Exemplary Efforts In The Area of Church Growth.” This award was for having, among churches of their size, the most members who joined by profession of faith.