"FOR GENERATIONS TO COME"

The Elwin United Methodist Church had its beginning in 1836, as the Mt. Gilead Society with meetings held in a log school house. By 1852, the Society had built a 40 X 60 foot building with two front doors, one for the men and one for the women.   The Rev. T.D. Weems decided to breathe new life into the church in 1873, so the building was moved southwest across the fields to the current site in Elwin at a cost of $960. By 1902, it was decided that the building was too dilapidated to repair. With Rev. Theobold supervising, it was razed. A new one was erected in 1903. In 1934 a Homecoming was observed in welcoming former pastors and members of the congregation with a joyful day of celebration. A $50,000 renovation project in the 1960’s included remodeling of the sanctuary and the addition of a kitchen, four classrooms, a nursery and new restrooms.

The project was dedicated in 1968. That same year, the church became the Elwin United Methodist Church after the union between the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren denominations. In 1985 the church purchased the adjacent property owned by the Rivard family for $45,000. This provided the opportunity for future growth of Elwin Church. On April 14, 1996, ground was broken for a new addition with a new sanctuary which doubled the seating capacity to 250, plus provided full accessibility with ground level entrances, new offices and restrooms. “For Generations to Come” was the theme of the new building project. The congregation moved into the new sanctuary on October 27, 1996 and it was consecrated November 14, 1996. In future phases, the old sanctuary will be converted into a fellowship hail, the kitchen moved upstairs and the basement will be partitioned into permanent Sunday School rooms. The heritage of Elwin United Methodist Church is one of the faithful response to changing times and new opportunities to serve God. Through growth and new development, we will continue this commitment “For Generations to Come.”