It was during the War of 1812 that the pastor of
Malden’s ________ Church delivered a
politically-charged sermon focused on the conflict with England. Displeased
with the stand, a group of Methodists in the congregation met in North
Malden (later Melrose) to make plans for their own preaching services.
Within a year—in 1813—they were meeting as a church in the North District
School House on Lebanon Street.
In 1815 the church was duly
organized as a Methodist Episcopal Church, making it the community’s first
church society, and a church building was erected in 1818 at the junction of
Main and Green Streets. It was here that the first Sunday School in Melrose
was organized in 1832.
By 1857 the congregation
had outgrown the building, and Isaac Emerson, Sr. donated land for a new
church at our church’s present site.
This building served the
community for many years, until 1903, when it was destroyed by fire. This
led to the building of the present church, which was dedicated in 1904.
A church is more than a
building, and First United Methodist Church has a rich tradition of service.
During the 1800s, for example, Methodist women in Boston area founded
missionary societies; our church has consistently supported these endeavors
with, as our membership vows say, “our prayers, our presence, our gifts and
and our talents.” Members of our church have been in service to the
world through ordained ministry, the Peace Corps, and short- and long-term
missionary service in places as far away as China, Africa, and India, and as
near as Strong, Maine. At home, First Methodist Church became a haven for
young people, with the establishment of strong youth programs during the
turbulent 60s.
In 1968 the Methodist Church
and the Evangelical United Brethren merged to form the current United
Methodist Church, providing further opportunities for global ministry.
Our name changed to First United Methodist Church of Melrose.
Our ministries have
broadened to include pastoral training, a feeding ministry, Alcoholics
Anonymous, assistance to the Melrose Food Pantry, and a television
ministry. We broadcast our Sunday Worship Service on MMTV (Cable
Channel 3) twice a
week. The enormous talents of our musicians and choirs have been used in a
great variety of ways to bring praise and glory to the Lord, and joy and
inspiration to the congregation.
First United Methodist
Church looks forward with an attitude of prayer and thanksgiving, and
with hope for the future, to serve God and the children of God everywhere.
