About Us

First United Methodist Church, Kenosha, Wisconsin

First United Methodist Church of Kenosha Wisconsin began in 1835 when Jonathan Pierce and Austin Kellogg landed in what was then Southport and asked where the nearest church was. When they were informed there wasn't one, Jonathan replied, "Well there is now." They organized the first prayer and class meeting in a log cabin on the shore of Lake Michigan and the First Church of Kenosha was born Methodist. Initally served by itinerant ministers, the mission point grew and evolved. In 1840 a church was erected on the corner of Main Street and Park Avenue at the cost of $5000. Since its foundation, first church outgrew 6 buildings and is currently in the 7th, built just before the stock market crash of 1929. At the time it was built is was the largest sanctuary in the State of Wisconsin. When the economic crisis threatened to derail the completion of the building, 5 members mortgaged their homes to see the project through. It was a member of this church, Earl Merlatt, who wrote a hymn destined to be cheirshed throughout the world, "Are Ye Able Said the Master" and the Methodists of Kenosha answered "Yes, we are able!".

First Church is currently a 500 member church with two full time and 2 part time pastors, Sunday School for all ages, a Day Care, First United Day Care, that serves 100 children, a seniors program,youth programing, four choirs, two bell choirs, a praise band and a flute choir. First church hosts a premier Fine Arts Program offering 8 concerts of world caliber musicians free of charge to the community. First Church partners with Shalom Center and the Salvation Army to serve the needy in our community as well projects for schools and missions throughout the world. First Church gives away over $75,000.00 per year to mission.First Church started a new congregation in the 1960's in Kenosha that became Wesely United Methodist Church and continues expanding ministry with other United Methodists througout the city and state, as well as nationally and world wide.

First Church is a United Methodist Church, a denomination forged in the American Frontier. It founders, brothers John and Charles Weseley were Anglican priests in the Church of England in the 18th century. Their contribution to the Christian faith was an impassioned and vital piety, that inherited Scripture, Tradition and Reason as guide to faith and truth from the Church of England and added to that thought the importance of the indwelling experience of the Holy Spirit to growth in grace and love. The Methodist built hospitals for healing, schools for learning, societies for the mutual support and growth in faith of its members and collections for the poor. Methodists grew to be a worldwide church, a missionary movement that covers every corner of the world and today comprises one of the worlds largest denominations. We hold in coommon with all Christians faith in the saving love of Jesus Christ, God's dream for humanity as a world of peace and justice- God's kingdom, and the active redeeming power of the Holy Spirit to fuel Christ's church and reconcile the world to God through Christ, our Lord. Our table of holy communion is open to all who seek to live in peace with God and neighbor and practice baptism for all ages as a the sign of God's immutable grace to us in Jesus.

We welcome you to share this grace and meet Christ in the fellowship of his church and be transformed in the fire of his love and holy spirit.

Some Helpful Links

www.umc.org - the online ministry of the United Methodist Church

www.wisconsinumc.org - the official site of the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church

www.cokesbury.com - the online store of the United Methodist Publishing House

www.upperroom.com - the devotional ministry of the United Methodist Church