History

In 1816, First United Methodist Church was born in a log cabin on 7th Street. Joseph Tarkington, an early settler of Monroe County, bought the land and helped set the church up. Daniel Anderson preached to the congregation, who also owned the cabin on 7th and College Avenue. In 1822, the log cabin was destroyed and years later, a second building was added and Roman Catholics bought the church for worship. Then in 1907 church leaders bought the property on 4th Street and the first church building was built in 1910. Later the church was turned into a gymnasium then sold to the Bloomington Armory. Sadly in 1937, the church caught on fire but fortunately not fully burnt and the church leaders chose to rebuild on the same land the church was burnt. During this rebuild the church tower was built 30 feet higher to accommodate a bell.

Role in the community

  The FUMCB is one of the oldest churches in Bloomington and the state, and has served the people of Bloomington over 200 years. One of the reasons this church has existed for those 200 years and why the church is so important to Bloomington is because of the work they do and outreach with the community. Today the FUMCB offers worship services and outreach to all people and through that the church has started working with organizations all over Bloomington including Habitat for Humanity, Food pantry, Pridefest, etc. In 2000 the FUMCB helped set up the Shalom Center which is used as a shelter for those experiencing homelessness. For the past ten years the FUMCB has worked with all other downtown churches to help create a safe place for the homeless. On a different note a good thing  to mention is that their average attendance on a Sunday is 230 on a school month and 130 on a non school month. The FUMCB will continue to be a important place in Bloomington and help our community.