BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - BURLINGTON, VERMONT
Burlington had two Methodist churches at one time. Before there were any buildings, the people met in Burlington Academy on the corner of College and South Willard Streets. That building was later the high school and still later the junior high school. It is now the Lexington Apartments. The parishioners also met in the old courthouse on Church Street and later in the Red School House on North Union Steet.
1799 - First UVM President provided preaching to Burlington residents.
1800 - Circuit riders were stopping in Burlington to preach the gospel. There was no settled pastor prior to 1823. Population of Burlington in 1800 was about 600.
1817 – The first class of Methodists (9 people) met in Burlington.
1823 - Official organization of Methodism in Burlington by 15 subscribers. Annual salary of first pastor was $195.46.
1831 - Red School House was overcrowded with nearly 100 persons attending services. They decided to build a church and took a $400 loan to purchase the present site.
1832 - Construction started; Burlington population was 3000.
1834 - Church was completed; seating capacity was 400.
1835 - Loan was paid off.
1838 - Pastor donated $400 and friends $200 for a spire. The cross on top of the spire is unique.
1839 - First woman came to preach.
1853 - The congregation grew and not all could be seated so they split into two groups.
1855 - A new building on the corner of Pine and Cherry Streets was completed, the Second Methodist on Pine Street Methodist Church.
1866 - Second Methodist Church prospered while First Methodist declined in membership. The two groups agreed to come back together and to sell the Second Methodist building. The city of Burlington bought the church and lot for $6150.
1867 - Foundation was laid for a new building that was completed in 1870 at a cost of $65,000. Red sandstone came from Willard's Ledge in southern Burlington. Hammered limestone was from Isle LaMotte.
1870 - Stained glass windows were created in Boston. There is one memorial window on the north wall entitled "The Sorrowful Mother." The Rose Window was financed by the women of the church costing $1200. The 4 petals are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The 4 lancet windows depict scenes in the life of Christ. This window was restored in 1978.
1898 - The church bought land to the east of the building for $2500 and eventually bought all the land between the church and the First Congregational Church. At that time, Buell Street did not go through to South Winooski Avenue.
1941 - The sanctuary was renovated and a new Austia organ costing $12,000 was installed. A 6-foot cross was carved in the chancel by a native of Oberammergau, Germany.
1957 - An addition of rooms on Orchard Terrace was completed.
1964 - The Burlington congregation was the parent for a new church in South Burlington.
1965 - First pastor came to South Burlington. Services were held in the South Burlington High School and later in the Greek Orthodox Church.
1969 - Ground was broken for the new church building on Dorset Street and the Church was consecrated the following year.
1981 - The Orchard Terrace rooms were renovated and an elevator was installed.
2007 – Complete renovation of the Fellowship Hall bathrooms including installations of showers
2022-23 Renovation of the steeple