Church History

The Moscow Methodists first organized in 1886 with fourteen charter members using the Old Hubbard School as their first meeting place. Some records state the original name was Methodist Episcopal Church of South Moscow. Membership grew to forty-five people and moved to a building on Market Street in Moscow Mills which later burned. In 1904 some land was purchased from Dr. Horace Shepard and Earl Shepard for $ 158.19. The original portion of the current church building was constructed in 1911.  Stained glass windows were installed and the front entry facing Main Street was an archway with stairs on each side. There were hanging rolling doors between the sanctuary and the overflow room. The pulpit area was semi-circular.  Pews of various lengths and curvature were purchased in 1918 and placed in three curved sections. A pump organ was used at this time and water was secured via a chain pump well.

Parking was in front of the church and along the street. In the 1930’s the men of the church dug the basement by hand carrying out buckets of dirt. A kitchen was later installed in the basement with steps leading to an outside cistern for water. Many public and church dinners were held in the basement along with Sunday School classes, youth meetings, wedding and baby showers. Remodeling of the sanctuary began in 1965 with the chancel and choir areas. The semi-circular altar was changed to rectangular and later enlarged. In 1967 a member used his carpentry talent and donated a new lectern and baptismal fount. New pews were delivered in January, 1973. The cushioned pews were placed in two sections with a center aisle. New chandeliers and air conditioning were also installed in 1973.

As the church grew and prospered many changes were made. In 1979 the church purchased and remodeled a mobile unit to expand education and fellowship space. This unit served us well for 14 years but more space was needed as we had started a daycare program in 1992.