Foundations of Brick and Stone

(1809-1945)

1809 - The first piece of land owned by Methodists within the Borough of Lancaster purchased at the southeast corner of Walnut and Christian Sts.

1810 - Bishop Francis Asbury preached in Lancaster County; the first worship service conducted in the Walnut Street Methodist Episcopal Church.

1811 - Thomas Ware appointed the first Methodist minister in Lancaster.

1839- Walnut Street Methodist Episcopal Church established its Wesleyan Cemetery. The remains were later transferred to Lancaster Cemetery.

1842 - The new First Methodist Episcopal Church at 238-40 North Duke Street dedicated.

1851 - St. Paul's founded in Lancaster City as the second Methodist Episcopal Church

1890 - The cornerstone of a new First Methodist Episcopal Church building placed in position at Duke and Walnut Streets, the present building.

1892 - First Methodist Episcopal Church, with its front entrance on the 300 block of North Duke Street, officially dedicated as the congregation's third location

1930 - The First Methodist Episcopal Church sanctuary extensively remodeled and a new Moller organ was installed.

1939 - First Methodist Episcopal Church became First Methodist Church on the merger of the Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Protestant, and Methodist Episcopal, South Churches.