Warsaw Church Celebrates Special Anniversary
The year 2013 has been a special year of celebration for the Warsaw First United Methodist Church. Reverend Richard Hargrave preached a sermon for the first time to a group of Methodist pioneers in a cabin in the woods near here 175 years ago. As time progressed the congregation grew and in 1846 a wooden frame church was built at the present location of Indiana and Market streets.
Later two more structures were built at the same location — one brick church with a bell tower in 1868 and the present domed building in 1915. The congregation expanded again in 2007 to a second site west of Warsaw that is now called the Connection. Along with the rest of the congregation, pastors Toni and Scott Carmer welcome everyone to services on Sundays at 9 a.m. downtown or at the Connection at 11:07 a.m. During the summer months, a service is held at Pike Lake at 8:30 a.m.
Several events and activities were planned throughout the year. In the spring, banners were hung at both church sites to inform the public of the special year. Individuals, who have been church members for 60 years for more, were honored at a sharing time and dinner in April.
In July the First United Methodist Church had an entry in the parade which precedes the county fair. Then at Rally Day in September, Reverend Bret Kite of Indianapolis preached in the dress and manner of Mr. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.
Finally at 10 a.m. Nov. 17, a celebratory service combining the traditional and contemporary elements of both our ministry sites was planned with Bishop Mike Coyner preaching. A number of former pastors returned to help celebrate 175 years of ministry to the Warsaw area. In closing, an anniversary meal and special video depicting photographs and interviews were enjoyed at the Connection