The United Methodist Church

Our congregation is a part of the United Methodist Church. Methodism traces its roots back to John Wesley, an Anglican priest in the Church of England in the 1700s. John and his brother Charles intended to revitalize the church by forming small groups that met together regularly and followed a “methodical” pursuit of personal spiritual growth and a radical love of neighbor. Methodism first spread to Ireland and then to America where it officially became its own denomination in 1784. Methodists, as we are today, formed in 1968 after the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church to become the United Methodist Church. Today, United Methodist membership stands at over 10 million worldwide.

Why Methodism?

United Methodists have long been known for our emphasis on personal faith, lived out in concrete ways in the world. For United Methodists, social consciousness has always gone hand in hand with faith. We support mission and justice work locally, regionally and around the world.

To learn more about what we are as United Methodists you can visit the following websites:

The United Methodist Church

Greater New Jersey Annual Conference

the Founders

During the month of February 1878, the people of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Rocky Hill had an evangelist, Ms. Lizzie Sharp, come and conduct revival meetings in their church. The result of these meetings was a great religious awakening among the people and there were some sixty or more that professed to be reborn of the spirit.

There were some twenty or more of Kingston people who attended these meetings and were brought under the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Kingston people walked on the railroad tracks to Rocky Hill, which is a little over two miles.

On April 11th, a prayer meeting was held at Brother Durling’s. There were forty-five people present. Brother J. E. Swan was leader and there was great interest manifested. At the close of the meeting, Brother Swan called for a meeting of all those present to determine their opinion in regards to building a Methodist church in Kingston.

Brother Swan was elected chairman of this meeting and Henry R. Hight secretary. After some discussion of the matter, Brother John Perdun made a motion and it was unanimously adopted. Brother Durling moved that a building committee of ten members be appointed. It was so ordered that the following be appointed: Rev. J. E. Swan, Charles Green, Charles Stenes, N. M. P. Durling, H. R. Hight, Charles R. Robinson, William Bunn, James D. Harris, and John Perdun.

Mr. Robinson moved that there be a committee of four appointed to look for a site (and to suggest) a place to build the church. This committee consisted of Charles Green, T. L. Reed, J. E. Swan, and N. M. P. Durling.

Building KUMC

On June 3rd the building committee met for this new church. Brother Durling reported that he had seen Nelson Conover about a lot, and that he was willing to sell it for $250.00: one-half cash and the balance on time. Brother Durling moved that we buy it at once; and it was so ordered. Brothers Swan, Durling, and Robinson were made a committee to buy it.

On August 12th the ground was broken. Mr. Jacob Gilchrist dug the trenches and on August 14th, the corner stone was laid. The mason work was done by Ira Pullen and S. B. Bastedo, the father of Mesdames Totten and Grove. Messrs. Pullen and Bastedo worked for $2.00 per day, and boarded themselves. On August 29th the lumber was contracted from J. W. Fielder Company for $600.00 to be delivered by boat at Kingston Basin on September 14th.

Brother Swan was the architect and superintendent of the work. The building was raised on Friday, September 20, 1878, and it was finished and dedicated on Thursday, January 30, 1879.

Leadership since 1978

1978 - 1986: Rev. Michael Smith

1986 - 1997: Rev. Byron Leasure

1997 - 2001: Rev. Carole McCallum

2001 - 2005: Rev. Marion Sanders

2006 - 2008: Rev. David Mertz

2008 - 2012: Rev. Stephen Cady

2012 - 2016: Pastor Trey Wince

2016 - 2017: Pastor Werner Ramirez

2016 - 2020: Pastor Jessica Winderweedle

2020-2021: Pastor Nikki Zimmermann, Pastor Harlan Redmond, Pastora Ashley Gonzalez

2021-2022: Rev. Jenny Smith-Walz, Rev. Skitch Matson, Pastora Ashley Gonzalez

2022-Present: Rev. Jenny Smith Walz, Rev. Skitch Matson