History of FUMC
First United Methodist Church was founded in 1839, as a preaching station on the Crystal Lake Circuit of the Des Plaines Conference. One year later, membership was 51.
The first building was constructed in 1858 at a cost of $1400 on Virginia Street across from what is now McCormick Park. The congregation purchased the old Congregational Church building in 1867, and in 1873 a new church was built at the corner of Brink and Williams Street. During the pastorate of Rev. Gilbert Weishaar (1954 – 1958), six acres of land was purchased at Crystal Lake and Dole Avenues and in 1954 a new church was built consisting of a sanctuary, a fellowship hall, and a few classrooms on two levels. In the 1960’s, growth of the congregation necessitated an addition that included 12 classrooms, office and storage space.
In 1993, the vision statement was established: “God calls us to be a people empowered by the Holy Spirit, bound together in Jesus Christ, so all may respond to God’s unconditional love as disciples.”
By May 31, 1995, membership had increased 32% in the six years, 1989 – 1995, to more than 1300; worship attendance more than doubled to over 600 per weekend; and weekend educational classes more than tripled to an average of more than 300 per weekend.
In 1991, construction began on a 28,000 square foot addition, doubling the size of the facility and included a 525-seat sanctuary, community room, Choir Room, new classroom space and extensive renovation of the original building. This is the first of three phases of construction. The congregation held worship for the first time in the new sanctuary on Mother’s Day weekend, 1994.
On July 1st, 2008, Rev. Steven Bullmer was welcomed as the new senior pastor. Pastor Steve joins associate pastor Rev. Darneather Murph-Heath in leading worship and ministry here at First United Methodist Church.
In June, 2011 Pastor Darneather Murph-Heath left First UMC to pastor her own church in Schaumburg, IL. Pastor Charles Yoon joined First UMC as our new associate pastor on July 1, 2011.
