History of our Church

Early History

Central United Methodist Church was established by a missionary pastor, the Rev. David W. Pollock as the Methodist Episcopal Church South of Sacramento in April 1850. The church's first building was Asbury Chapel built in September, 1850 at 7th and J Streets at a cost of $5,000.

The Sacramento fire on November 2, 1862, destroyed Asbury Chapel. The following year, work began on a new church at the same location. It was dedicated on July 11, 1859. The membership grew to 300 by 1892 when the pastor was the Rev. A.C. Bane. The Pacific Conference declared it the largest congregation in the San Francisco District.

Because the congregation outgrew the 7th Street location, a new church was built at 15th and J. The congregation met there for the first worship service on September 11, 1904.

At the union of the three Methodist branches in 1939, the church was incorporated as Central Methodist Church.

On the church's 95th anniversary in 1945, the membership was 322 but the church stood in a business location with no room for expansion. In November, 1946, a Sunday School called EL Dorado was organized in a house at 51st and J Streets. The venture proved very successful, so a larger site was secured at 53rd and H Streets.

The New Location

There were two structures on the property at 53rd and H Streets - three bedroom house with basement, and a new, three-car garage. The house became the Parsonage; the garage was christened "Wesley Chapel" It served as sanctuary, educational unit, and social hall.

Construction began in 1950 and Easter 1951 was celebrated in the present Social Hall by Rev. Clyde Teel. The 1950's and early 1960's were peak years for the Sunday School with the highest enrollment of 562 in 1960. Rev. Edward L. Peet was pastor during that time.

Ground breaking for the current sanctuary took place on February 23, 1964 when the Rev. John T. Wylie was pastor. A Service of Consecration was held on October 18, 1964 with Bishop Donald H. Tippett presiding.

Central's membership reached a high of 488 members in 1965. In 1968 at the unification with the United Brethren church, the church became Central United Methodist Church. Rev. Robert K. Shartz was pastor from 1969 to 1974 and Rev. Robert F. Clazie was pastor between 1974 and 1979.

Membership declined during the 1970's to a low of about 80. Membership started to increase again in the 1980's. We had our first female pastor during the time, the Rev. Jacqueline Meadows. She left Central in 1987. Since then the following pastors have served our church: Rev. Stephen Lundin, The Rev. Jay Pierce and the Rev. Audrey Ward. Currently our pastor is the Rev. Linda Dew-Hiersoux.