Our History

In the spring of 1815, the first settlers arrived in Brunswick Township to develop the land they had purchased from the Connecticut Land Company. Among them was Jacob Ward, who in 1817, organized a class of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They met in homes or a "multi-purpose" log building.

On November 19, 1830, members of the church met to accept donations for a church building on a 2-acre plot that had been donated to the township as a burial place (now Westview Cemetery) with a small space reserved for the church.

In February of 1871, the congregation decided to build a new house of worship. It was completed and used for worship in 1872. The white church building in the cemetery was sold in 1877.

"To modernize the church for another generation", a remodeling project was undertaken in 1918. The center front entrance was moved to the tower that was constructed on the northwest corner. The cupola was removed and the bell was relocated in the tower. All the clear glass shuttered windows were replaced with stained and art glass windows.

Land was purchased in 1954 and the south wing was constructed and consecrated in 1959. With the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, it became the United Methodist Church.

More land was purchased in 1972 and on February 26, 1976, ground was broken for the East Wing.

A steeple was added to the tower, along with a carillon. A much needed parking lot was installed during 1990.

Growth of the congregation necessitated a larger facility. The seating capacity was to be 400. The large Christ Window over the altar was created especially for Brunswick United Methodist Church by Jim Whitney. The congregation carried the light from the old to the new Sanctuary on March 3, 2002.

Rev. Elizabeth Hadler became the 112th pastor of the church when she was appointed as an Associate Pastor in the early part of 2009. In August 2009 the Rev. Thomas Shaw became the 113th pastor.

193 years have passed since Jacob Ward organized 13 members into a congregation that has stood as a symbol of stability and service for the community. Brunswick United Methodist Church looks forward to the future as it continues the principles of service to the people who call the Brunswick area their home.

Printed in the 2010 church directory. Written by Mamie Grunau, Historian.