Our History, Our Present, Our Future

 

The history of Methodism in Belleville began with the first Christian settlers in the wilderness of Van Buren Township, which led to the organization of the Methodist Church Society in 1840 (assumed 7-1-1840) with the first pastor Rev. Adam Minnis. Since then, ninety-eight pastors have been appointed as of January 1, 2026.

 

Just to note, Dearborn First UMC and Detroit’s Central UMC date back to 1810 and were believed to be the mother churches for this area. The Belleville First United Methodist Church is the oldest continuing congregation in Belleville.

 

Church services were first held in people’s homes, and then eventually in the schoolhouse which stood at Roys and Charles Streets. About 1850, the deeds to two vacant lots at Roys and Church Streets were given to the church. Later the school was moved and the church bought the lot where the school had stood. It was established five years before the first post office and eight years before the village plat was recorded.

 

The first church was a white clapboard building facing Roys Street. This church served the community until the beginning of the twentieth century, when it was sold and moved to the present location of Grace Baptist Church.

 

The second church, a sturdy brick structure facing Charles St, was built in 1890, which was eventually removed for our third and present concrete-block church was built in 1958, with the present education building being added in 1963.

 

Our basement fellowship hall is fully daylit with mid-floor to ceiling windows, and the worship space sits over 300. The building is used by members and community alike for a variety of uses from Christian education, worship, and other on-going community usage.

 

The bronze bell, which hangs in the tower on the corner of Roys and Charles Streets, was cast in 1865, and has been a part of all three churches and is still rung for every service.

 

In 1990, the Belleville First United Methodist Church celebrated its 150th year of mission and service to the community. In 2040, will be our 200th anniversary festivities.

 

Over the years Belleville First UMC has been known as everyone’s home church. Many people, and their families in this area turn to the congregation in times of need, in times of celebration, and in times of community. As Belleville’s first church, we also know that comes with the added responsibility to continue learning, growing, fellowshipping, and witnessing to our faith in the name of Jesus Christ. We are always Christians first!