First United Methodist Church
"Celebrating Life Together in Jesus Christ"

602 South Market Street, Muncy, Pennsylvania  17756
(570) 546-8030


FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
 A Rich Heritage--A Promising Future
A Brief Church History
In 1791, the year of John Wesley's death, Methodism had its beginnings in Muncy when the Rev. Richard Parriott, of the Little York circuit, made a missionary tour of this area.

Our early services were held at the homes of people such as the Widow White, Funstons, and Thomas Hamilton.  In these early years, we were part of the Baltimore Conference.  By 1800, the Muncy Methodists worshipped in a little log school house called the "Pepper School House" near what is now the corner of South Main and New Streets.  A single story frame church building was erected in 1830 on South Market Street.  It was the first church building used exclusively for church purposes in Muncy.

In 1851 we became part of the Muncy circuit and a committee was appointed to consider a new church building.  On June 24, 1854, the cornerstone was laid for the South Market Street church and on July 8, 1855, the church was dedicated by the Rev. Joshua Kelly and the Rev. Thomas Sherlock.  The parish house was built on a parsonage in 1965.  In 1933, the Moelier Organ was installed as part of a renovation project.  In 1949, the 216 South Market Street parsonage was bought and the old parsonage was turned into church school rooms.

In 1967, plans for a new church were begun and by May of 1972, we moved into the lower level of our present church building at 602 South Market Street.  The new parsonage was built in 1973 near the new church.  In 1980, the upper level of the church was begun and in September of 1982 worship commenced in the new and present nave.

Our present pastor, the Rev. Michael R. Gardy, is the 117th pastor in a procession of faithful clergy who have served the Muncy Church.  Our rich heritage is represented in the church bell that was recovered from our former church building at 206 South Market Street. The bell was placed in a tower with a dedication on Sunday, November 1, 1998, and will continue to remind us of a promising future.

Our Mission Statement is to celebrate life together in Jesus Christ.  We desire to encourage and invite neighbors, friends and the community to be a part of our celebration.  As a church family, we have made the following Covenant Statement:

We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Savior and Lord.  As part of God's family, our foundation for living as the Body of Christ, we gather to worship the Living God through Word and Sacrament and strengthen our faith.  As God transforms our lives through this spiritual enrichment, we will strive to reach out to others through prayer, witnessing, love and friendship.  We are followers of Christ by God's grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.