The history of First United Methodist Church closely mirrors the history of Lexington itself. Methodists were among the city’s earliest settlers, and by 1789, national Methodist leaders had sent ministers to organize believers into what was then called the Society of Methodists.
Our first gatherings took place in a small cabin on the east end of town. As the first Methodist church west of the Allegheny Mountains—and one of the first hundred Methodist churches in America—we have a long legacy of faithfulness and growth.
In the early 1800s, our congregation rapidly expanded, outgrowing multiple church buildings and locations. In 1840, we moved to a lot on High Street, where we built a new church—part of which still lies beneath our current sanctuary. As our congregation continued to grow, the 1840 church was enlarged twice before being replaced in 1907 with our present sanctuary, made possible by a generous bequest.
But First United Methodist has always been more than a building. Our commitment to worship and discipleship has extended beyond High Street, helping establish other United Methodist churches in Lexington and supporting God’s work around the world.
