The California Annual Conference, the founding conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in this state, which met in September of 1868, authorized the establishment of the Los Angeles Circuit of
the denomination for the year 1869-1870. This circuit included the cities of
Comptonville, Los Nietos, El
Monte, and Wilmington.
In 1882 a minister was
appointed to establish a Methodist Episcopal church in Wilmington. At this time the services were held by German settlement
folks in the Old Congregational College building located on what is now Lecourvreur Street, while a new church was being
erected on Reyes Street near Bay View Avenue. The church existed until 1885 when, for unknown
reasons, it was discontinued.
From 1885 to 1913 there
is no record, but in 1913 Rev . Maurice Brown was appointed. It was during his
pastorate, April 20, 1914, that the church was first incorporated with the following on the Board of Trustees: W. S. Moore, R. M. Ratcliff, Jacob Dick, R. H. Pelo and Robert E. Norris.
In 1914 two lots were
purchased, located on 8th and D Street, which is now Island Avenue and I Street for the amount of $2,500. The following year, 1915, a building was erected, 26 x 40 in size, at a cost of $400. The following pastors supplied the pulpit of this church:
1914 Rev. Maurice Brown
1915 Rev. H. J. Harrington
1916/1920 Rev. J. C. Kelsey, Rev. David Bridge, Rev. Planette, Rev. Walker, (1918) Rev. Maurice
Brown and Rev. W.C. Schmutzler
In 1916, it was reported
by the pastor that the church was twenty two members strong.
In 1920 the church was
sold while Rev. Byron H. Wilson was the District Superintendent. For a time the
Methodist congregation was merged with the Presbyterian congregation under the Presbyterian Board. In 1924 more than 100 Methodists in Wilmington began a series of meeting with an intentional desire to form a Methodist church. Two families of the group that met in 1913 were a part of this new and bigger group. Dr. J. Walter Morris, a Conference retired minister, became their minister.
By 1925, this group grew into a lively and consecrated congregation which decided to purchase a lot on the corner of
Lagoon and J Streets. J Street later became Opp Street. A tabernacle was erected on this lot. Rev. George Edward
Carey was appointed in 1925.
In 1926 Rev. Grover C.
Ralston was appointed. During his pastorate the tabernacle became inadequate
and plans were made for a new church building. The Methodist Men of the First
Methodist Church of Long Beach helped Wilmington to secure funds to start the construction of the $20,000 church building. On July 31, 1927 the present building was dedicated, equipped with a heating system, pipe organ, bell and a seating
capacity of 425 people. The original stained glass windows were donated
by different churches and members.
Rev. J. W. Taylor supplied
the pulpit during 1929-30, followed by Rev. Robert Blume. During Rev. Blumes
ministry Mrs. Anna James gave an eight unit court to help liquidate the churchs debt.
In 1938 Rev. A. A. Heist succeeded and served until 1941. In 1941 Rev.
Edwin E. Reeves became the pastor. The James Court was sold and on
Easter Sunday, April 25, 1943, the mortgage burning service was held.
On September 16, 1942,
the Articles of Incorporation were amended and this congregation became the First Methodist Church of Wilmington. Rev. Reeves served for six years and during his pastorate the churchs $15,000 debt was liquidated and the
parsonage on Ravenna was purchased.
In 1947 Rev. Carl Allen
was appointed.
In February 1950 Rev.
Lawrence V. Lucas temporarily filled the pulpit until Rev. Arthur T. Kent was appointed in June 1950. During this time the growth in membership and the expanding church school membership spawned the need for
a new educational building. On October 6, 1956 groundbreaking was held for
the $24,000 educational building. On April 10, 1960 the new building was dedicated.
Rev. Robert L. Cannon
came in October 1958 and Rev. Robert G. Forsyth in February 1960. In 1963 the
parking lots were purchased. In September 1963 Rev. David Pasamonte was appointed
and served until 1969. During his pastorate a major remodeling was undertaken
in 1967 which revamped the altar area and commissioned our present stained glass windows.
Dedication was October 13, 1968. The renovation cost came to $23,500, which brought
the total church indebtedness to $30,000. The services of our members cleaning,
painting and laboring in whatever way they could kept the cost to a minimum. This
statement was made in the 1969 Charge Conference report. The beauty of our sanctuary
is a visible sign of the kind of dedication that can still be found amongst our members.
During this time period the church name was changed to First United Methodist Church of Wilmington.
In July 1969 Rev. Jon
C. Longfellow served for three months until in September Rev. Frank H. Argelander was appointed. During his pastorate the church started their Annual Luau.
In 1977 Rev. Earl W. Isbell was appointed
In 1978 Rev. Melanio L. Loresco, Jr. was appointed and served for 24 years.
In July 2002, Rev. Neil
Platon from the Iowa Conference was appointed to our church.
