175th Anniversary Celebration of Peoria’s First United Methodist Church
Posted by Debbie Adlof on October 9th, 2008
Peoria’s First United Methodist Church, the city’s oldest Protestant congregation, celebrated its 175th anniversary with a series of activities Oct. 1-5. The events included:• “Celebrate Jesus!”, a family dinner of praise, music, and stories from former clergy was held at the Peoria Civic Center’s ballroom and attended by some 700 persons. Interspersed between musical selections by the church’s Praise Band, Sanctuary Choir, Combined Children’s Choirs and the Sanctuary Brass were short interviews with clergy with prior connections to the church.
Dr. Timothy Bias, the church’s current directing minister, served as emcee and conducted the interviews. The evening began with a proclamation from the City of Peoria read by Mayor Jim Ardis.
• An all-church picnic was held on Saturday, Oct. 4 and featured music, a potluck and an informal time to reminisce with former pastors. It was also the first opportunity for the congregation to submit items for a time capsule that is being prepared by a First Church member.
• A special noon dinner was held in the church’s fellowship hall for those in the congregation who have been members more than 50 years. There were 180 in attendance.
• The Sunday services on Oct. 5 included a guest sermon by new Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer and a preaching return to First Church by Rev. Mark Jordan who initiated the praise and worship service 10 years ago.
• Church building tours were conducted on two separate occasions during the week of celebration.
• On Oct. 5, the fellowship hall featured 29 displays of the varied ministries of the church, including those that serve the church’s congregation, those that touch the lives within the local community and those with international impact.
To commemorate the anniversary, a history book was produced and given to all member families. 2009 calendars, Christmas ornaments, commemorative throws and shirts, all with the 175th logo, have been made available for sale to friends and members of the congregation.
Extending the anniversary celebration will be banners to be displayed in downtown Peoria for the next several months featuring the 175th logo and seven television ads produced featuring local businesses and church members wishing the church a “Happy Birthday.” Church member Nan McConaghy chaired the 175th anniversary committee.