History
History of First United Methodist Church of Bellevue
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1952
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First service of the new Bellevue mission church held in Green's Chapel of Flowers. On October 5, World Communion Day, Bellevue Methodist Church was chartered under the guidance of the Rev. John W. Caughlan with twenty-nine charter members, four of them children.
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1954
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The Rev. H. Paul Smith arrived from Kentucky to be the first appointed minister. While continuing to meet at Bellevue and Enatai Elementary Schools, the congregation purchased three acres of land for a permanent church.
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1956
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Following the cornerstone-laying ceremony in May, the congregation moved into its new building in July.
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1960
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The Rev. Kenneth Underwood appointed Pastor. Ground was broken for a new addition.
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1966
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Chester Morgan appointed first Associate Pastor.
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1969
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Completion of the third and final building, the permanent sanctuary, was marked by a Consecration Ceremony on March 19, during which the congregation processed from the old sanctuary to the new.
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1969
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Dr. William Welch appointed Senior Pastor. The Rev. Gordon King (1970) was appointed Associate Pastor, followed by the Revs. Rick Coghill (1975), Russ Rehm (1978), Greg Zimmer (1980), Gordon Schnee (1984), Beryl Ingram-Ward (1984), and Flora Bowers (1988).
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1985
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Wednesday Wonder Workers organized.
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1987
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Dr. Craig Parrish appointed Senior Pastor.
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1988
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Dedication of First United Methodist Church of Bellevue. Celebration of mortgage-burning marked the move from 1952 bank balance of $7.00 to physical plant valued at $1.5 million.
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1990
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Sponsorship of Ukrainian family was initiated. Opening of our church to the homeless. Sharing our facilities with the Chinese Mei Hua Congregation. A new roof project was begun.
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1990
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Rev. James Vance appointed Minister of Visitation.
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1991
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Rev. David Braun appointed Senior Pastor.
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1991
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First volunteer crew, "Short Term Volunteers in Mission," traveled to California to aid in earthquake relief; followed by trips to Montana, the Sager-Brown Depot in Louisiana, and trips to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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1997
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Pipe organ installed.
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2000
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Dr. Melvin Woodworth appointed Senior Pastor.
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2000
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Elevator installed. Kitchen & nursery remodeled.
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2001
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Rev. Crystal Sygeel appointed as Ministries Coordinator.
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2005
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Rev. Dr. Beryl Ingram appointed Senior Pastor.
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2007
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Sharing our facilities with a Korean United Methodist Church.
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2009
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Hosted Tent City 4 – a community for the homeless
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