Remember, Rejoice, Renew –
Celebrating 150 Years in 2015!
Wyoming United Methodist Church has served the town of Wyoming, Delaware since 1865. At that time the town was growing rapidly and a need was felt by the people for a church to be built. Mr. John T. Jakes was largely responsible for what was to become known as “the Plank Church” built on his property on the lake. The building was plain, the walls made of plank set upon end. The dedication service for the building was held on November 17, 1865. In just three months, the membership grew to almost one hundred. A new sanctuary was built in 1882.
The church was moved to its location on Broad Street in 1912. At that time, a large Sunday School room, tower entrance, and belfry were added. Several remodelings took place since then, the largest being in 1963 when a new educational wing and fellowship hall were added.
On September 9, 2007, we celebrated the groundbreaking at the present church location at 216 Wyoming Mill Road. On November 8, 2009, the new church building was consecrated.
The very spacious new church is all around handicap accessible. The Sanctuary has a seating capacity of 640, including about 20 spaces for wheelchairs and other mobility devices throughout the pew area. The stained glass windows from the Broad Street location were incorporated all around the new Sanctuary. The golden cross from the Broad Street location was mounted on a larger red wooden cross and an even larger oak cross underneath that, and that three-layered cross is suspended in front of the organ sound wall high above the altar.
The generous narthex features a welcome area with reception desk, a coat room and a Memorial Room which holds many cherished items that were used in the church at the Broad Street location.
The north wing of the building houses 15 classrooms, the Pastors’ offices, administrative and maintenance offices, a choir room and bell choir room, a library and spacious nursery with separate rooms for infants and toddlers.
The church’s south wing is dedicated to fellowship. A great variety of events, church and family, are held in the Family Life Center.
Outside off the north wing entrance, a generously sized full playground invites our youngest church members, and off the south end facing east, a Memorial Garden invites to pause and meditate. Memorial bricks can be custom-ordered in honor or memory of a loved one. Contact the church office@wyomingumc.com for an order form.
Plans are still copious for a further development of the roughly nineteen acres of church grounds, including a gymnasium, sports field, and meditation path to name but a few.
We give God the glory as existing ministries are thriving and new ministries keep evolving in this vibrant church that has been … at the heart of it all – for 150 years!