HISTORY THROUGH THE YEARS

Founded in 1848

In 1848 the first service by a Methodist preacher was held under a tree at Marble & Forrest Streets. For many years the congregation met in the Temperance building at the Northwest Corner of 3rd & Forrest.

In April 1855, Sunday School was organized and had much higher attendance than the church service. CUMC filled a gap – other churches hadn’t organized a Sunday school yet. 600 kids and adults attended Sunday School. So it was decided that we needed a bigger building.

In 1856 a lot was purchased at Elm & Fayette for $666.66. The Cornerstone was laid in August 1857. At the outbreak of the civil war in 1861 the church remained unfinished, but the auditorium was used as a drill room by the local troops! Finally the church was completed and Bishop Simpson who also delivered the eulogy for Abraham Lincoln in 1865 dedicated the church in 1867.

During the 1870’s during the “long depression” times were tough. The pastors lived on very small salaries, but the church grew and by the end of the century you had to get there early to get a seat.

Early 1900's

In 1901 the property was cleared of all debt and yet again, we needed a larger building. In 1903 we purchased a lot on the northwest corner of Fayette and 6th Avenue. The house that stood there was moved one block west and became the parsonage (and still is). The cost to build the church was $30,000 and some of the members mortgaged their homes to secure the debt.

On September 29th, 1906, the cornerstone was laid. The church was dedicated on January 19th, 1908 and called Conshohocken Methodist Episcopal Church. The congregation marched up Fayette from the old church to the new church.

Name Changes

The church changed names multiple times, from Conshohocken Methodist Episcipol in the early 1900's, then becoming the Conshohocken Methodist Church in 1939 and then Conshohocken United Methodisc Church in 1968.

Music

On December 21, 1916 the 1st organ built by MP Moller of Hagerstown was dedicated to Miss Ethel Apple (the organist). Edward Postetter (one of the men installing the organ) lived in town during the installation and courted and later married Miss Apple.

On December 20, 1959 a dedication was held for the NEW organ built by Edgar H. Magnis. All of the mechanism and 816 of the pipes were new, but 587 pipes were from the old organ at a cost of over $5000.

In 1976 The Bell Tower Renovation was undertaken due to stone crumbling and becoming unsafe. The bell had to be removed and was rung for the last time on July 4, 1976. Tower was lowered and a new steeple built.

Under the leadership of Pastor Ricky Ayala, our church moved to a contemporary service around 2007 and he started and grew the Bent Knee Praise band. After Pastor Ricky’s re-appointment in 2017, his brother, Joey Ayala took the role of band director. In March 2020, we hired part-time Contemporary Music Director, Tony Del Pizzo who continues to lead us today.

Traditions - The Live Nativity

In 1957 The Methodist Men started showing the Live Nativity Scene on the lawn to help put “Christ back in Christmas”. One of the most memorable enactments took place in 1989 when the sheep Sally and Beverly escaped from the fenced yard and ran away! They were retrieved by Pastor Brooks with much help. By the end of the 1990’s the live sheep were no longer used.

On December 2015 a new stable was erected. Thanks to Tim McClure, designer and structural engineer, and crew, Jake Kriebel, Drew Montemayor, Greg Kriebel, Tim McClure, Sam Kriebel, LJ Kriebel.

With the creation of Jillian’s Café we introduced live music and an indoor Christmas village which took place until 2020 when the COVID-19 Pandemic stopped indoor entertainment. The Live Nativity continued despite the pandemic, snow and the cold.

 Fire of 1992

On October 9, 1992, a fire caused extreme damage to Ely Hall and the Sanctuary. After the fire, we held service at First Baptist church where Pastor Truman Brooks performed baptisms in his bathing trunks in their Baptismal font while the church was being rebuilt. For Easter in 1993 CUMC had breakfast and worship service at the Philadelphia Marriott West. And on May 9, 1993, restoration and remodeling due to the fire was complete and the church reopened with a special service, which included honoring the local fire fighters.

Jillian’s Cafe - Established 2014

On April 6, 2014 Jillian’s Café was dedicated and the grand opening was held on May 31, 2014.The cafe has become a hub for Sunday Fellowship, celebrations, concerts and community and church events. Dedicated in loving memory of Jillian Patterson, daughter of Dave and Pat Patterson, Jillian’s Café reflects her love of art, music, spending time with friends, and of course, coffee. Jillian, a gentle young lady with Down syndrome, touched many lives with her warmth, sensitivity and kindness.

Living Waters for the World Mission Work

Since 2017 CUMC has been active with Living Waters for the World mission to install clean water filtration systems. In 2018 and 2019 we sent teams to Cuba and in 2022, a group including 3 from CUMC traveled to Uganda where we worked together with the community to build a water filtration system and train 18 community health and hygiene instructors to teach about safe water practices. As of their one year anniversary, over 1 million liters of clean water had been produced by the community.

In 2022, we started another project at the school to create a Digital Learning Center, using solar power. This center will provide the students, teachers and families of the Karama Education Center with internet, computers and training to succeed in the workplace of today. On December 23, 2024 the Digital Learning Center held it’s first-ever live stream video session with Conshy United and other partners.

COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 15, 2020 the last in person worship service was held at CUMC as the COVID-19 Pandemic swept across the country and the world. Online worship continued through August of 2020 with the Praise Band performing in Jillian’s Café and Pastor Tim Duchesne in the Sanctuary. By the summer of 2021 we resumed worship in the sanctuary following guidelines by the CDC.

Current Times

In July 2022, Pastor Karen Bartkowski was appointed as our Lead Pastor. She was commissioned a Provisional Elder in 2021 and was ordained in May 2023. Prior to ministry, she spent 30 years working as a Physical Therapist and Rehabilitation Services Manager in senior living communities.

The new outdoor electronic sign was installed in December 2022, allowing us to announce worship and events prominently. In 2023 we welcomed 24 new members, baptized 6 babies and a confirmation class was offered for the first time in several years with 7 youth! In 2024, Conshy United became part of the Reconciling Ministries Network of churches. We began the discernment process in March of 2023. After study, conversation, and much prayer, the congregation voted on April 14, 2024 to partner with Reconciling Ministries Network and join to work toward full inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community into the life of the church.