150 years in the making

St. Paul’s United Methodist celebrates past and present

By Jennifer S. McDonald
C & G Staff Writer

ROCHESTER — With the coming of January, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church hit the milestone of turning 150.

But instead of celebrating the occasion for only one day, St. Paul’s will extend the festivities throughout the year with a variety of events and activities. 

Early beginnings rich in history
Brought to Michigan by pioneers, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church has a rich history as one of the oldest churches in the area, Rev. Jeff Regan said.

Founded in 1858 by Canadian missionary Rev. Daniel Birney, the church’s services were first held within Mt. Vernon, Stoney Creek, Hubbell and Ewell schools and other locations, Regan said. In 1860, a parsonage that also served as a meetinghouse was purchased in Stoney Creek. Their first resident pastor, Alexander Gee, came the following year.

“At the time, many churches traveled west with the pioneers. So it wasn’t unusual for churches to be formed as cities were formed. That was the immigrant trend,” Regan said. “We always had small groups who met in homes, and when a group got too big for a home, they’d build a church. That’s what happened with us.”

Like many buildings of the 1800s, St. Paul’s parsonage was destroyed by fire in 1866. In 1867 the original site was sold and the congregation relocated to a former schoolhouse on Pine Street in Rochester. In 1868 the old schoolhouse was moved to a new site on Walnut Street. By 1876, there were 135 members.

Offering the comforts of “hope, renewal and fellowship” for 150 years
Currently, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church occupies what used to be an orchard within an eight-acre lot on Romeo Street purchased in 1956.

Over the years St. Paul’s went through renovations to accommodate the church’s growing congregation. When the new site was purchased, membership had grown to almost 1,100 people. Two additional sanctuaries, educational and music rooms, a parking facility and a kitchen were constructed throughout the years.

The church offers a “very loving and supportive community” to more than 3,400 people, Rev. Rony Veska said. That atmosphere is part of the reason St. Paul’s had been around for 150 years, she added.

There are Sunday school opportunities, a co-operative nursery, seven choirs, and a program staff of six, a support staff of 12 and four missionaries.

“As a congregation we are committed to provide Christ-like care to the members of the community,” Veska said. “It’s exciting to look at the past. What’s most exciting to me is how the past leads us to the present and future.”

St. Paul’s is actively involved in numerous community service and support programs, Regan said, including the Rochester Area Neighborhood House, the Baldwin Center in Pontiac and the Rochester Area Ministerial Association.

“One of the things about United Methodist churches is they’re very connected to the community and involved,” Regan said. “That’s the way it is here.”

Remembering the past to build the future
Harold Weemhoff, minister of Christian education and programming, said that while celebrating 150 years as a congregation is amazing, it’s important to remember where one comes from and what’s in the past.

“You don’t just start from nothing. It builds,” Weemhoff said. “If there’s anything I’ve learned it’s to be grateful to the people who have come before me. If they had not done what they did and made the choices they made, we wouldn’t be what we are today.”

The celebration of St. Paul’s 150 years is a way of remembering and preparing for all the years to come, Weemhoff said.

“We really are just trying to celebrate our lives together — past and present — all year long,” he said. “We have a very positive, celebratory atmosphere. It’s given us a great synenergy. It’s the pulling together that people feel good about. They feel good about the church and feel good about themselves.”

Celebration all year long
Festivities to celebrate the big 150 will take place all year with several events each month, including guest speakers, musical groups and dinners.

Among those are the United Methodist Men Valentine’s Day Dance Feb. 9 in support of Habitat for Humanity, a Harmony in the Hills concert featuring the Zenith Brass Concert March 2, a memorial garden dedication June 15 and an old-time baseball game at Van Hoosen Farm July 13. St. Paul’s Chautauqua Family, Food and Fun Weekend, complete with a pig roast, will be held Sept. 5-7, while Homecoming Weekend, with a formal dinner and music, is scheduled for Sept. 20-21.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is located at 620 Romeo St. in Rochester.

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.stpaulsrochester.org or call (248) 651-9361.