Buffalo United Methodist Church celebrates 140 years of faith and community
Editor’s Note: Historical information provided by Buffalo United Methodist Church member Laurie Schroeder and edited for length.
For 140 years, Buffalo United Methodist Church has been part of the community’s history, adapting to changing times while continuing its mission of faith and service.
The congregation traces its roots to 1886, when the Buffalo Methodist Society was organized with 26 members. Since then, the church has worshipped in three buildings, undergone several name changes, incorporated members of other area Methodist congregations, and been served by 36 head pastors.
This year marks both the 140th anniversary of the congregation’s founding and the 40th anniversary of its current church building on 8th Street.
“The Methodist church is very focused on mission and outreach,” stated Buffalo United Methodist member Laurie Schroeder. “The founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley, very much believed in grace, not only for ourselves, but also for others. Serving people has always been a core of the Methodist movement.”
Early beginnings
Methodist congregations were active in nearby Rockford and Monticello during the 1850s. Methodist worship began taking root in Buffalo in the 1870s, including a 1873 gathering at the home of John Aldrich, where the Rev. J.J. Stanton, of Rockford, was invited to preach.
The movement gained momentum in 1886 when Rev. John Doran, a Methodist circuit rider, canvassed the Buffalo area at the invitation of local residents.
“The methodist movement began in England. When it came to the United States, they sent circuit riders on horseback,” stated Schroeder. “It’s a huge part of the Methodist tradition and history. It started on the east coast, and they would travel to towns and villages.”
Doran held weekly meetings for several months at Buffalo’s Presbyterian Church before organizing the Buffalo Methodist Society on Sept. 21, 1886.
That same year, the society purchased a lot for $60 on what was then known as Court House Avenue. A church was eventually constructed on the property and dedicated July 20, 1890, as Dewey Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church.
The original church building still stands, although it has been extensively remodeled and converted into an apartment complex at the north corner of 1st Avenue and 5th Street NW.
Growth and challenges
The congregation continued to improve its facilities in the early 20th century. A parsonage was constructed in 1899, new pews were installed in 1906, a furnace was added in 1907, and a new organ and electric lights were installed in 1909.
A major renovation took place in 1922, when the church was raised and moved eight feet to allow construction of a full basement. The tower was replaced, new windows were installed, and the interior was renovated. The church reopened Dec. 3, 1922.
Several area Methodist congregations eventually became part of the Buffalo church. North Rockford’s country assembly merged with the congregation in 1905. Zion Methodist Church, located south of Buffalo near Crawford Lake, also eventually ceased operations. Pelican Lake Methodist Episcopal Church, built northeast of Buffalo in 1897, was dismantled in 1945, with its members joining the Buffalo congregation. Its cemetery remains and continues to be maintained by Buffalo UMC.
By the late 1940s, however, the Buffalo congregation faced serious challenges. Sunday attendance sometimes fell to just five people, and there was discussion about disbanding and joining the Presbyterian congregation.
A change in leadership helped revive the church, and the post-World War II Baby Boom brought additional growth.
A second church and a new name
In 1959, the congregation purchased the former St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and parsonage at 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street NE for $30,000. The building was re-consecrated as Buffalo Methodist Church on July 24 of that year.
The congregation celebrated its 75th anniversary in the building in 1961. In 1968, following the national merger of Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren churches, the congregation officially became Buffalo United Methodist Church.
As membership continued to grow, the church was remodeled in 1975 to improve the sanctuary and create additional classroom space. Even those improvements were not enough, and in 1977, members voted to begin planning for a new church.
The congregation purchased six acres in northwest Buffalo in 1979. By 1983, the property was paid for, and plans for a new church moved forward.
During the congregation’s centennial year in 1986, final plans were approved and ground was broken Aug. 3. A two-day centennial celebration was held in September.
The 8th Street church
In May 1987, the congregation held its final service in the small brick church before proceeding roughly a mile to its new home, carrying church artifacts and the altar Bible. The new 11,000-square-foot Buffalo United Methodist Church on 8th Street was formally consecrated June 14, 1987. The former church building later became home to New Life Ministries.
Growth continued, leading to several additions. In 1989, three Sunday School classrooms and a resource room were added. A larger expansion followed in two stages in 1997 and 2002, adding educational space, expanding the fellowship hall and kitchen, creating an adult lounge, and adding a youth room.
The church also experienced significant changes in worship during the 1990s and 2000s. A second worship service was introduced under Pastor John Phillippe, initially offering a shorter, more contemplative service with piano accompaniment. In the 1990s, Pastor Cindy Gregorson helped introduce contemporary worship, eventually leading to the formation of a praise team and band in 1997.
For many years, the church offered two distinct worship services, with a traditional service featuring choir and organ and an earlier service featuring contemporary music. A projection screen was added in 2000 to incorporate lyrics and images into worship.
Over time, attendance shifted toward the contemporary service, while maintaining a traditional choir became increasingly difficult. The choir eventually dissolved around 2015.
The growing congregation also brought changes in staffing, including a full-time lay associate minister from 2000 to 2020 and various part-time positions serving pastoral care, children and family ministries, youth, worship, bookkeeping, and office management.
Adapting to a new era
The COVID-19 pandemic brought another major change in 2020. Buffalo UMC quickly established online worship so members could participate from home. The experience led to the continuation of streamed services, which remain part of the church’s ministry today.
“We have a YouTube channel, and we also stream on Facebook every Sunday,” said Worship Coordinator Amy Austin.
While worship attendance has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, the congregation has continued adapting.
“Post COVID, we haven’t gotten back to the numbers we had pre-COVID. It’s an ongoing challenge, but we try to focus on our heart for the mission,” shared Schroeder. “We are very open, and we meet people where they are at with their faith. There’s no criteria. All are welcome.”
Today, Buffalo UMC offers one blended worship service incorporating both traditional hymns and contemporary praise music.
As it celebrates 140 years in 2026 — including 40 years in its current building — the congregation continues a history built on faith, adaptation, and a longstanding connection to the Buffalo community.
“I think this church is proud of who they are. They are a wonderful group of people, and they should be proud of what they have here,” said Amy Austin. “The church has had very good stewardship over the years. I’ve been very privileged to be able to work with them.”
Anniversary Celebration
On Sunday, October 11, Buffalo United Methodist Church will host a special anniversary celebration. Former Pastor Cindy Gregorson will provide the morning message during the 9:00 a.m. service, along with handbells and a special music performance.
Following the service, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., there will be a self-guided history tour, kids games, and food trucks at the church. The community is invited to come and participate in the celebration. All are welcome.
