Celebrating 200 Years
2025 marks Monroe Street United Methodist Church’s 200th anniversary. Join us as we celebrate the many blessings God has given us during the past two centuries. God has been present with us and challenged us to “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). We continue to be a community that lives out Jesus’ teaching that where two or more are gathered in his name, he is with us.
Monroe Street UMC to be featured in WGTE’s Toledo Stories
An exciting part of our celebration year is the production of a Toledo Stories segment about our founding, history, challenges and achievements. Part of WGTE public television’s series for over 20 years, these remarkable programs celebrate and document the people, places, and moments that built Northwest Ohio into the strong and vibrant region we live and work in. The documentary will highlight the good work that MSUMC has done and continues to do as a congregation and outreach ministry with thousands of families in the greater Toledo area.
Our story, Monroe Street United, will begin airing on December 18. Livestream and on-demand streaming will be available at wgte.org, pbs.org, the WGTE and PBS apps as well as the MSUMC website. Toledo Stories airs on Thursday evenings from 8-9 p.m. and Sunday mornings from 10-11 a.m.
Take a sneak peek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWvoPWO6h_4
For more information about the project, please contact Sarah Twitchell at sarah.twitchell@hotmail.com.
Funding is still needed to support this final 200th Anniversary project. Opportunities to support can be found at https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z983/campaign/C-161PW. We thank all donors who have already supported kdaskld, including
Learn More about Our History:
- The church began in 1825 when a Methodist circuit rider stopped in what would become western Toledo and offered to share the Christian gospel with people.
- A log cabin near Ten Mile Creek (now known as the Ottawa River) served as the first meeting place.
- In 1859, Monroe Street built its first church at the corner of Auburn Avenue and Monroe Street.
- In 1925, the congregation built a new church and classrooms at our current location.
- In 1955, the sanctuary where we currently worship was added.
- Our outreach to the community includes but is not limited to The Neighborhood Center, Bluff Street Village, Jobs with Justice, The NW Ohio Interfaith Council, and Freedom School.
Celebrate our Church and Neighborhood Center anniversaries in style.
T-shirts, sweatshirts, and totes decorated with our 200th anniversary graphics are available. Proceeds help cover the costs of this year’s special events.
SHOP NOW
200th Anniversary
Calendar of Events
We look forward to everyone’s participation in what promises to be an exciting 2025 for Monroe Street United Methodist Church.
NOTE: Other events may be added.
Choir Reunion Weekend, Sunday Musical service.
October 11 and 12
SEE ANNOUNCEMENT
Quilt Dedication Sunday and Second Sunday Potluck.
Sunday, January 12
READ ABOUT THE DEDICATION >
Celebrating those who married at the church and opportunity for vow renewal.
Sunday, February 16
READ ABOUT THE CELEBRATION >
Community picnic.
Sunday, June 8
READ ABOUT THE PICNIC >
Mission Ministry Sunday and Volunteer sharing a special moment and or memory about the church.
Sunday, August 24
READ ABOUT MISSION SUNDAY >
Our Windows
In the 1990s, MSUMC member Gordan “Skip” Ward created a presentation about our windows he gave to new members as they joined the church. Wanting to preserve that history, MSUMC member Chuck E. Hodge volunteered to produce a video featuring narration by Skip and music by Brian Rotz, MSUMC Director of Music at that period.
Read More
Chuck and his wife Ann provided the funds in memory of their parents. Ann’s father, George R. Loudon, was Chairman of the MSUMC Building Committee in 1955 during the establishment of the new sanctuary. The funds raised were given to the MSUMC Foundation.
The windows were designed by Howard Gilman Wilbert of Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studio, which is still in business.
