Our History
Methodism was founded in England by John Wesley (pictured) and his musical bother Charles in the 18th century. It spread rapidly in the United States in the 19th century. There is a rich history of evangelism, music, service and education in our denomination. Click here to learn more about the United Methodist Church.
Sudbury held its first Methodist class meetings in a local school in 1823.
We built our first church in 1836. Today, that building houses the Presbyterian Church in Sudbury.
Construction of our current facility began in 1957, beginning with the the church school and continuing with the fellowship hall, offices and sanctuary, which was completed in 1963.
It is said to be the largest church built by its parishioners in the United States.
The chapel was added in 1983, followed by more classrooms, offices, a meeting room, a choir room, an elevator and a handicap ramp in 1998.
An extensive renovation of our parking lot and interior spaces was completed in 2017.
Sudbury’s Congregation Beth El worshipped in our facilities from 1964 to 1969 until their facility was completed. Beth El returned the favor when we worshipped in their facility during the renovation work in our sanctuary in 2016.
We have hosted two Cardinals. In 1964, in an ecumenical celebration, Cardinal Cushing was the first Roman Catholic Cardinal to speak in a Protestant Church.
In January 2014, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cardinal Cushing’s visit, Cardinal O’Malley worshipped with us and was blessed by a United Methodist pastor.
In both events, our sanctuary was filled with Protestants and Roman Catholics from churches in Sudbury and Boston.
Sunny Hill Preschool, a non-denominational extension of the church, was founded in 1958. Click here to learn more about Sunny Hill.
The Sudbury Savoyards, a community theatre group specializing in Gilbert & Sullivan, was formed in 1961 to raise funds for the Church. Now independent, their profits for many years were donated to The United Methodist Committee on Relief to fight world hunger.
We began the monthly preparation of meals for Rosie’s Place in 1974.
The first of many SUMC work teams traveled to Dominica in 1980 in support of Methodist churches on the island. Work teams have also visited an agricultural school in Northern Chile and helped repair hurricane damage in South Carolina and Mississippi.
In 1991, SUMC and Greenwood Memorial UMC in Dorchester began a sister church relationship in which we have shared worship services, social events and service projects.
In 2001, SUMC volunteers participated in the first of several Habitat for Humanity housing projects in the Metro West area.
SUMC voted to become a Reconciling and Welcoming Congregation in 2004.
Interested in learning more? Click here to download the Sudbury United Methodist Church history book.