through time, through change, a church for the neighborhood

Our History

     Epworth-Roanoke United Methodist Church is the result of the merger of two historic congregations.

     The Roanoke congregation began in 1884 as a Swedish Methodist Church.   In fact, English was not used regularly in worship until 1919.  Our present building was built in 1921.  Our sanctuary was the church's gymnasium for 40 years.

     The Epworth congregation was begun in 1906, meeting under the shade of an elm tree.   Winter weather forced the group to disband and begin looking for inside meeting space.  Ultimately, they built a beautiful church at 45th and Genessee, which is now an antique store in the well-known State Line antique district.

     Epworth-Roanoke brings together the best of these congregations.  We have a long history of faithful service to the surrounding neighborhoods and the world at  large.   

Epworth-Roanoke is a United Methodist Church 'reconciling congregation', which means that we warmly welcome members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transsexual communities into worship.  As stated in UMC's 1999 Vision statement,

    "We understand that God's love is expansive and unconditional.  We celebrate the worth, dignity and gift of every person as a child of God.  We welcome and support all persons regardless of gender, race, age, cultural or religious heritage, ethnic background, sexual/affectional orientation or identity or economic circumstances.  we believe God intends the church to be a community that embodies loves, grace and justice for all people." 

     We, at Epworth-Roanoke, are thankful for the many ways God has used us in the past.  We are excited about how God is using us presently and we look forward with joy to how God  will use us in the future.