Batavia United Methodist Church History


	In the early years of the Christian church, small groups gathered in homes to share a common faith. It is appropriate that the congregation of Batavia United Methodist Church began in the same manner. Classes were first conducted in 1836 by Circuit Rider David Blackwell in the home of William Van Nortwick on the corner of First and Water Streets. The first church building was erected in 1852 on the corner of First and Lincoln Streets. A new church building was constructed in 1887 at the corner of Batavia Avenue and Wilson Street. Built in the French Romanesque style, this building was designed by S.S. Beman, famed architect of Chicago's Pullman Community and designer of the 1884 Studebaker Building on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. The striking facade of the church was constructed of field boulders from area farms and the rich interior woodwork is of Georgia pine. The building was a gift to the congregation from Captain Don Carlos Newton, Civil War Veteran and wealthy Batavia Industrialist and the Reverend E. H. Gammon. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This building is still used for the sanctuary and nursery today. Construction of an adjoining three-story building was completed in 1991. This gives us the extra room we need for meetings and classrooms and makes the church completely accessible with an elevator and large restrooms to accommodate those with special needs. The church is celebrating congregational renewal with dramatic growth, new programming, and expanded missionary outreach. We truly are a place where "love shows and faith grows."
Click photo to view 360' panoramic
tour of the church sanctuary.

phone - 630-879-7060 e-mail - info@BataviaUMC.com