The First United Methodist Church of Homestead is the oldest church in Homestead. A meeting in a one-room schoolhouse in 1909 led to the establishment of the Methodist Episcopal Church South at NW 2nd Street and 1st Avenue.
Homestead citizens belonging to the Northern Methodist branch organized in 1914.
In 1916, the Methodist Episcopal Church also known as the “White Stone Church” was dedicated at 334 NW 1st Avenue.
In 1929, when the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Methodist Episcopal Church South united, Homestead became famous, as this was the first unification of the two groups, which had split over questions of administration and slavery in 1844.
Ten years later Methodist Churches across the nation followed.
In 1931, the name of the church was officially changed to “Homestead Methodist Church”.
In 1945, plans were made to purchase the property at NW 7 Street and Krome Avenue for a new church.
The first service was held on Thanksgiving Day 1949.
In 1973, we enlarged the Sanctuary, added office space and returned the original large bell to this church that is mounted in the front of our church. The stained glass rose window donated by the Fredrick family was originally in the Countess of Huntingdon Church in England where John Wesley preached.
The new building was consecrated on April 28, 1974.
Once again we needed more space for our growing congregation. In 1990, we completed the Family Life Center.
In 1992, after Hurricane Andrew, the Family Life Center became the major distribution point for food, clothing and building materials to the entire community for many months.
There has been a Day School in our facilities for many, many years. In 2005 ground was broken for a new facility at the corner of 7th Street and 1st Avenue to be totally devoted to the School, Homestead First United Methodist Christian School. What started as a preschool, has now grown and goes thru the 3rd Grade. The School moved into its new facilities in October, 2006.
