Batavia United Methodist Church

BUMC

Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m.
CLICK HERE to Watch Live Worship!
CLICK to Register Your Attendance

  • Plan a Visit!
  • Get Involved
    • Music
    • Serve
    • Children and Families
    • Youth/Teens
  • Upcoming Events
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Pastor and Staff
    • Contact Us
    • Parent’s Day Out
  • Give
  • Children and Families
  • Parent’s Day Out

The History of Batavia United Methodist Church

A Brief History Of Batavia United Methodist Church

The following historical information was provided by Scott McCullagh and can be found in more detail in his book “The Past Is Prologue” The History of the United Methodist Church of Batavia, Illinois at its 175th Anniversary, 1836 -2011. Scott’s book can be found at the Batavia Public Library.

Early Church

In the early 1800s the story of the Batavia Methodist Church began with the settlement of the Fox River Valley, an area west of the village of Chicago. 

The early Methodist churches of the Fox River Valley were served by circuit riders. These preachers traveled on horseback from pioneer cabin to pioneer cabin and between early settlements. 

In 1836, at the request of a prominent early settler of Batavia, William Van Nortwick, a circuit rider was dispatched to serve the Methodist of the Fox River Valley. Reverend David Blackwell, served the towns of Charleston (now St. Charles), Geneva, and Batavia. In Batavia, classes were held for 16 years in the residence of William Van Nortwick. 

First Church Building

In 1852, the first Methodist church for Batavia was built. It was constructed of native limestone in the Greek Revival style of two stories with a balcony and tower. Reverend Elijah H. Gammon was appointed full-time pastor of the church. Reverend Gammon later retired from active ministry due to health issues, and became a successful businessman.

After serving as the Methodist Episcopal Church until 1888, the building was purchased by the Batavia School District. This building still stands at the corner of First Street and South Lincoln Avenue on Batavia’s west side.

Current Church Building

The current church building, located on Batavia Avenue, was constructed in 1887 with funds donated by Elijah H. Gammon and local industrialist Don Carlos Newton. The church is in the French Romanesque style and was designed by famed Chicago architect Solon Spencer Beman. 

The exterior of the church is constructed of field boulders by local stone mason Isaac S. Stephens. Approximately three fourths of the boulders came from Stephen’s own farm which was located just north of what is now Mooseheart, on Batavia Avenue.

The interior carpentry work of finished Georgia pine was done by W. J. McAlpine, of Sycamore, Illinois. The pews of red oak were manufactured by Haynes, Spencer, and Company of Richmond, Indiana.

A Century of Changes

In 1906, the church board voted to build a gym, and for many years this was the only gym in Batavia. In 1912, the gym was home court for the 1912 state champion Batavia High School Basketball Team. In 1917, the gym was sold to Hubbard and Johnsons. In 2015, the Hubbards sold the building back to Batavia UMC.  

The mid 1900’s began a series of name changes for the church. 

1940- The church’s name was changed from Batavia’s First Methodist Episcopal Church to First Methodist Church.

1971 – The McKee Street United Methodist Church and the First United Methodist Church voted to merge. With only one Methodist church in Batavia, the “First” in its name was no longer necessary. The church is now Batavia United Methodist Church.

On July 28th 1983, the church was entered in the National Register of Historic Places. A copy of the nomination form can be viewed here. The form contains additional information regarding the construction of the church.

Reaching Out – Welcoming All

In 1991, an addition to the church was constructed to expand and modernize the church. This addition consisted of classrooms, a Fellowship Hall, a more efficient kitchen, offices, expanded nursery facilities, a space for choir rehearsal, a work room, and storage.

In 2007, Batavia United Methodist Church launched an outreach site in Aurora, Illinois called Flowing Grace. On June 1, 2014, the site was chartered and renamed Flowing Grace United Methodist Church. 

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Phone
  • YouTube

Calendar of Events

May

June 2025

July
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Events for June

1st

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Sunday Worship – In the Sanctuary and Online

Sanctuary, Batavia UMC
Events for June

2nd

No Events
Events for June

3rd

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Tuesday Evening Study-April-May 2025

Batavia UMC
Events for June

4th

No Events
Events for June

5th

No Events
Events for June

6th

No Events
Events for June

7th

No Events
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Events for June

8th

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Sunday Worship – In the Sanctuary and Online

Sanctuary, Batavia UMC
Events for June

9th

No Events
Events for June

10th

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Tuesday Evening Study-April-May 2025

Batavia UMC
Events for June

11th

No Events
Events for June

12th

No Events
Events for June

13th

No Events
Events for June

14th

No Events
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Events for June

15th

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Sunday Worship – In the Sanctuary and Online

Sanctuary, Batavia UMC
Events for June

16th

No Events
Events for June

17th

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Tuesday Evening Study-April-May 2025

Batavia UMC
Events for June

18th

No Events
Events for June

19th

No Events
Events for June

20th

No Events
Events for June

21st

No Events
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Events for June

22nd

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Sunday Worship – In the Sanctuary and Online

Sanctuary, Batavia UMC
Events for June

23rd

No Events
Events for June

24th

5:45 pm - 6:00 pm

Lazarus House Opportunity

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Tuesday Evening Study-April-May 2025

Batavia UMC
Events for June

25th

No Events
Events for June

26th

No Events
Events for June

27th

No Events
Events for June

28th

No Events
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
Events for June

29th

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Sunday Worship – In the Sanctuary and Online

Sanctuary, Batavia UMC
Events for June

30th

No Events
Events for July

1st

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Tuesday Evening Study-April-May 2025

Batavia UMC

Worship Times

Every Sunday Morning at 9:00 a.m.
Live Worship - in the Sanctuary and Online via YouTube

Vision Statement

Batavia United Methodist Church is a vibrant congregation and community hub that welcomes and accepts all, where people can explore faith in God, serve, and change both their lives and the lives of others.

8 N. Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL 60510 — Accessible entrance and Office access are at the East entrance on Water St.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Phone
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025