Batavia United Methodist Church

Batavia United Methodist Church - Making God's Love Real in the Heart of the Community

Live worship in...

i
Go to video! | Register
  • Plan a Visit!
  • Get Involved
    • Music
    • Serve
    • Children and Families
    • Youth/Teens
  • Upcoming Events
  • About Us
    • Pastor and Staff
    • Contact Us
    • E-Connection
  • Give
  • Parents’ Day Out
    • Registration and Medical Forms
    • PDO Teachers and Substitutes Needed
    • Parents’ Day Out Calendar
  • Children and Families

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 (now Flowing Forth United Methodist Church). 

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Phone
  • YouTube

Calendar of Events

February

March 2023

April
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
Events for March

1st

No Events
Events for March

2nd

No Events
Events for March

3rd

No Events
Events for March

4th

No Events
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Events for March

5th

9:00 am - 9:45 am

Online Live Worship

YouTube Live
Events for March

6th

No Events
Events for March

7th

No Events
Events for March

8th

No Events
Events for March

9th

No Events
Events for March

10th

No Events
Events for March

11th

No Events
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Events for March

12th

9:00 am - 9:45 am

Online Live Worship

YouTube Live
Events for March

13th

No Events
Events for March

14th

No Events
Events for March

15th

No Events
Events for March

16th

No Events
Events for March

17th

No Events
Events for March

18th

No Events
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Events for March

19th

9:00 am - 9:45 am

Online Live Worship

YouTube Live
Events for March

20th

No Events
Events for March

21st

No Events
Events for March

22nd

No Events
Events for March

23rd

No Events
Events for March

24th

No Events
Events for March

25th

No Events
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
Events for March

26th

9:00 am - 9:45 am

Online Live Worship

YouTube Live
Events for March

27th

No Events
Events for March

28th

No Events
Events for March

29th

No Events
Events for March

30th

No Events
Events for March

31st

No Events

Worship Times

Every Sunday morning
9:00amLive Worship 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.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Phone
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023