In the summer of 1838, a Circuit Rider, the Rev. Migill Dustin, founded the Chester Church. Sunday afternoon services were conducted at Kerr's Run, Pomeroy. Later the services were moved to a cabinet chop owned by John Master. Lumber in the shop served as seating. Next place of worship was a cooper shop owned by Mr. Dundee.

The next home for Methodists in the Pomeroy area was a frame building behind the present Mid-West Steel Factory. This building was used as a school after 1856 when the Union Chapel was completed.

About this time the Pomeroy Circuit became a reality under Pastor Stephen Frampton. A fire delayed the dedication of Union Chapel and the church met in the Central School and in a home on Butternut Avenue while the building was repaired. It was dedicated January 16, 1859, beginning with 130 members and 25 probationers.

The bell which calls United Methodists to worship today was brought to the present church from Union Chapel. The bell was from the steamboat "The City of Wheeling", which wrecked in front of the old theater building.

Over the choir loft is the Brewster Memorial Window, made up of smaller windows. This was presented to the church "by the Grand Army of the Republic" in memory of their commander, R.H. Brewster.

Rev. David Foster became the pastor of the Pomeroy Circuit, with the obligation to devise ways to construct the Simpson Church. It was dedicated September 18, 1892, named in honor of Bishop Matthew Simpson. The Baptismal font now in use was presented by Mrs. Simpson in his memory.

Landslides from the hill behind the church have caused several problems. Before the church was completed a slide brought 30 wagon-loads of dirt into the church. The dirt was removed by hand. Then , in 1916 a slide pushed in the back wall. In repairing the damage, a second floor was added, now used primarily as an education unit.

The 100th anniversary of the congregation was celebrated June 21, 1938, Shortly afterward, Simpson and Bethany (German Methodist) churches united and named the new congregation the Pomeroy UNited Methodist Church in 1943. Four families- Dr. and Mrs. C. E. W. Downie, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Smith, Mrs. Nettie Wisecarver and Dr. and Mrs. Byron Bing- purchased the former Presbyterian Church organ. Thanks to the efforts of the J.O.F. Class, the Bethany organ replaced the Presbyterian organ January 12, 1955, and was dedicated September 25, 1955, reconditioned in 1981 at a cost of $16,000 and plays each Sunday.

On November 20, 1982 the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Durinf the pastorate of Rev. Robert L. McGee, (1978-1982) the City Hall Building, adjacent to the church, was purchased, providing space for a parking lot. After the death of Rev. McGee in 1983, an access ramp for the handicapped was added and dedicated in his memory and honor.

Dating back to the Chester Circuit, The Pomeroy Circuit and the Pomeroy Charge, the Methodist Church has had 65 pastors. Present pastor is Pastor Rod Brower. The parsonage is at 211 Mulberry Avenue. The church has regular services at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays, followed by Sunday School at 10:45 a.m.


-Mrs. Dorothy Downie, Church historian (excerpted from 1990 Church directory)