In late 1784 at the now famous Christmas Conference, at Lovely Lane Chapel in Baltimore, the Methodist Episcopal Church was officially begun.

The first mention of Methodist preaching in our area was 1822.  However, because of a most bitter spirit of persecution toward Methodists, it would be another 12 years before a parish is officially formed.

It was Rev. Wesley Howe, native of Millerstown, Perry County, who founded the congregation in 1834. Without a church building and the people poor, the meetings were held in private houses.  Later permission was granted to worship in the Court House.

In 1838, the present church site was purchased and a year later a Sunday School was organized.  In 1847, the first church was built and dedicated.  This was to serve as a meeting place at a cost of $3,000.

In 1937, the officials of the church, who had been planning for several years to either remodel the old church or build a new one, deciding upon an extensive remodeling program. The top story of the old building was torn down, so that the sanctuary was on the ground level and a new school unit was added at a cost of $23,000.

On Palm Sunday, 1943, as people gathered for the morning service, a fire broke out in the furnace room, spreading rapidly to other parts of the church.  The building, which was only five years old, was damaged to the extent of $5,000.  

In writing new insurance policies, as a result of the fire, it was decided to change the name of the church.  On May 30, 1943, by congregational vote, the name was changed from First Methodist Episcopal Church, to Aldersgate Methodist Church.  The name Aldersgate commemorates John Wesley’s experience of faith and salvation at a prayer meeting on Aldersgate Street, in London.

Compiled by Don Whitsel