Our History

Mount Horeb United Methodist Church History

The roots of the United Methodist Church in the Mount Horeb area grow deep. According to the 1880 History of Dane County entry titled, “The First Methodist Episcopal Church in Mount Horeb," the first Methodist Episcopal class was organized Nov. 7, 1854, by the Rev. J. T. Pryor and was attached to the Black Earth circuit. Following is a high level history bringing us to current day.

1866

The first Methodist church building in Mount Horeb was constructed in 1866. This building no longer stands but was located on land that is now Union Cemetery.

Late 1800s

We don't know the names of these ladies, but they were active in church group called The Ladies' Aid Society.

1895

The Rev. J.W. Irish was appointed as Mount Horeb's first full-time Methodist pastor.

1904

The second Methodist church building was dedicated in 1904. It served the congregation and the community for more than 80 years and still stands at the corners of Oak and Third Streets. It has since been converted for residential living.

1914

The church constructed it's first parsonage at 302 Oak Street.

1954

The church celebrated its 100th anniversary. Extensive remodeling of the building had taken place between 1917 and 1954.

1967

The merging of two local churches: Blue Mounds UMC and Mount Horeb UMC. According to information from the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society, the Blue Mounds church was located at the corner of Division and Mounds Streets in Blue Mounds. This church closed its doors and its members started attending Mount Horeb UMC.

1977 - 1987

The growing congregation purchased land at the NE corner of County Highways S and 78. A building fund drive began in 1979, and by 1985 the new church building was under construction. Many church members worked in tandem with the contractors. A dedication ceremony was held in the summer of 1987. 

2004

The church celebrated its 150th anniversary. Building renovations the year prior included adding a brick facade to the exterior.

2010 - 2017

The congregation once again experienced growing pains. To address space needs a preliminary building committee was established in 2012. In 2014, all church debt was retired through a Miracle Sunday Campaign. A capital campaign launched in 2016 to raise funds for a new addition and elevator, and a groundbreaking ceremony took place in 2017.   

2018

The new addition was completed and a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on June 24, 2018. The new addition gave our church a welcoming entryway and gathering space, a bell tower with our historic bell installed, and an elevator shaft incorporated within the bell tower.

2019

Our congregation voted to become a Reconciling Congregation in May 2019. We are an organization that seeks the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practices of the United Methodist Church. We are associated with the Reconciling Ministries Network.

2023

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for our elevator took place on November 12, 2023. The inaugural ride was taken by long-time church members Doug Blankschein, Dixie Burns and Gaye Scheidegger. We now have a building that is fully accessible.