Grove United Methodist Church

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History of Grove United Methodist Church

Francis Asbury

John Wesley sent Francis Asbury, as a missionary, to come to Chester County where he organized a group of colonists into a Society named Goshen. These colonists continued to meet in private homes, but soon needed a larger meeting place. They then met in a log school house near the corner of Grove and Boot Roads.

In 1783 they built a chapel of stone on land donated by a member of the group. In 1844 a larger two-story structure was built. The main entrance faced south toward the cemetery and the sanctuary was on the second floor. In 1888 a new, larger building was constructed. By this time the tombstones were very close to the building; so the new church was built a little further east.

During the early 1950s the church was having financial problems and was without a pastor for months. J. Holland Heck and William Zuschnitt continued to serve in all capacities to keep the church functioning.

The Educational Building addition was completed in 1959. The sanctuary was renovated and carpeted in 1966. Bishop J. Gordon Howard re-dedicated the renovated church sanctuary.

In the middle 1980's the church was expanded once more. A second floor was added to the Educational Building. Five new classrooms, a music room, a parlor, and a new vestibule for the sanctuary were added. The sanctuary was also modified.

At the June 2006 Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference a resolution was approved designating Grove as a United Methodist Historic Site.

Grove's growth and change is not defined by its buildings, but of the dedicated and serving clergy and laity who have continued over the years to praise and serve God. Continuing to do so, Grove will add more chapters to its long, rich and interesting history.

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