01/13/2026
We are so excited to announce a brand new fund:
Introducing the Brownsville UMC & David Ross Family Faith in Action Unrestricted Fund
The Brownsville UMC & David Ross Family Faith in Action Unrestricted Fund was established to live out Christ’s love by addressing hunger and responding to pressing community needs as opportunities emerge—ensuring that compassion is not only felt today, but sustained for generations to come.
Founded in 1806, Brownsville United Methodist Church is the oldest church in Union County and one of its most enduring pillars of faith and service. In the earliest days, worship gatherings were held in settlers’ cabins for several days at a time, as circuit-riding preachers could only visit occasionally. As the congregation grew, a second church building was constructed in 1844, replacing the original structure to better serve the expanding community.
During the Civil War, the church was closed for a time due to dissension, but true to its resilient spirit, the congregation reunited afterward and repaired the building—renewing both their place of worship and their commitment to one another. That spirit of perseverance would be tested again in 1945, when a devastating fire—discovered during the opening prayer of Sunday service—reduced the church to ashes. Undeterred, members worshiped in the local school until the basement of the present structure was completed in February 1949, with the sanctuary officially dedicated later that year.
For more than two centuries, Brownsville UMC has remained a steady beacon of hope—rooted in faith, strengthened by perseverance, and unwavering in its commitment to love its neighbor.
That commitment is lived out through what many affectionately call the church’s tradition of being “silent helpers.” Without fanfare, the congregation has faithfully met needs where they see them—especially in addressing one of Union County’s most pressing challenges: food insecurity. Over the years, their quiet service has included feeding neighbors in need, supporting Angel Tree programs for both children and the elderly, sponsoring community initiatives such as the Laundry Program through the Union County Public Library, and now working toward the launch of a food pantry serving the Brownsville area.
Beyond local outreach, Brownsville UMC also extends compassion far beyond its walls—supporting disaster relief through UMCOR, responding to floods, tornadoes, and fires across the nation and world. Through Operation Christmas Shoebox, the congregation sends 150–200 boxes each year to children around the globe, offering not only practical supplies, but joy, dignity, and hope.
This enduring spirit of service is now carried forward through the Faith in Action Unrestricted Fund, established with a founding gift of $40,000—a gift that, through matching opportunities, will generate a total impact of $120,000 to benefit Union County. This unrestricted fund allows the Union County Foundation to respond flexibly to both immediate and emerging needs, ensuring that generosity can meet opportunity wherever it arises.
Together, Brownsville United Methodist Church and the David Ross Family have created more than a fund—they have created a lasting legacy of faith in action. A legacy that honors the past, serves the present, and builds hope for the future.
