NUMC History: The first sermon preached in the county was given by Rev. Kelley was a Methodist Episcopal circuit rider and rode horseback and preached in homes. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1851 by Rev. Services were held in homes. Thomas Granger as pastor, our building was started. It was completed in 1860 with just 9 memebers. There was a destructive fire in Newaygo on April 2
9th, 1883. This fire destroyed 30 buildings and other property at a loss of $50,000.00. Our building was saved. The original church was replaced by a "modern structure" in 1924 at a cost of $15,000.00. In November 1963, our church name was changed from Methodist Episcopal to "First Methodist Church" during a consecration service given by Rev. Avery. In 1968 the Evangelical United Brethern Church and the Methodist Church joined, creating the United Methodist church. This joining prompted the change of our church name to Newaygo United Methodist Church on February 27,1969 at our church conference. Our church has been a part of the history of Newaygo for over 160 years. The most interesting part of our church past and present are the people. Each and every person adds to that history because-- TOGETHER WE ARE THE CHURCH!
