https://youtube.com/?si=OlFWujVeZk5yjJJE Built in 1884, out of California redwood, our "little white church" has the distinction of being the very first church in the town of Ripon. At the time, it was the community church, not associated with any creed or denomination. It was a community chapel available for use by those seeking to worship. In addition to Sunday worsh
ip services, the church hosted weddings, funerals and special events. Local groups began to organize and build churches. Within twenty five years, there were Congregational, German Brethren and Dutch Reformed churches in the community. As the number of denominational churches increased, the need for a community chapel was diminished. Fortunately, the little white church was preserved, even during occasional periods of disuse. Around 1920, permission was given to a small group of Free Methodists to begin holding regular services in the building. After a few years, a sale was negotiated, and the "little white church" became the Ripon Free Methodist Church. Standing for more than a century, the old church is a community landmark and historical treasure. Two small additions (offices, classrooms, restrooms, and fellowship room) were completed in the 1970's. Renovations, repairs, and improvements (interior and exterior) designed to preserve the church's characteristic simplicity were completed in 2016. If you are in the neighborhood, you might year the bell ringing Sunday mornings signalling the call to worship. Generations ago, that same bell was the "fire alarm" used to summon volunteer firemen to the station downtown. We welcome visitors and warmly invite you to join us for worship or give us a call during the week.
